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Rumors for Recall from Minor Leagues

There are conflicting reports on whether or not the New York Yankees have called up one of their top prospects – right-handed pitcher Andrew Brackman. Brackman, 24, was the Yankees 2007 first-round pick, and according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Nick Hurm, the team called up Brackman on Monday. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News says the Yankees have not called up Brackman, but he adds, “That doesn’t mean they won’t do it.”

Brackman was 10-11 with a 3.90 ERA at Tampa (A+ ball) and Trenton (AA ball). The right-hander signed a $3.35 million bonus in 2007 and according to Baseball America, he has the best fastball among the Yankees’ prospects. His career was delayed in 2007 when he underwent reconstructive surgery on his elbow in August of that year.

The St. Louis Cardinals called up second baseman Daniel Descaiso from Triple-A, and in order to make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated left-handed pitcher Evan MacLane for assignment, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Cardinals also called up 3B/OF Joe Mather, 1B Mark Hamilton, right-handed pitcher P.J. Walters and outfielder Allen Craig.

They complement what we’re trying to do over the last couple weeks,” manager Tony La Russa said. “All had solid years. All have something that they can add. … Everybody is a little different. They add something to us.”

AZcentral.com says the Arizona Diamondbacks have designated right-handed pitcher Cesar Valdez for assignment. The move was made when the team purchased the contract of catcher Konrad Schmidt from Double-A Mobile.

Valdez, 25, was 1-2 in 9 games (2 starts) with a 7.65 ERA for the Diamondbacks this season.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Trent Oltjen, the Los Angeles Dodgers have designated infielder Ronnie Belliard for assignment. Oltjen was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Belliard, 33, was hitting .217/.297/.329 with 2 home runs and 19 RBIs in 81 games for the Dodgers this season.

According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the San Diego Padres have designated Steve Garrison for assignment.  Garrison was acquired from Milwaukee back in 2007.  Garrison holds a career 4.05 ERA at Double-A.

Garrison was designated to make room on the 40 man roster for the left-handed hitting Mike Baxter.  Baxter hit .301 with 58 extra-base hits with Triple-A Portland this season.  Baxter, can also play first base and will give the Padres another left-handed bat off the bench.

“He’s been pretty consistent all year,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “He’s got an all-around game. He hits with some power and steals some bases.”  Baxter, the Padres’ fourth-round Draft pick in 2005 out of Vanderbilt, hit a career-high 18 home runs this season with 72 RBIs in 136 games for Portland. He had 30 doubles, 10 triples and 22 stolen bases.

According to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, the Rangers designated infielder Alex Cora for assignment to make room for infielder Esteban German who was called up from Triple-A.  Cora who was just released by the Mets last month and had signed with Texas after,  made it into only four games.  You can check out Cora’s career stats here.

German, has not yet appeared in the majors this season, but has 8 years of major league time under his belt. He posted a .280 avg at Triple-A this year. German can play the infield and outfield and will be used as a utility player.

The New York Mets will call up 24-year-old right-handed pitcher Dillon Gee to face the Washington Nationals on Monday night in place of Johan Santana, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Gee will be making his Major League debut when he takes on the Nats.

“[Gee] was throwing the ball well down there and leading the International League in strikeouts,” GM Omar Minaya said. “We thought we would give him a chance.”
Santana was scratched because of a strained pectoral muscle.
The right-hander went 13-8 with a 4.96 ERA and 165 strikeouts over 161 1/3 innings pitched this season for Triple-A Buffalo.

8/30 15:22: John Fayman of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Reds have announced Aroldis Chapman will be called up for Tuesday’s game.  He’ll be eligible for the post-season roster should the Reds make the playoffs.

8/29 18:51: According to a Cincinnati Reds source close to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Cincinnati Reds will call up Aroldis Chapman on Monday or Tuesday.

It’s been widely believed that the Reds would call up their left-handed phenom when the rosters on September 1st.

The left-handed pitcher signed a six-year, $30 million contract with the Reds last January with the intention of him being a future ace of the franchise. Chapman has been used as a starter in Triple-A Louisville this season.  He’ll likely pitch as a reliever this season, and over time he’ll be transitioned to a starting pitcher.

According to a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds are looking to upgrade their bullpens. The White Sox recently placed J.J. Putz, Matt Thornton and Erick Threets on the disabled list while the Phillies placed Danys Baez on the DL.

Possible options for the teams in need of pen help include the four relievers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Yesterday, Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun said pitchers Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg and Shawn Camp did not clear waivers. It still is unknown which team or teams were awarded the waiver claim.

The Reds may be better off waiting for Aroldis Chapman to be called be called up sometime around September 1st when the rosters expand. Yesterday, it was reported that Chapman was clocked at 105 mph.

8/28 01:48: Chapman was clocked at 105 mph while striking out three batters at Triple-A on Friday night, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

8/18 18:55: Left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman may be up in the Majors within the next couple of weeks, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

“We’re going to have to wait until Sept. 1,” Walt Jocketty said. “That will give him a chance to stabilize in the bullpen and get more experience. We’re trying to find the right time.”

The Cuban phenom has been lights-out at  Triple-A. Earlier this month he was clocked at 103 mph – twice, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

“He’s throwing great,” Jocketty added.

Chapman can be called up after the August 31st and still be eligible to be on the playoff roster because the team has two players on the 60-day disabled list and Chapman would essentially substitute for them. A player on the 60-day disabled list may be replaced by another player from the team’s 40-man roster who plays the same position. Read More→