Minor League Transactions: July 8-15

Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period July 8-15.

An additional 49 draft picks came to terms last week, as the curtain fell on the 2016 signing deadline. That flurry of activity pushed the total number of signed picks this year to 920 out of 1,216 selections, and that rate of 75.7 percent matches almost exactly the rate for all drafts since 2012, the beginning of the 40-rounds era.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Cal Becker (NDFA—Sonoma State (Calif.)), RHP Cole Johnson (New Britain (Atlantic)), RHP Alexi Ogando (released by Braves, July 1), RHP Markus Solbach (Rockland (Can-Am)), LHP Alex Gunn (Gary (American Association))
Draft pick signed: OF Connor Owings (34)
Released: RHP Josh Smith, LHP Will Lowman, OF Tom Belza
Traded: RHP Brad Ziegler to Red Sox for RHP Jose Almonte and 2B Luis Alejandro Basabe
Recalled: LHP Edwin Escobar
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Shelby Miller
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Cody Reed, C Matt Jones
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Bryan Ozuna

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Roberto Hernandez (released by Blue Jays, July 2), C George Kottaras (released by Giants, July 12)
Draft pick signed: 2B Nick Shumpert (28)
Released: SS Angel Perez
Traded: RHP Alec Grosser to Dodgers as player to be named for RHP Caleb Dirks and LHP Phil Pfeifer
Added to 40-man roster: C Anthony Recker
Option transferred: LHP Manny Banuelos (Triple-A to Double-A)
Removed from 40-man: OF Emilio Bonifacio (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Kanekoa Texeira, RHP Andrew Thurman, 2B Luke Dykstra

Baltimore Orioles
Draft picks signed: RHP Nick Gruener (22), LHP Willie Rios (16), 1B Preston Palmeiro (7)
Released: RHP Victor Ramirez, OF Hernys Blanco
Recalled: RHP Jason Garcia, RHP Mike Wright
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Donnie Hart
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Mike Wright
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Jason Garcia
Removed from 40-man: RHP David Hale (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Nick Additon, 2B Drew Turbin, OF Tucker Nathans

Boston Red Sox
Signed: SS Ivan Houellemont (NDFA—Jose Collazo Colon HS, Juncos, P.R.)
Draft picks signed: RHP Mike Shawaryn (5), RHP Francisco Soto (25), LHP Jason Groome (1), 3B Bobby Dalbec (4), OF Juan Carlos Abreu (23)
Released: LHP Nik Turley, LHP Wesley Wright
Traded: RHP Jose Almonte and 2B Luis Alejandro Basabe to Diamondbacks for RHP Brad Ziegler
Traded: RHP Anderson Espinoza to Padres for LHP Drew Pomeranz
Recalled: RHP William Cuevas, RHP Noe Ramirez, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Noe Ramirez, SS Marco Hernandez
Designated for assignment: 2B Sean Coyle (lost on waivers to Angels)
Removed from 40-man: OF Ryan LaMarre (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: 2B Chad de la Guerra

Chicago Cubs
Draft picks signed: RHP Michael Rucker (11), RHP Nathan Sweeney (33), SS Delvin Zinn (23)
Recalled: 2B Munenori Kawasaki
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Munenori Kawasaki, 3B Jeimer Candelario
Removed from 40-man: RHP Joel Peralta (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jordan Minch, LHP Tyler Peitzmeier, LHP Kyle Twomey, C Alberto Mineo, SS Vimael Machin

Chicago White Sox
Signed: RHP Ryan Webb (released by Rays, July 6), 2B J.J. Franco (released by Braves, April 2)
Draft pick signed: 3B Zach Remillard (10)
Recalled: RHP Scott Carroll, RHP Tommy Kahnle
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Carson Fulmer
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Chris Beck, OF Jason Coats
Removed from 40-man: RHP Scott Carroll (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Lollis, C Jeremy Dowdy, C Seby Zavala, 2B J.J. Franco

Cincinnati Reds
Released: RHP Bernardo Moreta, C Francis Guerrero
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Juan Martinez, 1B Brandon Allen, SS Carlton Daal

