Here's the latest out of the Texas Rangers' camp, where Nolan Ryan had a press conference today:

• Nolan spoke about Josh Hamilton, and said "I think we're all concerned with Josh," according to Bob Nightengale.
• Anthony Andro says Nolan believes the Rangers are actually better now than they were at the same time last year, and that "pitching and nucleus are reasons."
• Richard Durrett of ESPN has another take on the same passage, and notes that last season the Rangers added Adrian Beltre, and this season they've added Yu Darvish.
• The Rangers added Tony Fernandez, former All-Star shortstop, as Special Assistant to GM Jon Daniels, according to T.R. Sullivan.
• Lone Star Ball scouts Nomar Mazara, and comes back saying the power is real, but it may not matter "unless the hit tool develops," concluding that's he's long way away.
• The Rangers acquired Kelvin De La Cruz from the Cleveland Indians, which we had yesterday.

Jon Garland is out as a starting option for the Cleveland Indians, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Garland was scheduled to take the team physical on Monday, but he didn't take it, preventing his minor league contract from being finalized.

Garland, 32, enters his 13th season having missed most of 2011 following shoulder surgery. Jim Bowden of ESPN is saying that Garland is still continuing his rehabilitation but isn't ready to compete for a job, and that presumably (my speculation) prevented him from attempting the physical.

• Twitter / @hoynsie: RHP Jon Garland no longer ...
  "RHP Jon Garland no longer an option for #Indians. Was scheduled for physical Monday, but didn't take it."

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The Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-handed pitcher Rick Vandenhurk to a non-guaranteed split Major League contract, according to the team. Vandenhurk was released by the Baltimore Orioles to make room for Wilson Betemit.

Vanenhurk, 26, enters his 6th season as a pro. He spent three-plus seasons with the Marlins, and was with the Baltimore Orioles 2010-2011. Vandenhurk has a career 5.97 ERA, with a 4.7 BB/9 and a 8.8 K/9.

• Twitter / @BlueJays: .@BlueJays have signed RHP ...
  @BlueJays have signed RHP RICK VANDENHURK to a non-guaranteed split major league contract.
• Baltimore Orioles Release Rick VandenHurk - MLB Daily Dish
  After clearing waivers Friday, the Baltimore Orioles have released right-handed pitcher Rick VandenHurk, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The club designated VandenHurk ten days ago in order to make room for recently signed free agent Wilson Betemit on the 40-man roster.
• Toronto Blue Jays Complete Organizational Chart - MLB Daily Dish
  Includes rosters, salaries, arbitration years, leadership structure, and prospect rankings.

The New York Yankees have signed Eric Chavez to a 1-year, $900 thousand deal, according to Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal. The deal is major league and guaranteed, notes Heyman.

Rob Neyer points out that while Chavez might be the better option over recently-signed Raul Ibanez, Chavez' number of recent trips to the DL limit his value -- and his contract reflects that:

• Twitter / @JonHeymanCBS: Yankees agree with chavez, ...
  Yankees agree with chavez, pending physical
• Twitter / @JonHeymanCBS: Chavez deal is major leagu ...
  Chavez deal is major league and guaranteed. #yankees
• Twitter / @Ken_Rosenthal: Source: Chavez to #Yankees ...
  Source: Chavez to #Yankees, one year, $900,000. FIrst reported by @JonHeymanCBS.

Eric Chavez Returns To Yankees - Baseball Nation
We've been over all this before, but Eric Chavez is probably better than Raul Ibañez, right now, at hitting well-thrown baseballs. Chavez doesn't get the better job because the guy just can't seem to stay off the DL. Chavez got into 58 games last season, which was actually quite an accomplishment considering he'd got into 64 games in the three previous seasons. The Yankees probably will be thrilled if he's healthy enough to play another 58 games, which is why they're paying him less than a million bucks.

