Mariners sign left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone to Minor League contract

Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today that the club has signed left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone to a minor league contract. Hagadone has also been invited to Major League Spring Training.

With today's signing, the Mariners Major League, 40-man, roster remains full. Seattle now has 23 players invited to Spring Training. (The 63 players currently includes both Jonathon Aro and Jesus Sucre, who were designated for assignment last week). 

Hagadone, 31, spent 2016 rehabilitating after undergoing surgery in February for a fractured left elbow.

He pitched with Cleveland in 2015, appearing in 36 games in relief and compiling a 0-1 record prior to being placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 8 with lower back and elbow soreness.

Hagadone (pronounced: hag-ah-donn) appeared in the Majors in parts of five seasons with the Indians, posting a 3-2, 4.72 mark with 1 save in 143 relief appearances.

Hagadone graduated from Sumner, WA, High School where he played football and baseball in 2004. He was drafted by the Mariners in the 36th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft but did not sign, instead attending the University of Washington. He was a First-Team All-Pac-10 selection his junior year (2007) after going 6-1 with 11 saves and a 2.77 ERA in 25 games (2 starts). Was selected by Cleveland as the 55th overall selection in the June Draft that year.

- Seattle Mariners.

Yankees invite 23 additional players to 2017 Spring Training

The New York Yankees today announced that they have signed 11 players to minor league contracts with an invitation to Major League Spring Training: C Wilkin Castillo, INF Ji-Man Choi, C Kellin Deglan, C Francisco Diaz, LHP Jason Gurka, INF Pete Kozma, LHP Joe Mantiply, RHP Nick Rumbelow, LHP Evan Rutckyj, INF Donovan Solano and INF Ruben Tejada. Diaz, Kozma, Rumbelow, Rutckyj and Solano were in the Yankees organization last year and return in 2017 after signing new minor league deals. The club has also invited 12 additional players to 2017 spring training, bringing the total number of invitees to 23 (11 pitchers, four catchers, six infielders and two outfielders). The number of players now scheduled to report is 63.

Kozma, 28, has appeared in 275 career Major League games, all with St. Louis, over parts of five seasons (2011-15), batting .222 (138-for-621) with 76R, 29 doubles, 3 triples, 3HR and 52RBI. After attending spring training as a non-roster invitee with the Yankees, the right-handed batter spent 2016 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .209 (93-for-445) with 48R, 19 doubles, 2HR, 32RBI and 11SB in 130 games. He committed just 15E in 537TC (.972) while playing all four infield positions: SS (84G/83GS), 3B (23G/22GS), 2B (18GS), 1B (5GS). In 918 games over eight minor league seasons, he has hit .234 (760-for-3,253) with 428R, 155 doubles, 50HR and 374RBI. The native of Tulsa, Okla., was originally selected by St. Louis in the first round (18th overall) of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Solano, 29, has batted .257 (274-for-1,068) with 99R, 40 doubles, 6 triples, 9HR and 99RBI in 370 games with the Marlins (2012-15) and Yankees (2016). The right-handed batter has primarily played second base (237G) but has also appeared at third base (26G), shortstop (19G) and in left field (10G). Over 12 minor league seasons, he has batted .272 (898-for-3,302) with 386R, 143 doubles, 19HR and 308RBI in 932 games. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Solano was originally signed by St. Louis as a non-drafted free agent on January 14, 2005. The 2017 season marks his second in the Yankees organization.

Tejada, 27, has appeared in 616 Major League games over seven seasons with the Mets (2010-15), Cardinals (2016) and Giants (2016), batting .252 (504-for-1,997) with 207R, 104 doubles, 10HR and 153RBI. He combined with St. Louis and San Francisco to hit .167 (11-for-66) with 9R, 5 doubles, 5RBI and 7BB in 36 games in 2016. Tejada was released by the Mets on March 16, 2016 and was signed by the Cardinals as a free agent five days later. He hit .176 (6-for-34) with 6R, 2 doubles, 3RBI and 2BB in 23 games with St. Louis before being designated for assignment on May 28 and unconditionally released on June 3. On June 29, he was signed by the Giants as a free agent and hit .156 (5-for-32) with 3R, 3 doubles, 2RBI and 5BB in 13 games for San Francisco. The Santiago, Panama, native was originally signed by the Mets as a non-drafted free agent on July 11, 2006.

Six of the Yankees' non-roster invitees have been tabbed among the organization's Top 10 prospects by Baseball America entering the 2017 season, including INF Gleyber Torres (No. 1), OF Clint Frazier (No. 2), RHP James Kaprielian (No. 5), LHP Justus Sheffield (No. 7), RHP Chance Adams (No. 8) and OF Dustin Fowler (No. 9). The Yankees' No. 4 prospect, INF Jorge Mateo, and No. 6 prospect, OF Aaron Judge, will also be in camp as members of the 40-man roster. Torres, acquired by the Yankees as part of the July 2016 trade that moved Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, became the youngest player ever to be named MVP of the Arizona Fall League, after batting .403/.513/.645 (25-for-62) in 18 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions following the 2016 season. Frazier and Sheffield, along with fellow non-roster invitee, RHP J.P. Feyereisen, joined the Yankees organization in the trade that sent Andrew Miller to the Indians at last season's trade deadline.

Of the Yankees' 23 non-roster invitees, nine were originally drafted by the club: Adams (2015, fifth round), LHP Daniel Camarena (2011, 20th round), OF Dustin Fowler (2013, 18th round), Kaprielian (2015, first round, 16th overall), B (2012, 18th round), LHP Jordan Montgomery (2014, fourth round), Rumbelow (2013, seventh round), Rutckyj (2010, 16th round) and INF Tyler Wade (2013, fourth round). In 2016, Adams went 13-1 with a 2.33 ERA (127.1IP, 33ER) in 25 games (24 starts) and led the minor leagues with a .169 (76-for-450) opponents' batting average, the second-lowest opponents' BA by a qualified minor leaguer since at least 1993, according to Baseball America. He also led all minor league pitchers (min. 125.0IP) with a 0.90 WHIP.

