Posted by Brian Joseph on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 3:44 am

Less than a week before Opening Day ‘09, the news around Major League Baseball is fast and furious. To keep you up-to-date with the latest roster moves and injuries heading into the ‘09 season, each day until Opening Day, BDD will recap the days headlines for each team in the Majors. All the team news has been verified by two independent sources unless otherwise noted:

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles dealt former top pitching prospect Hayden Penn to the Florida Marlins in exchange for infielder Robert Andino. Andino is expected to make the Opening Day club as the backup shortstop… The addition of Andino led to the outright release of veteran Chris Gomez… The final two roster spots are still undecided. Either Chad Moeller or Robby Hammock will be the backup catcher and roster placeholder for Matt Wieters and the final spot of the pitching staff is still up for grabs… In today’s “Toy Dept.”, a Baltimore Sun blog, Childs Walker interviewed Bill James. It is definitely worth a read.

Boston Red Sox

Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald spoke to Brad Penny about whether he thinks he will be ready for the open spot in the rotation on April 12th and he wants the ball. The club still could start Penny on the DL but Penny feels like he is ready.

New York Yankees

Derek Jeter was officially named the leadoff hitter for Opening Day… Yankees ace CC Sabathia was hit with a line drive in Wednesday’s 8-5 win over the Phillies but remained in the game.

Tampa Bay Rays

Jason Isringhausen will start the season on the DL. He will be eligible to come off the disabled list and join the team on April 12th… Matt Joyce was added to the 25-man roster on Wednesday and might start in center field while B.J. Upton is on the mend… The final rotation spot and long relief role are still open heading into the weekend. Either Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann will get the fifth starter job and either the loser or Lance Cormier will be kept for long relief.

Toronto Blue Jays

Scott Richmond officially beat out Brad Mills for the final spot in the rotation as Mills was reassigned to minor league camp… Michael Barrett earned the backup catcher spot as Raul Chavez was also reassigned to minor league camp… Utility infielder Joe Inglett was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas… Matt Bush, the first overall pick in the 2004 Draft, was released after failing to comply with team guidelines.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox officially demoted outfielder Jerry Owens to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians sent RHP Ed Mujica to the Padres for a player to be named later or cash on Wednesday. Mujica was out of options and not going to make the Opening Day roster… RHP Jae Kuk Ryu had to be returned to the Padres after a previous trade was voided by Major league Baseball. The reason for the void was not revealed.

Detroit Tigers

20-year-old Rick Porcello and 22-year-old Ryan Perry were informed they were going to be part of the Opening Day roster despite neither player pitching above the Class A level in their careers. Porcello will be in the rotation and Perry will pitch out of the bullpen… Zach Miner has been awarded Jeremy Bonderman’s spot in the rotation as Bonderman recovers from injury on the DL… The Tigers optioned LHP Clay Rapada to Triple-A and reassigned RHP Scott Williamson to minor league camp.

Kansas City Royals

Ross Gload was traded to the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later on Wednesday… 31-year-old Luke Hudson ended his comeback attempt on Wednesday. Hudson declared the pain he felt when throwing made it “physically impossible” for him to continue… RHP Joel Peralta was released, RHP Brian Bannister was optioned to Triple-A Omaha and LHP John Bale was placed on the disabled list.

Minnesota Twins

The last spot in the bullpen is likely to fall to R.A. Dickey or Philip Humber. Dickey outpitched Humber on Wednesday in their 2-1 loss to the Rays but the decision has yet to be made as to who won the job for Opening Day.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

Los Angeles Angels

Sports Illustrated has made their prediction for this year’s World Series. Their call? Mets over the Angels! Since correctly calling the Yankees over the Braves in 1999, SI has not correctly picked the World Series winner and only two of the 18 teams they have picked in the last nine years have made the Fall Classic. That’s an 11.1% success rate. You’d probably have the same success rate if they picked the results out of a hat… Brandon Wood, Matt Brown and Sean Rodriguez were reassigned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics announced their rotation for the upcoming season with Dallas Braden scheduled to make the start on Opening Night. Trevor Cahill, 21, is the No. 2. Third is Dana Eveland. Another 21-year-old — Brett Anderson — is No. 4. Josh Outman beat out Sean Gallagher for the final rotation spot… The A’s received pitcher Rocky Roquet from the Cubs for a player to be named later.