Cleveland Indians
Elected free agency: LHP Tom Gorzelanny
Recalled: SS Erik Gonzalez
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP T.J. House, LHP Tyler Olson
Removed from 40-man: LHP Tom Gorzelanny (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Zach Plesac, SS Luke Wakamatsu

Colorado Rockies
Signed: RHP Ethan Westphal (NDFA—Central Missouri)
Released: RHP Dakota Behr
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Christian Bergman
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Ryan Carpenter, C Joel Diaz, 3B Chris Nelson, SS Zach Osborne

Detroit Tigers
Signed: RHP David Martinez (released by Twins, July 7), OF Alex Presley (elected free agency from Brewers, July 2)
Recalled: LHP Matt Boyd, OF Tyler Collins
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Bobby Parnell
Option transferred: OF Anthony Gose (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Angel Nesbitt, SS David Gonzalez

Houston Astros
Released: 3B Luis Reynoso, OF Justin Garcia
Option transferred: SS Nolan Fontana (Triple-A to Double-A)

Kansas City Royals
Signed: RHP Edward Mujica (released by Phillies, July 14), RHP Paul Young (NDFA—Mississippi State)
Draft pick signed: RHP Anthony Bender (20)
Released: LHP Joe Beimel, OF Leland Clemmons
Option transferred: SS Raul A. Mondesi (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Pedro Fernandez, LHP Scott Alexander, 2B Ramon Torres, OF Cody Jones

Los Angeles Angels
Draft picks signed: C Jack Kruger (20), SS Cody Ramer (19), OF Zach Gibbons (17), OF Brandon Marsh (2)
Released: RHP Ramon Rodriguez, LHP David Huff, 3B Michael Pierson
Traded: RHP Matt Tindall to Nationals for cash
Added to 40-man roster: 1B Ji-Man Choi
Optioned to Triple-A: C Carlos Perez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Blayne Weller, OF Ranyelmy Alberto

The Angels released 31-year-old lefthander David Huff so that he could sign with the LG Twins in Korea. He replaces Scott Copeland in the Twins rotation and will earn $550,000 for the rest of 2016, according to this story from the Yohnap News Agency.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Signed: RHP Parker Curry (NDFA—Samford), RHP Patrick Duester (NDFA—Tulane), RHP Josh Kimborowicz (Southern Illinois (Frontier)), LHP Christian Stolo (NDFA—Nevada)
Draft picks signed: RHP Kevin Malisheski (38), RHP Chris Mathewson (19), SS Zack McKinstry (33)
Released: RHP Dillon Moyer, RHP Cameron Palmer, OF Donavan Tate
Acquired: RHP Alec Grosser from Braves as player to be named for RHP Caleb Dirks and LHP Phil Pfeifer
Elected free agency: 2B Cole Figueroa
Added to 40-man roster: OF Andrew Toles
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Carlos Frias, LHP Luis Avilan
Removed from 40-man: 2B Cole Figueroa, OF Will Venable (both players outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Kevin Brown, RHP Carlos Frias, RHP Alec Grosser, RHP Kyle Hooper, RHP Sam LeCure, RHP Jeff Paschke, RHP Chris Powell, RHP Derrick Sylvester, LHP Garrett Harrison, LHP Michael Johnson, C Garrett Hope, SS Cristian Gomez
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Miguel Urena

The Dodgers signed free agent outfielders Donavan Tate and Andrew Toles to minor league deals last fall, and the one-time prospects walked disparate paths this season. Tate, the third overall pick in the 2009 draft, opened on the disabled list, then hit just .143 in 35 Class A at-bats prior to his release last week.

Toles, meanwhile, advanced from high Class A Rancho Cucamonga to Triple-A Oklahoma City by hitting .330/.375/.507 with 36 extra-base hits and 23 stolen bases in 73 games. The Dodgers called him up on July 8, and he has started a handful of games in center field with both Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson on the DL.

