The Houston Astros signed outfielder Darin Erstad and righthander Brian Moehler to one-year extensions on Friday.
Erstad agreed to a $1.75 million contract plus bonuses, while Moehler signed a $2.3 million extension plus bonuses.
Moehlers extension includes an option for 2010.
Both Darin Erstad and Brian Moehler are excellent veteran leaders who have performed very well for our ballclub this season, Houston general manager Ed Wade said. We are excited to have both of them back for the 2009 season, as they have played a significant role in our teams improvement in 2008 and will be strong contributors to our future success.
Erstad, 34, entered Friday hitting .293 with three home runs and 26 RBI in 118 games this season.
The 36-year-old Moehler is 9-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 25 games – 20 starts – in 2008. He is 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break.
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Rockies reinstate LHP Fuentes from bereavement list.
The Colorado Rockies reinstated lefthander Brian Fuentes from the bereavement list on Friday.
Fuentes, who was away for the team for only the minimum three days, told the Rocky Mountain News he left the club on Tuesday to attend to a health issue involving his 1-year-old son, Giovanni Paolo.
The 33-year-old Fuentes, who is 1-4 with 26 saves and a 2.73 ERA in 57 games this season, will be available to pitch for the Rockies on Friday as they open a three-game set against the San Diego Padres.
In a corresponding move, Colorado optioned righthander Steven Register to Class AAA Colorado Springs.
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Braves option RHP Morton to minors.
The Atlanta Braves on Friday optioned righthander Charlie Morton to Class AAA Richmond.
The 24-year-old tossed six innings, allowing two runs and four hits against the Florida Marlins in Thursdays 4-2 victory. Prior to that, Morton – who went 4-8 with a 6.10 ERA in 14 starts this season – had been 0-6 with an 8.18 ERA this season at Turner Field.
In a corresponding move, the Braves activated righthander Elmer Dessens to take Mortons roster spot.
After going 10-2 with a 4.03 ERA in 20 starts with the Mexico City Red Devils of the Mexican League, the Braves offered him a guaranteed major league contract for the remainder of this season.
He can do a little bit of everything, Braves manager Bobby Cox told the teams web site. Hes like (Julian) Tavarez has been the past couple of years. He can be a long (reliever), a short (reliever) or a starter.
Dessens, 37, has gone 48-61 with a 4.50 ERA in 356 career games.
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Padres place OF Hairston on disabled list.
The San Diego Padres on Friday placed outfielder Scott Hairston on the 15-day disabled list with a torn ligament in his left thumb.
The 28-year-old suffered the injury Wednesday while diving for a ball in center field during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Hairston is batting .248 with 17 homers and 31 RBI in 88 games this season.
In a corresponding move, the Padres recalled righthander Cla Meredith from Class AAA Portland. Meredith, 25, is 0-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 60 relief appearances this season.
San Diego also purchased the contracts of righthander Josh Geer and outfielder Will Venable from Portland.
The 25-year-old Geer went 8-9 with a 4.54 ERA in 28 appearances – 27 starts – while Venable, 25, hit .292 with 14 homers and 58 RBI in 120 games.
