The New York Yankees today acquired first baseman/designated hitter Lance Berkman and cash considerations from the Houston Astros in exchange for right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon and minor league infielder Jimmy Paredes.

Berkman, 34, batted .245 (73-for-298) with 39 runs, 16 doubles, 13 home runs and 49 RBI in 85 games with the Astros this season. He leads all Major Leaguers, averaging just 5.97 plate appearances per walk and ranks fifth overall in the Majors with 60 walks. The switch-hitter has batted .261 (61-for-234) with 13 doubles and 12 home runs as a left-handed batter in 2010, and .188 (12-for-64) with three doubles and one home run from the right side of the plate.

He has seen all his action at first base in 2010, committing just one error in 769 total chances and ranking third among all Major League first basemen with a .999 fielding percentage.

Originally selected by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Berkman is a career .296 hitter with 375 doubles, 326 home runs, 1,090 RBI and a .410 on-base percentage in 1,592 games over parts of 12 seasons, all with the Astros (1999-2010). He departs the Astros ranking second in franchise history in home runs, third in runs scored (1,008), doubles and runs batted in, fourth in games played and fifth in at-bats (5,560) and hits (1,648).

Berkman is a five-time All-Star (2001-02, ’04, ’06 and ’08), finishing in the top seven in National League MVP voting in each of those seasons. He ranks fifth all time in career home runs by a switch-hitter (326) and is one of only seven switch-hitters in Baseball history to reach the 300 home run plateau. From 2000 to 2009, he hit at least 20 home runs in each of the 10 seasons, becoming the 11th player in Major League history to hit at least 20 home runs in each year of a decade, joining Carlos Lee and now-teammate Alex Rodriguez as the only players to accomplish the feat.

In limited action (12 games) as a designated hitter in his career, Berkman owns a .378 (17-for-45) batting average with two home runs. A native of Texas, he grew up in Austin and attended Rice University in Houston.

Melancon (6-2, 215 lbs), who was originally selected by the Yankees in the ninth round of the 2006 June Draft, has an 18-3 career minor league record in 123 relief appearances with a 2.84 ERA (67ER/212IP), allowing just 178 hits in 212.0 innings of work with 209 strikeouts and 14 saves. Melancon has spent parts of the last two seasons (2009-10) in the Majors with New York, appearing in 15 games in relief (0-0 record) and posting a 4.87 ERA (11ER/20.1IP). He has spent most of the 2010 season with Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he was 6-1 in 40 appearances with a 3.67 ERA (23ER/56.1IP) and six saves with 58 strikeouts. In 2009-10 combined at Triple A, Melancon is 11-2 in 84 appearances with a 3.20 ERA (46ER/129.1IP) and 134 strikeouts in 129.1 innings pitched and 10 saves. While at the University of Arizona, Melancon set a school record for saves.

Paredes (6-1, 178 lbs) had been in the Yankees organization since being signed as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2006. He hit .282 (114×404) in 99 games at Class A Charleston this season with 24 doubles, six triples, five home runs, 48 RBI and 36 stolen bases. Paredes has played 71 games at second base this season, but has also seen action at shortstop and third base. He has a .280 average (290×1036) in 265 career minor league games.

Yanks Add Kerry Wood

The New York Yankees today acquired right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood and cash considerations from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

Wood, 33, is 1-4 with eight saves and a 6.30 ERA (20.0IP, 14ER) in 23 relief appearances with the Cleveland Indians this season. He has held opponents scoreless in nine of his last 11 appearances, striking out 10 batters in 9.2IP over the stretch (8H, 3ER, 4BB, 4-for-5 in save chances).

Wood was reinstated off the 15-day disabled list today, after being out since July 12 with a blister on his right index finger. He began the season on the disabled list with a strained right lat, suffered in spring training and was activated on May 7.

Originally selected by the Chicago Cubs with the fourth overall pick in the 1995 First-Year Player Draft, Wood owns a career record of 81-68 with a 3.71 ERA in 357 games (178 starts) over parts of 12 seasons with the Cubs (1998, 2000-08) and Indians (2009-10). He owns a 4-7 mark with 28 saves (in 37 chances) and a 4.80 ERA in 81 games – all in relief – over the last two seasons with the Indians.

Though mainly used as a starter from 1998-2004, Wood has made 179 career relief appearances, going 10-13 with 62 saves in 77 opportunities, a 3.85 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 177.2IP.

Indians, Cardinals, Padres Complete 3 team deal

ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 31, 2010 – The St. Louis Cardinals have reached agreement on a three-team trade with the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres this afternoon. The Cardinals will receive former (2004) All-Star pitcher Jake Westbrook and cash from the Indians and minor league left-handed pitcher Nick Greenwood from the Padres.

Westbrook, 32, was 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 games started for the Tribe this season. He owns a career mark of 69-71 with a 4.34 ERA in 221 games. The 6-3, 215-pound Athens, Ga. native won 14 games with a 3.38 ERA in 2004, earning selection the American League All-Star team. Westbrook was the 21st overall pick in the 1996 amateur draft by Colorado and was dealt to the Montreal Expos in 1997. He was traded to the New York Yankees in 1999 where he appeared in three games as a rookie, and less then a year later, was traded to Cleveland in a four-player trade for David Justice.

“We’ve been looking for a quality starting pitcher to add to our rotation for some time,” said Cardinals’ Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak. “Westbrook is someone we’ve had our eyes on for a good period of time. We also want to wish Ryan Ludwick all the best with the Padres. He did an outstanding job for us over the past three and a half seasons.”

Westbrook won 14 or more games over three-consecutive seasons from 2004-06, including a career-high 15 wins in 2005 and 2006. He worked 200 or more innings in each of those three seasons as well. Westbrook missed all of the 2009 season after undergoing “Tommy John” elbow surgery.

Greenwood, 22, is 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA at Fort Wayne (A) of the Midwest League and will be assigned to Quad Cities (A).

In the deal the Indians have acquired RHP COREY KLUBER from the San Diego Padres.

Kluber, 24, has spent the entire season to date at AA San Antonio going 6-6 with a 3.45 ERA (122.2IP, 121H, 59R/47ER, 40BB, 136K, .259 avg) in 22 games/21 starts. He currently leads the Texas League in strikeouts (136), strikeouts per 9.0IP (9.98K/9.0IP) and is 2nd in innings pitched (122.2IP). Over his last 4 starts he is 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA (26.0IP, 18H, 5R/ER, 8BB, 30K) and the Texas League recently named him the player of the week.

The Padres selected Kluber, a 6-4, 215-pound right-hander, in the 4th round of the 2007 June draft out of Stetson University (FL). In 2009 between A Lake Elsinore and AA San Antonio he went a combined 9-13 with a 4.56 ERA (154.0IP, 155H, 90R/78ER, 70BB, 159K) in 28 starts. He tied for seventh in strikeouts among all of minor league baseball with 159 in 2009. Kluber will report to AA Akron in the coming days.

The San Diego Padres announced acquired outfielder Ryan Ludwick from the St. Louis Cardinals. In the three-team transaction, the Padres send left-handed pitcher Nick Greenwood to St. Louis and right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber to the Cleveland Indians. Executive Vice President/General Manager Jed Hoyer made the announcements.

To complete the three-team transaction, the Indians sent right-handed pitcher Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals.

Ludwick, who turned 32 on July 13, is hitting .281 (79-for-281) with 20 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 43 RBI, 24 walks and 64 strikeouts with the Redbirds in 69 games (67 starts) this season. Ludwick has made 63 of his 67 starts in right field for St. Louis this year. He’s batting .302 (62-for-205) with eight homers and 29 RBI vs. right-handed pitchers this season.

In 592 Major League games over parts of eight seasons with the Texas Rangers (2002-2003), Indians (2003-2005) and Cardinals (2007-2010), Ludwick has batted .272 (529-for-1942) with 118 doubles, seven triples, 98 homers, 349 RBI, 181 walks and 487 strikeouts. He’s hit .307 (111-for-361) with 24 homers and 82 RBI in 106 career games vs. National League West teams. A 2008 National League All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner, Ludwick finished 16th in MVP voting that year while ranking second in the NL with a .591 slugging percentage (behind Albert Pujols).

Marlins Add Ohman

SAN DIEGO, CA — The Florida Marlins today announced they have acquired left-handed reliever Will Ohman from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitcher Rick VandenHurk. The announcement was made by Marlins President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest.

