MLB

The Tigers agreed to terms with five players on Wednesday afternoon. Detroit signed outfielder Andy Dirks and pitchers Adam Wilk, Andrew Oliver and Matt Hoffman along with infielder Hernan Perez.

The Yankees placed pitcher Pedro Feliciano on the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday. Feliciano underwent rotator cuff surgery last September. He should miss most of the 2012 season.

The Pirates signed reliever Kris Harvey to a minor league contract on Wednesday. Harvey was a 2005 second-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft.

Ryan Howard took live batting practice for the first time since he tore his left Achilles tendon while making the final out of the Philadelphia Phillies' season-ending 1-0 loss to St. Louis last postseason. The big slugger says he's pleased with his recovery, but that he hasn't set a "time limit" on his return. Howard only started swinging a bat less than two weeks ago, and took his first cuts off pitchers on Wednesday.

The Dodgers signed right-handed starter Jared Lansford to a minor league contract on Wednesday. Lansford was a second-round pick of the Oakland A's in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.

The Dodgers signed reliever Brent Leach to a minor league contract Wednesday. Leach pitched in Japan last season and pitched to an ugly 5.95 ERA over eight starts.

Oakland reliever Jordan Norberto could begin the season as a starter in the minors if he doesn't make the club as a reliever out of spring training, reports the San Jose Mercury News.

Atlanta outfielder Jose Constanza could make the team this spring as a fifth outfielder, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution Wednesday. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said that Constanza "fits" as a fifth outfielder.

Cleveland starter Justin Masterson does not have any injury restrictions entering spring training, reports MLB.com on Wednesday. Masterson underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder in October.

The Brewers signed outfielder Jay Gibbons to a minor league contract on Wednesday. Gibbons will report to minor league camp. Gibbons was in the Brewers organization in 2008.

Toronto reliever Alan Farina was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday. The move was made to make room for Rick VandenHurk, who the Blue Jays just brought on to the 40-man roster. Farina underwent Tommy John surgery last July and won't be able to return to game action until at least later in the summer.

Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco told MLB.com on Wednesday that he is not limited in any capacity entering spring training. Polanco underwent hernia surgery in the offseason. "I've been taking ground balls, hitting, running," Polanco explained. "I think I'm good to go."

Nationals infielder Mark DeRosa told the Washington Times Tuesday that his surgically-repaired left wrist feels "as good as it's felt" since the first occurrence of the injury in 2009. The 37-year-old DeRosa could serve in a utility role for the Nationals this season.

Minnesota second baseman Luke Hughes was given a cortisone shot in his right shoulder on Wednesday, reports MLB.com. The Twins got Hughes a second opinion on his recent MRI and it showed only inflammation. Hughes hopes to begin baseball activities as early as next week.

Angels veteran reliever Kevin Jepsen, coming off knee surgery, threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday, reports MLB.com. Jepsen turned some heads as manager Mike Scioscia spoke highly of Jepsen. "From spring training last year, [Jepsen] didn't look like he was throwing the ball as well as he could, and it carried over into the season," the Angels skipper said. "And he went down to the minor leagues and he never really found his velocity, his command, the crispness on his pitches. He looks like a different guy this spring. He looks strong. He looks healthy. He had that knee that bothered him toward the end of the year that he had cleaned out, and he looks very good right now."

The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday that Diamondbacks outfielder Gerardo Parra could see some time in center field this season. Parra looked to be displaced in the outfield when Jason Kubel took over the left field job. Manager Kirk Gibson suggested that Parra could see action in center. "I'd like to see [Parra] work on center field and be able to play all the positions," Gibson said. "He's very good on each corner. He isn't as good as we think he can be in center field."

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports that John Mayberry is entering spring training as the Phillies' starting left fielder, and the job is his to lose. The Phillies have signed outfielders Laynce Nix and Juan Pierre this offseason, and prospect Domonic Brown is also still in the mix, but barring a poor spring, Mayberry is expected to fend off the competition. He appeared in 104 games with the Phillies last season, hitting .273 with 15 home runs.

Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland, who is working his way back from offseason wrist surgery, felt no pain during a batting practice session Wednesday and even showed the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field, according to ESPN.com. Moreland, who was expected to be behind the other hitters at the start of spring training, instead appears to be right on track. "I feel really good, and I feel like I'm only going to be behind by a couple of days," Moreland said. For now, though, the club is limiting Moreland to 75 swings per day. "It's just precautionary," Moreland said. "We don't want to push it. But I feel good and haven't had any issues."