Here's the latest out of Milwaukee Brewers camp:

• No more contract talk for Greinke - Todd Rosiak | JSOnline
  "Greinke has one year left on his current deal, which is paying him $13.5 million. Assuming he pitches as well or better this coming season than he did in 2011, when he went 16-6 with a 3.83 earned-run average and 201 strikeouts, he's likely to be one of the top targets out there for big-market teams looking to add power arms."
• Melvin undeterred by agent-less Greinke - Tom Haudricourt | JSOnline
  "So, Melvin said that wouldn't stop him from approaching Greinke about an extension at some point this spring. He said he first had to talk with owner Mark Attanasio, who will be in camp this weekend, to see what he wants to do and how the budget might accommodate a deal for Greinke, who is making $13.5 million this year."

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The Cleveland Indians are set to sign infielder Cristian Guzman, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The deal is a minor league contract and includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Guzman, 33, enters his 12 season and the Indians will be his 4th club. He's a career .271 / .307 / .383 hitter and has compiled almost nine and a half wins above replacement.

He missed all of 2011 with unspecified family issues. Guzman most recently played with the Washington Nationals and the Texas Rangers in 2010, earning a .266 / .311 / .337 for the year.

• Twitter / @MLBastian: INF Cristian Guzman took ...
  "INF Christian Guzman took physical with Indians today. Minor League contract w/ spring invite likely official Wed."
• Cleveland Indians Complete Organizational Chart - MLB Daily Dish
  Rosters, Salaries, Leadership, Prospects, and Arbitration/Option details for the entire Indians Org.

Joakim Soria is approaching his Spring Training regimen a bit differently than he might have had pitching coach Bob McClure still been with the team. Bob Dutton is reporting that McClure was going to have him build up to pitching 4-5 innings, but new pitching coach Dave Eiland is letting him take his own pace. Regardless, manager Ned Yost is saying he plans on using Soria for 4-5 outs as needed throughout the season.

If you're into closers, you might watch this development closely -- 2011 was Soria's worst season (and even then it was decent throughout), and the Royals signed Jonathan Broxton over the off-season. If Dayton Moore's idea of not pursuing additional starters proves to be ill-advised (*ahem*), we might see something shake loose around the deadline.

• Twitter / @rustindodd: Five #Royals in Baseball A ...
  Five #Royals in Baseball America's list of Top 100 prospects: 23. Montgomery; 24. Starling; 28. Myers; 68; Odorizzi; 84. Cuthbert
• Soria says he figured out problems late last season - Bob Dutton
  Royals pitching coach is letting Soria dictate his own regimen (McClure was going to have him build up to pitching 4-5 innings this spring), but manager Ned Yost insists Soria will be occasionally used for 4-5 outs when the situation calls for it.

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Zack Wheeler, the number one prospect of the Mets organization, reported today in St. Lucie. Andy Martino notes the young right-hander is working on his changeup, and Adam Rubin suggests Wheeler feels no extra burden being the highly-sought savior to an ailing club.

Remember -- Wheeler was the return for the Mets shipping Carlos Beltran to the San Franciso Giants, so if he's not feeling "the burden," that's because he doesn't understand what exactly he means to the Mets. He should have some time for it to sink in, though. He won't be expected at the big league level this season.

In other Mets notes, Jon Niese had a nose job and is breathing better, which some are suggesting might lead to improved performance. I say don't hold your breath. Check out a great review of Ramon Ramirez over at Amazin' Avenue, which notes that Ram-Ram could be trade bait when the deadline rolls around:

• Wheeler Reports - Andy Martino | NY DAILY NEWS
  "Zack Wheeler, the 21-year-old righthander who is the Mets’ top pitching prospect, reported to minor league camp Monday. Wheeler, acquired last July from San Francisco for Carlos Beltran, said that he had been working to refine his changeup, and had made it perhaps his best pitch."
• Top-prospect Wheeler arrives in St. Lucie - Adam Rubin | ESPN New York
  "Zack Wheeler became the top prospect in the New York Mets organization when he arrived in a July 28 trade with the San Francisco Giants for Carlos Beltran. Yet the 21-year-old right-hander suggested he feels no burden with that tag. "

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