It is no longer looking like Kory Casto's time is running out, but that it already has.

Welcome readers to In Focus, which will look at the week in major league transactions. Since there have not been any real noteworthy trades, and since we are still in spring training, most of the transactions we will be looking at here are going to be reassignments to minor league camp. So, let us jump right in.

On March 15, the Washington Nationals optioned Kory Casto to the minor leagues. I was a little surprised at this one, particularly given the recent injuries to both Wily Mo Pena (oblique) and Elijah Dukes (hamstring). Casto has hit 20 homers a few times in the minors and one would think that he might be able to help out, given the current injury bug. But, at 26, it does not look like the Nationals will give him a chance any time soon, and that means you can probably avoid him.

On March 14, the Minnesota Twins sent Alexi Casilla to the minors. Casilla struggled in a 189 at-bat call-up last season, but I still thought he had a reasonable chance at cracking the Twins lineup. Alas, it looks like the Twins are sending him down for some more seasoning. He is only 23, so keep him on your radar for a speed infusion when the Twins ultimately call him up.

Also on Friday, Kyle Lohse finally signed a contract. After spending much of the off-season looking for a big payday that was not going to come, Lohse settled for a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. It is a better park for Lohse to pitch in than last year, when he split time between the Great American Ballpark and Citizen's Bank Park, but he is still Kyle Lohse. Basically, that means he will eat some innings for you, but don't expect anything less than a 4.25 earned run average or a WHIP below 1.350. Still, as an end game pickup, you could do worse.

In a shocking move this Friday, the New York Yankees reassigned Billy Crystal. I liked what I saw from him in his limited action, and thought he could have been a contributor this season. Look for him to catch on with another team somewhere. Along those same lines, on March 12, the Chicago White Sox sent Jeff Liefer to the minor leagues. That move is significant only in the sense that I had absolutely no idea that Liefer was still playing.

The Baltimore Orioles decided to send Hayden Penn to Triple-A earlier this week. He is only 23, so stay patient, but as his brief call up last season showed, he is not ready yet. Definitely keep an eye on his minor league numbers though, as he may be in line for a promotion sometime in May.

On March 12, the Reds claimed Jose Capellan off waivers. A failed Atlanta Braves pitching prospect, Capellan was once considered a gem who would set radar guns aflame with his fastball. He has never really figured "it" out at the major league level, although with an arm like his, he will no doubt continue to get chances. Outside of Francisco Cordero, the Reds have many question marks in the bullpen, so it is conceivable that Capellan finds himself with a middle relief role this season. Of course, for fantasy purposes, you probably do not need to consider him at all. Perhaps, however, an impressive 2008 could lead to an opportunity for saves on another team down the road.

Of course, there were many other transactions during this week, and we only have a limited space to comment on them. If you think an important transaction was overlooked, or have any other comments, I always welcome them.