Rounding out the Yankees' invitees is C Jorge Saez, who was selected by the Yankees from Toronto in the first round of the Triple-A phase of the 2016 Rule 5 draft.

- New York Yankees.

Rays sign Colby Rasmus to one-year contract

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus. He has a chance to earn an additional $2 million in incentives. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays released outfielder Jason Coats.

Rasmus, 30, appeared in 107 games for the Houston Astros in 2016, batting .206/.286/.355 (76-for-369) with 15 home runs and 54 RBI. It marked his fifth consecutive season with at least 15 homers, joining Mike Trout (Angels), Adam Jones (Orioles) and Jose Bautista (Blue Jays) as the only American League outfielders with a current streak that long. In 2015, he hit .238/.314/.475 (103-for-432) with 25 homers and 61 RBI in 137 games, and joined catcher Matt Wieters (Orioles) and left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson (Dodgers) as the first players in major league history to accept their qualifying offers.
Over his 95 starts (75-LF, 14-CF, 6-RF) last season, Rasmus tied for third among AL outfielders with 13 assists, trailing Adam Eaton (White Sox) and Mookie Betts (Red Sox). According to FanGraphs, he ranked fourth among major league outfielders with 20 Defensive Runs Saved, behind Betts (32), Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (25) and Toronto's Kevin Pillar (21). Defensive Runs Saved attempts to calculate how many runs a player saved or cost his team in the field compared to the average player at his position.

Early last season, Rasmus launched a new charity initiative, "Hitters for Heroes," in which he pledged to donate $1,000 for every home run he hit to Team Rubicon, a disaster response nonprofit that utilizes the skills of military veterans to provide relief following natural disasters.

Rasmus is a career .241/.311/.434 (851-3,538) hitter across eight major league seasons with the Astros (2015-16), Toronto Blue Jays (2011-14) and St. Louis Cardinals (2009-11). He hit .276/.338/.501 (115-for-417) with 22 home runs and 66 RBI with the Blue Jays in 2013, when current Rays hitting coach Chad Mottola held that same position for Toronto.

Coats, 26, was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on January 11. Last season, he played in 28 games (14 starts; 8-RF, 3-LF, 3-DH) for the White Sox, his first career major league action. He is a career .287/.337/.458 (529-for-1,846) hitter with 54 home runs and 280 RBI across four minor league seasons.

Indians acquire Carlos Frias from Dodgers

Today, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded RHP Carlos Frias to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Frias is 6-6 with a 4.50 ERA in 33 MLB games since 2014.

The Indians also designated 1B/3B Richie Shaffer for assignment.

Astros rewarded picks, cash for Correa breaching

Major League Baseball announced today that it has completed its investigation regarding the illegal breach of the Houston Astros' baseball operations database by a former baseball operations employee of the St. Louis Cardinals, Christopher Correa. The findings of the review, which was conducted by MLB's Department of Investigations, were submitted to Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.

The Astros have been awarded the Cardinals' first and second picks in this year's Draft as a result of the illegal breach. Manfred made the ruling on Monday.

Houston will receive the No. 56 overall selection, part of the Draft's second round, and the No. 75 overall selection, part of Compensation Round B. St. Louis does not possess a first-round pick in this year's Draft.

The Cardinals also will pay the Astros $2 million, Manfred ruled.

Correa was also placed on the MLB's permanently ineligible list. He is currently serving a 46-month prison sentence.

Sources: Cleveland Indians to host 2019 MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field

The Cleveland Indians will hold a press conference on Friday morning to announce that they will host the 2019 MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field, multiple sources told cleveland.com.

The city last hosted the sport's Midsummer Classic in 1997, where Indians catcher Sandy Alomar won the Most Valuable Player Award for his go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning.

The 2019 game will mark the sixth in Cleveland. No other franchise has hosted more, and only New York and Chicago -- areas with multiple teams -- have hosted more as a city.

This year's All-Star Game will take place in Miami, Florida at Marlins Park. The 2018 game will be in Washington, D.C. at Nationals Park.

Red Sox agree to terms with left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz on one-year contract

The Boston Red Sox today agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2017 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration.

With today's agreement, left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad is the only remaining unsigned Red Sox player eligible for salary arbitration.

President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.

Pomeranz, 28, earned his first career All-Star Game selection in 2016 before being traded by the San Diego Padres to the Red Sox on July 14. Between the two clubs, the left-hander was 11-12 with a 3.32 ERA (63 ER/170.2 IP), 186 strikeouts, and a .217 opponent batting average in a career-high 30 starts and one relief appearance. He also pitched in the postseason for the first time in his career, recording 2.1 scoreless innings of relief in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against Cleveland before allowing two runs in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen in Game 3. Selected by the Indians in the first round-fifth overall-of the 2010 June Draft, Pomeranz is 25-36 with a 3.80 ERA (195 ER/462.1 IP) in 138 major league games (79 starts) with the Colorado Rockies (2011-13), Oakland A's (2014-15), Padres (2016), and Red Sox (2016).

Red Sox claim outfielder/first baseman Steve Selsky off waivers from Cincinnati Reds

The Boston Red Sox today claimed outfielder/first baseman Steve Selsky off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.

President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.

Selsky, 27, appeared in 24 games and made nine starts over three stints with the Reds in his major league debut last season, batting .314 (16-for-51) with two doubles and two home runs. The right-handed batter recorded a hit in seven consecutive at-bats during a stretch from September 25-27, and on September 26 at St. Louis he went 5-for-5 with four RBI. Selsky spent most of his 2016 season with Triple-A Louisville, making 39 starts in the outfield, 33 at first base, and eight as a designated hitter. In 85 games with the Bats, he hit .280 (83-for-296) with an .822 OPS, 24 doubles, and nine home runs. Selected by the Reds in the 33rd round of the 2011 June Draft, Selsky has batted .295 (530-for-1,796) with a .379 on-base percentage in 537 career minor league games, totaling 111 doubles, 15 triples, 51 home runs, and 37 stolen bases.