Ohman, 32, appeared in 30 games with the Orioles this season with no record and 3.30 ERA (30.0 IP/11 ER). Since 2005, has made 358 appearances, which is the seventh-most among active left-handed relievers.

The left-handed native of Frankfurt, Germany, has a career record of 11-9 with three saves a 4.14 ERA (261.0 IP/120 ER) in 375 games. He was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft and spent parts of four seasons with the Cubs prior to being traded to Atlanta with Omar Infante in exchange for Jose Ascanio on December 4, 2007.

VandenHurk, 24, has made two appearances with the Marlins this season with no record and a 6.75 ERA (1.1 IP/1 ER). In 19 starts with triple-A New Orleans has gone 8-4 with two complete games a 4.68 ERA (98.0 IP/51 ER). The right-hander has posted a career Major League record of 8-9 with a 5.96 ERA (155.2 IP/103 ER) in 35 games, including 32 starts. In 95 minor league games (94 starts), has gone 27-24 with a 3.74 ERA (449.2 IP/187 ER).

Red Sox Trade for Saltalamacchia

Boston acquired catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from the Texas Rangers in exchange for first baseman Christopher McGuiness, right-handed pitcher Roman Mendez, a player to be named later and cash considerations. Saltalamacchia has been optioned to Pawtucket.

The announcements were made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

Saltalamacchia, 25, was 1-for-5 (.200) with an RBI in two games for the Rangers this season, including one start behind the plate. He has also appeared in 63 games with Texas’ Triple-A Oklahoma, including a rehab stint, batting .244 (58-for-238) with 11 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 33 RBI and 37 runs scored. In 240 career Major League games over parts of four seasons with the Braves (2007) and Rangers (2007-10), Saltalamacchia has hit .251 (199-for-794) with 38 doubles, 23 home runs, 94 RBI and 100 runs scored. He has made 185 career appearances behind the plate, including 177 starts.

Mendez, who turned 20 on July 25, is 2-3 with a 4.36 ERA in 8 starts for Lowell (short season-A). The righthander, who is tied for 9th in the New York-Penn League with 35 strikeouts in 33.0 innings, defeated Tri-Cities in his last start on July 29, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs in 5.0 innings with 6 strikeouts. Mendez began 2010 at Greenville (low-A) with a 0-2 record and 11.40 ERA (19 ER/15.0 IP) in 6 starts.

Mendez is in his third professional season after being signed by Boston as an undrafted free agent in July 2007. He posted the lowest opponents batting average in the Gulf Coast League (.184) and compiled the second lowest earned run average among all Boston minor leaguers (1.99) in 2009. Mendez was a Dominican Summer League All-Star after fanning 46 in 51.0 innings in his first pro season in 2008.

McGuiness, 22, is batting .298 (84-282) with 20 doubles, 12 homers and 46 RBI in 78 games at Greenville in 2010. The lefthanded batter leads the Drive in homers and walks (53) and ranks second in average and RBI. He is batting .337 (28-83) in 25 games this month.

This is McGuiness’ second professional season after being selected by the Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft. He was selected as a New York-Penn League All-Star a year ago, when led Lowell with 38 RBI.

Dodgers Acquire Dotel

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Octavio Dotel and cash considerations from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed pitcher James McDonald and minor league outfielder Andrew Lambo. General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

“Octavio gives us another veteran pitcher who has saved a lot of games in the big leagues and is used to pitching late in the game,” said Colletti. “With two All-Stars in Broxton and Kuo, in addition to our other veteran arms, this gives us a solid, experienced bullpen.” Dotel, 36, has served as the Pirates’ closer this season, notching 21 saves in 26 opportunities with a 4.28 ERA in 41 games. In 12 Major League seasons, he has a 3.65 ERA and 104 saves while posting a 48-41 record. He saved a career-high 36 games in 2004.

Dotel has appeared in the postseason three times – in 1999 with the Mets, 2001 with the Astros and 2008 with the White Sox. McDonald, 25, was 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA in four games (one start) this season for Los Angeles. He was 6-1 with a 4.41 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Albuquerque this season prior to being called up. In parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, the Long Beach native was 5-6 with a 4.11 ERA in 53 games (five starts).

Lambo, who turns 22 on Aug. 11, was batting .271 with four homers and 25 RBI in 47 games for Double-A Chattanooga. The Newbury Park, CA native missed 50 games this season after a second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Dodgers Acquire Lilly, Theriot

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that they have acquired left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly, infielder Ryan Theriot and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Blake DeWitt and minor league right-handed pitchers Kyle Smit and Brett Wallach. General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

“We’ve been looking to improve our rotation and with Ted, we feel like we’ve got a very good group of starting pitchers for the stretch run,” said Colletti. “Ryan is versatile and can help us in the middle of the diamond as a nice complement to our existing infielders. “Of all the times I’ve had to tell a player he was traded, this was one of the toughest telling Blake DeWitt,” Colletti added. “His professionalism, his passion and who he is made doing this one of the toughest moves I’ve made.”

Lilly, 34, has a 106-92 career record and 4.21 ERA in 12 seasons with the Expos, Yankees, A’s, Blue Jays and Cubs. He has reached double figures in victories in each of the past seven seasons, including 12 or more wins in six of the last seven.

The Torrance native joins the Dodgers 12 years to the day that he was traded as a minor league farmhand. On July 31, 1998, Los Angeles acquired Mark Grudzielanek, Carlos Perez and Hiram Bocachica from the Montreal Expos in exchange for Lilly, Peter Bergeron and Jonathon Tucker.

On June 14 of this season, Lilly took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Juan Pierre came off the bench to break up the bid. On May 10, 1997, Lilly threw a no-hitter against Lake Elsinore for Single-A San Bernardino in the Dodgers’ farm system.

This season, Lilly is 3-8 with a 3.69 ERA in 18 starts, as he has received the lowest run support in the Major Leagues (2.31). Theriot, 30, has played 66 games at second base and 29 at shortstop this season, committing just nine errors. In 96 total games, the right-handed hitter is batting .284 with one homer, 21 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 22 attempts. In parts of six big league seasons, Theriot has a .287 lifetime average and .350 on-base percentage.

Pirates-DBacks Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that they have acquired catcher Chris Snyder, minor league shortstop Pedro Ciriaco and cash considerations from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for infielder Bobby Crosby, outfielder Ryan Church and right-handed pitcher D.J. Carrasco. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.

The 29-year-old Snyder made 58 starts behind the plate for the Diamondbacks this season and hit .231 (45-for-195) with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 65 games overall. He had his 240-game errorless streak snapped on June 6; the third-longest streak in Major League history by a catcher behind Mike Redmond (253 games, July 22, 2004-May 18, 2010) and Mike Matheny (252 games, August 2, 2002-August 1, 2004).

Snyder’s current OPS of .778 ranks ninth among Major League catchers with at least 225 plate appearances and he has the seventh-highest OPS (.774) among catchers in the Major Leagues with at least 1200 plate appearances since 2007. “Chris Snyder is a solid major league player who will provide us with a quality catching option for this year and next year,” said Huntington. “He brings leadership to the club, along with a game calling and receiving ability that will help our pitching staff mature. Additionally he will add some home run power to our lineup.”

Since the start of the 2007 season, Snyder leads all Major League catchers in fielding percentage (.999), having made just two errors in 2456 chances. On offense, he established career highs in doubles (22), home runs (16) and RBI (64) while playing in a career-high tying 115 games with Arizona in 2008.

Originally selected by Arizona in the second round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Snyder made his Major League debut with the D-Backs in 2004 and singled off Aaron Harang in his first big league at bat on August 21 that season. The 24-year-old Ciriaco hit .259 (92-for-355) with 15 doubles, seven triples, six home runs, 51 RBI, 14 stolen bases and 44 runs scored in 87 games with Triple-A Reno this season. The Dominican Republic native was also selected to play in the MLB Futures Game on July 11.

Ciriaco entered the 2010 season as the Arizona organization’s top base stealer the last two seasons (40 in 2008 and 38 in 2009) and ranked by Baseball America as having the Best Infield Arm in the system for the fourth straight season. The right-handed hitting Ciriaco was also rated by Baseball America as being Arizona’s Best Defensive Infielder prior to the 2009 campaign, during which he was named to the mid-season and post-season All-Star teams after leading the Double-A Mobile Bay Bears with a .296 batting average and 139 hits. At season’s end he was ranked by the same publication as the Southern League’s Best Defensive Shortstop and as having the Best Infield Arm. In 2008, Ciriaco finished third in the California League in hits (161) and stolen bases (40) while batting .310. He was also selected to the mid- and post-season California League All-Star teams in 2008.

