Texas officially placed pitcher Kevin Millwood and his strained groin on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday to clear room for the return of catcher Gerald Laird — out since June 21 with a pulled hamstring.  Laird is someone often rumored in trade talks and this next week might be a showcase for the Rangers catcher.

In addition to Laird, the team is expected to make another move on Sunday to bring back pitcher Eric Hurley who from the DL which should mean the return of catcher Max Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma.

Laird was 0-for-12 in his rehab assignment at Oklahoma.

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White Sox setup man Scott Linebrink went on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with a sore shoulder and was scheduled for an MRI.  The 31-year old reliever was 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 19 holds but struggled as a fill-in for closer Bobby Jenks earlier this month with two blown saves in July.

To replace Linebrink, Chicago recalled reliever Ehren Wassermann from Triple-A Charlotte.  Wassermann made 11 relief appearances in an earlier call-up this season and posted a 14.85 ERA in a stretch from April 27 to June 3.  Wasssermann fared much better at Charlotte where he was 1-0 with a 1.67 ERA in 24 games.

Bucs pick up troubled OF and three righties for Nady and Marte 

The Pirates picked up troubled right field prospect Jose Tabata, and right-hander prospects Ross Ohlendorf, Dan McCutchen and Jeff Karstens from the Yankees for outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte.

Tabata, New York’s third-ranked prospect by Baseball America, has lost some buzz after repeated discipline issues and a .617 OPS in 297 at bats with Double-A Trenton.

Ohlendorf, New York’s ninth-ranked prospect by BA, has a 10.3 K/9 in 22.3 innings with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but as also given up 28 hits. McCutchen, New York’s 14th-ranked prospect by BA, has a 3.67 fielding-independent ERA in 124 innings with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. (more…)

Jeremy Hermida hadn’t started the past two games before coming off the bench to hit the game-winning opposite field home run against Chicago last night. The rest evidently did him well, as he stroked two more solo jobs in today’s daytime matchup against the Cubs, and scored the winning run in extra innings.

His homer in the third tied up the game 1-1, but the Cubs came right back to take the lead on an Aramis Ramirez shot over the wall in left center. Undeterred, Hermida came back up in the eighth and tied it up again, this time off of Sean Marshall. Then, with two outs in the twelfth, he stroked a double, scoring on Jorge Cantu’s double right behind him. Not a bad one-man show.

Florida is scrapping with Philly and New York for supremacy in the NL East, while Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis are battling for the NL Central. Of all six teams, only Florida and New York haven’t bolstered their rosters with trades down the stretch. But New York has been tied to big names like Jason Bay or Raul Ibanez, and manager Jerry Manuel has expressed a desire to pick up a slugging outfielder.

The Marlins, on the other hand, are in the market for a closer or a catcher, but will likely have to settle for a second-tier player in either slot, as the Tigers rebuffed their attempts at a deal for Pudge, and they don’t want to give up enough to get Brian Fuentes.

Mike Jacobs is considered available, as is Taylor Tankersley, a former first-round draft pick, but both have a problem with the home run—they’re all Jacobs hits (well, 20 of his 74 hits, anyway, for a skewed batting line of .241/.285/.495), and all Tankersley gives up (6 of his 21 hits in 16.1 IP). That’s not a ton to offer, and they shouldn’t expect to get much in return.

Can they stand pat and succeed in the NL East? If Hermida keeps hitting like this, and Ugga can put his Uggly All-Star Game behind him (he’s 3-25 since his three-error, three-strikeout performance), they should at least continue to make it interesting.

The St. Louis Cardinals today announced that they have completed a  trade with the Cleveland Indians, swapping once promising pitcher Anthony Reyes in exchange for Akron (AA) right-handed reliever Luis Perdomo and cash.