With today's transaction, the Red Sox' 40-man roster is now at 40.

A's agree to terms with Rosales on one-year deal; trade Eibner to Dodgers

The Oakland A's agreed to terms with infielder Adam Rosales on a one-year contract for the 2017 season, the club announced today. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A's designated left-handed pitcher Dillon Overton for assignment. The A's also announced that outfielder Brett Eibner, who was designated for assignment last Friday, has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league infielder Jordan Tarsovich.

Rosales hit .229 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI in 105 games with San Diego last year. He posted career highs in runs (37), doubles (12), triples (3), home runs, RBI, walks (29) and games played. The 33-year-old right-handed hitter started 53 games for the Padres at four different positions (24 at third base, 22 at second base, six at shortstop and one in left field) and was also 5-for-21 (.238) as a pinch hitter. Rosales previously played for Oakland from 2010-13 and hit .223 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI in 197 games over that span. He is a .227 career hitter with 40 home runs and 141 RBI in 535 games with Cincinnati (2008-09), the A's, Texas (2013-15) and the Padres.

"Rosie always brought so much to our team, both on and off the field," said A's general manager David Forst. "It's great to have him back in an A's uniform."

Overton spent most of the 2016 season with Triple-A Nashville where he was 13-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 21 games, including 20 starts. He also had four brief stints with Oakland in his Major League debut and went 1-3 with an 11.47 ERA in seven games, including five starts. Overton allowed 12 home runs in 24.1 innings with the A's after surrendering just 17 home runs in 288.2 career minor league innings.

Tarsovich played in 31 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and 59 for Double-A Tulsa last year and hit a combined .221 with nine home runs and 32 RBI in 90 games. He played in 43 games at third base, 23 at shortstop, 20 at second base and one in left field. The 25-year-old right-handed hitter was the Dodgers 22nd round pick in the 2015 draft and is a .236 hitter with 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 127 games over two professional seasons.

Eibner began the 2016 season with Kansas City and hit .231 in 26 games over two stints with the Royals before he was traded to Oakland for Billy Burns on July 30. He batted .165 in 44 games with the A's and combined for a .193 batting average, six home runs and 22 RBI in 70 games in his Major League debut.

- Oakland Athletics

Phillies trade RHP Severino Gonzalez to Miami for PTBN or cash

The Philadelphia Phillies traded RHP Severino Gonzalez to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday for a player to be Pnamed later or cash.

Gonzalez began the season with Reading (AA) before being promoted to Lehigh Valley (AAA) on Apr. 16, and then was moved back to REA on Apr. 17 before being promoted back to LV on Apr. 29

with Reading and Lehigh Valley in 2016, Gonzales went 2-1, with a 2.93 ERA (15 ER, 46.0 IP), 35 SO, 8 BB, and a 1.17 WHIP in 21 games (1 game started). He had two stints with the Phillies last season from Jun. 17 to Jul. 10 and Jul. 22 through the remainder of the season. He made his first Major League relief appearance on Jun. 17 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where in 1.2 IP, he gave up only 2 hits, and recorded 2 Strike outs.

Rays trade Forsythe to Dodgers for De Leon

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The Tampa Bay Rays have traded second baseman Logan Forsythe to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose De León.

In addition, the Rays have agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with free agent right-handed pitcher Shawn Tolleson. He has a chance to earn an additional $1.15 million in incentives.

"We are very excited to add Jose De León to the Rays organization. He's a talented starting pitching prospect who can soon become a key member of our major league rotation," said Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations/General Manager Erik Neander. "It's a bittersweet day, though, as we part ways with Logan Forsythe in this trade. He's not only a first-class player, but he's also a great teammate and leader in the clubhouse. We will miss him, and we thank him for all he did as a Ray."

De León, 24, made four starts for the Dodgers last September and is 23-13 with a 3.35 ERA (330.2-IP, 123-ER) and 446 strikeouts (12.1 strikeouts per nine innings) in 67 career games (64 starts) across four minor league seasons. In 2016, he went 7-1 with a 2.61 ERA (86.1-IP, 25-ER), 111 strikeouts, .194 opponents' average and 5.55 strikeouts-to-walks ratio in 16 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, missing parts of the season with ankle and shoulder injuries. He recorded double-digit strikeouts in five starts, including three straight immediately prior to his selection to the major league roster. He won his major league debut on September 4 against the San Diego Padres, yielding three earned runs and recording nine strikeouts over six innings.

Following the season, De León made Baseball America's Triple-A All-Star Team and was ranked by the publication as the No. 3 prospect in the Pacific Coast League and the No. 3 prospect in the Dodgers organization. Last week, he was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 8 right-handed pitching prospect in baseball entering 2017.

A native of Puerto Rico, De León was selected by the Dodgers in the 24th round of the 2013 June Draft out of Southern University and made his professional debut that season. In 2014, he was named Pitcher of the Year in the Rookie-level Pioneer League and made four starts with Class-A Great Lakes of the Midwest League to finish the season. In his second start there, his 14 strikeouts broke the club record previously held by Clayton Kershaw (12). In 2015, De León split the season between Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa, combining between the two levels to go 6-7 with a 2.99 ERA (114.1-IP, 38-ER) and 163 strikeouts, which tied with Blake Snell for fourth among minor league pitchers.

