The Baltimore Orioles have signed Freddy Garcia to a minor league contract.

Garcia was released by the San Diego Padres earlier this week.

The 36-year-old was 1-4 with an 8.71 ERA in six spring training starts for the Padres, allowing 25 runs and 26 hits in 20 2-3 innings.

The Yankees have signed Lyle Overbay to a minor league contract.

Overbay will be considered as a fill-in for Mark Teixeira, who is not expected to return to the field until some time in May at the earliest because of a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist.

Overbay will compete with Juan Rivera and Dan Johnson for the job at first base.

He was cut by the Red Sox earlier Tuesday.

The Rockies have added Jon Garland to their starting rotation.

Shortly after he was released by the Mariners, Colorado stepped in and signed him to a one-year contract with a base salary of $500,000.

There is more than $2 million worth of incentives in the Major League contract.

The Astros have signed Ronny Cedeno to a one-year contract.

In a related move, they have informed infielder Tyler Greene he will not make the season-opening roster.

Cedeno is an eight-year major league veteran who hit .259 in 78 games with the Mets last season.

He was released March 19 by the Cardinals, who opted to give him $188,525 in termination pay rather than keep his $1.15 million contract.

The Yankees have signed Chien-Ming Wang to a minor league contract.

He will report right away to the minor league complex.

Wang was originally signed by the Yankees in 2000. He went 55-26 with them during five seasons.

The Nationals have signed J.C. Romero to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Romero is expected to begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse, but manager Davey Johnson said Friday he provides "insurance" for the Nationals.

The Angels have signed Chris Snyder, just hours after he was released by the Nationals.

Snyder will compete for the team's backup job behind Chris Iannetta.

Hank Conger was expected to win the job over John Hester and Luke Carlin. Conger has been hitting .417 in spring ball, but has made several recent defensive miscues.

Manny Ramirez is "starting a new beginning" after signing a short-term deal with the EDA Rhinos of Taiwan's professional baseball league.

The 40-year-old will earn $25,000 a month to appear with the team during this year's March-November season.

"I don't think about the money and contract," Ramirez said. "I just think it is a great opportunity for me and the fans."

The Yankees have signed Ben Francisco to a minor league contract and will consider giving himself a roster spot.

Francisco, 31, was granted his unconditional release by the Indians on Monday and quickly signed with New York.

The Yankees had talked to Francisco over the winter about a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.

"He's someone that's going to compete for an extra outfielder's spot," Brian Cashman said. "I think he's definitely worthy for competition, so we're going to take a look at him."

The Rangers have signed veteran right-hander Derek Lowe to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.

Lowe seems likely to make the Rangers as a bullpen piece, though he does have the versatility to start if they decide to give him a shot at the fifth spot in the rotation.

Lowe will make $1.25M if he's in the majors and could earn more in incentives, according to an ESPN.com report on Wednesday.