From the Cardinals press release…

Perdomo, 24, was named to the Class-A Carolina League All-Star team this year after posting a 3-1mark with a 0.92 ERA and 18 saves for Kinston. He was 2-0 with a 3.52 ERA in 9 games with Akron (AA) of the Eastern League and has combined to go 5-1 with a 1.66 ERA, 19 saves and 60 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched this season.

“I think everyone agreed that a change of scenery was probably best for Anthony,” said Cardinals Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak. “Hopefully this will benefit him and it allows us to add depth to our minor league system, as we not only remain focused on the Major League team, but continue to look to the future.”

Signed by the Indians as an non-drafted free agent out of the San Cristobal Dominican Republic in 2003, Perdomo spent three seasons with the Indians DSL team before advancing to the GCL Indians in 2006, where he finished 2nd in the league with 9 saves, fanning 29 batters in 20 innings. He was 4-6 with a 3.27 ERA and 10 saves in 56 games for Lake County of the South Atlantic League in 2007.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dustin McGowan will have season ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. This is obviously not good news. But, it’s not just his fraying labrum that’s a concern. Apparently the rotator cuff will be examined too after the initial surgery. McGowan is just 26 years-old so he has time to rebound, but it’s disappointing to see such a talented pitcher go down again after finally fulfilling some of his potential.

The surgery will be performed Dr. Timothy Kremchek in Cincinnati on Thursday, July 30.

In 19 starts this season, posted a 6-7 record with a 4.37 ERA. In 111.1 innings, he has allowed a team low nine home runs among starting pitchers, while striking out 85.

Just when you thought the Yankees / Red Sox series couldn’t get more exciting (or over-hyped, depending on your area of the country), Joba Chamberlain and Kevin Youkilis decided to “up the ante.”  Joba threw a pitch high and tight last night that nearly missed hitting Youk in the head.  These two have faced off numerous times this season with Joba plunking Youkilis in addition to throwing over his head on multiple occasions.

It is entirely possible that Joba’s pitch last night was an “accident.”  After all, it was a 1-0 game in the 7th and Joba was behind in the count.  Even Youkilis’ own teammate Mike Lowell admitted in a post-game interview that would be foolish to put the tying run on the bases that late in the game.  But then again, Joba’s control was impeccable all night and this one fastball against his arch-enemy just happened to get away in the direction of Youkilis’ head?  Sounds suspicious.

The history of Yankees / Sox has always led to a new chapter of retaliation.  From the Bill Lee shoulder injury in the mid-70’s to Pedro Martinez’s slick throw-down move on  Don Zimmer, to the A-Rod/Varitek slap-fest… every season seems to bring new drama.  The fireworks may have ended a few weeks ago on July 4th, but I have a feeling there may be some aftershocks this July weekend.  And if nothing else, as a baseball fan, the suspense is worth it…. even if you do hate these two teams. — jribando@baseballdigestdaily.com

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today they have acquired third baseman Casey Blake and cash considerations from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league catcher Carlos Santana and minor league right-hander Jonathan Meloan.

Some info direct from the Dodgers…

 “Casey Blake is a gamer,” said Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. “His experience and character will be a plus as we head down the stretch in the final two months of the regular season.”

Blake leads the Indians with a .289 batting average and 58 runs batted in this season. He has hit 11 home runs and has posted a .365 on-base percentage and .465 slugging percentage.  Blake’s .393 batting average with runners in scoring position ranks fifth in the Major Leagues in 2008.

and Indians…

Santana, 22, has spent the entire 2008 season with the Inland Empire 66ers of the A California League.  The switch-hitting catcher is batting .323 (113-350) with 88 runs scored, 34 doubles, 4 triples, 14HR and 96 RBI in 99 games so far this season.  He currently leads the California League in RBI (96), on-base percentage (.431) and runs scored (88), is 2nd in doubles (34), 3rd in extra-base hits (52), 4th in slugging percentage (.563) and 6th in batting average (.323).  In the 2nd half of play, which began on June 26, he is hitting .393 (42-107) w/9 2B, 6HR & 30RBI in 28 games (30BB, 20K, 1.167OPS).

