• P Travis Blackley acquired via trade from Houston Astros for PTBNL or $ [ Link ]
• OF Manny Ramirez released from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES:  I’m not sure what to make of Blackley.  They must have seen something, as you don’t bring in a pitcher from the worst team in baseball unless you’re sure of something.

Also, the Manny Ramirez experiment is over.  If he could hit well enough, he would have been in the majors by now.  One has to think he’s done for good now.   Hey, I believe we still own the technical rights to Ricky Williams (yes, the NFL Ricky Williams).  What’s he doing?  :)

• OF Adam Rosales claimed off waivers from A’s.  AGAIN.  [ Link ]

NOTES:  Can we stop it with Adam Rosales?  Pick one.  We either want him or not.

Rosales was claimed on Aug 12th, and activated on Aug 13th.  OF Engel Beltre was optioned to AAA to make room for Rosales on the 25 man.

• OF Alex Rios activated
• OF Joey Butler optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Well, that didn’t last long for Butler, he was sent back to AAA to make room for Alex Rios.  However, Butler fared better than Adam Rosales, he got his first major league start  and hit during the short time he was here.   I wrote about Rios the other day, so I’ll leave this unremarked.  :)

• OF Nelson Cruz placed on restricted list, after 50 game suspension for PED use
• SS Adam Rosales designated for assignment
• OF Engel Beltre recalled from AAA
• RF Joey Butler purchased from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Well, Nelson Cruz was suspended 50 games for PED use.  Can’t say I’m thrilled about that, because his bat was working well this year.  It might improve our RF defense a bit, but there’s no doubt his offense will be missed.   Adam Rosales, who we just got a couple of days ago from the A’s was DFA’ed.  He ended up being claimed back by the A’s on waivers a day after this, which is hilarious to me.   Engel Beltre is back, and we purchased Joey Butler, who is looking to make his major league debut.    This move definitely skews our roster younger by their corresponding moves.

• SS Adam Rosales claimed on waivers from Oakland A’s
• OF Engel Beltre optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Uh, OK.   Not sure I get this one, but there you are.   Neftali Feliz & Michael Kirkman were sent out on rehab assignments, too.  That’s more interesting to me than the technical roster move here.

• P Alexi Ogando activated from 15 day DL
• P Matt Garza activated
• P Cory Burns optioned to AAA
• P Smokin’ Joe Ortiz optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Well, Alexi Ogando comes back, and I’ve pretty much lost faith in him as a starter at this point.  I really wish we’d just stop messing around, put him in the bullpen where he was significantly better, and look for an answer elsewhere.    We also activated Garza formally this day, so some of the “movable pieces” like Burns & Ortiz were on the road back to Round Rock.   Which is much closer to Driftwood, TX and the Salt Lick, so it’s not all bad for them.  :)

• P Yu Darvish activated from 15 day DL
• P Matt Garza acquired from Cubs via trade for CJ Edwards, Justin Grimm, Mike Olt, & 1/2 PTBNL’s [ Link ]

NOTES:  Well, Darvish is back from his “fake” stint on the DL.   However, the bigger news is that the Rangers got Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs for what seems to be a hefty price for a rental player.  CJ Edwards I don’t know much about, but Justin Grimm & Mike Olt are both names.  Olt has had his stock drop a little this year, but last year, he was at the same level as “untouchable” as Jurickson Profar.   To me, his inclusion is HUGE.   Although it could be Justin Smoak again, big name, never fulfilled it.   Justin Grimm I have a love/hate with.  Sometimes I think he’s awesome, other times, get him out of here.  I don’t dislike the guy, but his performances weren’t consistent enough for me.   It would be nice if we could work it so Garza stayed here, but for now, he’s just here for the playoff run, so we’ll see how that goes first before addressing the truckloads of $ it will take to keep him later.

• P Wilmer Font optioned to AAA
• C Robinson Chirinos optioned to AAA
• IF/OF Jeff Baker activated from DL
• OF Craig Gentry activated from DL [ Link ]

NOTES: No real surprises here, except possibly that we switched out a pitcher for a position player.   We sent down one of each, and activated two position players.  Hopefully Baker can pick up where he left off, he was doing quite well when he got hurt.  Font was pretty much here to hold a roster spot while Darvish was “on the DL” over the All Star break.

• P Yu Darvish placed on 15 day DL (retro to July 7)
• P Josh Lindblom optioned to AAA
• P Smokin’ Joe Ortiz recalled from AAA
• P Wilmer Font recalled from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Much is made of Darvish being on the DL, completing the “Opening Day Starting Rotation on the DL all at the same time” list.   However, this is more about giving him a rest in the middle of the season.   Couple the DL assignment with a retroactive date, plus the All-Star game in the middle of it, and it effectively amounts to him just missing a single start.  I don’t think there’s anything major here, and the official DL designation (right trapezius strain) sounds like one of those made up things.    Wilmer Font adds to the list of pitchers we’ve used this year, which is really high.

• P Joaquim Soria reinstated from 60 day DL
• P Cory Burns recalled from AAA
• DH Lance Berkman placed on 15 day DL
• P Nick Tepesch placed on 15 day DL [ Link ]

NOTES:  The only real comment I have here is about Soria.  When they signed him, I thought he was an underrated sign.  If he comes anywhere where he was at his peak with Kansas City, he’ll be huge.   Question is how will he fare now that he’s back?  Probably need a few weeks to determine that.    Tepesch on the DL means we have our entire starting rotation on the DL at the same time, I believe.   We’re still in the thick of it.  Testament to the rest of the guys pitching behind the original five, that’s for sure.