Minor Moves: Justin Hampson, Antonio Lamas

Mets ink Hampson

The New York Mets have re-signed left-hander Justin Hampson to a minor-league deal with an invite to minor-league camp, the team has announced. Hampson, 32, made a few brief appearances in the Mets' bullpen last season, giving up two earned runs in 10 innings of work.

Before his brief face time in New York last season, Hampson hadn't appeared at the big-league level since 2008, biding most of his time at various Triple-A affiliates and independent ball. The southpaw owns a 3.23 ERA in 106 big-league innings over parts of four seasons in the majors.

A's, Lamas Near Deal

The Oakland Athletics are closing in on a contract with Mexican League infielder Antonio Lamas, reports John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group. Lamas, 23, has been with the Acereros de Monclava for the last five seasons, taking on a bulk of the starts at shortstop in 2009.

Listed at just 5' 9" and 165 lbs, Lamas nonetheless demolished Mexican League pitching in 2012, hitting .336/.383/.523 with 15 home runs and 34 doubles in 113 games. The right-handed hitting middle infielder owns a .307/.350/.437 batting line in his five seasons with the Mexican club, and could provide some nice competition for top prospect Addison Russell.