Dominguez added, Lormand released

The Grizzlies today (May 31) released INF Ryan Lormand. The team then added OF Chris Dominguez from AA Richmond.

Dominguez is considered a top prospect (rated #9 by MLB.com). He is a third-round selection in the 2009 draft. So far he is batting .223 in 49 games at Richmond, with an OBP of .254 and Slugging of .303 (2 homers).

His uniform number assignment has not been announced. He wears #32.

Also, P Shawn Sanford wore #26 his second time around.

And....according to the Fresno Bee, OF Roger Kieschnick is out with a shoulder injury.

Kown confusion

Digging deeper in the transaction wires, P Andrew Kown is still on the Grizzlies DL.

Initially, on May 22, the Grizzlies placed Kown on the temporary inactive list, as his wife was expecting.  The transaction wire then listed that he was placed on the 7-day DL on May 25 (retroactive to May 22).

On the team's official notes, the team lists him as being placed on the temporary inactive list on May 25 (retroactive to May 22). Both the notes, and the transaction wire, however, lists him as being activated from the temporary inactive list on May 29.

That seems to be impossible, if he was on the 7-day DL. Either way, Kown was back in uniform on May 26.

It would make sense that Kown has been on the DL, given that no player was added to the roster between May 25 and 29.

Grizzlies moves

The Grizzlies placed OF Roger Kieschnick on the DL (no cause as of yet). They also reinstated INF Conor Gillaspie from the DL.

Tonight's starting pitcher Shawn Sanford was thought to be transferred (albeit temporarily) to San Jose in between starts. The team's official notes claims Sanford has been with the team ever since his May 25 promotin. However, the official league transactions indicated he was transferred back to San Jose on May 26.

The team's website roster also lists P Andrew Kown being on the DL (nothing on the official team notes or league transactions). That would clear a spot again for Sanford, though.

Stay tuned.

Kown is back with Fresno

The Grizzlies activated new papa P Andrew Kown from the temporary inactive list. Kown returned to the team Saturday, but is now on the active roster as of Tuesday night. The Grizzlies never officially replaced Kown, going with 24 men for a few days.

Grizzlies: Stevenson in, Sanford out

One night after pitching and losing, the Grizzlies sent spot starter Shawn Sanford back to A+ San Jose. In the meantime, LHP Jason Stevenson has been assigned to Fresno from AA Richmond.

Stevenson pitched for Fresno last year as well. He did not play organized ball from 2006-10, before resuming last season. Stevenson actually quit baseball in 2005, before returning at the non-affiliated level before signing with the Giants last year (story here).


He will wear #25, just as Sanford did.

There is still one roster spot left open. Andrew Kown is out on paternity leave. Perhaps Brad Penny will take that open position?

Grizzlies injury report

Four Grizzlies have been placed out of action as of late:

-Conor Gillaspie- groin
-Brock Bond- sprained left thumb
-Matt Yourkin- foot

...have been placed on the 7-day DL.

P Andrew Kown has been placed on the temporary inactive list on paternity leave. His roster spot has not been filled as of yet.

Grizzlies clear room by sending three to DL

The Fresno Grizzlies cleared three spots on its roster by placing three players on the 7-day DL. INF Conor Gillaspie (retroactive to May 23), INF Brock Bond (retroactive to May 22) and P Matt Yourkin (retroactive to May 23) were all disabled. No word yet on the nature of their injuries.

The team already announced the additons of INF Charlie Culberson (optioned by Giants), C Tyler LaTorre and Friday night's starting pitcher Shawn Sanford (the latter two called up from A+ San Jose).

Culberson (#17) and LaTorre (#22) will retain their uniform numbers. Nothing has been assigned to Sanford tonight.

Sanford to pitch for Fresno Friday night

Shawn Sanford

Expect Fresno to promote Shawn Sanford from A+ San Jose to pitch Friday night. Sanford is in his fourth year of pro ball, a 13th round selection by the Giants out of the University of South Floriday.