Snyder is scheduled to join the Pirates and Ciriaco is expected to join Triple-A Indianapolis. The Pirates have also recalled infielders Argenis Diaz and Jeff Clement today and they are expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game in St. Louis.

Rangers Acquire Guzman

The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed pitchers Ryan Tatusko and Tanner Roark from the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielder Cristian Guzman. The Nationals then assigned Tatusko and Roark to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

The 6-foot-5 Tatusko went 9-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 24 games/23 starts for Frisco of the Double-A Texas League prior to today’s trade. The 25 year-old has been touched for only two home runs in 100.0 innings in 2010. In six starts dating to June 28, Tatusko is 4-1 with a 1.33 ERA. He currently ranks among Texas League leaders in winning percentage (first, .818), wins (third) and ERA (sixth).

A product of Indiana State, Tatusko is 22-26 with a 4.09 ERA in 101 professional games/68 starts, during which he has registered a 2.0/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Roark joins the Nationals organization after going 10-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games/17 starts for Frisco. Roark’s 10 wins are currently tied for the Texas League lead. Last season, Roark fanned 8.6 batters per 9.0 innings en route to finishing 11-1 with a 3.02 ERA for Frisco and Bakersfield of the Single-A California League. The 11 wins were tied for the most posted by a Rangers farmhand last season.

In the midst of his third pro campaign, Roark is 24-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 75 games/32 starts. He has registered 8.0 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched and a 2.7/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a professional.

The longest-tenured National prior to the trade, Guzman hit .282 in 89 games for Washington this season. He departs after hitting .282 (581-for-2059) with 95 doubles, 28 triples, 23 home runs, 177 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 550 games with the Nationals from 2005-10.

Braves Add Farnsworth, Ankiel

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals announced today that the two clubs completed a five-player trade. The Braves have acquired outfielder Rick Ankiel, right-handed relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth and cash considerations from the Royals in exchange for outfielder Gregor Blanco, right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez and left-handed minor-league pitcher Tim Collins.

The 31-year-old Ankiel spent his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals before signing with the Royals as a free agent on January 25. He hit .261 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 27 games for Kansas City this season and missed 68 games with a right quadriceps strain. Ankiel has hit safely in six of his seven starts since returning from a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .254 with six doubles, four homers and nine RBIs in 18 rehab games.

Farnsworth, 34, has gone 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in 37 relief appearances in 2010. He has retired 26 of his 37 first-batters faced and has allowed four of 13 inherited runners to score. He has pitched well for since May 1, allowing just seven earned runs in his last 28 appearances, spanning 35.1 innings for a 1.78 ERA. Farnsworth spent the latter half of the 2005 season with the Braves.

Blanco, 26, hit .252 with 15 doubles, six triples, one home run, 42 RBI and 66 runs in 204 career games for the Braves.

Chavez, 26, went 3-2 with a 5.89 ERA in 28 appearances (all in relief) for the Braves this season. He acquired by from the Tampa Bay Rays in a December 9, 2009, trade for reliever Rafael Soriano.

Collins, 20, was acquired in the July 14 trade that brought shortstop Alex Gonzalez from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Giants Add Reliever Ramirez

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Joseph Martinez and outfielder John Bowker from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for left-handed pitcher Javier Lopez. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.

The 27-year-old Martinez has made four appearances (one start) during three separate stints with San Francisco this season. He was most recently recalled on July 24 from Triple-A Fresno, where he went 5-3 with a 3.32 ERA (81.1ip/30er) in 14 games (13 starts). In his four games (one start) in the big leagues this season, Martinez has gone 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA (11.0ip/6er).

Martinez was selected by San Francisco in the 12th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. Primarily used a starter during his professional career, he led the Eastern League with a 2.49 ERA in 2008 while posting a 10-10 record in 27 starts with Connecticut. Martinez made his big league debut with the Giants in 2009 and went 3-2 in nine games (five starts). The left-handed hitting Bowker has spent a majority of the 2010 season with Triple-A Fresno, where he batted .310 (61- for-197) with 14 home runs and 36 RBI in 51 games. He also appeared in 41 games with the Giants and hit .207 (17-for- 82) with three homers and eight RBI.

Originally selected by San Francisco in the third round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Bowker made his Major League debut with the Giants in 2008 and was one of the top rookies in the N.L. that season after batting .255 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 111 games.

Bowker, 27, was named to the Pacific Coast League mid-season and post-season All Star teams after hitting .342 (125-for- 366) with 22 doubles, 21 home runs and 83 RBI in 104 games with Fresno in 2009.

Martinez and Bowker are scheduled to report to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The San Francisco Giants also have acquired right-handed pitcher Ramon Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for right-handed minor league pitcher Daniel Turpen, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today.

Ramirez, 28, has gone 0-3 with a 4.46 ERA (21er, 42.1ip) in 44 relief appearances with the Red Sox this season. He’s allowed nine earned runs in his last 25.1 innings (3.20 ERA) since May 26, holding opposition at a .212 (18-for-85) avg. against during that span. He’s also stranded 16 of his last 20 inherited runners and 21 of 26 overall this season for the eighth lowest inherited runners scored percent in the American League.

Since the All-Star beak, Ramirez has appeared in seven games, tossing 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts and has held opponents to a .190 (4-for-21) avg. against.

The native of the Dominican Republic has been particularly tough on right-handed hitters throughout his career, fashioning a .210 (112-for-533) avg. against. Ramirez has had a lot of experience in late and close games, recording 33 holds from 2008-09, which ranked as 19th-most in the Majors. He’s had success in late and close contests this season, holding opponents to a .149 clip (7-for-47) with no home runs allowed. Between 2008 and 2009, he appeared in 141 games, posted a 2.74 ERA and held opponents to a .227 avg. against, including right-handed hitters at .186.

In his fifth Major League season this year, Ramirez has gone 16-14 with a 3.55 ERA (106er, 268.2ip) in 268 relief appearances with Colorado (2006-07), Kansas City (2008) and Boston (2009-10).

Ramirez has one career appearance in postseason play, appearing last year with Boston in the Division Series.

Turpen, 23, has spent the 2010 season with the Giants’ double-A affiliate in Richmond, going 5-5 with a 4.09 ERA (23er, 50.2ip) in 37 relief appearances. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander was invited to Giants Major League spring camp for the first time this season after appearing in 107 minor league contests. He was originally San Francisco’s eighth round selection in the 2007 draft.

CHICAGO — Prior to tonight’s game vs. the Los Angeles Angels, the Chicago White Sox placed right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy on the 15-day disabled list with a detached latissimus dorsi muscle in his right posterior shoulder and recalled right-hander Jeffrey Marquez from Class AAA Charlotte.

Peavy, 29, suffered the injury in the second inning of last night’s 4-1 victory over the Angels. He is 7-6 with a 4.63 ERA (55 ER/107.0 IP), 93 strikeouts and one shutout in 17 starts this season and has gone 3-2 with a 1.67 ERA (7 ER/37.2 IP), 31 strikeouts and 26 hits allowed over his last six starts.

Peavy is 10-6 with a 4.11 ERA (58 ER/127.0 IP) and 111 strikeouts in 20 starts with the White Sox since being acquired from San Diego on July 31, 2009 in exchange for four pitchers. The 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner owns a career record of 102-74 with a 3.36 ERA (549 ER/1,469.2 IP).

Marquez, 25, is 7-4 with a 4.02 ERA (40 ER/99.2 IP) in 17 starts this season with Charlotte. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Marquez allowed 99 hits, walked 31 and struck out 54. He went 2-0 with a 2.59 ERA (7 ER/24.1 IP) over his last four starts.

Marquez was acquired from the New York Yankees on November 13, 2008 as part of a five-player trade. He originally was selected by the Yankees with a sandwich pick (No. 41 overall) in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.

Marquez, who has no major-league experience, will wear uniform No. 48.

A’s call up Wolf

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s selected right-handed pitcher Ross Wolf from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned right-handed pitcher Tyson Ross to Sacramento, the club announced Wednesday. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A’s transferred Eric Chavez to the 60-day disabled list.

