Minor League News: April 1st

The transactions involving minor league prospects continue to fly across the wire. A number of players received good news: That they had earned starting jobs for opening day.

James McDonald won a starting gig in Los Angeles (NL). Scott Richmond won the fifth spot in the rotation in Toronto; veterans Wade Miller and Matt Clement will continue to follow the comeback trail from serious injuries by pitching in Triple-A. Rick Porcello, who has not pitched above High-A ball, will go every fifth day in Detroit, while former starter Nate Robertson has been banished to the bullpen. Robertson can hang out with 2008 first-round pick Ryan Perry, who made the team despite questionable control.

Rookies Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill will make up two-fifths of the rotation in Oakland. In Atlanta, Jordan Schafer won the center field job, which caused the club to trade his competition – Josh Anderson – to the Tigers. Dexter Fowler received the go-ahead to patrol center field for Colorado on opening day. An injury to Joe Mauer has allowed Jose Morales to claim the back-up catcher’s role, beating out Drew Butera.

The Florida Marlins organization has been busy. Along with picking up veteran Ross Gload from Kansas City, the club traded infielder Robert Andino to Baltimore for left-handed prospect Hayden Penn. Both players were out of options and would have had to pass through waivers if they had been demoted.

The Marlins also surprisingly released Dallas McPherson, who hit 42 homers in Triple-A last season. Gaby Sanchez, the favorite entering spring to be the club’s first baseman, was demoted to the minors after struggling all spring. The club will move Jorge Cantu across the diamond and play speedy second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (who has zero power) at third base.

The New York Yankees demoted pitcher Alfredo Aceves, who was a surprise contributor in 2008. The club also sent down Dan Giese, who saw some time in the Majors last year. The division-rival Boston Red Sox announced that Chris Carter had won a roster spot as a bench player (It’s about time he got a chance).

The Colorado Rockies finally set first baseman Joe Koshansky free on waivers but he was picked up by Texas, a club that really doesn’t need a first baseman or designated hitter, although things could clear up a bit for him if, as expected, veteran Frank Catalanotto is let go.

Despite smoking the ball and hitting more than .400, Jesus Guzman was sent to the minors by San Francisco. Cleveland reliever Edward Mujica, out of options, was dealt to San Diego.