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.