Forsythe, 30, hit .264/.333/.444 (135-for-511) with 20 home runs and 52 RBI in 127 games (125 starts) in 2016. All of his starts came batting leadoff, and his career-high 20 homers ranked second in club history for a second baseman, behind Ben Zobrist (27) in 2009. In 2015-16, he became the first middle infielder in franchise history with back-to-back seasons of at least 15 homers. Forsythe hit .262/.334/.419 (354-for-1,352) with 43 home runs and 146 RBI over his three seasons with Tampa Bay. He spent the first three seasons of his major league career with the San Diego Padres.

Tolleson, 29, is 14-8 with a 3.92 ERA (218-IP, 95-ER) over his five-year career with the Texas Rangers (2014-16) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-13). From 2014-15, he went 9-5 with a 2.88 ERA (144-IP, 46-ER) in 137 appearances, ranking sixth among major league relievers in innings over that span.

In 2015, Tolleson ranked among American League relief leaders in innings (72.1, third), saves (35, fifth), appearances (73, fifth) and strikeouts (76, 11th) en route to a 10th-place finish in AL Cy Young Award voting. He converted a Rangers record 94.6 percent (35 of 37) of his save opportunities that season.

Tolleson went 2-2 with a 7.68 ERA (36.1-IP, 31-ER) and 11 saves in 37 appearances last season, missing the end of the year with a lower back strain. He was outrighted off the Rangers 40-man roster following the season.

Tolleson was selected by the Dodgers in the 30th round of the 2010 June Draft out of Baylor University.

- Tampa Bay Rays PR

Former Major Leaguers Marte and Ventura die in car crash

Former Major League infielder Andy Marte died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Sunday. He was 33 years old.

Also, former Major League pitcher Yordano Ventura was killed in a separate crash as well.

"Words can't express the emotions from the loss of our client Andy Marte. Gone too soon. A great person on and off the field," Marte's agency, J.M.G. baseball, said on Twitter.

Marte signed with the Braves in 2000 as an international free agent and was ranked No. 9 on MLB.com's 2005 Top 50 Prospects list.

After breaking into the Majors in 2005, he was traded to the Indians in '06 and spent five seasons with the club. His best year came in '09, when he hit .232 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 47 games.

Marte played in just six games for the D-backs in 2014, before signing with the KT Wiz in South Korea. Over the last two seasons, he hit .312 and belted over 20 home runs both campaigns

Ventura, 25, signed with the Royals in 2008 and has been with the team since. He made his major-league debut in 2013 and pitched his first full season the following year, placing sixth in Rookie of the Year voting. He was a key part of the rotation in Kansas City’s trips to the World Series in 2014 and 2015.

A's agree to terms with RHP Santiago Casilla on two-year contract

The Oakland A's agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Santiago Casilla on a two-year contract through the 2018 season, the club announced today. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A's designated outfielder Brett Eibner for assignment. The A's also announced that they agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler and outfielder Alejandro De Aza on minor league contracts with an invite to spring training.

Casilla went 2-5 with 31 saves, a 3.57 ERA and .235 opponents batting average in 62 relief appearances with San Francisco last year. He ranked sixth in the National League in saves but had nine blown saves, which tied for the most in the majors. The 36-year-old right-hander struck out a career-high 65 batters in 58.0 innings. He walked just 19 average his average of 2.95 walks per nine innings was the second lowest mark of his career. Casilla allowed just 1-of-18 (5.6%) inherited runners to score and held first batters faced to a .228 batting average and .267 on-base percentage.
Casilla returns to the Oakland organization as he was originally signed by the A's as out of the Dominican Republic on January 31, 2000. He made his Major League debut with Oakland in 2004 and was 6-4 with four saves and a 5.11 ERA in 152 relief appearances from 2004 to 2009. Casilla was released following the 2009 season and spent the next seven seasons with the Giants. He went 32-22 with 123 saves and a 2.42 ERA in 414 games with San Francisco. Casilla saved a career-high 38 games in 2015 and he ranks sixth on the Giants career saves list. The 13-year veteran is 38-26 with 127 saves and a 3.19 ERA in 566 career appearances.

Eibner began the 2016 season with Kansas City and hit .231 in 26 games over two stints with the Royals before he was traded to Oakland for Billy Burns on July 30. He batted .165 in 44 games with the A's and combined for a .193 batting average, six home runs and 22 RBI in 70 games in his Major League debut.

Detwiler was acquired by the A's from Cleveland in a minor league deal July 17 and combined for a 2-4 record and a 6.10 ERA in 16 games, including seven starts. He was also 6-4 with a 4.40 ERA in 16 games, including 15 starts, with Triple-A Columbus and Nashville. De Aza spent the entire 2016 season with the New York Mets and hit .205 with six home runs and 25 RBI in 130 games. He is a .261 career hitter in 810 games in nine Major League seasons with Florida (2007, 09), Chicago-AL (2010-14), Baltimore (2014-15), Boston (2015), San Francisco (2015) and New York-NL (2016).

Orioles sign OF Mark Trumbo to three-year contract

The Orioles today announced that they have signed OF Mark Trumbo to a three-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, OF Adam Walker has been designated for assignment.

Trumbo, 31, led Major League Baseball with 47 home runs last season and tied for the fourth-highest single season home run total in Orioles history. He extended Baltimore's streak to four consecutive seasons (2013-16) of having an Orioles hitter lead Major League Baseball in home runs. The two-time All-Star set career highs in hits (157), extra-base hits (75), home runs, RBI (108), runs scored (94), slugging percentage (.533), OPS (.850), and outfield assists (10). The 2016 Silver Slugger has hit 149 home runs since 2012 to rank 10th in the majors in that span. Trumbo also homered in his first career postseason game after starting as the designated hitter in the AL Wild Card Game at Toronto.

Over a seven-year Major League career, Trumbo has batted .251/.303/.473 with 178 home runs and 517 RBI over 849 games. He was acquired by the Orioles in a trade from the Seattle Mariners on December 2, 2015. Originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 18th round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Trumbo played four seasons with the Angels (2010-13) and also has spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2014-15) and Seattle Mariners (2015). 

