Royals re-signed RHP Juan Abreu to a minor league contract.
Abreu, 24, recently became a minor league free agent. Armed with an impressive heater, Abreu posted a 1.69 ERA and 28/14 K/BB ratio in 20 relief appearances with Class A Wilmington, but struggled to a 5.75 ERA in 16 games upon a promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Astros purchased the contracts of RHPs Matt Nevarez, Evan Englebrook and Henry Villar.
The three are protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Nevarez, a 22-year-old reliever, was acquired in the Ivan Rodriguez trade in August. He posted a 2.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 50/15 K/BB ratio in 35 innings between Class A Hickory (Texas) and Class A Lexington (Astros) in 2009.
Astros signed RHP Jose Valdez to a minor league contract.
He was also added to Houston's 40-man roster. Valdez, 26, was 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 43 relief appearances between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre in the Yankees organization in 2009. Though he has pitched in the minor leagues for parts of seven seasons, 2009 was his first at the Triple-A level.
Cubs purchased the contracts of LHP John Gaub, RHPs Blake Parker and Rafael Dolis, OF James Adduci and C Welington Castillo.
The five are now protected from December's Rule 5 draft. Armed with a fastball clocked as high as 100 mph, the 21-year-old Dolis surely would have been chosen had he been exposed. That said, he's still a bit of a project, posting a 3.79 ERA and 75/53 K/BB ratio in 99 2/3 innings with Class A Daytona in 2009.
Royals resigned catcher Vance Wilson to a minor league contract.
Wilson missed the beginning of spring training with a right elbow injury. The 36-year old batted .270/.342/.461 in 229 at-bats for Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He'll compete for a major league spot in spring training.
Yankees outrighted first baseman-outfielder Shelley Duncan from Triple-A Scranton/Wilks-Barre.
This being Duncan's second time with an outright assignment gives him the ability to become a free agent, which he will do so. The son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, Shelley just never could break into the Yankees bench despite flashing solid power. He'll hook on elsewhere and hope to be the next Garrett Jones.
Giants purchased the contracts of OFs Darren Ford and Francisco Peguero, RHP Kevin Pucetas and 1B Brett Pill.
Each are protected from December's Rule 5 draft. Ford, 24, already known for his world-class-speed, raised his stock a bit in 2009, batting .300/.386/.463 with nine homers, 50 RBI, 35 stolen bases and 81 runs scored in 101 games with Class A San Jose. For a guy who didn't show much until this season, making the 40-man roster is a real accomplishment.
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