Nationals taking chance on 2B Dan Uggla
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(11:48 am ET) Second baseman Dan Uggla, who has spent most of his recent years creating a breeze at the plate, has signed a minor league deal with the Nationals with a spring training invite.

Uggla received a career-low 141 at-bats last season with Atlanta and San Francisco. He compiled a disturbing slash line of .149/.229/.213 with 46 strikeouts. His batting average has fallen in each of the last four years.

Diamondbacks bring in LHP Dan Runzler
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(10:57 am ET) Left-hander Dan Runzler did not stick around in Japan for long. He spent the last two months of the 2014 season there, but is back in the states after signing a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks.

Runzler compiled a 3.30 ERA and fanned 53 in 46 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level for San Francisco last season before bolting to Japan.

RHP Juan Gutierrez remains with Giants
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(10:52 am ET) The Giants have re-signed right-hander Juan Gutierrez to a minor league contract. The deal likely includes an invitation to spring training, per Baseball America.

Gutierrez appeared in 61 games for San Francisco in 2014, compiling a 3.96 ERA and allowing 60 hits in 63 2/3 innings.

Darin Downs outrighted to Triple-A Fresno
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:41 am ET) The Astros sent left-handed reliever Darin Downs outright to Triple-A Fresno. Downs made 45 appearances with the Astros last season. He posted a 5.45 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and 27:19 K:BB ratio over 34 2/3 innings.

Report: Diamondbacks sign Jordan Pacheco to minor-league deal
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/25/2014) The Diamondbacks will re-sign infielder Jordan Pacheco to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, MLBDailyDish.com reports.

Pacheco hit .255/.299/.333 in 153 at-bats between Colorado and Arizona in 2014. He made appearances at catcher, first base, second base and third base last season.

Indians sign Jeff Manship to minor-league deal
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/24/2014) The Indians have signed pitcher Jeff Manship to a minor-league deal. Manship posted a 6.65 ERA and 16:14 K:BB ratio in 23 innings with the Phillies in 2014.

Rockies sign Roger Bernadina to minor-league deal
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/24/2014) The Rockies have signed outfielder Roger Bernadina to a minor-league deal. He hit .167/.304/.258 in 66 at-bats with the Reds and Dodgers in 2014.

Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez resumes hitting
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/24/2014) Rockies outfieler Carlos Gonzalez revealed this week that he has been cleared to practice hitting for the first time since undergoing knee surgery in August, MLB.com reports.

Gonzalez had been having issues with the troublesome knee for more than a year before undergoing a procedure to repair a patella tendon on Aug. 18. He also dealt with appendicitis in January and a persistent finger injury throughout the season. The issues led to a down year for the outfielder, as Gonzalez hit just .238/.292/.431 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI in 260 at-bats.

Reds sign Michael Bowden to minor-league deal
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/24/2014) The Reds have signed pitcher Michael Bowden to a minor-league deal, MLBDailyDish.com reports.

Bowden, who has 133 2/3 innings of experience in the majors, spent the 2014 season with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball, where he delivered a 4.50 ERA and 30:24 K:BB ratio in 40 innings.

Cardinals release Robert Stock
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/24/2014) The Cardinals have released pitcher Robert Stock. A converted catcher, Stock posted a 4.12 ERA and 43:46 K:BB ratio in 63 1/3 innings between Class A Peoria and high Class A Palm Beach last season.