Seattle Mariners

RHP Randy Messenger and 1B Chris Shelton were reassigned to the minor league camp on Wednesday. Messenger had a great first half of Spring Training but struggled in the second half. Shelton hit .460 in 50 spring at-bats but could not beat out Russell Branyan or Mike Sweeney on the depth chart… LHP Garrett Olson was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma and LHP Cesar Jimenez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers improved their chances of a player from their team winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Both OF Andruw Jones and RHP Kris Benson officially earned roster spots on Wednesday. Jones will be the backup outfielder and Benson has landed in the starting rotation… Jones’ competition, Frank Catalanatto, was released which puts the Rangers on the hook for his $4 million salary in 2009 and an additional $2 million for his buyout in 2010… Benson’s competition, Scott Feldman, was informed he was going to the bullpen… LHP Derek Holland was reassigned to the minor league camp and is likely headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City despite a nice spring with a 2-0 record and 3.97 ERA… In addition to Holland, RHPs Doug Mathis and Tommy Hunter, OF Brandon Boggs and infielder Joaquin Arias were optioned to Oklahoma City… Neftali Feliz was reassigned to the minor league camp.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Atlanta Braves

While he is still has some work to do, Tom Glavine is progressing well in his bid to return to the Majors after his ‘08 season was cut short. The 43-year-old pitched five innings and allowed three runs in the Braves’ 9-3 win over the Tigers on Wednesday.

Florida Marlins

The Marlins acquired RHP Hayden Penn from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Robert Andino. Penn is expected to join the Marlins’ bullpen… In another deal, the Fish sent a player to be named later to Kansas City for Ross Gload. Gload was drafted by the Marlins in 1997 and with the organization until 2000.

New York Mets

Sports Illustrated has made their prediction for this year’s World Series. Their call? Mets over the Angels! Since correctly calling the Yankees over the Braves in 1999, SI has not correctly picked the World Series winner and only two of the 18 teams they have picked to make the Series in the last nine years have made the Fall Classic. That’s an 11.1% success rate. They’d probably have the same success rate if they picked the results out of a hat… From the Whiny Ex-Ballplayer Department: Gary Carter is disappointed he was not chosen to catch a ceremonial last pitch at Shea Stadium or a ceremonial first pitch at Shea Stadium. Carter told Boomer Esiason in an interview on WFAN on Tuesday.

Philadelphia Phillies

One day after the Phillies were rumored to be in the running for recently released Gary Sheffield, it seems that that possibility is “very slim.”… The Phillies added pitching prospect Manny Ayala from the San Diego Padres for either cash or a player to be named later.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals placed 2B Anderson Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The move was retroactive to March 27th.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs agreed to send pitcher Rocky Roquet to the Oakland A’s for a player to be named later on Wednesday.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds have a few decisions to make before the season starts. The roster is down to 30 with five more cuts remaining. Here are where the cuts are coming from most likely… Either Bill Bray or Danny Herrera will earn a spot as the second lefty out of the bullpen with the other being demoted… Two more cuts will come from the three-man competition for the final infield spot between Paul Janish, Adam RosalesWilkin Castillo and … The fifth starter and long reliever will come from Micah Owings, Nick Masset and Homer Bailey. Masset is out of options which would mean the Reds would have to release him… Two outfield spots will go to Jonny Gomes, Laynce Nix or Darnell McDonald. Gomes is the front-runner… One of those outfield spots might go to Gary Sheffield or Geoff Jenkins. Reports have the Reds and Sheffield scheduled for a meeting today.

