Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league contract, reuniting him with Terry Francona, his manager for most of Matsuzaka's time in Boston.
Matsuzaka, 32, will have a chance to win a spot in Cleveland's starting rotation if he passes a physical. "Dice-K" has won 50 major league games since signing a $52 million, six-year contract with Boston as free agent in 2007.Matsuzaka went 33-15 with a 3.72 ERA for Boston from 2007-2008. He has only 18 starts and 83 innings the last two seasons after right elbow surgery in 2011.Cleveland also signed 42-year-old slugger Jason Giambi to a minor league deal.Freese, Cards settleThird baseman David Freese, the 2011 World Series MVP and 2012 All-Star, will earn $3.15 million under his one-year contract with St. Louis after both avoided arbitration -- nearly six times the $518,000 he made in 2012.Freese had asked for $3.75 million and been offered $2.4 million.Briefly Mariners: The condition of Felix Hernandez's pitching elbow is a concern as he and the club try to finish a contract extension, ESPN.com reports. Orioles: Avoided arbitration with All-Star closer Jim Johnson and right-hander Jason Hammel, who will earn $6.5 million and $6.75 million, respectively, under one-year contracts. Right-hander Darren O'Day could sign a two-year deal soon. Dodgers: Agreed to a minor league deal with reliever Mark Lowe, a former Texas Ranger and UT Arlington pitcher. Pirates: Guaranteed left-hander Francisco Liriano $1 million and up to $13.75 million in bonuses over two years if he stays off the disabled list. Diamondbacks: Agreed to a minor-league deal with catcher Rod Barajas. He caught for Arizona from 1999-2003. Reds: Agreed to minor-league deal with right-hander Armando Galarraga, 0-4 in five starts with Houston last season.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