Walker, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers in December after spending five minor league seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization. He has hit .251/.310/.486 (559-for-2225) with 110 doubles, 124 home runs, 429 RBI, and 43 stolen bases over 584 career minor league games.

"We are happy that we were able to bring Mark Trumbo back to the Orioles," Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan DuQuette said. "We like his presence in our lineup and professional work ethic along with the elite power he brings to our ballpark."

A's agree to terms with IF Tevor Plouffe on one-year contract

The Oakland A's agreed to terms with infielder Trevor Plouffe on a one-year contract for the 2017 season, the club announced today. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A's designated right-handed pitcher Zach Neal for assignment.

Plouffe batted a career-high .260 with 12 home runs and 47 RBI in 84 games with Minnesota last year in a season interrupted by three stints on the disabled list. He was the Twins Opening Day starter at third base for the fourth consecutive season and was batting .302 with two home runs and six RBI in 12 games when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 19 with a strained right intercostal. The 30-year-old right-handed hitter was also out from July 2 to Aug. 7 with a fractured left rib and Sept. 7 through the end of the season with a strained left hamstring. Plouffe started 60 games at third base and 13 at first base.

Plouffe was the Twins first round draft pick in 2004 and had spent his entire career in the Minnesota organization. He made his Major League debut in 2010 and is a .247 hitter with 96 home runs and 357 RBI in 723 games over seven seasons as a big leaguer. Plouffe hit a career-high 24 home runs in just 119 games in 2012 and had 22 home runs and career-high 86 RBI in 2015. He has played every position except pitcher, catcher and center field in his career but has seen most of his playing time with 545 games at third base.

Neal made his Major League debut with Oakland last year and went 2-4 with two saves and a 4.24 ERA in 24 games, including six starts, over four stints with the A's. He allowed a .265 opponents batting average but issued just six walks in 70.0 innings for a .281 on-base percentage. Neal was also 7-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 11 starts with Triple-A Nashville where he walked just eight batters in 61.2 innings.

- Oakland Athletics PR

Blue Jays officially announce Bautista signing

The Toronto Blue Jays officially announced on Wednesday that they have signed OF Jose Bautista to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed base salary of US $18 million, a US $17 million mutual option for 2018 and a US $20 million vesting option for 2019. Should either party decline the option for 2018 a US $500,000 buyout will be issued.

Bautista, 36, posted a .817 OPS, including a .366 OBP in 116 games last season, his 9th in a Blue Jays uniform. The Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic native is a six-time All-Star and two-time Hank Aaron Award winner who has posted 249 home runs since 2010, the most in the Majors. His 265 home runs as a Blue Jay are 2nd to only Carlos Delgado (336) on the all-time club list.

Jesse Sanchez: Blue Jays, Bautista reach one-year deal

The Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Bautista have agreed to a one-year deal that includes options that could keep him in Toronto through 2019, MLB reporter Jesse Sanchez reported on Tuesday.

Bautista finished the season 1st in the AL with 110-BB, 3rd in RBI (114) & T-5th in HR (40)…72 of his 136 hits were XBH (29-2B, 3-3B, 40-HR), 6th in AL.

Bautista hit his 40th HR of the season September 30 at BAL, joining A. Rodriguez, D. Ortiz, R. Howard and A. Pujols as the only active players with 3+ career 40+ HR seasons…Became just the 2nd Blue Jay in club history to have three 40+ HR seasons (Delgado) and just the 3rd Jay to record 4, 100+ RBI seasons (Delgado-6, Carter-6).

Rangers sign OF Josh Hamilton and RHP Dillon Gee to Minor League contracts

The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has signed free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton and right-handed pitcher Dillon Gee to minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training.

Hamilton, 35, ranks among all-time Rangers leaders in OPS (3rd, .901), slugging percentage (3rd, .542), and batting average (9th, .302), but did not play for the club last season following multiple surgeries on his left knee and was released on August 23, 2016. He was cleared for activity in December and has been on a workout program over the last month. The 2010 American League Most Valuable Player with Texas, he was re-acquired by the club from the Los Angeles Angels in a trade on April 27, 2015, but his last major league contest was in 2015 ALDS Game 5 at Toronto.

Hamilton opened the 2016 season on the 15-day disabled list as he continued to rehab from surgery on his left knee on October 28, 2015. He was assigned to Double-A Frisco on injury rehab assignment on April 30 but went 0-for-2 in his only game that night before experiencing continued knee discomfort. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 7 and underwent additional surgery on June 8 to repair a torn ACL and cartilage damage in the knee. That surgery was performed by Dr. Walt Lowe in Houston. He was activated from the 60-day disabled list and released by Texas in August.

The 30-year-old Gee went 8-9 with a 4.68 ERA (65 ER/125.0 IP) over 33 games/14 starts with Kansas City last season. After entering spring training on a minor league deal, Gee became one of only two major league pitchers to record at least 14 starts and 19 relief appearances in 2016. The right-hander has appeared in the majors in each of the last seven seasons (2010-16) and has amassed a 48-46 career record with a 4.13 ERA in 147 games/124 starts. Over the last 6 seasons beginning 2011, Gee has averaged 8 wins, 20 starts, and 129.0 innings per year, this despite spending most of the 2015 campaign in Triple-A.

Gee earned All-State honors in baseball at Cleburne High School and attended the University of Texas at Arlington, where he helped lead the Mavericks to the NCAA tournament in 2006. The Fort Worth resident was originally selected by the New York Mets in the 21st round of the 2007 June draft and started 110 games for the Mets from 2010-15.

- Texas Rangers PR

Puma: Mets may only be able to market Jay Bruce to two teams

With the Toronto Blue Jays closing in on signing Jose Bautista and Philadelphia Phillies closing in on signing Michael Saunders, Mike Puma of the New York Post says that the New York Mets may have to get creative in their efforts to trade Jay Bruce, who became expendable when the club signed Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year contract worth $110 million in November.