Houston Astros

One day after the ’stros acquired Jeff Keppinger, the team reassigned 3B Chris Johnson to minor league camp. He will remain with the club through the exhibition schedule but then joins Triple-A Round Rock… Yesterday’s demotion of Edwin Maysonet cleared the path for utility infielder Jason Smith to earn the final roster spot.

Milwaukee Brewers

Mike Lamb asked for his unconditional release on Wednesday turning down a demotion to Triple-A Nashville after losing a spot on the bench to Casey McGehee… Prospect Alcides Escobar was informed that he would not be on the Opening Day roster and optioned to Nashville on Wednesday. Escobar has shown amazing fielding this spring but hit just .231 in 30 games and is blocked by J.J. Hardy at short.

Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s Jeff Karstens for the last rotation spot. The Pirates optioned RHP Virgil Vasquez to Triple-A Indianapolis to sure up the decision on Wednesday… Seven players were reassigned to minor league camp on Wednesday — Catcher Erik Kratz, infielder Andy Phillips, outfielder Jeff Salazar, utilityman Garrett Jones and relievers Jason Davis, Chris Bootcheck and Denny Bautista… RHPs Evan Meek and Jesse Chavez are battling for the final spot in the bullpen… The Pirates also added Craig Monroe to their 25-man roster and designated reliever Romulo Sanchez for assignment to clear a space on the 40-man roster. Sanchez could land in their minor league system if he clears waivers.

St. Louis Cardinals

3B Troy Glaus suffered a rehab setback and is now expected to miss at least two months. The club said his surgically repaired shoulder is not responding well and Glaus is not scheduled to be re-evaluated until June 1.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-backs’ Rule 5 selection James Skelton was waived today and will be offered back to the Detroit Tigers if he clears the 48-hour period. The catcher/infielder will not open the season on the Arizona 25-man roster but could land in their minor league system if he clears waivers and the Tigers decline his return… Ryan Roberts, Josh Wilson and Josh Whitesell are the three remaining players in camp for the final roster spot. Roberts has the inside track with his ability to play catcher… The Tucson Citizen revealed Billy Buckner’s offseason secret that landed him a roster spot — training with a friend who is an Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor. Note to the league: Don’t charge the mound if Buckner beans you.

Colorado Rockies

The last spot in the bullpen belongs to either Matt Belisle or Juan Morillo, for now. Neither pitched well on Wednesday and a possible trade or waiver claim could see both of them out of a spot.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers sent veteran catcher Danny Ardoin to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Ardoin has 10 days to accept the assignment or opt out and become a free agent… 33-year-old Eric Milton accepted a minor league assignment on Wednesday after a difficult outing. The veteran can opt out of the deal one month after the season starts based on an escape clause in his contract… Fellow veteran pitcher Tanyon Sturtze has also agreed to accept a minor league assignment if Sturtze fails to beat out Ramon Troncoso for a bullpen spot… A third veteran pitcher, Shawn Estes, is contemplating retirement after being cut last week. Estes could land with another team or accept a minor league assignment from the Dodgers but has not ruled out the possibility of retiring from the game.

San Diego Padres

The Padres sent pitching prospect Manny Ayala to the Phillies for either cash or a player to be named later… The Padres acquired RHP Ed Mujica from the Indians for either cash or a player to be named later… RHP Jae Kuk Ryu was returned to San Diego after a trade that sent Ryu to Cleveland was voided by Major League Baseball. No reason was given for the void… Jake Peavy finished his spring off with five scoreless innings and did not allow a run in 14 innings.

San Francisco Giants

Giants closer Brian Wilson has an infected middle finger that has sidelined him for the last eight days and has him questionable for the season opener on April 7th… Prospect Madison Bumgarner continued to impress this spring. The 19-year-old struck out four in three scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday. The 10th overall selection in the first round of the 2007 draft is slated to start his season in Class A San Jose.