The big moves of the day were Mark Kotsay traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Boston Red Sox and the pending mess that is the Pedro Alvarez contract.  But there were more:

• Kotsay to the Red Sox was not the only move of the day for the Braves.  They added outfielder Josh Anderson to the 25-man roster to fill Kotsay’s roster spot and signed veteran pitcher Elmer Dessens.  Dessens, 37, is expected to be added to the 25-man roster later this week.
• In Baltimore, the Orioles activated pitcher Greg Aquino from the 15-day disabled list and followed the activation by designating him for assignment.
• The Detroit Tigers recalled infielder Jeff Larish from Triple-A Toledo and optioned pitcher Chris Lambert to Toledo.  Lambert was pounded for six runs (two earned), five hits, a walk and a hitbatsmen in 2-2/3 innings in his only start.  He also took the loss.
• Outfielder Reggie Willits was activated from the 15-day disabled list and pitcher Jason Bulger was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake to clear the way for his return.  They also lost their hold on the best record in the American League with their loss and the Tampa Bay Rays win.
• Blake DeWitt was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas back to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster.  To make room for DeWitt, the club designated Pablo Ozuna for assignment.  Ozuna was 3-for-18 (.167) in 28 games with Los Angeles.
• Before retaking first place in the N.L. East, the New York Mets placed catcher Ramon Castro on the 15-day disabled list with a strained quad.  The Mets recalled catcher Robinson Cancel from Triple-A New Orleans to fill his roster spot.  The club also recalled pitcher Nelson Figueroa from New Orleans and optioned infielder Argenis Reyes to Triple-A to clear a roster spot for Figueroa.
• The team the Mets knocked off, the Philadelphia Phillies, dipped into their Double-A Reading roster to call up pitcher Andrew Carpenter.  The Phillies designated Andy Tracy for assignment.
• Despite the Alvarez mess, the Pittsburgh Pirates still had business to attend to.  The Bucs called on pitcher Jesse Chavez from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned pitcher Craig Hansen to Indy.  Pitcher Phil Dumatrait was moved from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
• The San Diego Padres activated pitcher Bryan Corey from the 15-day disabled list and optioned Corey and pitcher Josh Banks to Triple-A Portland.
• Infielder Josh Phelps was called up from Triple-A Memphis to add a position player and sent pitcher Jaime Garcia to Memphis to clear a roster spot for Phelps.