Barons Blog

The Rangers will be among the teams that watch former All-Star closer Chad Cordero throw this week in California, general manager Jon Daniels confirmed.

If the Royals need a backup for their backup catchers, they might have one in Vance Wilson. Kansas City signed Wilson, 35, to a Minor League contract on Wednesday as he continues rehabilitation for a right elbow injury.

Just as he discounted the Gavin Floyd trade rumors when he heard them, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper downplays talk of the team's inexperienced back end of the rotation heading into Spring Training.

Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano confirmed on Wednesday that he will pitch for Puerto Rico in this year's World Baseball Classic.

The Dodgers and Brewers have both offered free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman a one-year deal with an option for 2010, the agent for the all-time leader with 554 saves said Wednesday.

Dan Johnson, who hit perhaps the biggest home run of the year for the Rays in 2008, has been sold to the Yokohama Bay Stars of the Japanese Central League.

Right-hander John Patterson, best known for his years with the Nationals, announced on Wednesday that he is retiring from baseball because of persistent pain in his right forearm.

According to reports, the contract that Manny Ramirez is seeking may be too expensive for the Dodgers or Giants.

Chad Cordero, rehabbing a major shoulder injury, was scheduled to throw for scouts on Wednesday and again on Friday in California. A club source indicated that the Brewers, who are at risk of losing three relievers and have already lost another to retirement would be represented.