Things have quieted down on the transaction front.

Rockies Reinstate LHP Jeff Francis from the 15-day DL Claim RHP Livan Hernandez off waivers from the Twins.

Francis' first start was rained out.  In his three rehab starts, he went 1-0 with a .63 ERA.  His K:W ratio was 19-1.  I think he is healthy and ready to go.  Hernandez steps in as the #4 starter.  Hernandez and Coors is not a good mix, so I'd avoid him if you can.

Yankees Place RHP Joba Chamberlain on the 15-day DL with rotator cuff tendinitis.

Fortunately for Joba owners, it looks like he will miss just the minimum.

Athletics Select the contract of LHP Gio Gonzalez from Triple-A Sacramento.

Gonzalez joins the A's rotation and is a solid pickup for strikeouts.  He gave up four runs in the first inning of his first start, but settled down after that.  From a keeper prospective, he is a solid pickup.

Cardinals Recall RHP Chris Perez from Triple-A Memphis.

Perez has been called the closer of the future for the Cardinals.  His minor league numbers are solid, although he still has some control problems.  In his first appearance, he earned a save.  Does he keep the job once Adam Wainwright returns from the DL?  There is talk that Wainwright could return to closing once he finishes his rehab. 

Nationals Placed OF Elijah Dukes on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 3, with a right calf strain.

An MRI indicated that the strain is more severe than expected and he'll miss 4 to 6 weeks.

Orioles Place OF Adam Jones on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 3, with a fractured left foot.

Any fracture is four to six weeks, so Jones may be out for the rest of the season.  Numbers wise, he put up numbers similar to the minors, so he is very projectable.  I think next year we see .290/15/12.

Cubs Activate RHP Kerry Wood from the 15-day DL.

Wood will return to closing after two to three appearances to test whether that blister is fully healed.

Marlins Activate C Matt Treanor from 15-day DL and Option C Paul Hoover to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Treanor returns as the #1 catcher for the Marlins.

Mets Place LHP Billy Wagner on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 3, with a strained left forearm.

An MRI indicated that it is only a strain and rest is all that is needed.  Aaron Heilman is most likely to take over as closer.

Mariners Designate DH Jose Vidro for assignment and Recall OF Wladimir Balentien from Triple-A Tacoma.

Balentien will play everyday now as an outfielder and designated hitter.  He looked good in Triple-A, so be may be worth a look if you are looking for home runs.

Braves Place RHP Rafael Soriano on the 15-day DL with right elbow inflammation.

Soriano complained about elbow pain after Sunday's game.  The Braves haven't scheduled an MRI, so I suspect that they are just going to shelve him for the rest of season.  The Braves aren't going anywhere and they still have to pay Soriano $4.5 million next year.

Mets Place RHP John Maine on the 15-day disabled list with soreness in the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

The good news is that Maine had a bullpen session early, because he was feeling better.  This means that he'll likely just miss the minimum 15 days.

Athletics Select the contract of LHP Dan Meyer from Triple-A Sacramento and Option LHP Dana Eveland to Triple-A Sacramento.

Eveland came completely out of whack.  The first warning sign was a 7 ER in 4.3 innings on May 29th that rose his ERA from 2.90 to 3.66.  Then from his July 21st start, he became completely unhinged.  He still has a long way to go with his control.  Dan Meyer will fill his spot for now.

Cardinals Release RHP Matt Clement from Triple-A Memphis.

Clement started a minor league rehab assignment in early June.  They could only keep him there for thirty days.  He finished with a 5.40 ERA in Double-A and a 4.61 in Triple-A.  The Cardinals had no choice but waive him in early July.  He cleared waivers and tried to convert into a reliever. He'll try and sign this winter and start over.

Tout Wars Update

I made my first trade in my three years of Tout Wars this week.  I am sending Ted Lilly and Willy Taveras for Francisco Rodriguez and Nick Swisher.  You can read about my trading partner's thought process at the following URL:

http://toutmixed.baseball.sportsline.com/news/10922390

I'll go with the hot hand in the outfield, so Swisher's playing time is not a concern.  I want the saves and ERA.

I'm currently #4 in stolen bases.  There are 12 stolen bases between #4 and #5 and 22 stolen bases between #4 and #6.  At worst, I'm going to loose one or two spots in stolen bases.

I'm dead last in home runs, two behind 11th.  I'm #11 in runs and RBI.

The batting average between Taveras and Swisher is a wash.  Swisher gives me more home runs, RBI and is about the same in runs.

I'm currently first in strikeouts and wins.  I have a 55 strikeout lead and a five win lead.  I'm currently 8th in saves and 8th in ERA.  I can easily move up in those two categories.

To replace Ted Lilly I have Adam Wainwright, but what if Wainwright closes?  Even better!

Basically, I'm giving up SB where I'm strong.  I'm not giving up too much on W and K, because I am so strong there.  I'm gaining SV and ERA.  As long as K-Rod doesn't get hurt, it is a Win-Win or should I say Save-Save for me.