• P Matt Harrison moved from 15 day to 60 day DL
• OF Joe Benson claimed on waivers from Twins and optioned to AA [ Link ]

NOTES: The claim of Benson is a “yeah OK” kind of transaction to me.  Don’t know anything about the guy.   Harrison going to the 60 day DL, though is more of a concern.  Now I know sometimes guys are moved around like that when room needs to be made for some other roster move, and they’re not really needed to be made.   But there has been some noise lately that Harrison is not progressing as he should, and his being moved to the 60 day DL is not a good sign.  :(

• P Derek Lowe placed on unconditional release waivers
• IF Mark Teahen signed to minor league contract [ Link ]

NOTES: I guess we soured on Derek Lowe in a hurry.  I thought he was doing decently early on, and while I won’t say he was great or anything, I didn’t think he was the “holy crap, we need to dump this guy NOW” kind of pitcher.  He’ll probably catch on somewhere.  Mark Teahen is a name I know from playing fantasy baseball the last few years.  I know I had him on a few teams some years ago.  Probably signed as infield insurance, I can’t imagine this is any attempt to bring him in full time or anything.

• C AJ Pierzynski activated from 15 day DL
• C Robinson Chirinos optioned to AAA
• P Neal Cotts purchased from AAA
• P Josh Lindblom optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: As I wrote the other day, Lindblom was someone whose minor league numbers said he would come up and do decently.   Well, that didn’t happen as such.   He came up, got hit around, and sent back down.   The Lindblom gamble cost Derek Lowe his roster spot, as he was DFA’ed (and not just sent down (granted, 13 earned runs in 13 innings will do that).   Still, Lindblom looked better numbers wise in the minors this year than he did in the spring.   Chirinos was just keeping the seat warm for AJ anyway, so that’s no surprise.    I don’t think Cotts is here long term, either.  We have a doubleheader coming up Monday, and that always means some weird roster moves.  I don’t see Cotts being here past next Monday, if not sooner.

• P Josh Lindblom recalled from AAA
• P Derek Lowe designated for assignment [ Link ]

NOTE: The Rangers needed a starter, so Josh Lindblom was brought up from AAA to do that.   He didn’t do too well in the spring, but he’s had good numbers at AAA so far this year.  4-0, 2.08 ERA in 8 games (7 started) for the Express.  So it was a good choice there.  I am a bit surprised that it cost Derek Lowe his roster spot.  Especially because they had two open spots on the 40 man roster after this move, so they didn’t have to DFA Lowe.  I guess they just wanted to, and this was a timely decision.

• 2B Ian Kinsler placed on 15 day DL, retro to May 18
• 2B Jurickson Profar recalled from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Well, there’s not much to say about this other than I don’t like it.  Kinsler has been doing better overall this year than the last few.  Mostly (not completely) conquered his capt popup problem.   So I was’t thrilled at this.  From what I can gather, it won’t be a long stay, but you never want to take someone out of a groove.   Still, an appearance by Jurickson Profar will be good.  So long as he doesn’t just sit on the bench.

• P Justin Miller sent on rehab assignment (May 17)
• C AJ Pierzynski sent on rehab assignment (May 18)

NOTES: Well, AJ’s return will probably happen.  Don’t see Miller cracking the major league roster when he’s done with rehab.

• P Alexi Ogando placed on 15 day DL
• P Cory Burns recalled from AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Ogando has been hurt a bunch.   Not liking this.   Given he was delayed in starting his career due to the visa problems, he’s older than he should be based on major league service.  I wonder if this is age breakdown, something that isn’t likely to get better the more years we get into his career.  :(

• P Martin Perez activated from 15 day DL, and optioned to AA Frisco [ Link ]

NOTES: Uh, OK.   Rehab time was up, and there was no spot, so he was technically optioned to AA, but he was already there on rehab.  Gotta love moves like that.  :)

• C AJ Pierzynski placed on 15 day DL, retro to May 6
• C Robinson Chirinos recalled from AA [ Link ]

NOTES: AJ was doing quite well this season so far.  Good behind the plate, hitting the ball well, then he couldn’t do either.  Got hurt somewhere along the line, which was annoying, as I was starting to like what he was doing for the team.  Hopefully it’s not a long stay.

• P Martin Perez assigned to AA from Texas Rangers

This is mostly  procedural move, as he’s gone out for rehab assignments.   Felt so bad when he got hurt in the spring, as he was doing quite well.  Hopefully when he returns, he returns at the same level, and not as a “I have to find myself” kind of thing.