As I showed earlier today in my 10 Best Minor League Deals Of The Year post, minor moves sometimes have a major impact. Today's latest:
- The Rays released right-handed reliever Jay Buente, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. The move created a 40-man roster spot for Dan Johnson, whose contract was purchased. Buente, who'd been claimed off waivers from the Marlins in May, found himself literally twice as hittable for the Rays' Triple-A affiliate as compared to his work in the Marlins' organization this year. Topkin adds that recently designated pitchers Rob Delaney and Mike Ekstrom cleared waivers and the Rays are waiting to hear if they'll accept outright assignments.
- The Orioles released lefty reliever Mark Hendrickson on Monday, according to the team's transactions page. He'd been designated for assignment last Tuesday.
- The Diamondbacks released first baseman Daryle Ward, tweets Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. The 36-year-old hit .318/.445/.471 in 110 plate appearances. He last played in the Majors in '08 with the Cubs.
What’s that now? Don Johnson returns to Miami?
Daryle Ward is still playing!!!!!