Reports on Monday indicated the Blue Jays were close to re-signing Bautista, and the Phillies on the verge of completing a deal with Saunders. Both teams had been potential landing places for Bruce, who is owed $13 million in 2017.

Last week, general manager Sandy Alderson indicated there is a real possibility the Mets could begin spring training with Bruce still in a Mets uniform, making for a crowded outfield that would also include Cespedes, Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto and Juan Lagares.

Puma feels that the Giants and Rangers are among the teams that could still look to acquire Bruce.

Both the Giants and Rangers showed interest in Bruce at the trade deadline last year and have outfield vacancies.

Royals reach five-year agreement with Danny Duffy

The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have agreed to a five-year contract with Danny Duffy. The deal will begin in 2017 and run through the 2021 season. Consistent with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Duffy, 27, set career highs in wins (12), starts (26), innings pitched (179.2) and strikeouts (188) in 2016, while also leading Royals starting pitchers in ERA (3.51). The Royals were 17-9 (.654) in his 26 starts. His 12-3 record (.800) matched Larry Gura in 1978 for the best single-season winning percentage in Royals history (min. 15 decisions).

He won 10 straight decisions from June 11-August 21 of last season, one shy of the franchise record shared by Rich Gale (1980) and Paul Splittorff (1977-78). On August 1 at Tampa Bay, Duffy set a franchise record with 16 strikeouts and didn't allow a hit until the first batter of the eighth inning, finishing with 8.0 scoreless innings. In doing so, he joined Randy Johnson as the only left-handed pitchers since 1913 to record at least 16 strikeouts and allow one-or-fewer hit.

Duffy held left-handed batters to a .183 average (20-for-109) in 2016, fourth best in the American League (min. 100 batters faced), and allowed just three extra-base hits to lefties all season. His career .208 opponents' average vs. lefties ranks 10th in the American League since his debut in 2011.

Duffy's 2016 season included a 7-0 mark at home. He hasn't lost at Kauffman Stadium since September 5, 2015, setting a new club record for consecutive home starts without a loss at 15.

A third-round pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Duffy made his Major League debut with the Royals in 2011. In six Major League seasons, he is 36-33 with a 3.71 ERA over 134 appearances (106 starts). Duffy went 1-0 with nine strikeouts in six appearances during the 2015 postseason, including three World Series outings.

- Kansas City Royals PR

MLB Transactions from January 13, 2017

Houston Astros invited non-roster 3B J.D. Davis to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster OF Derek Fisher to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Edison Frias to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster OF Alejandro Garcia to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster C Tyler Heineman to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster LHP Brian Holmes to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Jordan Jankowski to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RF Jon Kemmer to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster OF Ramon Laureano to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Francis Martes to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Tyson Perez to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster 1B Jon Singleton to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Cy Sneed to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster C Garrett Stubbs to spring training.
Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Aaron West to spring training.
Los Angeles Dodgers traded 2B Micah Johnson to Atlanta Braves for Player To Be Named Later.
Cleveland Indians signed free agent RHP Steve Delabar to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Seattle Mariners sent Cody Martin outright to Tacoma Rainiers.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent C Chris Iannetta.
Arizona Diamondbacks designated C Juan Graterol for assignment.

Jon Heyman: Bryce Harper, Nats have a deal

CBS Sports analyst Jon Heyman reported on Friday that Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationald do have a deal made, but no details of it are known at this time.

Harper was named National League Player of the Month in April (.286, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 17 BB, 5 SB, 16 R)...Also earned Player of the Week honors, 4/11-17.

He clubbed his 100th home run (1st career grand slam), 4/14 vs. ATL (Teheran), and hit game-tying, ninth-inning, pinch-hit home run, 4/24 vs. MIN (Jepsen).

UPDATE: Heyman reported it's a $13.625M deal.

MLB Arbitration Tracker (January 13, 2017)

List of MLB arbitration deals on January 13, 2017.

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Danny Valencia, Mariners agree at $5.5M

Alex Wood, Dodgers settle at $2.8M

Justin Wilson, Tigers agree at. 2.7M

Chris Owings, Diamomdbacks settle at $2.3M

Justin Grimm, Cubs settle at $1.825M

Wily Peralta, Brewers settle at $4.275M

Bryce Harper, Nats agree at $13.625M

Hechavarria, Marlins agree at $4.35M

Erasmo Ramirez, Rays agree at $3.125M

Danny Salazar, Indians settle at $3.4M

Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers agree at $5.5M

Leonis Martin, Mariners settle at $4.85M

Garrett Richards, Angels agree at $6.85M
Addison Reed, Mets agree at $7.75M
Nolan Arenado and Rockies agree to a 2-year deal worth $29.15M in total.
Matt Shoemaker, Angels settle at $3.325M
Tony Cingrani, Reds settle at $1.825M
Sonny Gray, A's settle at $3.575M
Bryan Shaw Indians settle at $4.6M
Todd Frazier, Chicago White Sox settle at $12M
Dallas Keuchel, Astros agree at $9.15M
Tanner Roark, Nationals settle at $4.315M
Derek Norris, Nationals settle at $4.2M
Cubs settled with Hector Rondon at $5.8 million.
Corey Dickerson, Rays settle at $3.025M
Blake Wood, Reds settle at 1.275M
Kole Calhoun, Angels settle at $6.35M
Austin Romine, Yankees settle at 805K
Hector Santiago, Twins settle at $8M
Cody Allen, Indians settle at $7.35M
Didi gregorius, Yankees settle at $5.1M
Alex Wilson, tigers settle at $1.175M
Jake marisnick, astros settle at $1.1M
Kyle Gibson, twins settle at $2.9M
Jordy mercer, pirates settle at $4.325M
Billy hamilton, reds settle at $2.625M
JJ Hoover signs with d-backs. 900K in majors, plus 425 incentives. MLB spring invite.
Tim Beckham, Rays settle at 885K
Travis d'Armaud, mets settle at $1.875M
Kevin kiermaier, rays settle at $2.975M
Aj Ramos, marlins settle at $6.55M
Zack McAllister, Indians settle. $1.825M.
Xavier Cedeno, Rays settle at $1.3M

Yankees, Gregorious avoid arbitration

Shortstop Didi Gregorius and the New York Yankees settled at $5.1M to avoid arbitration on Friday.

