Dodgers sign Johnson to one-year contract  —  Veteran can play all three outfield positions  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers officially added another piece to their rebuilt bench on Monday by signing free-agent outfielder Reed Johnson to a one-year contract.

Rich Aurilia not ready to retire, hopes for a final season with Mets or Yankees  —  For at least a year, and probably two, it's been tacked on the bulletin board in the Giants clubhouse: A doctored-up, photocopied picture of the “Rat Pack,” with new identities for Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Minor League Transactions  —  Larish lost his foothold on a 40-man roster spot when Detroit signed closer Jose Valverde.  Larish, the Tigers' fifth-round pick '05, batted .242/.323/.404 in 74 games with the big club during the past two seasons.  —  Florida Marlins  —  Signed: RHP Derrick Turnbow

Dodgers agree to minor-league deals with Jeff Weaver and Alfredo Amezaga  —  Jeff Weaver will have to pitch his way onto the Dodgers' roster again.  —  One of the unsung heroes in the Dodgers' run to the National League Championship Series last year, Weaver agreed Tuesday …

Giants sign RHP Guillermo Mota to minor league deal with camp invite  —  The Giants signed RHP Guillermo Mota to a minor league deal and invited him to big league camp.  —  Mota becomes the third right-hander pitcher with big league time to ink a minor league deal with the club in the past 48 hours.

Money holding up Hudson to Nationals  —  Infielder interested, but doesn't want to take pay cut from '09  —  WASHINGTON — Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson wants to play for the Nationals, but he is shopping for a more lucrative deal, according to a baseball source.

Colbrunn Named RiverDogs Manager, Tyson Promoted to Manage Tampa Yankees … Former Big Leaguer Colbrunn Makes Managerial Debut  —  CHARLESTON, SC - The New York Yankees have announced that Charleston RiverDogs skipper Torre Tyson will take over the reins of the High-A Tampa Yankees …

Mauer and Twins still talking despite yesterday's report of a done deal  —  The latest news on Joe Mauer is that there really isn't any news.  —  Mark Rosen of WCCO television in Minnesota reported yesterday afternoon that Mauer and the Twins had agreed to a 10-year contract extension …

Marlins Interested In Russell Branyan  —  9:19pm: Two sources tell the Miami Herald that the Marlins have not made Branyan an offer.  The Marlins have some interest in Branyan, but the Herald's sources say the club has not yet made an offer.  They have merely contacted the first baseman's agent.

Perez tops list of key No. 2 starters  —  The expectation within the Mets' organization is that the team has finished its winter spending, and this would seem to be confirmed by the Mets' reluctance to entertain an offer from catcher Yorvit Torrealba to play for the Mets on a one-year deal.

Tim Lincecum's agent says talks with Giants have been insignificant, expects arbitration case to reach hearing stage  —  The agent for right-hander Tim Lincecum said the Giants have not engaged in significant contract negotiations and he is convinced the two-time Cy Young award winner's arbitration case will reach the hearing stage.

Pinch hitting: Chris and Trevor Kaftan  —  (Obviously that was a joke before about another guest post on instant replay.  Here's the real one ...)  —  Now up in the Pinch Hitters series are brothers Chris and Trevor Kaftan, who wrote about Derek Jeter's place in Yankees history.