Jose Castillo Claimed

Twenty-seven year old infielder Jose Castillo was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros Wednesday. Castillo was designated for assignment by the Giants, for whom he batted .244 with 6 Hrs and 35 RBIs in 112 contests.

Castillo figures to fill-in at second base while Kaz Matsui remains out with an irritated lower back.

Head Hunting

Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse was fined an undisclosed amount and suspended for 5 games for throwing a fastball near the head of opposing pitcher Edison Volquez. Lohse has appealed the suspension and can continue playing until a final decision is made.

Royals CF Mitch Meier suffered from several fractured bones in his face after being hit with a pitch in the head by Indians' lefty Zach Jackson.

Injury Inquirer

As Always, there is much injury news to cover, so let's begin!

• Rockies reliever Matt Herges has been placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to August 18th with lower back tightness. Ryan Speier was recalled from Triple-A to fill his spot.
• Pedro Feliz was taken off the DL today after being sidelined with a lower back injury since July 25th. Feliz figures to regain the starting 3rd-base role, which was filled by Greg Dobbs and Eric Bruntlett in his absense.
• Second baseman Alexi Casilla was activated from the DL after Wednesday's game. The Twins now have a logjam at the 2B and SS positions that will only get worse when Matt Tolbert returns from a rebah assignment around September 1st. Brendan Harris, Adam Everett, and Nick Punto also figure to see time at the two positions.
• Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright will come off the DL and make his first start on Friday. There was speculation that Wainwright would head to the bullpen upon returning, however rookie Chris Perez appears to have filled the closer's role and so far is perfect in 4 save chances.
• Rehabbing Indians players Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner have both begun rehab assignments and figure to return to the Indians sometime next week.
  

Reliever Reyes Signed

Free Agent Al Reyes was signed to a minor league deal by the New York Mets. Reyes was designated for assignment on August 9th by the Rays and after remaining unclaimed over the 10-day period, could either accept a minor league demotion or opt to become a free agent. Reyes chose the latter and agreed to the minor league deal with the expectation he will be called up on September 1st when rosters expand.

Reyes is 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 22 and two-thirds Innings this year.

Buchholz Sent Down

Top Red Sox prospect Clay Buchholz was sent down today, not to Triple-A, but down to Double-A Portland. Buchholz was sent to Triple-A earlier in the year in order for him to regain his confidence and command, however since recalled to the majors he has compiled an 8.38 ERA in 33 and two-thirds innings.

It has yet to be announced who will take Buchholz's place on the roster, although relievers Hunter Jones and Chris Smith are the favorites. Overall, on the year Buchholz is 2-9 with a 6.84 ERA and 72 Ks in 75 Innings of work.

David 'Price Check' Update

David Price made his first road start for Triple-A Durham on August 18 against the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field. Price threw 85 pitches in his 5 innings of work allowing three runs on five hits and four walks and garnered three strikeouts.

Only 49 of Price's 85 pitches were for strikes, leading to his high walk total.

Although you want your prospects to succeed, the Rays have to be happy that Price has been roughed up a little lately. No pitcher is ever going to win every game he pitches and needs to learn how to lose on the professional level.

There is still a lot of speculation that he will get called up in September after one or two more starts in Triple-A.

Godzilla Returns

Outfielder Hideki Matsui returned to action Tuesday night for the Yankees after being out since June 22nd with a knee injury. Matsui played DH and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his debut. Manager Joe Girardi says he plans on making Matsui the everyday DH till the end of the season.

Jason Christian was optioned back down to Triple-A to make room on the roster until rosters expand September 1st.

Closing Issues

Mets' closer Billy Wagner will remain out indefinitely due to continued inflammation in his elbow. The Mets and Wagner had hoped that the swelling would go down and Wagner could begin rehabbing the injury, however since the inflammation remains, Wagner is not yet close to returning to the mound.

Cards' closer Jason Isringhausen will be shut down for the season with a partially-torn tendon in his elbow. The injury is not career-ending, although sources say Isringhausen is contemplating retirement.

O's closer George Sherrill has been placed on the 15-day DL because of inflammation in his throwing shoulder. An MRI revealed no structural damage, meaning the injury is minor and will not require surgery.

Injury Inquirer

Some big name players with injury news to report on today so let's get started:

• Ian Kinsler will head to the DL with a suspected sports hernia. It is unclear if the injury will require surgery, however if it does, Kinsler's fantastic season will come to an abrupt end.
  
• Athletics' pitcher Justin Duchscherer left his start in 3rd inning with hip discomfort. This injury is especially concerning considering Duchscherer missed most of 2007 with the same injury. It remains unclear how much time Duchscherer will miss because of the injury.
  
• Rookie Evan Longoria is targeting a September 1st return from a fractured right wrist.
• Ryan Braun left the game Monday night with the same tightness in his lower back/ribs that kept him out for six games earlier in August.
• J.D. Drew sat out Monday's game with lower back pain. Drew has had problems with his back all season and this figures to be another small flare up.
• Rickie Weeks remained out of the lineup Monday after experiencing a sore thumb in Sunday's game. He is listed as day-to-day and does not figure to be put on the DL as a result.
  

Dodgers Acquire Greg Maddux

ESPN is reporting that the Dodgers have acquired pitcher Greg Maddux from the Padres in a waiver wire trade. More details to come.