Miami Marlins
Draft picks signed: RHP Hunter Wells (23), LHP Braxton Garrett (1), OF Thomas Jones (3)
Released: RHP Jordan Hillyer
Traded: LHP Eric Jokisch to Rangers for SS Pedro Ciriaco
Loaned to Mexican League: C Arturo Rodriguez (to Monterrey)
Recalled: C Tomas Telis, OF Yefri Perez
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Justin Nicolino, C Tomas Telis
Removed from 40-man: LHP Eric Jokisch (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Dylan Axelrod, RHP Chuck Weaver, LHP Greg Nappo, C Gunner Pollman, SS J.T. Riddle

Milwaukee Brewers
Draft picks signed: LHP Blake Lillis (25), SS Zach Clark (19), SS Trever Morrison (12), OF Ryan Aguilar (31)
Traded: RHP Jaye Chapman to Rays for cash
Recalled: RHP Corey Knebel, SS Yadiel Rivera
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Michael Blazek, RHP Rob Scahill (waiver claim from Pirates)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Kaleb Earls, LHP Joan de la Cruz, LHP Drake Owenby, C Greg McCall, C Natanael Mejia
Transferred to 60-day DL: 2B Tucker Neuhaus

Minnesota Twins
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Aaron Slegers, OF Akil Baddoo, OF Hank Morrison

New York Mets
Draft picks signed: RHP Matt Cleveland (12), RHP Cameron Planck (11), LHP Anthony Kay (1)
Option transferred: RHP Rafael Montero (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Bryce Beeler, C Natanael Ramos, 1B Jeff Diehl, SS Niuman Romero

New York Yankees
Signed: RHP Brett Morales (NDFA—Tampa), RHP Curtiss Pomeroy (NDFA—Georgetown)
Recalled: RHP Nick Goody
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Chad Green
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP J.R. Graham, 1B Chris Gittens, 2B Billy Fleming, SS Kyle Holder, OF Austin Aune, OF Devyn Bolasky, OF Jhalan Jackson, OF Aaron Judge
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Brett Morales, RHP Rafael Ordaz

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre right fielder Aaron Judge left his July 8 game with an injury later diagnosed as a mild PCL sprain and bone bruise in his left knee. He goes on the disabled list at a poor time for his development, because the 24-year-old had been producing after a lengthy adjustment period in the International League. In his last 40 games for Scranton, Judge hit .279/.408/.524 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs.

Oakland Athletics
Released: C Carson Blair
Added to 40-man roster: 1B Ryon Healy
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Billy Burns
Designated for assignment: RHP Nick Tepesch
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Sergey, 1B Michael Soto

Philadelphia Phillies
Released: RHP Luis Morales, RHP Edward Mujica
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Severino Gonzalez
Option transferred: RHP Jimmy Cordero (Triple-A to high Class A)
Removed from 40-man: LHP Mario Hollands (outrighted to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: OF Aaron Brown

Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed: LHP Josh Outman (New Britain (Atlantic)), C Brett Synek (Lake Erie (Frontier))
Draft pick signed: RHP Austin Shields (33)
Recalled: 1B Josh Bell
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Tyler Glasnow
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Delvin Hiciano, RHP Nick Neumann, LHP Daniel Zamora, C Miguel Perez

St. Louis Cardinals
Signed: 1B Efren Navarro (released by Mariners, June 29), SS Matt Davis (NDFA—Virginia Commonwealth)
Draft pick signed: 2B J.D. Murders (31)
Released: OF Carlos Peguero
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Sam Tuivailala

The Cardinals released 29-year-old Dominican corner outfielder Carlos Peguero so that he could sign with Rakuten in Japan. Peguero ranks second among active professionals with 185 home runs and 672 RBIs in the minor leagues.

