Sunday Morning Roster Rumblings: Tommy Hanson to the DL, Freddy Garcia Scratched, Logan Morrison to AAA

In a surprise move, the Marlins have sent outfielder Logan Morrison to AAA last night. Morrison is hitting .249-.327-.464 with 17 HRs, 60 RBIs and 40 runs scored this season. i was surprised that the Marlins made this move, and apparently it has more to do with off-field issues than on-field issues, according to Joe Capozzi at the Palm Beach Post:

Based on my conversations with people, there were some events leading up to the demotion that had to do with team-related promotional functions. To be clear, the Marlins said they optioned LoMo to New Orleans because he was batting .249.

Earlier in the day, he refused to participate in a photo session with season ticket holders at Sun Life Stadium. That might sound surprising, given Logan’s outgoing personality and popularity with fans, but apparently there were some hard feelings related to earlier promotional activities.

The Braves made a few moves earlier this morning, activating catcher Brian McCann from the 15 day DL and placing starter Tommy Hanson on the 15 day DL with rotator cuff tendinitis retroactive to August 7th. Hanson is 11-7 with a 3.60 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a 142-46 K/BB rate. This is Hanson's second trip to the DL with shoulder tendinitis this season, and one has to wonder what the future has in store for him as shoulder issues and pitchers are not a good combination. Buyer beware in 2012.

Update: The Braves will call up AAA pitching prospect Randall Delgado to take Hanson's start on Tuesday night vs the Giants. Delgado is a combined 7-5 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.327 WHIP in 23 starts between AA and AAA this season. Delgado was Baseball America's top performer in Friday's Hot Sheet list.

McCann was activated this morning and will start today's game against the Cubs. McCann, who went 1-3 with a HR in a AAA rehab game last night,  is returning from an oblique injury as the top rated fantasy catcher. McCann is hitting .306-.375-.514 with 18 HRs and 55 RBIs this season.

More Roster Rumblings after the jump:

The Twins activated first baseman Justin Morneau from the DL on Friday, and he is 1-8 since returning from his neck and wrist injuries. Morneau has had a rough season dealing with post concussion syndrome and is hitting just .222-.276-.335 with 4 HRs and 21 RBIs in 221 at bats. Morneau's value on draft day 2012 will be pretty low, so he could easily outperform his draft round if he is completely healthy next season.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will come off the DL on Thursday if all goes well in his rehab games in Low A and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. 

Yankees starter Freddy Garcia was scratched from his start today after he cut his finger in a kitchen accident. so the inconsistent A.J. Burnett will make the start this afternoon vs the Rays.

The Pirates placed first baseman Derrek Lee on the DL yesterday with a fractured wrist and will be out anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Lee is hitting just .247-.303-.420 with 14 HRs and 44 RBIs this season, and appears to be at the end of his career, but could sign with a team to be a backup next season.

The Giants called up Brandon Belt from AAA on Friday to replaced injured outfielder Andres Torres who was placed on the DL with a lower right leg contusion. It remains to be seen whether Belt will actually see the field this time around as he has been a human pinball machine bouncing between AAA Fresno and San Francisco this season. 

The Rockies placed closer Huston Street for his annual DL trip on Friday. Rafael Betancourt will handle closing responsibilities while Street is on the DL, but I wonder if the Rockies will deal Street this offseason with all the solid arms they have in their bullpen.

Giants outfielder Carlos Beltran is out of the lineup again today, making it 6 straight games he has missed due to a hand injury. Beltran is hitting .244-.261-.356 with just 2 RBIs and 4 runs scored in 45 at bats since joining the Giants.