Following Thursday's game against the Giants, the Nationals activated outfielder Lastings Milledge from the 15-day disabled list and designated catcher Johnny Estrada for assignment. The news comes almost 30 minutes after Estrada called a great game in a 1-0 defeat. The Nationals had four catchers on the 25-man roster, and some one had to go.

The Kansas City Royals have claimed left-handed pitcher Josh Newman off outright waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Newman, who was on option to Triple-A Colorado Springs, will report to Triple-A Omaha. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Royals recalled right-handed pitcher Ryan Braun and placed him on the 60-day disabled list as he recovers from "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow performed on April 22. Newman, 26, has split the 2008 season between the Rockies and Triple-A Colorado Springs. He had a 9.35 ERA in 8 relief appearances with the Major League club and a 1-1 mark with a 2.45 ERA in 22.0 IP for the Sky Sox. Newman sported a 2.57 ERA (7 IP, 2 ER) through his first six relief appearances of 2008 for the Rockies before allowing seven runs in his final 1.2 innings. He pitched in 2 games for Colorado in 2007, which included a perfect inning of work in his Major League debut on September 12 at Philadelphia. The Dublin, Ohio, native holds a career 16-9 record and a 3.12 ERA in 150 minor league appearances, all in relief. Newman was a Texas League All-Star in 2006 when he went 9-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 62 games for the Tulsa Drillers. Colorado selected Newman in the 19th round of the 2004 June Draft out of The Ohio State University. He was a USA Today High School All-American at Wheelersburg (Ohio) High School.

The Kansas City Royals have claimed left-handed pitcher Josh Newman off outright waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Newman, who was on option to Triple-A Colorado Springs, will report to Triple-A Omaha. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Royals recalled right-handed pitcher Ryan Braun and placed him on the 60-day disabled list as he recovers from "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow performed on April 22. Newman, 26, has split the 2008 season between the Rockies and Triple-A Colorado Springs. He had a 9.35 ERA in 8 relief appearances with the Major League club and a 1-1 mark with a 2.45 ERA in 22.0 IP for the Sky Sox. Newman sported a 2.57 ERA (7 IP, 2 ER) through his first six relief appearances of 2008 for the Rockies before allowing seven runs in his final 1.2 innings. He pitched in 2 games for Colorado in 2007, which included a perfect inning of work in his Major League debut on September 12 at Philadelphia.