San Diego Padres
Signed: LHP Adrian Morejon
Draft picks signed: 1B G.K. Young (31), SS Ethan Skender (28), OF A.J. Brown (19), OF Trevyne Carter (11), OF Jack Suwinski (15)
Released: OF Mason Smith
Traded: LHP Drew Pomeranz to Red Sox for RHP Anderson Espinoza
Recalled: LHP Buddy Baumann, 2B Alexi Amarista
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP T.J. Weir, 2B Fernando Perez

The Padres signed 17-year-old Cuban lefthander Adrian Morejon for $11 million, and because San Diego already had exceeded its bonus-pool allotment for this year’s international signing period, they will pay a 100 percent tax on his signing. Therefore, Morejon effectively costs the Padres $22 million.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Morejon would have been considered a first-round talent in the amateur draft, according to BA’s Ben Badler, who also reports that Morejon pitches in the low 90s with a quality curveball and changeup.

San Francisco Giants
Signed: SS Kyle Drabek (released by D-backs, June 27), OF Anthony Marks (NDFA—Coastal Carolina)
Draft picks signed: LHP Nick Deeg (30), LHP Sidney Duprey (35), OF Jose Layer (13)
Released: C George Kottaras
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Kelby Tomlinson
Placed on 7-day DL: 1B Ricky Oropesa, OF Junior Arias, OF Tyler Horan
Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Logan Webb, 2B Tyler Brown

The Giants signed 28-year-old Kyle Drabek, who has logged more than 1,000 professional innings, with the intention of trying him as an infielder—though the organization hasn’t ruled out a return to the mound. The 18th overall pick in the 2006 draft out of The Woodlands (Texas) High, Drabek was regarded highly by scouts as both a pitcher and position player a decade ago. His Baseball America draft report reads, in part:

“(Drabek) could also make a case for being the best high school position player in the (2006) draft, as he’s a comparable hitter to New Jersey’s Bill Rowell (the Orioles’ first-round pick) and would have a better shot at playing shortstop as a pro.”

Seattle Mariners
Released: RHP Ramire Cleto, C Dominic Blanco
Draft pick signed: OF Trey Griffey (24)
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Nathan Bannister

Tampa Bay Rays
Draft picks signed: LHP Sam Long (18), SS Kevin Santiago (20)
Released: 1B Kyle Roller
Acquired: RHP Jaye Chapman from Brewers for cash
Recalled: C Luke Maile
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Ryan Garton, RHP Tyler Sturdevant, C Hank Conger
Removed from 40-man: LHP Dana Eveland (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Henry Centeno, RHP Brian Miller

Texas Rangers
Signed: LHP Jack Snodgrass (Long Island (Atlantic)), OF Alexei Bell (Quintana Roo (Mexican))
Draft pick signed: LHP Lucas Jacobsen (27)
Traded: SS Pedro Ciriaco go Marlins for LHP Eric Jokisch
Recalled: LHP Alex Claudio
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Kyle Lohse
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Nick Martinez
Option transferred: RHP Nick Martinez (Double-A to Triple-A), LHP Yohander Mendez (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Milroy, RHP Pedro Payano, RHP Scott Williams

The Rangers signed 32-year-old Cuban outfielder Alexei Bell to a minor league deal after he played 59 games in the independent Can-Am League last season and nine games in the Mexican League this year. The 5-foot-7 Bell had established residency in Mexico while trying to latch on with an affiliated club. In 14 seasons in Cuba’s major league, he hit .319/.417/.547 while averaging about 20 homers and 18 steals per 500 plate appearances.

Ben Badler writes that teams would have lined up to sign Bell had he left Cuba 10 years ago. Check out this piece to find out why.

Toronto Blue Jays
Draft picks signed: RHP Josh Winckowski (15), OF Dom Abbadessa (23), OF Chavez Young (39)
Released: 1B Gabe Clark
Recalled: 3B Andy Burns
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Drew Hutchison
Placed on 7-day DL: 1B L.B. Dantzler, OF Melky Mesa
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Mike Estevez
Transferred to 60-day DL: LHP Miguel Burgos

Washington Nationals
Released: RHP Luis Torres, SS Cody Dent
Acquired: RHP Matt Tindall from Angels for cash
Recalled: SS Trea Turner, OF Michael A. Taylor
Option transferred: RHP Lucas Giolito (Triple-A to low Class A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Cody Gunter, RHP Boone Whiting, C Matt Reistetter, C Jorge Tillero
Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Andrew Lee