Wolf was acquired by the A’s from Baltimore along with cash considerations on June 22 in exchange for Jake Fox. He was 0-2 with a 2.11 ERA in 25 relief appearances with Triple-A Norfolk and then posted a 1.29 ERA with three saves in seven outings with Sacramento for a 1.99 ERA in 32 relief appearances overall. The 27-year old right-hander held the opposition to a .196 batting average, including .174 with runners in scoring position, and yielded one home run in 45 1/3 innings. Wolf had a 14-game, 15 2/3-inning scoreless streak before allowing a run in his final Triple-A outing Tuesday at Reno. He was originally drafted by Florida in the 18th round of the 2002 Draft and made his Major League debut with the Marlins in 2007, posting an 0-1 record and 11.68 ERA in 14 relief appearances.

Ross was on the A’s Opening Day roster and was 1-4 with a 5.49 ERA in 26 games, including two starts. He had appeared in just two of the A’s last 12 games.

Astros sign Ariel Ovando

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Astros have signed 16-year-old Dominican free agent outfielder Ariel Ovando to a 2011 minor league contract, General Manager Ed Wade announced today. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Ovando was signed by Felix Francisco, the Astros Special Assistant to the G.M./Latin American Operations. The signing is contingent upon approval by the Commissioner’s Office.

Ovando, a 6’4″, left-handed-hitting right fielder, was considered one of this year’s top July 2 prospects in Latin America. Latin players are eligible to be signed if they are 16 years old by July 2, and will attain age 17 prior to September 1 of such effective season. Ovando, who will be 17 on September 15, has signed a minor league contract for 2011. This season, he is expected to first report to the Astros Latin American complex in Boca Chica, DR, in the upcoming days and then is scheduled to participate in the Florida Instructional League in Kissimmee, FL in September.

“We’re extremely excited to get Ariel into the Astros organization,” said Wade. “Felix did a lot of work on this kid and we also were able to have some of our other evaluators scout him over the past several months. Ariel profiles as a middle of the order power hitter with excellent defensive skills. He profiles as a front line major league right fielder and should move quickly through the minor league system.”

Pirates Acquire Gallagher from Padres

The Pittsburgh Pirates today acquired right-handed relief pitcher Sean Gallagher from the San Diego Padres for cash considerations. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. The Pirates will make a corresponding move on the 25-man roster when Gallagher joins Pittsburgh on the club’s road trip.

Gallagher went 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA (23.1ip/14er) in 15 relief appearances for San Diego before being designated for assignment on July 1. In his last eight appearances with the Padres beginning on May 1, he posted a 2.77 ERA (13.0ip/4er). He also went 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA (11.0ip/6er) in three starts with Triple-A Portland while on a rehab assignment from a sprained toe on his left foot in May.

The 24-year-old Gallagher has a career record of 8-9 with one save and a 5.57 ERA (173.0ip/107er) in 60 games (23 starts) since breaking into the big leagues in 2007 with the Chicago Cubs.

The 6-foot-2 righthander was originally selected by the Cubs in the 12th round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. He was named Chicago’s Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year in 2005 after going 14-5 with a 2.71 ERA in 26 starts for Single-A Peoria while also being named to both the Midwest League mid-season and post-season All-Star teams.

Gallagher entered the 2008 campaign ranked as the 82nd-best prospect in all of minor league baseball and also as the Cubs’ fifth-best prospect according to Baseball America. He made 12 appearances (10 starts) with the Cubs before being acquired by Oakland as part of a six-player deal on July 8. He finished the year with a combined 103 strikeouts between Chicago and Oakland, which ranked ninth among all Major League rookies.

Cardinals IR Ottavino

DENVER — The St. Louis Cardinals announced, prior to their game this evening against the Colorado Rockies, that right-handed pitcher Adam Ottavino has been placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 4 with a right shoulder strain. Left-handed pitcher Evan MacLane has been recalled from Memphis (AAA).

Ottavino last pitched on Saturday vs. Milwaukee, throwing 3.2 innings in relief and has thrown 22.1 innings over five Major League appearances.

MacLane, 27, was called up on May 30th during a road series at Chicago, but did not make an appearance before being optioned to Memphis two days later.

MacLane is 5-7 with a 4.47 ERA in 17 starts for Memphis this season. He currently leads the Pacific Coast League in innings pitched with 110.2, is tied for first with 17 games started and is tied for ninth with a 1.25 WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched).

MacLane will wear uniform #62.

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have recalled third baseman Pedro Alvarez (#17) from Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room for Alvarez on the 25-man active roster, the club has designated for assignment infielder Aki Iwamura. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.

The 23-year-old Alvarez hit .277 (67-for-242) with 15 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 53 RBI and 42 runs scored in 66 games this year with Triple-A Indianapolis. At the time of his promotion today, he ranked tied for first in the International League in games, tied for second in runs scored, third in RBI, extra base hits (32) and total bases (129) and tied for fourth in home runs.

Alvarez, who was Pittsburgh’s first round selection in the 2008 draft, entered the 2010 season ranked as the club’s top prospect and as the “Best Power Hitter” according to Baseball America.

In his first professional season in 2009, he hit .288 with 32 doubles, 27 home runs and 95 RBI in 126 combined games between Single-A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona. He also participated in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game, was a member of the gold medal winning Team USA World Cup team and was named the Pirates Minor League Player-of-the-Year after leading all Pittsburgh farmhands in home runs and RBI.

Royals Place Hochevar on DL

KANSAS CITY, MO (June 16, 2010) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that right-handed pitcher Luke Hochevar has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List., retroactive to June 12, with a right elbow strain. The Royals have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Anthony Lerew from Triple-A Omaha. Lerew is in uniform for tonight’s game and is the Royals scheduled starting pitcher for tomorrow night’s contest against the Astros. To make room for Lerew on the Major League 40-man roster, the Royals also requested Unconditional Release Waivers on left-handed pitcher John Parrish.

The 27-year old Lerew was 5-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 14 appearances, including 11 starts, for Omaha. He made three appearances (two starts) for the Royals last September, posting a 0-1 record with a 4.05 ERA. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder is 0-3 with a 6.69 ERA in 14 career outings, including five starts, for the Braves (2005-07) and Royals (2009). He has yet to face Houston in his career.

Hochevar, 26, was 5-4 with a 4.96 ERA in 13 starts. He last pitched on June 11 in Cincinnati, allowing 4 runs in 4.0 innings in a no decision.

The 32-year old Parrish last pitched for KC on April 24 and was placed on the 15-day Disabled List on April 29 with left rotator cuff inflammation.

D-Backs select Demel from AAA

(PHOENIX) – The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have selected right-handed pitcher Sam Demel from Triple-A Reno and optioned right-handed pitcher Cesar Valdez to Reno, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Byrnes.

Demel, 24, was 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA (4 ER in 28.2 IP) with 6 saves and 28 strikeouts in 22 relief appearances for Triple-A Sacramento. Demel held the opposition scoreless in 16 of his 22 games with the River Cats, including 8 consecutive outings from May 17-June 4, a span of 9.0 innings. Demel was acquired by the D-backs yesterday from the A’s in exchange for outfielder Conor Jackson.

Valdez, 25, posted a 7.65 ERA (17 ER in 20.0 IP) and a .337 opponents average (29-for-86) with 10 walks and 13 strikeouts in 9 games (2 starts) for the D-backs.

Rockies place Daley on IR

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has placed right-handed pitcher Matt Daley on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. The disabled list transaction will be backdated to June 11. Daley will be replaced on the active roster by Juan Rincon, who had his contract purchased from Triple-A Colorado Springs by the club today. Rincon (#58) will be in uniform for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field (6:10 p.m. MDT).

Daley, 27, has gone 0-1 with a 3.74 ERA (21.2 ip, 9 er) in 26 games for the Rockies this season. He made his first appearance on the Rockies Opening Day roster this season. Daley recently returned to the Rockies on May 27 to take the place of LHP Greg Smith, who was optioned to Triple-A. Daley was optioned to Triple-A when Jeff Francis was reinstated from the DL on May 16. The right-hander owns a 4.09 ERA (72.2 ip, 33 er) in 83 games since making his Major League debut with the Rockies on April 25, 2009.

Rincon, 31, returns to the Major League roster for the second time this season. He previously spent five days with the big league club from April 27-May 1 before being designated for assignment and outrighted back to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Rincon made one appearance for the Rockies on April 27 vs. Arizona, allowing one run in 1.0 inning. Rincon began the season with Colorado Springs, and has been the club’s closer for the majority of the season. He is 2-2 with a 7.25 ERA (22.1 ip, 18 er) with 7 saves for the Sky Sox this season. Rincon is a veteran of 10 Major League seasons, including seven-plus seasons with the Rockies opponent tonight, the Minnesota Twins (2001-08).

