The Twins have signed veteran second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to a minor league deal. Grudzielanek will provide Minnesota with a veteran presence, if needed, later in the season. He hasn't played since August of last year. "He hasn't played for a while so it's going to be a while before we know what he can do," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He hasn't had spring training, but he's won a Gold Glove. He can hit and he can play, but I don't know what he can do to help us. It's up to how he gets through all this."

The Cubs signed former Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan to a minor-league deal on Thursday. He?ll report to Mesa, Arizona, Sunday and then on to Class AAA Iowa. The Blue Jays let him go last week, and the Cubs are on the hook for only a prorated share of the major-league minimum salary. Ryan is owed about $15 million between now and the end of next season, thanks to the five-year, $47 million contract the Jays signed him to before the 2006 season.

The Phillies have signed Pedro Martinez to a one-year deal. Martinez, who will make $1 million for the remainder of the season, was promptly placed on the 15-day disabled list with a mild shoulder strain.

The Marlins have signed veteran reliever Brendan Donnelly. Florida placed right-hander Chris Leroux on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation in a related move. Donnelly, 38, is 26-9 with a 3.12 ERA with four saves in 318 appearances over the course of his career.

The Red Sox signed their first pick in the 2009 draft, outfielder Reymond Fuentes, along with four other picks. Fuentes, the cousin of Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, comes from Fernando Callejo High School in Puerto Rico, and signed for a $1.134 million bonus, according to a team source. Fuentes, 18, was assigned to the Rookie League Gulf Coast Sox in Fort Myers, Fla.