The Orioles announce the signing of Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada to a two-year, $8.15 million deal that includes a $5 million option for 2014. Baltimore hasn’t determined the role the 30 year-old Japanese hurler will play on the team but is counting on the hard-throwing southpaw to be a major upgrade to the O’s woeful pitching staff.

ByTom

The Orioles announce the signing of Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada to a two-year, $8.15 million deal that includes a $5 million option for 2014. Baltimore hasn’t determined the role the 30 year-old Japanese hurler will play on the team but is counting on the hard-throwing southpaw to be a major upgrade to the O’s woeful pitching staff.

The Orioles sign lefthanded pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada to a two-year deal worth $8.15 million. Wada was 16-5 with a 1.53 ERA for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks last season.

ByTom

The Orioles sign lefthanded pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada to a two-year deal worth $8.15 million. Wada was 16-5 with a 1.53 ERA for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks last season.

The Red Sox acquire P Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros in return for IF Jed Lowrie and P Kyle Weiland. They then replace Lowrie by signing free agent IF Nick Punto to a two-year contract.

ByTom

The Red Sox acquire P Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros in return for IF Jed Lowrie and P Kyle Weiland. They then replace Lowrie by signing free agent IF Nick Punto to a two-year contract.

The Associated Press reports a few more features of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed earlier this month. The All-Star break will go from three days to four beginning in 2013­, with the Mid-Summer Classic being played on a Wednesday; teams will no longer be allowed to have players on the 40-man roster share a room during spring training; and players are forbidden from displaying tattoos with corporate logos.

ByTom

The Associated Press reports a few more features of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed earlier this month. The All-Star break will go from three days to four beginning in 2013­, with the Mid-Summer Classic being played on a Wednesday; teams will no longer be allowed to have players on the 40-man roster share a room during spring training; and players are forbidden from displaying tattoos with corporate logos.

The Blue Jays acquire OF Ben Francisco from the Phillies in return form minor league P Frank Gailey. Francisco was made redundant when the Phils acquired Hunter Pence at the trading deadline, while holding on to youngsters Domonic Brown and John Mayberry to serve as back-ups. However, it is now the Jays who have a glut of outfielders following the trade.

ByTom

The Blue Jays acquire OF Ben Francisco from the Phillies in return form minor league P Frank Gailey. Francisco was made redundant when the Phils acquired Hunter Pence at the trading deadline, while holding on to youngsters Domonic Brown and John Mayberry to serve as back-ups. However, it is now the Jays who have a glut of outfielders following the trade.

The Brewers make a change at third base, trading incumbent Casey McGehee to Pittsburgh for P Jose Veras, and then signing free agent Aramis Ramirez to a three-year contract.

ByTom

The Brewers make a change at third base, trading incumbent Casey McGehee to Pittsburgh for P Jose Veras, and then signing free agent Aramis Ramirez to a three-year contract.

The Marlins trade P Burke Badenhop to the Rays in exchange for C Jake Jefferies and then sign veteran OF Aaron Rowand to a minor league contract assorted with an invitation to spring training.

ByTom

The Marlins trade P Burke Badenhop to the Rays in exchange for C Jake Jefferies and then sign veteran OF Aaron Rowand to a minor league contract assorted with an invitation to spring training.

ESPN reveals that Ryan Braun, the reigning National League MVP, tested positive for PEDs during the postseason. Facing a 50-game suspension, Braun claims his innocence and announces he is appealing the test result.

ByTom

ESPN reveals that Ryan Braun, the reigning National League MVP, tested positive for PEDs during the postseason. Facing a 50-game suspension, Braun claims his innocence and announces he is appealing the test result.