The Rockies now have 40-players on the 40-man roster

In a dismal season, the Cleveland Indians have officially called up their prized catching prospect, Carlos Santana. The 24-year-old catcher was acquired in the Casey Blake trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has been honing his catching skills while continuing to hit. In 57 games at Triple-A Columbus, Santana has a slash line of .316/.447/.597 with 13 homeruns and 51 RBI in 196 at bats. The switch-hitting catcher will be in the lineup tonight and wear number 41. He becomes a reason to watch the Indians and a reason to believe that a quick turnaround is a reality. He’s a special talent.

Arrieta’s Debut

In what seems like a season of debuts, the Orioles unveiled their best pitching prospect last night against the Yankees. Jake Arrieta is the final piece of what the Orioles hope will be a trio of pitchers to get them back into contention. Last night, he won his first start, beating the New York Yankees. The 24-year-old right-hander pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts. The power right-hander got through his first start with the victory after tearing up the Minor Leagues. At triple-A Norfolk, he was 6-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 73 innings. He will, of course, have his ups and downs, but he should be a mainstay at the top of the Orioles rotation for the next decade. With Arrieta, Tillman, and Matusz, the Orioles are hoping that in the next few years they will have their version of Hudson, Mulder, and Zito. This year looks to be rock bottom for the Orioles and they are handling it properly by allowing their young talent to develop in a low-key environment.

Bobby V in Baltimore?

There is growing speculation that Bobby Valentine will be the next Orioles Manager if he wants to be. This is exactly what the Orioles need to do. There is young talent on this team and they should be playing more inspired baseball. Former Orioles’ great and current broadcaster Jim Palmer told Jim Duquette on his radio show that if you could name an Orioles player who worked hard during spring training, it would be the first one. Valentine will provide that credibility and has demonstrated the ability to get his players to play hard. He is great with young players, role players, and for developing a winning culture in a losing environment. He may drive some people crazy, but Bobby Valentine is one of the best baseball minds who is wasting away on television. His hiring will accelerate the Orioles progress.

A-Rod Injury

Alex Rodriguez came out of the game last night in the second inning because of a stiff groin. Aging players have these types of issues. But, Rodriguez brought up seeing his hip Doctor, Dr. Mark Philippon. Rodriguez quickly diffused it during post game interviews, but it is something to monitor. There isn’t a story yet, just an interesting quote.

Niese

Last night, Mets’ rookie southpaw Jon Niese tossed a complete game, 1 hit shutout against the Padres. He was a third inning double away from pitching a perfect game. Since returning from the disabled list, Niese is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings. His presence gives the Mets three legitimate starters, something the Mets pinned their hopes on at the onset of the season. He makes the Mets real contenders. They will have to monitor his innings, but he will be a big contributor for the rest of the season.

Johnson/Halladay

In the pitching matchup of the day, Josh Johnson bested Roy Halladay as the Marlins defeated the Phillies 2-0. Both pitchers delivered on the promise of a great pitching duel.

Johnson 8 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

Halladay 8 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts

Evan Meek

He pitches for the Pirates and nobody outside of Pittsburgh and fantasy leagues really know him, but middle reliever and former Rule 5 pick Evan Meek is pitching at a historic level. In 29 appearances, he is 3-1 with a 0.76 ERA. In 35.2 innings, he has allowed 21 hits, 3 earned runs, 8 walks, and 33 strikeouts. Middle relievers are hard to judge given their limitations, but 35 innings is a large enough sample size to begin to admire his season.

It seems that the above headline has been written many times over the past decade or so. But, this time, the Pittsburgh Pirates really seem to be committed to building from within. It is a slow, painful process, but it certainly beats what the Pirates have been through for the past 18 years. General Manager Neal Huntington traded off every conceivable player in an effort to gather young, athletic, controllable talent while allowing his farm system to develop. With a record of 23-36 and a run differential of -138, it seems to be just another one of the same losing years for the Pirates. They are at the bottom of the league in almost every offensive and pitching category. Their defense isn’t all that good either. But, there is something eminently more likeable about this team. While they are still losing games and are still one of the worst teams in the game, new faces are beginning to infiltrate the lineup. Last night, the Pirates called up 21-year-old outfielder Jose Tabata and 25-year-old starting pitcher Brad Lincoln. Tabata batted leadoff and went 2 for 4 with a stolen base. Lincoln didn’t fare as well in his debut as the Nationals touched him up for 7 hits and 5 runs in 6 innings of work. But, Lincoln is fully recovered from Tommy John Surgery and has regained his velocity.

With Andrew McCutchen and Lastings Milledge, the addition of Tabata gives the Pirates a young, athletic outfield. McCutchen is already developing into one of the best players in the game, batting .300/.371/.471 with 7 homeruns, 17 RBI, and 14 stolen bases on the season. Milledge has yet to fulfill his promise but some upside is there. The outfield is a building block. With their best offensive prospect, Pedro Alvarez still in triple-A (and hitting .278/.368/.519 with 11 homeruns in 216 at bats), the Pirates will have a better offensive core than they have fielded in quite some time. For the first time in almost two decades, there is actual, tangible improvement.

The problem for the Pirates is their pitching. Sure, they have names like Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton, Ross Ohlendorf, Brian Burres, and now Lincoln. But, there is no one on this staff that can blow a pitch by a hitter. As a rotation, they average 89.2 MPH with fastballs. Only the Nationals (who should rise now that one member regularly throws 100 MPH), Brewers, and Phillies average less. The Pirates will only compete if they can unearth some power pitching. Their draft seemed focused on this as the Pirates selected 32 pitchers including first round pick Jameson Taillon. Taillon, a 6’6” right-handed High School pitcher out of Texas throws in the upper 90’s. Their second round pick, Stetson Allie, is another right-handed power pitcher. Like Taillon, Allie is graduating high school. With 32 pitchers drafted and many of them power arms, Huntington’s focus is in the right area. His success comes down to three factors: the health of the young arms, how fast the developmental process can get them to the Major Leagues, and the patience of the fan base. The latter is a tough one to ask for as it has already been stretched too far.

Maybe they are more likeable because they are losing with their own players who might just improve.

Price

Remember during last season when some were saying that David Price was a bust? Last night, despite struggling with command, the southpaw picked up his American League leading ninth win with a 6 inning, 4 hit, 1 run, 5 walk, and 4 strikeout performance against the Toronto Blue Jays. On the year, Price is 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 12 starts. He has pitched 80.2 innings, allowed just 62 hits, 32 walks, and 57 strikeouts. The strikeouts are a bit low, but he is keeping the ball in the ballpark (0.67 HR/9) and has a 1.29 groundball to flyball ratio. Again, not every pitcher can dominate out of the gate.

Cubs Slam 5

The Brewers’ Randy Wolf allowed five homeruns in his 4.2 innings of work en route to a 9-4 loss to the Cubs. He gave up two apiece to Marlon Byrd and Geovany Soto while also allowing Derek Lee’s 300^th homerun of his career. The Cubs also received 5 innings from starter Carlos Zambrano who allowed 2 hits, 3 runs, 5 walks, and 2 strikeouts. It wasn’t the Zambrano of old, but it was an improvement from the beginning of the season.

Ugly…

Rick Porcello: 3.1 innings, 8 hits, 8 runs.

Boof Bonser and Joe Nelson (Red Sox): 1 inning, 7 hits, 8 runs.

Shawn Marcum: 4 innings, 10 hits, 7 runs

The collision between Nate McClouth and Jason Heyward.

Beautiful

Justin Masterson: 9 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 6 strikeouts

Ian Kennedy: 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 5 walks, 6 strikeouts

Joe Saunders: 9 innings, 7 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

The Angels’ 4, 5, 6, and 7 hitters: 9 for 19, 1 homerun, 4 RBI

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have recalled outfielder Jose Tabata (pronounced “TAH-bah-tah”) from Triple-A Indianapolis. Following last night’s game in Washington, the club optioned first baseman Jeff Clement to make room on the active roster for Tabata.

Tabata hit .308 (69-for-224) with 13 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 19 RBI, 42 runs and 25 stolen bases in 53 games with Indianapolis. He currently leads the International League in stolen bases and runs scored while ranking third in hits and ninth in batting average.

