2008 MLB Transactions - July 10

[Hache Man]

Mark Mulder - RP - Cardinals

Cardinals placed LHP Mark Mulder on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left shoulder.

Mulder started Wednesday for the first time in 10 months, but exited the game after throwing just 16 pitches to three batters. Mulder hasn't been healthy or effective since 2005, but the Cardinals guaranteed him $13 million this offseason despite his coming off two shoulder surgeries. He's almost surely done for 2008 and his future is clearly in serious doubt. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Jaime Garcia - SP - Cardinals

Cardinals recalled LHP Jamie Garcia from Triple-A Memphis.

Garcia replaces Mark Mulder on the roster and was a starter at Triple-A, but may see some action out of the bullpen initially. The 22-year-old southpaw was 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA and 98/41 K/BB ratio in 103 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He projects as a potential mid-rotation starter long term, but shaky control may keep him from thriving in the majors yet. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Tim Hulett - 2B - Mariners

Mariners purchased the contract of infielder Tug Hulett from Triple-A Tacoma.

Acquired from the Rangers for Ben Broussard back in December, Hulett hit .302/.378/.508 in 71 games at Triple-A. He's capable of playing any infield spot defensively and offers good on-base skills, but hadn't shown much power prior to this season and projects as a utility man. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Jared Wells - RP - Mariners

Mariners recalled RHP Jared Wells from Triple-A Tacoma.

He'll work in middle relief after taking Erik Bedard's spot on the pitching staff. Wells was acquired from the Padres for Cha-Seung Baek in late May and has posted a 5.34 ERA and 48/33 K/BB ratio in 57 1/3 innings at Triple-A. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Erik Bedard - SP - Mariners

Mariners placed LHP Erik Bedard on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 5, with stiffness in his left shoulder.

Bedard had already been shut down through the All-Star break, but going on the DL means that he won't be eligible to return until at least the fourth game of the second half. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Richie Sexson - 1B - Mariners

Mariners released first baseman Richie Sexson.

The move was rumored to be on the verge of taking place three weeks ago and since then Sexson has hit .213/.391/.383 in 16 games, which actually qualifies as one of his better stretches this season. If this is the start of the team's second attempt at cleaning house Jose Vidro should probably be next, although knowing the Mariners he's more likely to take over for Sexson as the new starting first baseman. In the final season of a four-year contract, the Mariners ended up paying Sexson $50 million to hit .244/.334/.474 in 509 games. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Luis Munoz - SP - Pirates

Pirates recalled RHP Luis Munoz from Double-A Altoona.

Munoz has gone 4-5 with a 5.38 ERA and 53/36 K/BB ratio in 87 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season, so he's far from deserving up a call-up. He's been a starter in the minors, but should be used as a mop-up man at best if the Pirates are smart. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

John Van Benschoten - RP - Pirates

Pirates optioned RHP John Van Benschoten to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Van Benschoten got knocked around in two starts after being called up late last month and the former first-round pick now sports a hideous 8.96 ERA in 83 1/3 career innings. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Steven Pearce - OF - Pirates

Pirates optioned outfielder Steve Pearce to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pearce was called up last week despite having nowhere to play, went 1-for-3 in three appearances off the bench and now heads back to the minors. If the Pirates trade Adam LaRoche, Jason Bay or Xavier Nady, Pearce will likely be the long-term replacement. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Mike Cervenak - 1B - Phillies

Phillies purchased the contract of infielder-outfielder Mike Cervenak from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

A 31-year-old career minor leaguer, Cervenak was hitting .310/.331/.439 in 90 games at Triple-A and sports a .292/.339/.468 career line. He brings some defensive versatility to the table and has consistently posted solid batting averages, but offers almost zero plate discipline and marginal power. Don't expect any fantasy value. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

J.A. Happ - SP - Phillies

Phillies optioned LHP J.A. Happ to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Happ beat the Cardinals with 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball Wednesday night, but the Phillies won't need a fifth starter again for two weeks. Whether or not he gets the call then likely depends on Brett Myers' status. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Carlos Muniz - RP - Mets

Mets recalled RHP Carlos Muniz from Triple-A New Orleans.

Muniz was sent back to Triple-A last week, but returns thanks to Tony Armas Jr. landing on the disabled list. He'll work in middle relief. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Tony Armas Jr. - RP - Mets

Mets placed RHP Tony Armas Jr. on the 15-day disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle.

Armas gave up seven runs in 8 1/3 innings after joining the Mets on July 1. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Randy Choate - RP - Brewers

Brewers reinstated LHP Randy Choate from the 15-day disabled list and outrighted him to Triple-A Nashville.

Choate was placed on the DL at the end of spring training after breaking his hand during fielding drills. He wouldn't have made the Opening Day roster anyway and will now try to work his way back to the majors at Triple-A. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Brandon Inge - 3B - Tigers

Tigers activated third baseman-catcher Brandon Inge from the 15-day disabled list.

Prior to Inge landing on the disabled list manager Jim Leyland had indicated that he'd begin cutting into Ivan Rodriguez's playing time behind the plate. Inge returns after going 3-for-10 with a homer on a brief minor league rehab assignment. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Jeff Larish - DH - Tigers

Tigers recalled first baseman Jeff Larish from Triple-A Toledo.

Larish went 8-for-40 (.200) with one homer while subbing for Gary Sheffield earlier this season, but has batted .265/.368/.547 with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 67 games at Triple-A. He has always shown good power, but will struggle to post a decent batting average in the majors. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Dane Sardinha - C - Tigers

Tigers designated catcher Dane Sardinha from assignment.

Sardinha got a look as Ivan Rodriguez's backup while Brandon Inge was out, but the former second-round pick is a .222/.263/.337 career hitter in the minors who has no business as a big leaguer. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Eddie Bonine - SP - Tigers

Tigers optioned RHP Eddie Bonine to Double-A Erie.

Bonine, a 27-year-old career minor leaguer, went 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 9/5 K/BB ratio in five starts. He could be called back up when the Tigers need a fifth starter next on July 21. Jul. 10

[Hache Man]

Ryan Bukvich - RP - Orioles

Orioles sent RHP Ryan Bukvich outright to Triple-A Norfolk.

Bukvich was designated for assignment last week after allowing four runs and walking six batters in 5 1/3 innings with the Orioles. Jul. 10