Santana, who was named to the California League mid-season All-Star team, was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2004 out of the Dominican Republic as a third baseman/ outfielder and he is in just his second full season of catching.    His 96 RBI this year are 9 more than any other player in ALL of Minor League Baseball while his 88 runs scored also lead the minors (his 34 doubles are tied for 6th in MiLB).   The disciplined hitter has 10 more walks (69) than strikeouts (59) at Inland Empire and has an on-base+ slugging % (OPS) of .993.  He will report to A Kinston in the coming days.

Meloan, 24, was the Dodgers 5th round selection out of the University of Arizona in the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft.  The 6-3, 225 pound right-hander made his Major League debut with the Dodgers just last season, appearing in 5 games in September (7.1IP, 8H, 9R/ER, 8BB, 7K).   He began 2007 at AA Jacksonville where he went 5-2 with 19 saves and a 2.18 ERA (45.1IP, 24H, 11ER, 18BB, 70K, .155avg against) in 35 appearances out of the bullpen while being named to the Southern League All-Star team and top reliever in the SL by Baseball America.  He was later promoted to AAA Las Vegas where he went 2-0 w/a 1.69 ERA (21.1IP, 12H, 4ER, 9BB, 21K, .158avg against) in 14 appearances before his call-up by LA.   Prior to the 2008 season, he was named the 8th best prospect in the Dodgers organization by Baseball America.   

He was converted by the Dodgers to a starting pitcher this season and has spent the entire campaign with the AAA Las Vegas 51’s, going 5-10 with a 4.97 ERA (105.0IP, 119H, 72R/58ER, 60BB, 99K) in 21 games/20 starts this season.  His option has been transferred to AAA Buffalo and he will again be converted back to a relief role.   In his minor league career he has allowed 212 hits in 262.2 innings of work with 335 strikeouts (11.5 SO per 9.0IP, 3.43ERA).    

According to Peter Abraham of the LoHud Blog the deal for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte has changed a bit.

The Yankees are sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.

LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal.

Nady and Marte are on their way to Boston.

From what he says, Coke and Kontos were on the list of players they could could choose from. But instead took McCutchen and Karstens.

…Just yesterday the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off a deal that sent Outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees. Now there’s word out that two Pirate Minor leaguers Roman Carrasco and Luis Figueroa (both pitchers) have been hit with 50 game suspensions for testing positive for anabolic steroids, their suspensions start immediately. This according to a report in todays edition of the USA Today.

…For those keeping track, Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Hampton hasn’t pitched in a Major League Game in three years. This will supposedly change today, Hampton is scheduled to start against this Phillies this afternoon at 3:55p est. If you remember he was pulled just before game time on April 3rd, after pulling a pectoral muscle.

…I’m sure by now you’ve heard about or seen the footage of the brawl between the Class A Dayton Dragons and Peoria Chiefs. The pitcher (Julio Castillo) who threw a ball aimed at a player in the Dragons dugout that ended up going into the stands and hitting a spectator has been charged with Felonious Assault and is being held on $50,000 bail. After being in the United States for a week - he was also asked to surrender his passport.

“This charge is a result of outlandish and inexcusable conduct by a professional baseball player,” Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias Heck Jr. said in a statement.

If Castillo is convicted he could face up to eight years in jail and a $15,000 fine.

…New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez announced on Friday that he will remain in the Dominican Republic for a few more days after the death of his father. He’s been in the Dominican Republic since just before the All-Star Break. He had been scheduled to pitch last night, but Mike Pelfrey started in his place.

