HEARD AROUND THE LEAGUE

In a minor deal, the Texas Tornados have acquired OF Jeremy Hermida from the former Lexington franchise (now rechristened the Fresno Regulators). In return, the Tornados packaged former Cal Poly starter Garret Olson, but at press time there was no word as to whether or not Olson would get a chance to even pitch for Fresno, which has one of the league's better rotations . . .

The St. Francis Friars are openly shopping IF Nick Punto, who is getting very little playing time behind 2B Felipe Lopez, SS Cesar Izturis and 3B Casey Blake. The versatile Punto has taken his bench time well, but with some questions about bullpen depth, the Friars feel he is expendable . C/IF Brandon Inge, meanwhile, has similarly been on the pine but hasn't been happy about it. Despite the bad vibe, the Finches have no intention of moving Inge, since they were just forced to put free-agent C Brian Schneider on the DL . . . .

A $4 million clerical error has OF Aaron Rowand hanging around and playing pretty regularly with the Darwin Finches, who have little depth at the position. The Unnatural Selections actually had some interest in Hermida, and they have to be concerned with the always-brittle Milton Bradley as a corner. CF Josh Hamilton has been missing time of late, as well, and could end up on the disabled list . . .

The Yuma Firebirds may have to place long-time cleanup hitter Vladimir Guerrero on the DL, which couldn't come at a worst time for a veteran club that has been in a slump in the runs-scoring department. Emerging young OF Adam Jones will likely get the opportunity to play regularly in his absence, and could end up snagging a regular job if Guerrero is moved to a DH role . . .

Rookie reliever Corey Wade has been placed on the DL by the Casselton Horned Toads, who seem poised to make some decisions in the pitching department with arms like John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar creeping towards health. An arm could net them a backstop, and this would be a pretty wise move, as the Toads are one of several BARB clubs that don't have any depth behind the plate . . .

When is the Black Mesa braintrust going to get serious about shopping one of their superstar 2B, not to mention their ridiculously deep OF situation (Adam Dunn, J.D. Drew, Scott Hairston, Franklin Guttierrez, Raul Ibanez, Mike Cameron, Vernon Wells, Ryan Church, Reed Johnson)? This is a club that needs to upgrade their pitching. What are they waiting for, insiders wonder?