Giants sign pitcher Curtis Partch to minor-league contract
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(3:52 pm ET) The Giants have signed right-handed pitcher Curtis Partch to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training with the team. 

Partch appeared in six games in 2014 as a member of the Reds, throwing seven innings and allowing just two hits. 

Cashman: A-Rod will not be everyday infielder for Yankees
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3:20 pm ET) Yankees general manager Brian Cashman indicated Tuesday veteran Alex Rodriguez‘s days as an everyday infielder are over, and he’s hopeful Rodriguez will be able to fill the role of full-time DH.

“I can’t expect Alex to be anything,” Cashman said during a phone interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. “Even before the suspension, he wasn’t the same player at third base on the defensive or offensive side.

“We look forward to him hopefully solidifying himself as a tremendous DH for us.”

The New York Daily News published a report Monday citing a source saying Rodriguez is determined to regain his role as an everyday third baseman. However, New York re-signed Chase Headley to a four-year deal to be the team’s starting third baseman.

“In his mind, he’s still the third baseman,” the source said. “That was before (Headley was re-signed) today, anyway.

“Based on what he was being told by the Yankees, Alex believed he would get the chance to play third base, and he believes he can do it. He’s motivated by it because he loves to play the field.”

Dodgers RP Brian Wilson designated for assignment Tuesday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:59 pm ET) The Dodgers announced Tuesday reliever Brian Wilson was designated for assignment. Wilson was slated to make $9.5 million in 2015 after he exercised his player option.

The former Giants closer went 2-4 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 61 appearances in 2014. He had one save and 54 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings.

Rockies sign Daniel Descalso to two-year, $3.6 million deal
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:54 pm ET) The Rockies announced Tuesday they signed infielder Daniel Descalso to a two-year contract. He is slated to make $3.6 million, agent Steve Canter told ESPN.

The 28-year-old Descalso has spent the last five seasons in the majors with the Cardinals. He has a .243/.313/.341/.654 slash line over 529 MLB games.

Rangers’ Matt Harrison could return to throwing in January
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(2:50 pm ET) Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison‘s back came back as clean after an X-ray was performed Monday. Harrison, who displaced a vertebra in his back in May, has a CT scan scheduled for Wednesday, which he hopes will allow him to start throwing in January. 

Harrison only made four appearances in 2014, throwing 17.1 innings with 4.15 ERA. 

Rays’ Jake McGee will open year on DL following elbow surgery
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:45 pm ET) The Rays announced reliever Jake McGee underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery Friday to remove “a loose body,” according to the Tampa Bay Times.

While the Rays said McGee is doing well following the surgery, he will start the season on the disabled list and the team won’t have a timetable for his return until spring training.

McGee, who said he had been pitching with a loose body in his elbow for at least a year, added he expects to be back in late April or early May.

McGee went 5-2 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 73 games in 2014. He also had a career-high 19 saves last season.

Rays trade Matt Joyce to Angels in exchange for Kevin Jepsen
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:37 pm ET) The Rays traded outfielder Matt Joyce to the Angels on Tuesday in exchange for reliever Kevin Jepsen.

“Matt was an important part of this team for the last six seasons. We appreciate his many contributions to the Rays on the field, and the professionalism he brought to the ballpark,” Rays vice president of baseball operations Erik Neander said. “We’re excited about the experience Kevin brings to the bullpen, and his ability to pitch in key moments of the game.”

Joyce, who was an All-Star in 2011, spent six of his seven seasons in the majors with Tampa Bay. He heads to Los Angeles with a .250/.342/.441/.783 slash line in 725 career games. Joyce has a .104 average, one home run and seven RBI in 19 games at Angel Stadium.

Jepsen is 13-18 with a 3.94 ERA over seven seasons for the Angels. He had a career-high 75 strikeouts in 65 innings in 2014, while posting a career-low 2.63 ERA.

Dodgers officially announce four-year deal for Brandon McCarthy
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:59 pm ET) The Dodgers announced Tuesday they officially signed starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four-year contract. The deal is reportedly for $48 million.

McCarthy has made just one career start at Dodger Stadium, allowing three runs on eight hits (one home run) and one walk in 6 1/3 innings in 2013.

Jenrry Mejia fine if Mets decide to put him in setup role
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:50 pm ET) Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia has no problems with manager Terry Collins stating the closer’s job is Bobby Parnell’s to lose. In fact, Meja — who had a team-high 28 saves in 2014 — seems fine with being a setup reliever for Parnell, who missed last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

“They put me in the closer’s job. I did my job,” Mejia said Tuesday, per ESPN. “Whatever job they give to me, I’ve got to be there to help my team. I can throw the seventh inning, eighth inning, ninth inning, wherever. I’ve got to be ready to play the game. That’s all. Mentally it’s the same thing — just come here and do my job. 

“I feel happy to see Bobby Parnell getting ready, because we’re going to have a more strong bullpen — Bobby Parnell, [Jeurys] Familia, [Vic] Black and everybody. That has to make me feel happy, because all of my friends are going to be healthy.”