Yankees sign Branyan to minor-league deal  —  The Yankees agreed Wednesday to sign Russell Branyan to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.  —  The move does not impact the team's chances of adding another lefty bat and it remains in the hunt for Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Raul Ibanez.

Law: Ranking the farm systems  —  Thanks to some shrewd trades over the past year, San Diego's system is stacked

Padres reach deal with veteran hurler Suppan  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres agreed to a Minor League deal with veteran pitcher Jeff Suppan on Wednesday, a deal which includes an invitation to Major League camp for Spring Training.  —  Suppan, 37, has a 138-143 record in 442 Major League games …

Wilpons apply to high court in Madoff case  —  The owners of the New York Mets are taking their battle with the trustee in the Bernard Madoff case to the U.S. Supreme Court — at least they are trying to.  —  In a little noticed filing last Friday, Sterling Equities Associates …

Trumbo's recovery in full swing as camp nears  —  Slugger ramping up workouts as fracture in right foot heals  —  ANAHEIM — Mark Trumbo finally got the news he was looking for.  Early last week, a trip to Los Angeles to visit Dr. Phillip Kwong, who has been overseeing his offseason recovery …

Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is a bidder for Dodgers  —  Heisley is a Chicago businessman who bought the Grizzlies in 2000.  His is one of 11 bids that survived the first cut in the Dodgers sale process.  —  New Grizzlies General Manager Jerry West chats with owner Mark Heisley after a news conference in Memphis.

Reds Designate Carlos Fisher For Assignment  —  The Reds designated righty Carlos Fisher to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Ryan Ludwick, reports MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.  Jeff Francis' minor league deal with the Reds was also finalized.  —  Fisher, 28, has compiled a 4.74 ERA …

Jed Lowrie, Astros agree to 1-year deal  —  HOUSTON — Jed Lowrie and the Houston Astros have avoided an arbitration hearing, agreeing to a $1.15 million, one-year contract.  —  The team announced the deal Wednesday.  Lowrie asked for $1.5 million in arbitration, while the Astros offered $900,000.

A's owner: San Jose ruling wait is ‘excruciating’  —  SAN JOSE, Calif. — Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff said Wednesday that the indecision by Major League Baseball over whether his club can move to San Jose has been “excruciating” but that he believes the process is finally nearing an end.

Rangers, Elvis Andrus Sign Extension  —  The Rangers and shortstop Elvis Andrus have officially signed a three-year extension.  The deal, which doesn't include any options, is worth $14.4MM, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports on Twitter.  The Boras Corporation represents Andrus …