Here are today's minor moves and outright assignments from around the league…
- Indians right-hander Trey Haley has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Columbus, the team announced. Haley was designated for assignment last week in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for new closer John Axford.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Brewers have released right-hander Cody Scarpetta (Twitter link). Baseball America ranked Scarpetta as Milwaukee's No. 4 prospect at one point and ranked his curveball best among Brewers farmhands from 2008-11. Scarpetta, now 25, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012 and struggled to a 7.15 ERA in 34 innings upon his return in 2013.
- The Twins announced that they've outrighted outfielder Darin Mastroianni to Triple-A Rochester. The 28-year-old was a solid fourth outfielder for the Twins in 2012 with outstanding defense and baserunning contributions, but an ankle injury limited him to 73 plate appearances in 2013. Mastroianni followed up a .250/.328/.350 showing in 2012 with a .185/.229/.215 effort in 2013.
- Right-hander Chance Ruffin has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma, the Mariners announced. Ruffin was designated for assignment last week in order to clear room on the 40-man roster for Franklin Gutierrez, who re-signed with Seattle on a one-year deal.
- The Brewers have outrighted right-hander Michael Olmsted off their 40-man roster, according to senior director of media relations Mike Vassallo (on Twitter). The 26-year-old whiffed 60 batters in 59 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2013 but also walked 43 hitters en route to a 5.88 ERA.
- Right-hander Rhiner Cruz has been outrighted from the Astros' 40-man roster, according to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Houston selected Cruz out of the Mets organization with the first overall pick of the 2011 Rule 5 Draft. The 26-year-old posted a 3.38 ERA in 21 1/3 innings in 2013 but walked more hitters (11) than he struck out (10) in that time.
- The Dodgers have signed right-hander Juan Abreu to a minor league contract, according to the team's transactions page. Now 28 years old, Abreu's only Major League experience came with the Astros in 2011 when he allowed two runs with 12 strikeouts against three walks in 6 2/3 innings of relief. The Dominican native has a 4.30 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and 5.9 BB/9 in 106 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level.
Abreu joined the Astros in that Braves/Michael Bourn trade. Looking back, it was an absolute steal by the Braves.
It’ll depend on Oberholtzer’s progress with Houston. He was solid in 2013, but his upside does appear pretty limited. The deal looks good for Atlanta, but there’s at least some hope for the Astros to get some long-term value out of it.
Not really because Bourn is with Cleveland and Atlanta didn’t do anything. The Astros still have Oberholtzer and last year he was pretty good. I could see Oberholtzer as a dominant south paw.
Well now how well Atlanta does from that deal comes down to what their comp pick does whoever that is
Their Comp pick would have been forfeited when they signed Upton.
to add so their comp pick is BJ Upton
with Cruz taken off the Astros 40 man I wonder if they are about to make a trade or sign someone. Their 40 man was at 40, so there would of been little reason to take him off now otherwise. I realize the Springer could be added later on but making this move now seems a little pre mature.
It’s possible but some teams just like to have 1 or 2 spots open for the flexibility with or without any future moves in the works. Rays are a prime example of this.
Brewers randomly outright Olmsted off the 40-man… there’s gotta be a move coming, right? It leaves just one spot open on our 40-man, and I can’t think of any reason for him to be outrighted unless there’s another move coming.
It’s been pretty quiet on the Brewer rumor front since Michael Young’s name popped up a week or so ago. Usually that means Melvin’s busy working on something.
Precisely what I was thinking. It’s always when our rumors get quiet that Doug starts working on things. It’s been silent lately, and now this happens. Gotta be something.
They would have had to release or outright someone if a trade or signing were to occur. It could be an indicator that the Mets are starting to give up on the idea of getting Thornburg for Ike Davis. They might be starting to look at someone like a Drew Gagnon, who is not on the 40-man roster.
And we both released AND outrighted someone today (Scarpetta was released; Olmsted outrighted)… interesting. Yeah, it could definitely be an indicator that the Mets are lowering their price. Or something we haven’t thought of, because Doug Melvin is just that sneaky.
Slightly surprised Mastroianni is the one off the 40 man considering the Twins will need OF defense. I would have thought Presly or Mastro would start in CF and the other would be on the bench. And that both would play when a guy like Hughes was pitching.
Not a big loss and he’s still in the system, so that’s nice…in case Hicks still doesn’t catch on in AAA.
Aaron Hicks.
Yes, he exists, but he wasn’t that good in MLB or AAA last year. I don’t think they’re going to go with “well he’s great in ST” again. Granted they didn’t have any other options last year anyway. I think they’ll give him time and he’ll be in AAA unless there’s an injury.
He’s likely going to have to show a good month or two before he’s back up with the team.
Or tear it up in spring training.
I like mastroianni. I hope that ankle injury does not affect his speed because he was very skilled at swiping bags! Does this mean that Alex Presley will be a regular for the Twins next season? Maybe they give Aaron Hicks another shot?
I’m glad Ruffin wasn’t picked up from another team, and he’s staying in Seattle. I like his potential!