Tranzactionz (from last week)

Should have caught this from last week, but there were some cuts made:

RHP Rafael Pio, LHP Rafael Luna, LHP German Perez, C Max Sapp, OF Mitch Einertson, OF Carlos Reyes, and OF Nestor Santana.

Of course the big name that jumps out is that of Mitch Einertson, who was suspended last year for using a "drug of abuse."

We also named Rafael Pio the GCL Pitcher of the Year.

Max Sapp ain't doing so hot

The Astros might not have been on the up-and-up with Max Sapp as recently as March, says Mark Berman in this report.

Berman:
Missy Sapp said as recently as two months ago her son had spoken with the Astros and was thrilled by the fact the team had not given up on him even though he has not played since 2008.

Missy Sapp:
"Max talked to (Astros assistant general manager) Ricky (Bennett) in March and he said, 'Mom, I'm on a roster and I'm so excited,'"

Sapp's agent, Doug Rogalski:
"The Astros said when Max is ready let us know and we'll find a spot for him. Last Monday Max's doctors told Missy that what he has is treatable, that he will recover and be able to play baseball. I called Ricky Bennett Tuesday and left him a message and said Max is doing great and in 30 to 90 days can resume some sort of activites with the Astros...

...On Wednesday the Astros called Max in the facility to let him know he was going to be released. I'm disappointed the Astros let it go this far and then didn't let Max get back on the field. There was no indication he would not be given a chance at some point."

Missy Sapp:
"I'm saddened with the timing of their decision. Max is grieving right now because this came out of the blue. We have been through Hell. It's the things you read about that happen to other people, but not you."

Ed Wade:
"Max has dealt with a series of health issues over the past two years. It became apparent to us that it would be difficult for him to resume his professional baseball career. It's our hope that Max can move on to a productive and successful career off the field."

Wow.

Ed Wade tells everyone why the Astros released Max Sapp. And it's still not cool.

Buried in McTaggart's fireside chat is Ed Wade explaining why the Astros released Max Sapp:

Wade:
"It became apparent that he would physically be unable to perform."

Since 1994, here are your Astros' 1st round draft picks:
1995: RHP Tony McKnight. 21G, 7-7 record, 4.63 ERA/1.45 WHIP.
1996: RHP Mark Johnson. Appeared in nine games for the Tigers, after being the PTBNL to the Marlins for Moises Alou
1997: Lance Berkman. Enough said.
1998: RHP Brad Lidge. 519 games, 195 saves for the Astros and Phillies
1999: OF Mike Rosamond. Never appeared in the Majors.
2000: RHP Robert Stiehl. N/A.
2001: 2B Chris Burke. 477 games for the Astros, Diamondbacks, and Reds. .674 career OPS.
2002: RHP Derick Grigsby. N/A.
2005: OF Eli Iorg. Released, 2009.
2006: C Max Sapp. Released, today.
2008: C Jason Castro.
2009: SS Jiovanni Mier.

How's that make you feel?

That's...not cool.

There's a report on Twitter that the Astros have released Max Sapp, who almost died after a bout of meningitis.

Great article on Max Sapp

Excellent article from the Orlando Sentinel following the progress on Max Sapp.

An excerpt:
Six months later, Sapp has made a full recovery expect in one area: He remains at risk for seizures because his illness disrupted the delicate electrical system in his brain. He takes two anticonvulsant medicines every day to stay seizure-free. At precisely 8:30 a.m., he takes a 1,500-milligram dose of a drug called Keppra. At 8:30 at night, he takes another 1,500 milligrams of Keppra and 300 milligrams of Phenobarbital.

When doctors told him to wean off of Phenobarbital in March, Sapp suffered two more seizures. Until that setback, he was planning to return to playing minor-league ball around midseason for the Astros, who gave him a $1.4 million signing bonus in 2006. Now it's unclear when he'll play in games again.

"We don't want to rush him or push him too hard or too soon or too fast," said Ricky Bennett, the Astros' director of player development.

Max Sapp back in hospital

Echoing JJO's thoughts, everyone needs to keep Max Sapp in your thoughts.

After making progress for a couple of months, Max Sapp was back in the hospital last night after suffering seizures.

There's an updated article in the Chronicle with an explanation from the man himself:

“They’re weaning me off my medication,” he said after answering his mother’s cell phone while she napped at his Orlando area hospital. “One of the side-effects of my medication is seizures. I had seizures, one last night and one this morning, but I’m fine.”

Max Sapp found a quick (though ridiculously awful) way to lose 50 pounds

“I’m just really waiting to see what the doctor says in terms of what he can and cannot do, but he’s going to be on a separate program,” Bennett said. “It’s going to take him some time for him to get back. I don’t anticipate him starting the season on time. I mean, it’s going to take at least a month, if not longer.

“Actually he’s going to report sometime next week to start working in the weight room and just start doing some baseball stuff. But it’s going to be some time until he’s back in the regular swing of things with the other guys.”

Sapp, who weighed about 240 pounds before tangling with viral meningitis, now weighs about 195.

“And at that point we’re going to put a plan together to try to get him back on a program,” Bennett said. “He’s lost probably 40 pounds. He’s still on medication. He’s still getting his memory. There’s a lot of things that he has to relearn, a lot of baseball stuff that he has to relearn. Memory is starting to come back to him, but it’s going to take some time.”

Yeah, before we go over footwork, let's make sure he remembers things like...I don't know...birthdays and family names.

Max Sapp promoted

From "In the Hospital" to "Out of the Hospital."

Max Sapp update

Alyson Footer is reporting Max Sapp is now breathing on his own, without the aid of a respirator.

Assistant GM Ricky Bennett said Sapp has suffered significant memory loss as Sapp was unconscious for "quite some time," and is expected remain hospitalized.

Best wishes, Max.

Max Sapp ill with meningitis

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that prospect Max Sapp has been hospitalized in Orlando with a particularly severe case of meningitis.

Assistant GM Ricky Bennett said Sapp is breathing with the help of a respirator and has been suffering from occasional seizures.

The "best" part of this article? Regard the closing sentence:

Bennett was unsure how the illness would affect Sapp for the upcoming season.

Are you kidding? Who cares? Best wishes for Max and his family for a full recovery.