The Grizzlies will have to make three moves for Friday's game. Already announced joining the team are INF Charlie Culberson (optioned from San Francisco) and C Tyler LaTorre (promoted from San Jose).

LaTorre back

On the transaction wire tonight, Tyler LaTorre and Charlie Culberson are listed as joining the Grizzlies, but no one is listed as leaving the roster.

Stay tuned.

Theriot activated; Culberson back to Fresno

The Giants activated INF Ryan Theriot from the DL, optioning INF Charlie Culberson back to Fresno.

The Grizzlies have not officially made a corresponding move, but it may be likely that INF Juan Ciriaco would be the odd man out.

Lormand activated; LaTorre to San Jose

Ryan Lormand

The Grizzlies made a move today, activating INF Ryan Lormand from the DL and sending C Tyler LaTorre to San Jose.

It's a nifty move since Fresno never announced that Lormand, who has yet to a play a game anywhere this season, was ever placed on the DL in the first place.

He will wear #9.

Giants increase payroll by a Penny

The Giants have signed a familiar face to the organization. P Brad Penny, who had a successful run for the G-Men in 2009, signed a minor league deal. He will report to extended spring training on Monday. The thought is he might be able to join the Giants bullpen.

Graham, Blackley now former Giants/Grizzlies

In the "only because Taub Sports asked category," the Giants revealed that they released OF Tyler Graham on May 7. He was designated for assignment on May 1. The Giants had a 10-day window for another team to claim him, release him or outright him back to the minors.

I started making inquiries about Graham after that 10-day period elapsed, because there was no posting on the MLB or Giants transaction wire. Notice (if it is still up) that the most recent entry (listed after 5/15/12), is the Graham release entry on 5/07/12.

On Monday, Arizona signed Graham. He has yet to be activated or assigned anywhere.

Also, the A's claimed P Travis Blackley off waivers. Blackley was DFA'd on 5/13/12, to clear room for P Jeremy Affeldt's activation from the DL. Blackley was out of options, thus forcing the DFA transaction. Because this was Blackley's second time being DFA'd in his career, had the additional choice of free agency.

The A's activated Blackley, and he is on the 25-man roster.

Munter back with Grizzlies

One-time Giant and two-time Grizzlie P Scott Munter is back with the team. He was assigned today by the big club. He pitched in 2011 with both Tucson and Fresno.

He last appeared for the Giants in 2007.

He will wear #56.

One more note on Blackley

The reason why the Giants had to DFA Blackley was because he was out of options. They were used in 2004 and 2006 with Seattle (he missed 2005 with a shoulder injury) and 2007 with the Giants (he was traded from Seattle to SF in spring training for OF Jason Ellison).

This is the second time Blackley has been DFA'd by the Giants (the first time happened in October 2007 after the close of the season).

Because this is Blackley's second DFA, he does have the choice to become a free agent.

Giants recall Culberson

Teh Giants today (May 13) called up INF Charlie Culberson, sending down INF Conor Gillaspie.

Culberson will wear #33.

Also, as reported by the Chronicle's Henry Schulman,  the Giants as expected, activated LHP Jeremy Affeldt, and designated for assignment LHP Travis Blackley. Blackley is now in a 10-day window where another team can claim him, he can accept his assignment to Fresno or be released.

The Eric Sim era is over for now...

C Eli Whiteside returned from paternity leave Saturday night (congrats, new dad). C Eric Sim, called in from A- Augusta, was sent to "extended spring training," but still dressed with the team.

Sim's brief career included one hit in one at bat (initially ruled error in the ninth inning Thursday vs. Iowa), warming up a pitcher for two pitches, and catching the ceremonial first pitch.

The Grizzlies are still at 24 men, one short of the 25-man max.