Gregorious hit .276 (155-for-562) with 68R, 32 doubles, 20HR and 70RBI in 153 games with the Yankees, and set career highs with 155H, 32 doubles, 20HR, 70RBI and a team-leading 54 extra-base hits (32 doubles, 2 triples, 20HR) in 153 games in 2016. It marked the most XBH by a Yankees SS since Derek Jeter in 2007 (55XBH)... ranked second among Yankees position players with 2.7 WAR (FanGraphs), trailing only Gary Sanchez (3.2)... tied for the team lead in RBI (also Castro) and ranked second in hits (Castro-156).

Gregorious Is the sixth SS in Yankees history with 30 doubles in a season (also Jeter-9x, Frankie Crosetti-2x, Tony Kubek-1x, Phil Rizzuto-1x and Lyn Lary-1x). He is the fourth Yankees shortstop to hit at least 20HR in a season (Jeter-24 in 1999, 23 in 2004, 21 in 2001; Roy Smalley-20 in 1982, Tom Tresh-20 in 1962).

Mets, d'Arnaud avoid arbitration

Catcher Travis d'Armaud and the New York Mets settled at $1.875M to avoid arbitration.

In d'Arnaud's 73 games behind the plate this season, Mets pitchers had a 4.27 ERA (292 earned runs/615.2 innings pitched) with opposing batters hitting .275. The Mets went 35-35 when d'Arnaud started at catcher.

He hit .247 (24-97) with three doubles, two home runs and nine RBI prior to the All-Star break, and batted .247 (38-154) with four doubles, two home runs and six RBI after the All-Star break.

d'Arnaud batted .264 (51-193) with seven doubles and four home runs off righthanded pitching, and hit .190 (11-58) with no extra-base hits off lefthanded pitching this season.

Alex Wilson signs with Tigers, avoids arbitration

Alex Wilson agreed to a $1.175M deal to avoid arbitration with the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

Wilson established career highs in wins (4), appearances (62), innings pitched (73.0) and strikeouts (49).

He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on 4/2, retroactive to 3/25, with right shoulder soreness. He wasn't activated until 4/16.

Wilson began an injury rehab assignment with Single A Lakeland on 4/7 – appeared in four games, including one start, between Triple A Toledo and Lakeland during the injury rehab assignment and posted a 0-1 record with a 7.20 ERA (5.0IP/4ER) and seven strikeouts.

Indians, Zack McAllister settle on $1.825M

Pitcher Zack McAllister and the Cleveland Indians settled on a  $1.825M contract on Friday.

McAllister was a steady member of the Indians bullpen, finishing the season on a positive note after a mid-season stint on the disabled list. He recorded scoreless outings over each of his first 8 games (7.1 IP) after being limited in spring training
due to an illness. 13 of his 51 relief outings on the season were scoreless.

He was on the 15-day Disabled List from July 7-28 with right hip discomfort after making a spot start (1.0IP, 1H, 3R/ER) on July 2 at Toronto which was the result of a 19.0-inning contest the previous day. McAllister recorded a relief ERA of 3.10 (49.1IP, 51H, 17ER, 51SO) in 2016 and averaged 9.3 strikeouts per 9.0 IP on the season. He Rehabbed at AA Akron and AAA Columbus, July 18-28.

Upon his activation from the D.L. he recorded an ERA of 1.40 (25.2IP, 25H, 4ER, 8BB, 26SO) the remainder of the season and from August 5 thru the end of the season posted an ERA of 0.82 (22.0IP, 17H, 2ER, 6BB, 22SO, .207 avg). Over his last 12 outings after August 25 he allowed 2 runs (1ER) over his last 12.2IP (0.71)...Recorded 7 holds on the season. Batters hit .272 (28-103) off him with runners on base, .236 (17-72) with RISP and .162 (6-37) with RISP-2outs. He allowed an OPS of .788 (122PA's) vs. righties on the year.

Right-handed batters struck out 17 times in 50 PA (34.0%) against McAllister in the second half of the season. His final outing of the season was a rain-shortened spot start at Detroit on Sept 28 (2.0IP 1H, 0R, 1BB, 1K) and was a candidate to start game #162 at Detroit if required.

Rays, Xavier Cedeno agree to $1.3M

Pitcher Xavier Cedeno and the Tampa Bay Rays settled at a $1.3M contract on Friday.

The Rays also settled with Tim Beckham at $885K.

Cedeno appeared in 54 games, but none after Aug 29 at BOS as he was sidelined by neck stiffness. Prior to the injury he led Rays relievers in appearances.

Cedeno has made 115 appearances in less than two seasons with the Rays. From the date of his Rays debut (April 28, 2015) through his final game of 2016 (Aug 29), only one AL lefty made more appearances: NYY/DET Justin Wilson (119).

He limited left-handed batters to a .197 avg. (15-for-76) with only 2 extra-base hits—both doubles on April 21 vs. BOS (David Ortiz, Travis Shaw). After that, he faced 80 lefty batters with-out yielding an extra-base hit through the end of the season.

In his Rays career, Cedeno has faced 184 lefty batters and yielded only one home run, to MIN Eddie Rosario on Aug 25, 2015. Since then, he has faced 105 lefties without allowing a homer, including 87 PA in 2016.

Cedeno Had a stretch of 18 apps from July 19–Aug 8 where he had a 7.50 ERA (12-IP, 10-ER), but otherwise pitched to a 2.15 ERA (29.1-IP, 7-ER).