The 21-year-old outfielder entered the 2010 season ranked as Pittsburgh’s second-best prospect by Baseball America and as the organization’s “Best Hitter for Average” according to the same publication. Following last night’s game vs. Pawtucket, he also had a league-best 1.000 fielding percentage among International League outfielders, having played 39 games in center field this season and 15 in left field, including each of the last seven.

Last month Tabata finished tied for second in the International League in hits (34) and tied for fourth in runs scored (22) while hitting .318 (34-for-107) in 26 games. Overall this season, he also compiled a .327 batting average with runners in scoring position, a .337 mark with runners on base and hit .322 in 48 games from the leadoff spot.

Tabata was acquired by Pittsburgh along with pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen from the New York Yankees in exchange for outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Damaso Marte on July 26, 2008. Since becoming a member of the Pirates organization, he has hit .308 (211-for-686) with 74 RBI and 44 stolen bases in 172 games.

Cubs IR Ramirez; Call up Tracy

MILWAUKEE – The Chicago Cubs today recalled infielder Chad Tracy from Triple-A Iowa and placed infielder Aramis Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to June with a left thumb contusion.

Tracy, 30, has batted .396 (36-for-91) with 21 runs, eight doubles, five home runs and 18 RBI in 26 games with Iowa since joining the team, May 6. The left-handed hitter posted a .422 batting average (27-for-64) against right-handed hurlers, and a .333 (9-for-27) mark against southpaws. He batted .421 (8-for-19) with runners in scoring position, including a .571 mark (4-for-7) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

In his last four games for the I-Cubs, Tracy went 7-for-13 (.538) with six runs, two doubles, three home runs and seven RBI, including a 4-for-4, two-homer game last night vs. New Orleans. That stretch contributed to a 1.075 OPS (.427 on-base percentage and a .648 slugging percentage) with Iowa.

Tracy signed a minor league contract with Chicago this past January and was an invitee to major league spring before breaking camp with the Cubs. He batted .273 (6-for-22) with a double and two RBI in 19 games for Chicago before he was optioned to Triple-A.

In all or part of seven big league seasons with Arizona (2004-09) and Chicago (2010), Tracy owns a .280 career batting average (660-for-2,360) with 78 homers and 320 RBI in 723 contests.

Ramirez, 31, has appeared in 47 games for the Cubs, batting .168 (30-for-179) with six doubles, five home runs and 22 RBI.

The 25-year-old Lincoln will make his Major League debut four years and three days after the Pirates tabbed him as their number one pick (fourth overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Houston.

Lincoln went 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA (68.1ip/24er), 55 strikeouts, 14 walks and a .216 batting average against (54-for-250) with Indianapolis this year. In his last two starts, he tossed a combined 13.0 scoreless innings while allowing just five hits. At the time of his promotion to Pittsburgh, Lincoln was tied for third in the International League in wins, ranked first in WHIP (1.00) and fifth in batting average against.

Lincoln allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 11 outings. He also went 3-0 in a four-start stretch from April 25 to May 12 and 5-1 in his last six decisions at Triple-A.

Last year Lincoln ranked third among Pittsburgh farmhands in strikeouts (107) and second in ERA (3.37) in his first full season since missing the entire 2008 campaign following reconstructive surgery to repair ligament damage in his right elbow. He was named to the 2009 All-Star Futures Team and also represented the United States in the World Cup Tournament in Europe, where he went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four games while also picking up the victory in the Gold Medal game against Cuba.

This is the age of hyperbole; this is the age where modern media can overstate a player’s prowess even before he steps foot on the field. Stephen Strasburg was a recipient of this advanced praise. Some called him a savior. Others called him the single most important player in Nationals’ history, even in Major League Baseball. Former pitchers have called him one of the five best pitchers in Baseball right now. That was all before yesterday’s debut.

As Stephen Strasburg toed the rubber for his first pitch there was a feeling that hasn’t been felt in a Major League park in quite some time. Everyone was about to see greatness. Everyone was about to see history. We did. Prospects with the label of “can’t miss” debut every season. We get excited. It is the cycle of baseball. But, last night wasn’t just a “can’t miss” kid. It was about possibly seeing one of the best pitchers in the game finally begin his Major League career. It was about seeing if this kid who was less than a year removed from college was ready to withstand our expectations of him. It was about how he would handle this moment. What would be his first impression on a Major League field? Bob Costas, the MLB Network broadcaster said it succinctly, “Unleash the superlatives; they all seem appropriate.”

Indeed, they all seem appropriate. At the onset of the game, it was apparent that all of the talk about great stuff was a reality. Strasburg effortlessly pumped 98 MPH fastballs. His first Major League out was a line drive that was caught by shortstop Ian Desmond. It would be the hardest ball hit all night. He fell behind the first couple of hitters, but was never in serious trouble. As he began to settle in, a feeling crept over you as you watched the 21 year old throw fastballs at 98 and 99 MPH. We are seeing that guy who everyone described as great. His advanced billing may have underestimated just how good he really is. We were watching something we have never seen before. That sounds like hyperbole, but anyone watching him realizes that it is not.

It wasn’t just the stuff, but it was the demeanor. The most watched and scrutinized debut in Major League history didn’t swallow him up. He controlled everything. He controlled the Pirates, the game, and every fan watching. But, it wasn’t even the demeanor that was the most impressive. It was the ease in which he went about the game. “He isn’t a max effort guy like Lincecum. Everything he did was easy. His mechanics stayed the same on every pitch”, said a National League East scout.

Even the Pirates were in awe. After the game, Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez shared the Pirates’ amazement, “Even guys from the other side came up and said ‘this guy is unbelievable’.”

Unbelievable. It is a word that is tossed around in our sports culture far too often. There is a need to make imperfect athletes seem as great as their counterparts from past generations. Perhaps it is a need to validate the current generation. Perhaps it is just a product of the times. But, there are no other words to describe what Stephen Strasburg did in his first start. His battery mate and future Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez had nothing but praise, “This kid is unbelievable. 14 strikeouts. The people saw what they came to see.”

In seven innings full of amazing moments, perhaps the most amazing was the poise he showed after Delwyn Young hit a two-run homerun to take the lead. After cruising through the first three innings, he found himself in his first big league jam. With runners on first and second and no outs, the Pirates only power threat, Garrett Jones, stepped to the plate. He grounded into a double play. It looked like the rookie would keep his shutout. Young hit a changeup—a 90 MPH changeup—over the right field wall. It wasn’t hit all that hard, but it cleared the fence and silenced the crowd. The only sound was laptops clicking new stories about how the kid faded after a fast start. Those speculative leads got erased. From there, Strasburg got locked in. For the record, Rodriguez regrets the changeup call. “I shouldn’t have called it. I should’ve went with the fastball.”

After the homerun, Strasburg showed why former pitchers were already greeting him with praise. He faced ten more batters after the homerun. Only two batters put the ball in play. He struck out eight of the last 10 batters he faced. He threw 31 of his last 38 pitches for strikes. He didn’t give the Pirates a chance. For the night, he finished his seven innings having allowed just 4 hits and 2 runs. He didn’t walk a batter. Chew on that for a minute—he didn’t walk a batter in his Major League debut, a debut that received more attention than a World Series game. He struck out 14. He already holds the Nationals’ record for most strikeouts in a game. The 14 strikeouts are second all-time for pitchers in their debut start. He became just the sixth pitcher in Major League history to strikeout 14 batters without allowing a walk. He finished the game with 94 pitches. 34 of them were at 98 MPH or higher. He struck out the side three times, including his last two innings. His final pitch of the game was 99 MPH. This wasn’t just any pitcher; this was the next best pitcher.

All you really need to know about Stephen Strasburg’s character was captured during his press conference after his historic debut. “Strikeouts are more of an accident. Not all games will be like this”, stated the rookie. 21 year olds don’t usually make those statements, especially when he is in the room full of grown men telling him just how great he is and hanging on his every word. The talent may only be surpassed by the human being who possesses it. In today’s world of entitlement before actually earning it, Strasburg’s reaction and focus to and during the game was heartening. He pitched a game that old school and new school fans could appreciate. Yesterday’s game was all about him, but he never acted that way. There were no fist pumps or theatrics. He worked quickly, efficiently, and respectfully. What’s not to like?

