Minor League Transactions: April 1-7

Congratulations to the 32 players who signed minor league contracts in the offseason and then played their way onto big league Opening Day rosters with strong springs.

The largest subset of that group is 18 relievers (10 lefthanders, eight righthanders), followed by eight outfielders (including Indians starting right fielder Marlon Byrd), four utility infielders (Emmanuel Burriss, Charlie Culberson, Cole Figueroa and Adam Rosales) and two backup catchers (Eric Fryer and Jordan Pacheco).

Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period April 1-7.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Jay Muhammad (released by Mariners, March 21)
Released: RHP R.J. Hively, SS Joaquin Arias
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Kyle Drabek, OF Rickie Weeks
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Silvino Bracho, RHP Enrique Burgos, RHP Evan Marshall, OF Peter O’Brien

Atlanta Braves
Released: RHP Carlos Torres, C Kevin Reiher, 1B Barrett Kleinknecht, 2B J.J. Franco, 3B Franklin Azuaje
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Alexi Ogando, OF Jeff Francoeur, OF Drew Stubbs
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Mike Foltynewicz

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: RHP Genison Reyes (released by Padres, March 31)
Released: RHP Gene Escat, RHP Josh Walker, LHP Kevin Grendell, C Allan Bencid
Loaned to Mexican League: LHP Daniel Rodriguez (to Saltillo)
Removed from 40-man: RHP Chaz Roe, LHP Zach Phillips (both players outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: C Francisco Pena
Optioned to Double-A: LHP Jayson Aquino (purchased from Cardinals)

Boston Red Sox
Signed: LHP Nik Turley (released by White Sox, March 26), OF Justin Maxwell (released by Marlins, March 29)
Released: RHP Brandon Show, OF Forrestt Allday
Loaned to Mexican League: LHP Javier Rodriguez (to Mexico City)

Chicago Cubs
Signed: RHP Jake Buchanan (released by Astros, March 31)
Added to 40-man roster: 2B Munenori Kawasaki
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Munenori Kawasaki
Option transferred: RHP Andury Acevedo (Triple-A to Double-A)

Chicago White Sox
Signed: RHP Miguel Gonzalez (released by Orioles, March 30), LHP David Holmberg (released by Braves, March 29), LHP Blair Walters (released by Braves, March 29), C Chris O’Dowd (released by Braves, March 31)
Released: RHP Josh Wall
Option transferred: RHP Brandon Brennan (Triple-A to Double-A)

The White Sox originally drafted David Holmberg back in 2009, making him a second-round pick out of Port Charlotte (Fla.) High. Chicago traded him to the Diamondbacks in 2010 for Edwin Jackson, then Arizona dealt him to the Reds in a three-team exchange after the 2013 season.

Holmberg reached the majors in each of the past three seasons, but despite having an outstanding changeup, he averages 88 mph on his fastball and tends to nibble, which has resulted in a 6.24 ERA over 62 innings. The White Sox assigned him to Double-A Birmingham, a level where the 24-year-old has thrived in the past and might be able to build momentum.

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Steve Delabar (released by Blue Jays, March 29), LHP Greg Williams (released by Rangers, March 11), 1B Justin Chigbogu (released by Dodgers, March 21)
Released: SS Beamer Weems
Returned Rule 5 selection: OF Jake Cave (to Yankees)
Recalled: RHP Robert Stephenson, OF Tyler Holt
Added to 40-man roster: C Jordan Pacheco
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Robert Stephenson, C Ramon Cabrera, 2B Jose Peraza

The Reds gave Rule 5 pick Jake Cave ample playing time in spring training, and the 23-year-old went 14-for-55 (.255) with eight walks in 26 games. That might have been enough to make the team were the organization not already stacked with speed- and contact-oriented players such as Billy Hamilton, Jose Peraza and Tyler Holt.

