MLB News Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies and free agent reliever Danys Baez have reached a deal. A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the sides agreed on a two-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Baez must pass a physical for the contract to be complete.

Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird and his younger brother, New York Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird, were arrested following a brawl in the lounge area of Phoenix's NBA arena, according to police. Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault Wednesday night and 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct.

The Cubs found the center fielder they'd been searching for, agreeing Thursday to a $15 million, three-year contract with Marlon Byrd. And the Cubs are hoping to have more success with this former Texas Rangers outfielder than the one they signed last offseason — Milton Bradley. Byrd hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs [...]

Outfielder Marlon Byrd agreed Thursday to a $15 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. Byrd hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs last season for the Texas Rangers. and will likely take over in center from Kosuke Fukudome, who would move to right field full-time after the trade of troubled Milton Bradley to [...]

Outfielder Marlon Byrd has agreed to a three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. Byrd batted .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs last season for the Texas Rangers. He will give the team a center fielder with Kosuke Fukudome expected to move back to right field full-time after Milton Bradley was traded to Seattle.

Mike Lowell is expected to be ready for spring training after having surgery Wednesday on a thumb injury that derailed his trade from the Boston Red Sox to the Texas Rangers. The operation to repair a radial collateral ligament in his right thumb that was torn late last season was done in Phoenix by Dr.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with second baseman Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract. General manager Josh Byrnes says he believes Johnson "will return to form after a down 2009 season" and "has a strong track record for hitting." Johnson hit just .224 with eight homers and 29 RBIs in 106 games for [...]

Late last summer, pitcher Justin Duchscherer couldn't get himself on the plane to head off for another rehab outing. His recent divorce ate away at him. He thought he had become just like his own parents, who split up when he was a boy. He dearly missed his young son, Evan, who was across the [...]

World Series MVP Hideki Matsui is confident he can make a return to the outfield next season when he suits up for the Los Angeles Angels. Matsui returned to Japan on Wednesday, two weeks after reaching agreement on a $6 million, one-year contract with the Angels. Slowed by surgically repaired knees, the 35-year-old Matsui is [...]

The New York Mets and free agent slugger Jason Bay have reached a deal. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the sides have a preliminary agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Bay must pass a physical for the contract to be complete.