• Josh Johnson struck out 8 while allowing just 2 runs over 5 1/3 innings, and Jeremy Hermida hit a solo home run in the 9th inning to complete another Florida comeback as the Marlins edged the struggling Cubs, 3-2. Chicago starter Ryan Dempster gave up just one run on 2 hits in 6 innings before relievers Jeff Samardzija and Bobby Howry allowed Florida to tie and later win the game.
• Jair Jurrjens tossed 8 scoreless innings, and Brian McCann hit a solo home run and a grand slam to provide all the offense the Braves would need to knock off the Phillies, 8-2. In a rare poor outing, Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge allowed 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk without retiring a single batter.
• Kelly Shoppach drove in 2 runs, Franklin Gutierrez homered, and Cliff Lee yielded 2 runs while striking out 10 over 8 innings to pick up his 14th victory of the season as the Indians nipped the Twins, 5-4.
• Brian Giles doubled twice and scored twice, Adrian Gonzalez hit a 2-run home run, and Josh Bard picked up 2 RBI to help the Padres finally beat the Pirates, 6-5. Adam LaRoche hit 2 solo homers and scored 3 runs for Pittsburgh.
• Aaron Cook pitched 5-hit ball through 8 innings, and Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins each drove in 2 runs as the Rockies rolled over the Reds, 7-2. Willy Taveras also had 3 hits and 3 stolen bases for Colorado.
• Wandy Rodriguez threw 6 strong innings, allowing just one run on 3 hits, and Lance Berkman reached base 3 times as the Astros rallied for 3 runs in the 7th inning on the way to a 3-1 win over the Brewers.
• Chris Davis singled, doubled, homered, drove in 2 runs and scored 3 more, and Josh Hamilton added a double, a home run, and 2 RBI to give him an even 100 on the year as the Rangers pounded the A’s, 14-6.
• Nomar Garciaparra drove in 2 runs, and Chad Billingsley held down the opposition for 7 2/3 innings as the Dodgers escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Nationals.
• Vlad Guerrero and Chone Figgins were on base 3 times apiece, and Casey Kotchman (home run) and Torii Hunter (double) each contributed 2 RBI as the Angels squeezed past the Orioles, 6-5. Kevin Millar hit 2 home runs for Baltimore.
• Joba Chamberlain struck out 9 over 7 scoreless innings, and Jason Giambi drove in the game’s only run as the Yankees out-dueled the Red Sox, 1-0. There was a rare power outage in this game…all 9 hits by New York and all 6 hits by Boston were singles.
• Alexei Ramirez went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, Orlando Cabrera reached base 3 times, and Jermaine Dye belted a 2-run home run in the 9th inning to send the White Sox to a dramatic 6-5 win over the Tigers. Magglio Ordonez had 3 hits for Detroit.
• Matt Stairs singled, doubled, homered and drove in 3 runs, and Joe Inglett hit a 2-run walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th to give the Blue Jays a 5-4 victory over the Mariners. Toronto’s win pushes their record back over .500 on the season.
• Mike Pelfrey had another outstanding outing on the mound, Endy Chavez collected 4 hits, and Reyes and Reyes (Jose and Argenis) combined for 4 hits, a triple, a home run, and 4 RBI as the Mets took care of the Cardinals, 7-2.
• Edwin Jackson gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings of work, and Carlos Pena doubled and hit a 2-run homer as the Rays beat the Royals, 5-3.
• Mark Reynolds and Conor Jackson each doubled and homered while Stephen Drew and Chris Young contributed 2 RBI apiece as the Diamondbacks slithered past the Giants, 10-2. Dan Haren struck out 9 and gave up just 2 runs over 8 innings for Arizona.

Friday’s Scoreboard

Saturday’s Probable Pitchers

**Note - Due to inefficient code, we have changed the scoreboard to what you see above. Click through for full boxscores and play-by-play courtesy of MLB.

BDD’s daily recaps are provided by founder and managing editor Joe Hamrahi. Joe’s a CPA, a financial executive, a baseball analyst, and a proponent of using all available information (read stats and scouts!) in order to make better baseball decisions! Joe can be reached at jhamrahi@baseballdigestdaily.com.