Cleveland Indians
Released: 1B Grant Fink
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Joba Chamberlain, LHP Ross Detwiler, OF Marlon Byrd
Designated for assignment: LHP Giovanni Soto, 3B Zach Walters, OF James Ramsey
Option transferred: LHP Shawn Morimando (Triple-A to Double-A)

Colorado Rockies
Released: RHP Hunter Brothers, RHP Brock Huntzinger, C Nate Causey, OF Kyle Parker
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Jason Gurka
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Scott Oberg

A baseball and gridiron star at Clemson, corner outfielder Kyle Parker never lived up to his first-round potential, hitting just .182 in 132 big league at-bats with an adjusted-OPS+ of 31 in short stints with Colorado in 2014 and 2015. The Rockies selected Parker 26th overall in 2010, but to this point the only quality player to emerge from the back third of the first round that year is the Marlins’ Christian Yelich, taken 23rd overall. A few others reside on 40-man rosters: lefty Jesse Biddle (a Phillies pick now with the Braves), righties Zach Lee (Dodgers) and Cam Bedrosian (Angels) and catcher Justin O’Conner (Rays).

In addition to Parker, the other first-round college position players from this portion of the 2010 draft also have flopped. They are Cal State Fullerton outfielder Gary Brown and Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox.

Detroit Tigers
Signed: 1B Wade Hinkle (released by Angels, March 29)
Released: C Rafael Lopez, 1B Will Kengor, OF Jiwan James
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Logan Kensing

Houston Astros
Released: LHP Wandy Rodriguez
Recalled: RHP Michael Feliz
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Chris Devenski, 1B Tyler White
Designated for assignment: RHP Danny Reynolds
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Michael Feliz
Option transferred: RHP Danny Reynolds (Triple-A to Double-A)

Kansas City Royals
Signed: LHP Brian Duensing (released and re-signed), SS Clint Barmes (released and re-signed), OF Travis Snider (released and re-signed)
Released: 2B Logan Davis, OF Edward Salcedo, OF Dominique Taylor
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Chien-Ming Wang
Optioned to Triple-A: C Tony Cruz
Optioned to Double-A: SS Raul A. Mondesi
Option transferred: OF Jorge Bonifacio (Double-A to Triple-A)

Los Angeles Angels
Signed: RHP Jhonny Polanco (released by Red Sox, March 28), LHP Neal Cotts (released by Astros, March 25), LHP Kevin Grendell (released by Orioles, April 7), C Jordan Hankins (released by Cubs, March 24), C Ryan Scott (released by Dodgers, March 21), 2B Angelo Amendolare (released by Cubs, March 29)
Released: OF Tyler Palmer
Recalled: RHP Nick Tropeano
Removed from 40-man: OF Todd Cunningham (outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Tyler Skaggs, 2B Rey Navarro, 3B Jefry Marte, OF Rafael Ortega

The Angels continue to scoop up minor league players discarded by other organizations at the end of spring training, this time adding five such examples on top of the nine they added the week before. Lefthander Neal Cotts joins other veterans pitchers, such as Deolis Guerra and Kyle Kendrick, who have major league experience and designs on again reaching the highest level.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Signed: RHP Seth Frankoff (released by Athletics, March 28), RHP Sam LeCure (released by D-backs, March 28), RHP Dale Thayer (released by Orioles, March 26)
Released: LHP Mike Thomas, 2B Delvis Morales, OF Julio Morban, OF Alex Santana
Loaned to Mexican League: RHP Juan Noriega (to Monclova)
Recalled: RHP Ross Stripling
Added to 40-man roster: 2B Charlie Culberson
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Carlos Frias, LHP Luis Avilan

Miami Marlins
Released: 1B Austen Smith
Sold to Mexican League: OF Carlos Lopez (to Veracruz)
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Dustin McGowan, LHP Craig Breslow, LHP Chris Narveson

A 10th-round pick in 2013 from Cal State Fullerton, outfielder Carlos Lopez played well at low Class A Greensboro in 2014, hitting .323 with 27 doubles and a .392 on-base percentage, before stumbling with the big jump to Double-A Jacksonville in 2015. He is now property of the Veracruz Red Eagles of the Mexican League.

