MLB transactions report - May 21st

Players listed in red included in notes section below.

Disabled List:
Josh Johnson, RHP, SP, FLA - 15-day DL as of May 17, 2011 (Right shoulder inflammation)
Brad Thomas, LHP, RP, DET - 15-day DL as of May 11, 2011 (Left elbow inflammation)
Alex White, RHP, SP, CLE - 15-day DL as of May 21, 2011 (Right middle finger soreness)
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT - 15-day DL as of May 20, 2011 (Right quadriceps tightness)
Donnie Murphy, 3B, FLA - 60-day DL as of Apr 30, 2011 (Right wrist inflammation)

Activated/Recalled:
Pedro Ciriaco, SS, PIT (AAA Indianapolis)
Alfredo Simon, RHP, RP, BAL (Restricted list)
Micah Owings, RHP, SP, ARZ (AAA Reno)
Jay Buente, RHP, SP, FLA (AAA New Orleans)
Charlie Furbush, LHP, RP, DET (AAA Toledo)
Lance Pendleton, RHP, RP, NYY (AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
Josh Judy, RHP, RP, CLE (AAA Columbus)

Demoted:
Amauri Sanit, RHP, RP, NYY (to minors)
Jason Berken, RHP, RP, BAL (to minors)

Signed:
Lenny DiNardo, LHP, RP, OAK (Long Island Ducks - Atlantic League)

Released/Designated for assignment:
Russell Branyan, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks

NOTES:
FLA - Josh Johnson's repeated arm problems need to worry fantasy owners about his long-term viability. He's already suffered Tommy John surgery, missed the end of last season with arm problems and now a first DL stint of 2011 in May.Jay Buente owns encouraging minor league numbers that make him look like a potential flier as a starter at the MLB level. The again, his MLB numbers as a reliever haven't cut it (11 BB in 11 IP, 6.55 ERA).

CLE - Alex White went down with middle finger inflammation. His DL stint opens the door for Mitch Talbot's return. Talbot performed as a middle-of-the-road starter for Cleveland last season. White may end up in the minors after his recovery, but could also be on the heels of Carlos Carrasco for the Indians' fifth starter spot. He's one to watch as a promising young prospect who looked poised the the major league level.

PIT - Pedro Alvarez's DL time opens the door for former Angel Brandon Wood in Pittsburgh. His marginal fantasy value is worth a flier if you're desperate for a third baseman. There's some upside there, but Wood has shown time and again he's baffled by big-league pitching.

DET - Brad Thomas's injury means rookie Charlie Furbush jumps up to the big leagues as a potential impact arm. With 400 strikouts in 378 1/3 MiLB innings, Furbush has been able to limit walks and win more than he lost as a starter. The lefty could push his way into a setup role for the Tigers relatively quickly.

ARZ - Micah Owings earned a spot start for the D'backs and pitched fairly well (5 1/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). He'll likely head back to the minors soon with starter Zach Duke on a rehab assignment and nearing a return to the parent club. Russell Branyan's release will open more time for Xavier Nady and Juan Miranda at first base, but those two will likely steal at bats from one another in a platoon of some sort. At this time neither inspires more than younger options at the position garnering more playing time.