There have been a few big disabled list moves over the past week.

First off, let’s start with the Chicago Cubs, currently stuck in the middle of the division. With Ryan Dempster “struggling”, or “returning to normal” as I like to call it, surely the team doesn’t need any more adversity in their pitching staff. Whoops, too late.

Carlos Zambrano has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain.

Zambrano hurt himself running out a bunt. I do have to wonder if the Big Moose is starting to wear down, though, as he ages. He had injuries last year, too.

Still, Zambrano doesn’t have the worst injury. No, that belongs to St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, who crashed face-first into the wall while making a catch. Hopefully, he’s able to bounce back. However, if the damage to his face is too severe, he should rest assured that modern medicine is now capable of face transplants. All he’ll need is a donor.

Lastly, in the category of “Boy, I didn’t see that one coming,” Cincinnati Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez has strained his oblique muscle. Having followed the Reds like I have for most of my life, you can bet they’ll do their best to hamstring “manager” Dusty Baker by *not* placing Gonzalez on the DL and having him be day-to-day for a week or two. I think it’s called the GL, the Griffey List. It’s a good thing the Reds didn’t trade away any useful middle infielders during the off-season. They’re going to need them.

The Pirates seem to be leading the charge in the central to get their 25-man roster set. Hey, it’s nice to be first in something, even when there isn’t a trophy or a gaudy ring.

Relievers Sean Burnett, Craig Hansen, and Donnie Veal have made the club. Donnie Veal is a Rule 5 pick from the Cubs, I believe, and he’s been good enough not to be offered back.

The Pirates have one spot left, and it’s down to a match between Evan Meek and Jesse Chavez to see who will be in the dugout when Paul Maholm starts opening day.

Not That It Ever Was

The Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Astros have hooked up. The Reds didn’t have a spot for utility man Jeff Keppinger, while the Astros have a soft spot for light-hitting, injury-prone middle infielders. Let’s see if they can collect the entire set!

Keppinger will likely be platooning with Geoff Blum at third base for the Astros, taking the role of former Red Aaron Boone. The Reds will receive the always-awesome “Player To Be Named Later” who is unlikely to play any position for the year.

For the Reds, this means they must think either Alex Gonzalez is healthy enough to be trusted at shortstop or that Adam Rosales or Paul Janish can do the job. Or maybe Kepp made one too many pointed jabs at manager Dusty Baker’s “managerial” skills.

In somewhat of a surprise, the Reds included power bat Daryle Ward in their latest round of cuts. This is actually a good thing, as Ward had been absolutely terrible with the Cubs the last couple of years, and the Reds already have plenty of terrible Cubs screwing up their team.

The cut of Ward and 5 others gets the roster down to 36 players. Just 9 more to go before Opening Day. John Fay runs down who he thinks is in and where the decisions lie.

Shockingly, Fay thinks only 2 catchers will make the team. Surely the apocalypse isn’t far behind.

Moving backwards through my inbox, I also find this announcement from the Reds about signing left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes. You don’t think he’ll block Mercker, do you??

Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty announced Friday the signing of free agent LHP Arthur Rhodes to a 2-year contract through the 2010 season.

Last season Rhodes combined to finish 4-1 with a sterling 2.04 ERA and 2 saves in 61 relief appearances for the Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins. Opposing lefthanded batters hit just .167. He began the season in Seattle and went 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 1 save in 36 games before he was traded to Florida on July 31 in exchange for RHP Gabriel Hernandez. Rhodes finished the season 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA and 1 save in 25 appearances for the Marlins.

The 16-year Major League veteran has produced a 79-61 record, 4.23 ERA and 32 saves in 714 career appearances and 61 starts for the Baltimore Orioles, Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and Marlins. Rhodes made 20 postseason appearances for the Orioles and Mariners, including 9 in the American League Division Series and 11 in the AL Championship Series.