New Day for the Nationals

While some may say that it was simply one game against the Pirates, the way in which Strasburg pitched negates all of those “common sense” ideas. His domination of the Pirates hitters was something that we haven’t seen. For the past two seasons, Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay have dominated hitters. This season, Ubaldo Jimenez has been the best in the game. But, none of the three have been as dominant as Stephen Strasburg was last night. Of course, Strasburg will have to repeat that type of performance for the rest of the season, but one gets the feeling that it won’t be all that difficult for him. Everything the Nationals have been pointing towards has come to fruition. The excitement of drafting Stephen Strasburg last season and all of the promise it created has become a reality. One could see that as General Manager Mike Rizzo and Team President Stan Kasten embraced. The Washington Nationals now have one of the best weapons in Baseball. They came to Washington six years ago, but June 8, 2010 was the day Washington Baseball really started.

In two consecutive drafts, the Nationals have acquired two of the best prospects over the past decade. Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are true foundations for the Nationals. Along with Drew Storen, the Nationals have acquired high-end talent that is capable of leading a team into the playoffs once the players hit their respective primes. But, with all of those positive moves and positive feelings, comes the one thing that the other bottom feeders over the past decade have experienced quite yet. The pressure of expectations is something that organizations that are not familiar with winning have to face once the rebuilding effort is almost completed. The Nationals are at that point. Because they are, the pressure is now ramped up. It is not only ramped up on the organization, but the very symbol of these better days. Last night, that symbol became a reality as Strasburg finally toed the rubber for the Nationals. With his performance, all of the talk about a bright future for the Nationals becomes a call for action now. For the first time in a few decades, the franchise will deal with winning expectations. There is no more future; their winning must start now.

Closing Thoughts

The truly legendary moments in sports are very rare. Sometimes we want to put that label on a moment when it truly doesn’t deserve that praise. Last night was a truly great moment. It deserves that label. Stephen Strasburg validated everything that was ever written about him during his seven innings of work. Only the special ones do that. Game one raised the expectations. It raised the expectations of Strasburg as everyone saw superior talent and even superior focus and work ethic on display. It raises the expectations of the Nationals who now have a pitcher who can beat anyone in the game. The supposed hyperbole was correct. Stephen Strasburg, after just one start, is one of the best pitchers in the game. One has to wonder how long it will take before it can be said that he is the best pitcher in the game. It won’t be long.

Rewind just two months ago, Javier Vazquez, David Ortiz, and Troy Glaus had the “done” label placed on them. Of course, it didn’t look very good as Vazquez couldn’t get anyone out, Ortiz couldn’t catch up to a fastball, and Glaus really couldn’t do much of anything. After a .143/.238/.286 1 homerun April, the cries were for the Red Sox to release Ortiz. As the Red Sox were struggling, Ortiz became the symbol of what was wrong. Despite a profanity-laced tirade at the media, Ortiz plowed on. He was fortunate to have Terry Francona as his Manager. Francona is one of the few Managers in the game who can afford to be patient. His loyalty was rewarded with Ortiz leading the Red Sox resurgence in May as the lefty hit .363/.424/.788 with 10 homeruns and 27 RBI in 80 at bats.

Vazquez was re-acquired by the Yankees to be their number four starter. The veteran right-hander was coming off of a dominant year in Atlanta, but returning to the place where he became the symbol of the 2004 collapse to the Boston Red Sox. He was going to have to be light’s out if he wanted to be treated as a human being in New York. He pitched to the tune of a 9.00 ERA in his first four starts. After some creative rotation restructuring and some extra work, Vazquez is back on track. Also hearing the cries of fans wanting his release and media questioning his toughness, Vazquez has responded since the middle of May. In his last 33 innings, he has allowed just 19 hits, 10 earned runs, 12 walks, and 32 strikeouts. It seems like that is a “serviceable number four”.

After missing most of 2009 with a shoulder injury, the Atlanta Braves were widely criticized for signing Troy Glaus to be their starting first baseman. That criticism seemed valid as Glaus looked lost at the plate in April, hitting just .194/.310/.292 with 2 homeruns and 9 RBI. Like most of the Braves’ offense, Glaus struggled. But, with injury concerns and so much time off, it seemed like the Braves were just being frugal rather than wise. Glaus responded by being named the May Player of the Month. He hit .330/.408/.534 with 6 homeruns and 28 RBI. He already has 3 homeruns in June.

The lesson here is that veterans have a track record for a reason. With everyone so quick to jump on a player who may have lost his skill, it is important to remember that one can never judge a player on a handful of at bats or innings. Sample size is the key. Ortiz looked slow, but he never showed an instance of worry. Vazquez struggled, but his stuff was still evident. Glaus looked like he hadn’t played in two years. All three were written off; now all three are the main reason for their club’s success. Time usually brings veterans to their career norms.

More than just Strasburg

This week will give some franchises a much-needed boost in talent as teams begin to call up their Major League ready prospects. The world knows that Stephen Strasburg will be on the mound Tuesday night against the Pirates, but a couple of other big prospects are set to make their debuts. The Marlins will call up outfield prospect Mike Stanton in the hopes for a much needed offensive boost. Stanton, just 20 years old,  is a 6’5”, 235-pound right-handed hitting prospect who has 40 homerun potential. As an 18 year old, Stanton hit .293/.381/.611 with 39 homeruns and 97 RBI in A-Ball. Last season, he split the season between high-A ball and double-A and compiled a .255/.341/.501 batting line with 28 homeruns and 92 RBI. He struggled in double-A (.231), but has rebounded in a big way this season. Still in double-A, the 20 year old is batting .311/.441/.726 with 21 homeruns and 52 RBI in just 190 at bats. Given the Marlins’ awful outfield production, Stanton should have a great impact. He still has to prove he can hit at the Major League level right now, but he is undoubtedly a great talent.

The Pirates are being awfully ambiguous, but all indications are that they will also unveil their top pitching prospect when they call up 25 year old right-hander Brad Lincoln to start this week. He could start Wednesday’s game against the Nationals, but, again, the Pirates refuse to confirm or deny. Lincoln is now fully healthy after missing all of the 2007 season because of Tommy John Surgery. With his velocity returning to the low-90’s, the 6’0”, 210 pound right-hander is an extreme control pitcher. In 332 Minor League innings, he has walked just 66 batters. Despite working through his rehab process in the Minor Leagues, he has accumulated a 6.9 K/9 rate. Much like the other Pirates’ pitchers, Lincoln doesn’t blow the ball by anyone. But, he is a polished rookie pitcher who should go on, at the very least, to have a middle of the rotation type career.

Ubaldo Not Slowing

With another victory yesterday, Ubaldo Jimenez moved to 11-1 with a 0.93 ERA in his 12 starts. In 87.1 innings, he has allowed just 52 hits, 29 walks, and 78 strikeouts. He leads the League in wins, ERA, ERA+ (an astounding 484), WHIP, and hits per nine innings. His use of his 97 MPH fastball (60 percent of his pitches thrown) is what separates him from everyone else. Nobody has his type of movement on a fastball. Will he slow down? Everyone keeps waiting for him, but it does look like he is having a Bob Gibson 1968 type season. Given his ballpark, the likelihood is that he will have at least one terrible start to lift his ERA over the magical 1.12 mark, but he is redefining the way someone pitches in Colorado.

Often Ignored

Justin Morneau is truly having an odd season. Despite being a former MVP winner, the 29 year old first baseman is often glossed over when it comes to discussing some of the better hitters in the game. Since becoming a full-time player in 2004, Morneau is averaging a .283/.353/.502 batting line with 28 homeruns and 110 RBI. This season, he seems to have refined his skill as he is averaging a career high 18.2 percent walk rate. He already has 13 homeruns. Those are both tremendous things, but he does have some very different secondary numbers. He is striking out a career high 21.4 percent of the time. Also, his BABIP is an absurdly high .417. The latter suggests a decent slump on the horizon. However, with his new plate discipline, he looks like someone who has evolved into a more complete hitter. He won’t stay at .370/.483/.688 for the season, but he looks like he will have his most productive season in Minnesota.

Prior to tonight’s game vs. the Texas Rangers, the Chicago White Sox placed third baseman Mark Teahen on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to May 31) with a fractured right middle finger and recalled infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA Charlotte.

Teahen, 28, suffered the injury fielding a ground ball in the third inning on Sunday at Tampa Bay. He is batting .255 (35-137) with three home runs and 14 RBI in 45 games this season, his first with the Sox. Teahen has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, going 14-38 (.368) with three doubles, a homer and seven RBI in that span.

