A few minor league notes:

• Shea Hillenbrand just can’t keep a job can he? He’s been with three different teams this year, but was released from two…well technically the Angels waived him but you get the picture. After the Angels released him, the Padres signed him to a minor-league deal on July 27. I wrote about that and the bigger picture of the trade deadline which you can see here. The Padres Portland affiliate released him on August 8 and he signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers on August 10. At least Hillenbrand has a deal; the Padres released Jose Cruz Jr. on August 1.

• Atlanta Braves infielder Willy Aybar, rejoined the team’s minor league system after a stint in rehab for substance abuse. Addiction is never a good thing and I’m glad for Aybar. He was AWOL for most of the year before rejoining and was placed on the 60 day disabled list, initially for a sprained right hand. Hope we see him up in the Majors soon.

• The Twins signed former Giants and Nationals player Jerome Williams to a minor league deal. Why? I don’t know.

• Oakland signed Jeff DaVanon to a minor league deal.  DaVanon is  a fourth outfielder at best. His best years came when he was  with the  Angels.

• The Pirates signed Victor Zambrano to a minor league contract. Hard to believe that the  Mets traded Scott Kazmir for this guy.