Cincinnati Reds add Jimmy Herget to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 Draft deadline  —  A few hours before Tuesday's deadline to protect prospects from next month's Rule 5 Draft, the Reds added right-handed reliever Jimmy Herget to their 40-man roster.  —  Herget, ranked as the No. 13 prospect …

James Paxton trade should signal a Seattle Mariners fire sale  —  Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto offered an honest description of the true nature of baseball struggles in 2018 when he spoke with reporters last January.  “You could argue you're going to compete with more clubs …

Red Sox Acquire Colten Brewer  —  3:46pm: Boston has announced the deal.  —  3:27pm: The agreement is now in place, Rosenthal adds on Twitter.  —  12:55pm: Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports (via Twitter) that the Red Sox will send minor league infielder Esteban Quiroz to San Diego in exchange for Brewer.

Cubs infielder Jack Reinheimer claimed off waivers by Rangers; Dylan Cease among 4 added to White Sox roster  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Another spot opened on the Cubs' 40-man roster in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. deadline as infielder Jack Reinheimer was claimed off waivers by the Rangers.

Adrian Beltre Retires  —  After a brilliant career that spanned parts of 21 seasons, Adrian Beltre announced today that he is retiring from baseball.  Via a Rangers press release, Beltre has issued the following statement: … The march to Cooperstown now begins in earnest for Beltre …

Players Added To The 40-Man Roster  —  Tonight marks the deadline for players to be added to their respective organizations' 40-man rosters.  Over the nine hours, there'll be a flurry of moves, ranging from minor trades (like the one the Indians and Rays made yesterday) …

Indians' Leonys Martin cleared to return following bacterial infection  —  Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin was given full clearance to resume baseball activity and will have no restrictions on strength and conditioning as he prepares for spring training, the team announced Tuesday.

Rangers announce Jeff Mathis signing  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Catcher Jeff Mathis and the Texas Rangers have finalized a $6.25 million, two-year contract.  —  He gets $3.25 million next year and $3 million in 2020 under the deal announced Tuesday.  —  The 35-year-old is among baseball's top defensive catchers.

Cubs Claim Ian Clarkin  —  The Cubs announced that they've claimed left-hander Ian Clarkin off waivers from the White Sox.  The former first-round pick has yet to make his big league debut.  —  Clarkin, 24 in February, was the No. 33 pick by the Yankees in the 2013 draft but went from the Yanks …

REPORT: Cleveland Indians drawing ‘significant trade interest’ in Yan Gomes  —  According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Cleveland Indians are receiving “significant trade interest” for catcher Yan Gomes.  —  Thanks to a new set of uniforms — including a red alternate jersey …

Blue Jays prospect Griffin Conine, son of MLB All-Star Jeff Conine, suspended for PEDs  —  Toronto Blue Jays prospect Griffin Conine, the son of former two-time All-Star Jeff Conine, was suspended 50 games without pay after testing positive for Ritalinic Acid, a stimulant, Major League Baseball announced Monday.