MLB transactions report - May 22, 2011

Players listed in red included in notes section below.

Disabled List:
Glen Perkins, LHP/RP, MIN - 15-Day DL as of May 22, 2011 (Right oblique strain)
Marlon Byrd, OF, CHC - 15-day DL as of May 22, 2011 (Facial fractures)
Reid Brignac, SS, TB - bereavement list
Juan Uribe, 3B, LAD - 15-day DL as of May 21, 2011 (Strained left hip flexor)

Activated/Recalled:
Clay Hensley,, RHP/RP, FLA - returning from DL for left rib contusion (AAA New Orleans)
Rusty Hughes, LHP/RP, MIN (AAA Rochester)
Justin Berg, RHP/RP, CHC (AAA Iowa)
Felipe Lopez, 2B, TB (AAA Durham)
Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD
Greg Reynolds, RHP/SP, COL (AAA Colorado Springs)

Demoted:
Ozwaldo Martinez, SS, FLA (to AAA New Orleans)

Signed:
Yem Prades, OF, KC - (assigned to A+ Wilmington)

Released/Designated for assignment:
Felipe Paulino, RHP/RP - Designated for assignment (Colorado Rockies)

NOTES:
MIN - Dusty Hughes' replacement of Glen Perkins as a lefty reliever leaves just Hughes and Phil Dumatrait as Minnesota's bullpen southpaws. Hughes saw the hill 12 times for Minnesota earlier this year to Dumatrait's meager four outings. Dumatrait's got the better numbers (3.00 ERA to Hughes' 10.13), but either could be used as a lefty specialist in setting up closer Matt Capps. Dumatrait's 6.95 ERA over his short career suggests Perkins' 1.59 ERA and 1.19 WHIP will likely be missed.

FLA - Clay Hensley served as Florida's primary setup man prior to hitting the disabled list. He even closed out 7 saves in 2010. Expect Florida to work him back into late innings opportunities as he's deemed fit. Hensley's not the most dominant setup man in baseball, but he's proven capable over stretches.

CHC - Justin Berg provides some relief pitching depth as Marlon Byrd hits the DL with facial fractures after getting hit by a pitch against the Red Sox.

COL - Greg Reynolds was recalled to step in for a spot start against the Cardinals on Saturday. He holds little fantasy value.

Crane Kenney won't throw it back

Cubs president Crane Kenney is causing quite an internet stir for not throwing back a home run ball he caught at Fenway off the bat of Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Cubs tradition says a bleacher bum should throw the ball back. Some observers say throwing a ball back is stupid. It's been long debated whether or not throwing a baseball back is a true form of fandom or otherwise.

But honestly, Who cares? Is it worth the debate? This will be the first and last post on the matter in this blog. Do whatever you wish.

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.

Ciriaco called up; Pirates 3rd base thoughts

The Pirates recalled 25-year old infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday. Despite taking the place of injured Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, Ciriaco owns just one appearance at the position in the minors. Brandon Wood should continue to see starts in Alvarez's absence.

Fantasy Impact: Ciriaco provides little fantasy interest outside of his speed. He's stolen 152 bases in 202 attempts in the minors, but his .650 career MiLB OPS and .190 average this year leaves much to be desired. He should carry little interest with fantasy owners. Wood is an intriguing stop-gap player who has never put it together at the major-league level. He's show a touch more ability at the plate since joining the Pirates (.217 avg, 26% K rate) after leaving the Angels (.168 avg, 33% K rate). Alvarez was striking out nearly 34% of the time before his injury and hitting just .208 with limited pop. If Wood continues to perform at this pace or even slightly better, he's arguably the man for the job in Pittsburgh. That makes him a low end fantasy option with some upside due to his former prospect status at the minor league level.