Loux up; Theriot on DL

The Giants wasted no time using their open spot on the 40-man roster, purchasing the contract of P Shane Loux from Fresno. Loux, who last pitched in the bigs with the Angels in 2009, will wear #61.

To make room on the 25-man, the Giants placed INF Ryan Theriot on the DL.

Expect another move on Sunday when P Jeremy Affeldt is eligible to come off the DL. My guess is Travis Blackley gets to make the Phoenix-to-Fresno airplane ride.

Little Whiteside keeps Eli off Fresno roster

According to a team source, Eli Whiteside is headed back home to Mississippi for the impending birth of his second child. Congratulations.

Whiteside off Grizzlies roster; former Grizzly back in bigs

Eric Sim

The Fresno Grizzlies placed C Eli Whiteside on the temporary inactive list (no word as to why) prior to last night's game (May 8). One day later, Fresno added South Korean-born C Eric Sim from low-A Augusta.

Sims resides in Canada and was the club's 27th-round draft choice in 2010 out of the University of South Florida.

Also, former Grizzly and Giant P Alex Hinshaw was recalled by the Padres on Tuesday.

Mota suspended; opens 40-man spot

MLB suspended P Guillermo Mota for 100-games for violating MLB drug policy. Barring an appeal, Mota is gone until September. He is now on the restricted list, opening a spot on the 40-man roster for the Giants to add someone (who they have not publicly announced yet if they are doing so).

The Giants activated 1BAubrey Huff to take Mota's spot on the 25-man roster.

Grizzlies Activate LaTorre

The Grizzlies filled their roster spot by activated C Tyler LaTorre from "extended spring training." Earlier int he day, the Giants recalled INF Conor Gillaspie to replace 3B Pablo Sandoval who went on the DL.

LaTorre started the season with the Grizzlies, but was transferred off the roster when C Eli Whiteside joined the team. LaTorre remained with the club, however, mainly as their bullpen catcher.

Pablo on DL; Gillaspie Up

Bad news for the Giants. Pablo Sandoval was placed on the 15-day DL with a broken bone in his hand. He is expected to be out 4-6 weeks.

The Giants recalled Conor Gillaspie from AAA Fresno. Gillaspie split time between 1B and 3B for the Grizzlies.

No word on who will take Gillaspie's spot on the Grizzlies roster tonight.

Grizzlies activate Whittaker; Blackley #56

Fresno filled in its remaining roster spot (vacated by Travis Blackley's call up to the Giants) by activated P Craig Whittaker from "extended spring training." He wears #43.

By the way, Blackley has been assigned #56.

Giants add pitcher; DFA Graham

The Giants placed reliever Jeremy Affeldt on the DL (retroactive to 4/28/12; eligible to return on 5/13/12) with a sprained ankle. To take his place on the 25-man roster, they purchased the contract of one-time Giant P Travis Blackley from AAA Fresno.

Blackley has been in the Grizzlies' rotation. He last pitched for the Giants in 2007.

To make room for Blackley on the 40-man, the team designated OF Tyler Graham for assignment.

Graham was added to the 40-man in the offseason. He was on the DL with an injured shoulder, only playing in five games in 2012. He was expected to be disabled for a few more weeks.

There is now a 10-day window for another team to claim Graham, or the Giants to either trade him, release him or to outright him back to the minors. Because of his injury, it may be moot.

The Grizzlies have yet to announce a replacement on their 25-man for Blackley. His place in the rotation may be filled by Matt Yourkin, who started for the Giants Monday night. Yourkin had been a reliever thus far in 2012, but was the spot starter last night in wake of the Giants' doubleheader on Monday, April 23. Eric Hacker was called up to be the big leauge spot starter, leaving an opening for the Grizzlies to need a spot starter as well.

Another option the Giants could have utlized was recalling P Dan Otero, and not have to clear a spot on the 40-man.  Because there was a player placed on the DL, Otero woudl be exempt from his 10-day minimum minor league option.