Recent Minor Moves: NL West

Arizona:

Sent P Scott Maine to Visalia from extended spring training. Maine, a 2007 6th-rounder out of Miami, has battled through TJ surgery and a serious facial injury suffered in an automobile accident, both of which occurred before he even left the Hurricanes.

Colorado:

DL’d P Sean Smith and activated P Franklin Morales at Colorado Springs. Sean Smith - not to be confused with Seth Smith, the postseason hero of 2007 - was acquired from the Indians as the PTBNL for Jamey Carroll. Morales has been fighting his command all year - the reason he was sent down in the first place - but was activated in time to lead off a four-pitcher no-hitter on Sunday, in Colorado Springs of all places. It wasn’t artistic, though - he walked six and fanned 3 in five innings while allowing a run.

DL’d INF Eric Young Jr. (broken wrist) at Tulsa, and promoted INF Tony Blanco from Modesto to replace him. Blanco was a former Rule 5 pick by the Expos, one of a number of players whose development was very likely slowed by the time spent on the major league roster. INF Corey Wimberly has been moved back to 2B by the Drillers, with Blanco sharing time at 3B.
LA Dodgers:

Sent OF Scott Van Slyke and P Justin Miller from Great Lakes to extended spring training. Van Slyke, who had spent the entire 2007 season with the Loons, hit just .148/.280/.213 there so far in 2008 and was overmatched by RHP (3/39). Miller, drafted in the 6th round in 2007, had decent overall numbers but has been pounded in his last two starts.

San Diego:

Promoted P Edwin Moreno from San Antonio to Portland. Moreno, who was originally signed by the Rangers out of Venezuela in 1998, and who was signed by the Padres out of the Mexican League last year, was the closer for the Missions, and was moved up when the Pads made some wholesale changes on their major league roster.

DL’d P Robert Woodard at Fort Wayne. Woodard, a 20th-rounder in 2007 who was the #1 starter for North Carolina a year ago, has been just so-so for the Wizards, working in a tandem rotation setup.

San Francisco:

Promoted INF Travis Denker from Connecticut to Fresno. Denker, a former Dodger farmhand who was a stathead favorite early in his career but never got beyond high-A in LA’s organization, came over to the Giants late in 2007, and while he wasn’t hitting much in the EL, he was moved up when the Giants did some roster shuffling after Manny Burriss was recalled.

DL’d OF Tyler Graham (strained oblique) at San Jose.  Graham is leading the Cal League in steals with 19 (in 21 attempts). He’s definitely a top-of-the-order hitter, with little power, and he was showing some signs of improved strike zone control, drawing 10 walks in his first 88 PAs after drawing just 20 a year ago in 258 PAs in Augusta.