Jair Jurrjens: Well, the injury probably wasn’t that minor after all. Atlanta Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens was placed on the DL on Sunday with a strained right oblique muscle. The move was made retroactive to March 25. Mike Minor will take the spot on the roster and in the rotation. Jurrjens is supposed to come back on April 16.
Curt Smith: According to a report by Scout.com (subscribers only) the St. Louis Cardinals have released first baseman Curt Smith. The 24-year-old from Willemstad, Curacao, who has played for the Dutch National Team in the past, went .301/.336/.457 with 29 homeruns, 136 runs and 170 RBI in 260 games between Rookie and Double A ball in the last three years. Baseball-Reference.com
Mike Bolsenbroek: The 24-year-old right-handed Dutch pitcher Mike Bolsenbroek has been released by the Philadelphia Phillies. Selected three times in the MLB amateur draft, he finally signed with the Phillies in 2008. Since then he moved up the ladders and played in Single-A last summer. Overall he had a 2-4 record with an ERA of 2.55 in 41 games in the minors. He struck out 64 batters in 74 innings, walking 38. He already has returned to Europe and played for the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg last weekend. He has won two German championships with them since 2008. Baseball-Reference.com
Max Kepler-Rozycki: The 18-year-old German outfield prospect Max Kepler-Rozycki is going to play for the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League this summer. This reports the Pioneer Press. Apparently he came to Spring Training in superb shape, but injured his ankle and just got back to the field recently. He is also expected to see some time at first base this year. The season in the Appalachian League will start in mid-June. Baseball-Reference.com
Donald Lutz: The 22-year-old German outfielder/first baseman Donald Lutz is moving up one level. He will play with the Dayton Dragons in Single-A in 2011. It is going to be his first full season after three years at the Rookie level. During the winter Lutz played in the Australian Baseball League. While it was expected that he will see more time in the outfield, after Spring Training it seems that he will be the starter at first base for the Cincinnati Reds affiliate. In 105 minor league games he has been hitting .257/.328/.416 with nine homeruns, 67 runs and 57 RBI. The Dragons season starts on April 7. Baseball-Reference.com