Mariners sign catcher John Baker to minor-league contract
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(11:51 am ET) The Mariners signed catcher John Baker to a minor-league contract Wednesday, reports CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The deal includes an invite to spring training. Baker will be given an opportunity to compete for the backup catching position. In 2014, Baker hit .192 with no home runs and 15 RBI in 182 at-bats.

Indians 3B Giovanny Urshela expected to be ready for spring training
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(11:15 am ET) Indians third base prospect Giovanny Urshela, who sprained a knee ligament in a Venezuelan winter league game in November, should be ready for spring training, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Urshela, 23, is considered the most skilled defensive third baseman in the organization.

He likely will begin the season at Triple-A Columbus, but “could get a look” if Lonnie Chisenhall falters, the paper said.

Report: Nationals sign pitcher Casey Janssen to one-year contract
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(10:47 am ET) The Nationals agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with pitcher Casey Janssen on Wednesday, sources told FOXSports.com.

The deal also includes a mutual option for the 2016 season and a buyout. In 2014, Janssen made 50 relief appearances and produced a 3.94 ERA.

Hector Neris considered a ‘sleeper’ to make Phils’ bullpen
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(10:41 am ET) Coming off an outstanding performance in the Dominican Winter League, reliever Hector Neris is a “sleeper candidate” to earn a spot in the Phillies’ bullpen, reports Philly.com. Neris, 25, did not give up a run in 18 innings during the league’s regular season, then allowed two runs in 8 1/3 postseason innings.

“It will be interesting to see who kind of takes the bull by the horns,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told the website. “We’re going to give some people opportunities to pitch, and typically what happens is the guy that’s performing the best and the guy that’s throwing the most consistently toward the end of spring, those are the guys that will make the club.”

Neris made his major-league debut last August, earning a win with one scoreless inning. That was his only appearance with the Phils.

Report: Mets not close to trading pitcher Dillon Gee
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(10:11 am ET) While various clubs have expressed interest in Mets pitcher Dillon Gee, the Mets are not in negotiations to trade him anytime soon, reports MLB.com.

In 2014, Gee went 7-8 with a 4.00 ERA. The Mets are less than a month away from spring training and are also believed to be hesitant to depart with any of their starting pitchers.

Report: Matt Albers to throw in Houston on Feb. 10
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(9:59 am ET) Wanting to prove his health, free-agent pitcher Matt Albers will hold a throwing session Feb. 10 in Houston, reports 1500ESPN.

Albers was shut down last season because of shoulder tendinitis after throwing 10 innings for the Astros. All teams were invited to the session.

Report: Angels talk extension with closer Huston Street
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(9:30 am ET) The Angels have broached the subject of a contract extension with closer Huston Street and plan to start negotiations during spring training, reports MLB.com. The team exercised its $7 million opion on Street early in the offseason and “would like to lock the 31-year-old right-hander up before he hits free agency next winter,” the report said.

Street converted 41 of 44 save opportunities last year, going 2-2 with a 1.37 ERA.

Marlins announce signing of Ichiro Suzuki
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/27/2015) The Marlins announced Tuesday they signed outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year contract.

The deal was expected to be announced once Suzuki passed his physical. He is expected to be the Marlins fourth outfielder as well as a left-handed bat off the bench.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore begins throwing off mound
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/27/2015) Rays pitcher Matt Moore took a significant step forward in his receovery from Tommy John surgery when he threw off a mound Tuesday, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

“It felt pretty good,” Moore said.

Moore had the surgery in April and said he is pleased with the progress he has made.

“I would have thought a while ago I would have been nervous, but I was looking forward to it,” Moore said. “And I felt like I had a lot more that could have come out. That’s a feeling I’ve had the last month or so, and that’s a feeling I like to have. I think we’re in a good spot right now.”

Angels’ Garrett Richards to begin throwing off mound in February
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/27/2015) Angels pitcher Garrett Richards is ahead of schedule in his return from left-knee surgery and will begin throwing off a mound in the second week of February, reports the Los Angeles Times.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said they have been pleased with the progress Richards has made from the surgery.

“Ordinarily, he’d have thrown off a mound a couple times at this point in January, so he’s not too far behind where he’d be in his normal throwing preparation,” Dipoto said. “It’s a matter of making sure the knee is stable and his lower body is in good shape. We’re very optimistic, as we have been throughout.”

In 2014, Richards went 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA.