There as been some interesting movement on some baseball teams here in the recent days and weeks. There have been a few prospects called up to fill in for injuries, some players released, traded and demoted.

The Tigers released relief pitcher Jose Mesa after a really disappoint start to the season for veteran Mesa. He was also on the Disabled list since April 20th. I really don’t think the Tigers had much of a choice to get rid of him. his injuries were serious enough to put him on the 60 day Disabled List to make room for another player to take his 40 man roster spot.

After the White Sox reliever had a great start to the season, they’ve fallen on hard times. I think they might just be competing with the North Siders for the worst pen in the league. They optioned David Aardsmaa and one time All-Star Mike MacDougal both down to AAA to call up a few other relievers. Aardsmaa had such a promising start with a really high K/9 innings and a low ERA. With the series with the Cubs, he turned completely south. I like the guy a lot. He’s got a really lively fastball in the middle to upper 90’s and can get into the triple digits.

Highly touted prospect, Felix Pie got the call up over the weekend to be the everyday center fielder for the Cubs. He was sent back down to the minors with specific directions to work on his at-bats against left handers of which he did. He’s comeback more patient at the plate and finding holes when he needs to advance the runner. With an everyday left fielder and a everyday center fielder, that leaves Matt Murton, Jacque Jones, Cliff Floyd and Angel Pagan trying to buy time in right field. I think it’s obvious with left handed Pie now in center, Floyd and Jones are expendable with Jones being the most likely target for trade bait. This will leave Murton and Floyd to platoon in right, and will give Pagan the pinch hitting and tough left hander days for Felix Pie. When Daryl Ward comes back off the DL some decisions will need to be made for the cubs outfielders. On top of that DeRosa, Theriot, and Ward can all play some outfield as well.

The Astro’s flip-flopped outfielders Jason Lane to AAA-Round Rock and brought Chris Burke back up. Jason Lane has just never lived up to his minor league stats. He was suppose to be the young power corner outfielder they were looking for. Hunter Pence has turned into that while playing center instead of Lane. I have a feeling he’ll either be traded or want to be released and not play in the minors.

Also the Devil Rays have been shaking up their pitching staff. They’ve designated Jae Seo for assignment, which is unfortunate because I do like the guy and he does have good stuff; he never panned out and regained his stuff he had when he pitched for the Mets. They did pull up J.P Howell and Andy Sonnanstine from Durham. So we’ll see if this will help them pass the Yankees in the rankings.