Milwaukee Brewers
Signed: RHP Jorge Zavala (released by Braves, March 30)
Recalled: RHP Tyler Cravy
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Blaine Boyer, LHP Chris Capuano
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Tyler Cravy

Minnesota Twins
Released: LHP Aaron Thompson
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Fernando Abad

New York Mets
Signed: C Rene Rivera (released by Rays, March 30)
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Jim Henderson
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Erik Goeddel, LHP Sean Gilmartin, SS Matt Reynolds
Option transferred: RHP Jeff Walters, RHP Gabriel Ynoa, LHP Josh Smoker (all players Double-A to Triple-A)

The Mets don’t have another arm the caliber of Noah Syndergaard or Steven Matz, both of whom they called upon last year, at Triple-A Las Vegas. They do, however, have a fair amount of 40-man roster inventory available to plug holes, such as potential spot starters Seth Lugo, Rafael Montero and Gabriel Ynoa; righty relievers Erik Goddel and Jeff Walters and lefty relievers Dario Alvarez, Sean Gilmartin and Josh Smoker.

New York Yankees
Released: RHP Jaron Long, C K.J. Alexander, C Jake Hernandez, OF Chris Breen, OF Taylor Dugas, OF Frank Frias
Traded: C Carlos Corporan to Rays for cash
Option transferred: LHP Jacob Lindgren (Triple-A to high Class A)

Oakland Athletics
Released: RHP Lee Sosa, RHP Taylor Thompson
Recalled: OF Andrew Lambo
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Andrew Lambo (twice)

Philadelphia Phillies
Released: RHP Ernesto Frieri, RHP Calvin Rayburn, LHP Cody Forsythe
Traded: RHP Chris Leroux to Blue Jays for cash
Added to 40-man roster: LHP James Russell, SS Emmanuel Burriss, OF Cedric Hunter
Option transferred: RHP Alec Asher, RHP Severino Gonzalez (both players Triple-A to Double-A)

Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed: RHP Claudio Scotti
Released: RHP Kieran Mattison
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Cory Luebke, 3B Cole Figueroa, OF Matt Joyce
Designated for assignment: RHP John Holdzkom, OF Jake Goebbert (lost on waivers to Rays)
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Jason Rogers

St. Louis Cardinals
Recalled: SS Aledmys Diaz
Added to 40-man roster: C Eric Fryer, OF Jeremy Hazelbaker
Designated for assignment: LHP Jayson Aquino (sold to Orioles)

San Diego Padres
Signed: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (released by Rangers, March 28)
Released: C Michael Miller
Loaned to Mexican League: LHP Jeff Ibarra (to Mexico City)
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Matt Thornton, 2B Adam Rosales
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Robbie Erlin, C Austin Hedges, 2B Jose Pirela, SS Alexi Amarista
Option transferred: RHP Cesar Vargas (Triple-A to Double-A)

Seattle Mariners
Signed: C P.J. Jones (re-signed)
Released: C Steve Lerud
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Joel Peralta
Removed from 40-man: C Rob Brantly (outrighted to Triple-A)
Option transferred: C Steve Baron (Triple-A to Double-A)

Tampa Bay Rays
Released: C Jamie Mitchell
Acquired: C Carlos Corporan from Yankees for cash
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Dana Eveland
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Andrew Bellatti, OF Jake Goebbert (waiver claim from Pirates), OF Mikie Mahtook
Option transferred: RHP Jacob Faria, C Justin O’Conner (both players Triple-A to Double-A)

Texas Rangers
Released: LHP Donnie Veal, OF Jordan Danks
Option transferred: LHP Yohander Mendez (Double-A to high Class A)

Toronto Blue Jays
Released: RHP Mark Biggs
Acquired: RHP Chris Leroux from Phillies for cash
Removed from 40-man: C A.J. Jimenez, 1B Jesus Montero, OF Junior Lake (all players outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Ryan Tepera

Washington Nationals
Signed: C Jake Lowery (released by Indians, March 28)
Released: RHP Burke Badenhop, RHP P.J. Walters, LHP Sean Burnett, C Craig Manuel, 1B Marquez Smith, 2B Melvin Rodriguez, 3B Zack Cox, 3B Conor Keniry, OF Philip Diedrick, OF Reed Johnson, OF Randolph Oduber
Recalled: OF Matt den Dekker
Added to 40-man roster: OF Chris Heisey
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Trevor Gott, OF Matt den Dekker
Option transferred: RHP Abel de los Santos, SS Wilmer Difo (both players Triple-A to Double-A)