Free-agent pitcher Brandon Beachy delays contract decision
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:31 pm ET) Free-agent pitcher Brandon Beachy has decided to delay his decision on which team he’ll pitch for in 2015, his agent told FOXSports.com.

The former Braves pitcher is recovery from Tommy John surgery and wants to wait until closer to spring training before making his decision. Beachy did not pitch in 2014 because of the injury.

Nationals’ Jayson Werth pleads guilty, sentenced to 5 days in jail
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(12:24 pm ET) Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth will serve five days in jail after pleading guilty to reckless driving, reports The Washington Post.

Werth was pulled over in July by Virginia State Police after driving 105 mph in a 55 mph zone and Werth did not necessarily disagree with the assessment.

“It’s possible I exceeded 90 miles per hour,” Werth said in court.

Werth was initially convicted of reckless driving Dec. 5, but appealed the verdict. He was originally sentenced to 10 days in jail, but it was reduced to five after Werth’s guilty plea.

The prosecutor said Werth will turn himself in Friday and begin serving his sentence, according to NBC4’s Northern Virginia Bureau. 

White Sox DFA Dayan Viciedo to see if any trade interest remains
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:07 am ET) White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said putting outfielder Dayan Viciedo on waivers could be the final step to trading him, which is something the team has explored all offseason. Viciedo was designated for assignment Wednesday, which means Chicago has 10 days to trade, release or outright him to the minors.

“It got to the point where Dayan didn’t very likely fit on this club in a meaningful way for 2015,”  Hahn said, per CSNChicago.com. “The thought with designating him was flesh out any interest over the next 10 days or so and find him a better home going into the next season.”

Viciedo, who will turn 26 years old on March 10, has hit more than 20 homers in two of the last three seasons. But he has yet to reach his full potential, batting just .254 with a .424 slugging percentage in five MLB seasons. 

The White Sox seem OK if they deal Viciedo and he finally reaches his full potential with another team.

“He’s still young and he still has a world of talent and a great deal of power that we’ve all seen on display over a number of years,” Hahn said. “It’s not going to surprise any of us in the least if he goes on to have a very successful career elsewhere.”

Reds’ Price ‘realistically’ targets Mesoraco to catch 145 games
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:54 am ET) Reds manager Bryan Price indicated catcher Devin Mesoraco could see a lot more time behind the plate in 2015, per the Dayton Daily News. He appeared in 114 games in 2014, starting 109 at catcher.

“I’ve been asked that question a lot about Mesoraco playing first base,” Price said. “How much would he play? Only if (Joey) Votto was injured. Realistically, I see him as a Yadier Moilina-type guy, who is going to catch 145 games a year, more so than I see him catching 110 a year and playing 20 or 30 at first base.

“It stood out more last year because I linked up Johnny Cueto with (Brayan) Pena catching. I anticipate Mesoraco catching a lot more games this year, especially if he stays healthy. We won’t pair Pena with Cueto as much. Devin did a real nice job with Johnny the times he caught him.”

Report: Blue Jays making a push to sign Ronald Belisario
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1:32 am ET) The Blue Jays are making a push to sign reliever Ronald Belisario, according to FoxSports.com.

The 32-year-old Belisario posted a 5.56 ERA over 66 1/3 innings with the White Sox last season. While his performance looks spotty on the surface, Belisario managed to cut his walk rate by three percent last season. He had awful luck with men on base, which may have contributed to his struggles. Belisario actually posted a 3.54 FIP, so there’s a chance at a possible rebound. 

The Blue Jays have been linked to a number of free-agent relievers, including Rafael Soriano, Francisco Rodriguez and Burke Badenhop. 

Report: Blue Jays looking at multiple free-agent relievers
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/28/2015) The Blue Jays are looking at multiple free-agent relievers, according to FoxSports.com.

The team has been in contact with Francisco Rodriguez, Rafael Soriano and Burke Badenhop. Both Rodriguez and Soriano have closer experience, while Badenhop has only saved four games over his career. Badenhop, however, did post the lowest ERA of the bunch last year, coming in at 2.29. 

Rodriguez, 33, posted a 3.04 ERA over 68 innings last year. He saved 44 games with Milwaukee.

The 35-year-old Soriano posted a 3.19 ERA over 62 innings last season. He lost his closer role late in the season after going into a bit of a slump.

Marlins designate Arquimedes Caminero for assignment
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/28/2015) The Marlins have designated pitcher Arquimedes Caminero for assignment on Wednesday, according to MLB.com.

The 27-year-old Caminero spent most of the year in Triple-A. He posted a 4.86 ERA over 63 innings. Caminero was briefly promoted to the majors, posting a 10.80 ERA over 6 2/3 innings with Miami.

Giants release Marco Scutaro
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/28/2015) The Giants have released second baseman Marco Scutaro, according to MLB.com.

Scutaro was designated for assignment by the club Jan. 21. Scutaro underwent back surgery in December, and was expected to miss 4-6 months due to the surgery. The 39-year-old was limited to five games last season due to back issues. He hit .297/.357/.369 over 488 at-bats back in 2013.

Mets, Mejia avoid arbitration
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/28/2015) The Mets have avoided arbitration with pitcher Jenrry Mejia, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Mejia agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.595 million. The 25-year-old Mejia emerged as the team’s closer last season. He posted a 3.65 ERA over 93 2/3 innings. 

Matt Moore targeting June return
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/28/2015) Rays pitcher Matt Moore is targeting a June return, according to MLB.com.

Moore underwent Tommy John surgery last season, but was able to throw off a mound for the first time on Tuesday. Moore said he’s hoping he can return to a major-league mound in June. “I hope June, [to pitch] in a Major League game, he said. “I think that’s about right — 14 months [after the surgery]. So we should know a lot more in the next month as I start to get on the hill and things have a chance to respond.”

Moore started just two games last season before undergoing surgery.