Lillibridge, 26, is hitting .270 (50-185) with four home runs, 16 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 48 games with Charlotte in 2010. He ranks second in the International League in steals.

Lillibridge appeared in 46 games with the White Sox in 2009, hitting .158 (15-95) with no home runs, three RBI and six stolen bases. He played in 23 games at second base, 12 in center field, seven at shortstop and one at third.

Indians Claim Lindsay from Yankees

Today, the Cleveland Indians claimed RHP SHANE LINDSAY off outright waivers from the New York Yankees and optioned him to Kinston. To make room for Lindsay on the Indians 40-man roster, the Indians have transferred OF GRADY SIZEMORE from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Lindsay, 25, began the 2010 season with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox going 0-1 with a 6.59 ERA (13.2IP, 15H, 10R/ER, 17BB, 19K) in 14 appearances after being optioned to the Sky Sox on March 16 out of the Rockies big league camp. He was claimed off waivers by the Yankees on May 14 and has not pitched in a game after reporting to extended spring training in Tampa, FL.

Last year, the Melbourne, Australia native was converted to a relief role after spending his first 5 professional seasons as a starter and went a combined 4-2 with a 2.43 ERA (33.1IP, 16H, 9R/ER, 23BB, 43K) in 27 appearances between AA Tulsa and A Asheville. Prior to the 2010 season he was rated by Baseball America as the Colorado Rockies 23rd best prospect after entering 2009 ranked 17th in the Rockies organization. Lindsay was originally signed by the Rockies as a non-drafted free agent in August of 2003 and in 2005 he was named the Northwest League Player of the Year and the league’s #1 prospect by Baseball America (6-1, 1.89ERA, 13GS)

The Indians 40-man roster now stands at 40.

MINNEAPOLIS/ST.PAUL — The Minnesota Twins announced after tonight’s game that they have placed infielder Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list with a bone spur in his right elbow.

To replace Casilla on the 25-man roster, the Twins will recall infielder Matt Tolbert from Triple-A Rochester. In 39 games with the Red Wings this season, Tolbert batted .256 (41-for-160) with nine doubles, three triples, one home run and 10 RBIs.He has also played in three games for the Twins, going 1-for-4 (.250). Tolbert is expected to be in uniform for Tuesday night’s game at Seattle.

Mariners Outright Hannahan; Recall Olson

Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik today announced that infielder Jack Hannahan has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to AAA Tacoma. Hannahan was designated for assignment on May 28 when catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was selected from Tacoma.

After clearing waivers, Hannahan had the option to declare free agency. He declined.

Hannahan, 30, opened the season on the Major League disabled list with a strained right groin and was optioned to Tacoma following his rehab. In 27 games with the Rainiers, Hannahan is batting .190 (19×100) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 14 RBI. He was acquired by Seattle from Oakland on July 11, 2009 in exchange for minor league RHP Justin Souza. In 290 career Major League games, Hannahan has hit .224 (192×856) with 16 home runs and 90 RBI.

With today’s roster move, the Mariners Major League, 40-man roster remains at 38.

Also, Zduriencik announced following tonight’s game that the Mariners have recalled left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson and right-handed pitcher Sean White from Triple-A Tacoma.

Olson (No. 49) and White (No. 26) will be available and in uniform for Tuesday’s 7:10 p.m. PT game versus the Minnesota Twins.

Seattle’s Major League 40-man roster is now at 38 players.

Right-handed pitchers Jesús Colomé and Kanekoa Texeira have been designated for assignment. Seattle now has 10 days to trade, release or outright the contracts of Colomé and Texeira.

White, 29, has appeared in four games since being optioned to Tacoma on May 19. He has not allowed a run and only two hits in his appearances.

Olson, 26, is 2-5 with a 3.66 ERA (19 ER, 46.2 IP) in 12 games (6 GS) with the Rainiers. In six relief appearances, he has posted a 2.38 ERA (3 ER, 11.1 IP) with 17 strikeouts and three walks. As a starter he was 1-4, 4.08 ERA (16 ER, 35.1 IP).

Colomé was 0-1 with a 5.29 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the Mariners this season.

Texeira was 0-1, 5.30 ERA in 16 relief appearances with the Mariners this season.

Texeira was selected by the Mariners in the 2010 Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees. Any team that acquires Texeira, via trade or off of waivers, must keep him on their Major League 25-man roster for the remainder of the season. If no team claims or acquires Texeira, Seattle must offer him back to the Yankees for $25,000 before the club can outright him to the Minors.

Pirates, Blue Jays Complete Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have acquired left-handed starting pitcher Dana Eveland from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league right-handed relief pitcher Ronald Uviedo. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.

Eveland, who will report to Pittsburgh, went 3-4 with a 6.45 ERA (44.2ip/32er) and 21 strikeouts in nine starts this season for the Blue Jays. The Pirates will make a corresponding move on the 25-man roster upon Eveland’s arrival to Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old Eveland has a career record of 16-21 with one save, a 5.66 ERA (321.0ip/202er) and 219 strikeouts in 92 games (53 starts) in parts of six seasons in the big leagues with Milwaukee (2005-06), Arizona (2007), Oakland (2008-09) and Toronto (2010).

“Dana Eveland is a 26-year-old lefthander who has shown the ability to be an effective major league starting pitcher,” said Huntington. “He has an interesting four-pitch mix and we feel this acquisition is a potential upgrade for our current rotation with the upside of years of control and improved production.”

Eveland began the 2010 campaign with 11.1 scoreless innings before allowing his first run in the fifth inning of his April 15 outing vs. the Chicago White Sox. The lefthander’s 11.1 scoreless innings represented the longest scoreless streak by a Blue Jays starter since Chris Carpenter tossed a club record 13.0 scoreless frames to start the 2001 campaign. It was also the longest scoreless streak to start a Blue Jays career by a starter (the previous record was held by Mike Flanagan with 10.2 innings in 1987).

Eveland was originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. He made 36 appearances (five starts) in 2005-06 with the Brewers before being traded to Arizona on November 5, 2006. The 6′ 1″ Eveland went 9-9 with a 4.34 ERA in 29 starts with Oakland in 2008, establishing career highs in wins, starts, innings pitched (168.0) and strikeouts (118).

This year Eveland posted a 1.40 ERA (25.2ip/4er) and held opposing hitters to a .205 batting average (18-for-88) in his four starts that the Blue Jays won. He has also compiled a 9-3 record and 2.04 ERA (127.2ip/29er) in 19 career starts when he works at least 6.0 innings in a game.

UVIEDO, 23, has appeared in 16 games in relief this season for the Altoona Curve, the Pirates Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League. He is 0-2 with a 3.22 ERA after allowing just 13 hits in 22 1/3 innings with 12 walks, two home runs and 28 strikeouts. The 6-1, 160lb. native of Guarico, Venezuela started his career in the Seattle organization before being signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent. His career minor league record is 18-13 with 31 saves in 158 games, 33 starts with a 3.10 ERA.

Astros IR Sampson

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have placed RHP Chris Sampson on the 15-day Disabled List due to tendinitis in his right rotator cuff, General Manager Ed Wade announced this afternoon.

To replace Sampson on the 25-man active roster, the Astros have purchased the contract of RHP Casey Daigle from Triple A Round Rock. Daigle, who will wear #41, will be in uniform for tonight’s 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Nationals. Additionally, to make room on the 40-man roster, the Astros have designated Round Rock RHP Evan Englebrook for assignment. As a result, they have 10 days to dispose of his contract via trade, release or outright assignment. In 16 relief appearances this season, Englebrook is 0-1 with a 6.46 ERA (17ER/23.2IP).

Sampson, who underwent an MRI today at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, is 0-0 with a 6.30 ERA (14ER/20IP) in 22 relief appearances for the Astros this season. He made an appearance in yesterday afternoon’s game, so his DL stint officially begins today.

Daigle, 29, was 1-1 in 20 relief appearances at Round Rock with a 2.96 ERA (8ER/24.1IP) and seven saves. In his last 10 appearances, he posted a 1.54 ERA (2ER/11.2IP) with five saves. Daigle, who first signed a minor league contract with Houston on April 14, 2009, had an 0.57 ERA (1ER/15.2IP) in seven Spring Training appearances for the Astros, which included two starts. Daigle, who was selected by Arizona in the supplemental first round of the 1999 Draft, has made 20 Major League appearances, including 10 starts, all coming in 2004 and 2006 while with the Diamondbacks.