Minor League Transactions: Dec. 22-31  —  Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Dec. 22-31.  —  Baltimore Orioles  —  Signed: LHP Zach Braddock (released by Brewers in May), LHP Daniel Schlereth (non-tendered by Tigers) …

THE VOTE BASEBALL WRITERS DON'T NEED  —  One and done.  I placed an X next to Jack Morris on my Hall of Fame ballot, and I was finished voting.  If Morris is elected, I will most likely be finished voting period.  If Morris is not elected this time, I will vote for him next year in his final year of eligibility and then be done.

March 31: Astros vs. Rangers  —  The Houston Astros' debut in the American League against the Texas Rangers will officially open the 2013 season on ESPN's “Sunday Night Baseball” on March 31.  —  The 8 p.m. ET game, announced by Major League Baseball on Thursday, will be played at Minute Maid Park …

Sources: LHP Oliver mulls retirement  —  Left-hander Darren Oliver's decision on whether to continue his career is more complicated than it might appear.  —  Oliver, 42, wants to play, but is not willing to return to the Toronto Blue Jays unless the team increases his salary from $3 million, according to major-league sources.

Rangers bolster bullpen, still courting Lance Berkman  —  The Rangers went back to work Thursday, signing right-handed reliever Jason Frasor and wooing free-agent hitter Lance Berkman.  —  Frasor, 35, agreed to a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.5 million.

Nationals scouting Javier Vazquez  —  The Nationals have made bulking up their starting pitching depth a priority this winter, and last week their search led them to send a top scout to evaluate veteran right-hander Javier Vazquez in a Puerto Rican winter league game, according to a team official.

Deal official, Swisher unveiled by Tribe  —  Club introduces outfielder at Progressive Field; four-year pact worth $56M  —  CLEVELAND — Nick Swisher could not help the bursts of excitement that overcame him.  The outfielder would flash a smile, begin laughing or shake his head …

Diamondbacks may still trade Upton  —  Want to know why Justin Upton still might get traded?  —  Consider:  —  • The Arizona Diamondbacks have a surplus of outfielders after signing Cody Ross to a three-year, $26 million free-agent contract.  —  • At least three teams …

Villarreal shelved by Tigers for rest of winter  —  Right-hander experiences elbow soreness while pitching for Venezuela  —  DETROIT — One of Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski's favorite tidbits during last month's Winter Meetings was the high regard for Brayan Villarreal.

Orioles Release Top 2011 Latin American Signing Elvis Duran  —  The Orioles have released their top-paid Latin American signing from 2011, 18-year-old righthander Elvis Duran, after only one professional season.  —  Duran, a 6-foot-7, 235-pound righthander from the Dominican Republic …