Cedeno as charged with a team-high 5 blown saves, the last coming on Aug 2 vs. KC, when he yield-ed a go-ahead, 2-run homer to Salvador Perez.

He finished his season with 8 consecutive score-less apps, beginning Aug 16 vs. SD.

Marlins invite nine non-roster players to Spring Training

On Thursday, the Miami Marlins announced that left-hander Dillon Peters and third baseman Brian Anderson are among nine non-roster invitees to Spring Training.

The Marlins also invited left-handers Nick Maronde and Matt Tomshaw, infielder Matt Juengel and catchers Chris Hoo, Cam Maron and Rodrigo Vigil. They signed Minor League catcher Ramon Cabrera, who has a big league camp invite. Miami now has 63 players on its Spring Training roster.

Peters is close to being big league-ready, and some project he could be promoted during the 2017 season. The lefty combined for a 14-6 record with a 2.38 ERA with Class A Advanced Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville in '16. In 128 2/3 innings, he struck out 105 and walked 20. He will likely open the season at either Jacksonville or Triple-A New Orleans. He combined for a slash line of .265/.348/.389 with 11 home runs and 65 RBIs. In the Arizona Fall League, he belted five home runs and drove in 12 in 22 games.

Anderson made big strides in 2016 at both Jupiter and Jacksonville. He combined for a slash line of .265/.348/.389 with 11 home runs and 65 RBIs. In the Arizona Fall League, he belted five home runs and drove in 12 in 22 games.

Cabrera posted ac .246/.279/.357 slash line in 2016, along with 10 doubles and three home runs in 61 games with the Cincinnati Reds.

Maronde posted a 0-1 record with a 3.19 ERA in 48.0 innings pitched the minors in 2016. He allowed 49 hits and 19 runs, along with a 1.31 WHIP and a 2.65 AVG.

Tomshaw posted an 5-5 record with a 3.23 ERA in the minors in 2016.

Maron posted a .302/.392/.370 slash line with Double-A Jacksonville in 2016, along with 8 doubles and 1 home run in 61 games.

Hoo posted a .210/.291/.262 slash line in the minors in 2016, while Vigil posted a .261/.303/.365 slash line in the minors as well.

Juengel, who played winter ball in Mexico, played in 110 games this past year at New Orleans. He hit 11 home runs and drove in 53.

MLB announces 2017 Spring Training schedule

The 2017 Spring Training exhibition schedule will begin on Wednesday, February 22nd as the Arizona Diamondbacks host Grand Canyon University at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona, Major League Baseball announced today. Official Grapefruit League and Cactus League games will begin on Friday, February 24th, while the first full slate of games involving all 30 Major League Clubs will take place on Saturday, February 25th.

The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the new Grapefruit League home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach, Florida, will host its first game on Tuesday, February 28th, when the Nationals host the Astros. The Astros will play their first home game in the new facility on Wednesday, March 1st against the Miami Marlins.

The teams competing in the Miami, Florida pool (Pool C) and the Jalisco, Mexico pool (Pool D) of the 2017 World Baseball Classic will participate in exhibition games against Major League Clubs from Tuesday, March 7th through Thursday, March 9th. Teams representing the countries of Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and the United States will each play two games at Grapefruit League sites, while the teams of Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela will each compete in two contests at Cactus League sites. In addition, the two Semi-Finalist teams to advance from the second round in Tokyo, Japan (Pool E) will play exhibition games at Cactus League sites on Saturday, March 18th and Sunday, March 19th before heading to Los Angeles for the Championship Round of the World Baseball Classic from Monday, March 20th through Wednesday, March 22nd.

Among games being played outside of traditional Spring Training sites, split squads of the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers will play two games in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, March 17th and Saturday, March 18th; split squads of the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs will have two contests in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, March 25th and Sunday, March 26th; and select exhibition games at Major League and Minor League ballparks will be played from Thursday, March 30th through Saturday, April 1st.

ESPN will provide national coverage of seven 2017 Opening Day games on Sunday, April 2nd and Monday, April 3rd. The seven games on Sunday and Monday will include the participation of six Clubs that participated in the 2016 Postseason, including an exclusive ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball" national opener from Busch Stadium in St. Louis that will feature the defending World Series Champion Cubs visiting their NL Central division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at 8:30 p.m. (ET)/7:30 p.m. (CT).

- Major League Baseball

Indians sign free agent Edwin Encarnación to a three-year contract

The Cleveland Indians officially announced the signing of free agent 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion (#10) to a three-year Major League contract with a club option for the 2020 season on Thursday, and the designation LHP Edwin Escobar for assignment.

Encarnación, 33, has split his professional career between the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays, compiling a 12-year Major League career average of .266 (1439-5409) with 311 doubles, 310 home runs and 942 RBI in 1513 games. He is a three-time American League All-Star selection (2013-14, '16) and over the last five seasons since 2012 he has averaged 90 runs, 29 doubles, 39 home runs and 110 RBI per campaign. He is second in Major League Baseball over that five-year span in homers (193) and RBI (550) and is the only MLB player with at least 30 home runs over each of those seasons and the only player with 30HR/100 RBI in four of the last five seasons.

He recently completed his eighth season in Toronto in 2016, batting .263 (158-601) with 34 doubles, 42 home runs and 127 RBI in 160 games. He collected single-season career-bests in hits (158), runs (99), extra-base hits (76), RBI (127) and total bases (318) and equaled his career-best in home runs (42). He finished tied for first in the American League in RBI (with David Ortiz), tied for third in home runs, sixth in extra-base hits and 10th in OPS. The 127-RBI marked the fifth-highest single season total in Blue Jays history as he finished his Toronto career third in career home runs (239) and sixth in RBI (679) in franchise history. He will donate $100,000 annually during the life of the contract that will be split between Cleveland and Dominican-based organizations.