In need of starters, the Angels have acquired Tommy Hanson from the Braves in exchange for Jordan Walden.

Hanson is 45-32 with a 3.61 ERA in four seasons with the Braves.

He is expected to earn about $4 million next season as a first-year arbitration-eligible player.

Walden was the primary closer for the Angels in 2011, but battled a shoulder injury in 2012 and pitched primarily in middle relief.

The Nationals have acquired outfielder Denard Span from the Twins for minor league pitcher Alex Meyer, according to an ESPN.com report on Thursday.

Span is a career .284 hitter with 23 home runs, 230 RBIs, 90 steals and a .357 on-base percentage during five seasons with the Twins.

The Mariners have acquired Robert Andino from the Orioles in exchange for Trayvon Robinson.

Andino can play second base, third base and shortstop.

Jack Zduriencik said the ability to add a versatile infielder with proven experience was appealing.

Bud Selig and Major League Baseball have approved the blockbuster 12-player trade agreed upon by the Blue Jays and Marlins last week.

Toronto will acquire Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck from Miami in exchange for Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Alvarez, Justin Nicolino, Jeff Mathis, Jake Marisnick and Anthony DeSclafani.

News of the agreement sent shockwaves throughout baseball, especially in Miami where fans complained of yet another salary dump.

"After a thorough examination of this information, it is my conclusion that this transaction, involving established Major Leaguers and highly regarded young players and prospects, represents the exercise of plausible baseball judgment on the part of both clubs, does not violate any express rule of Major League Baseball and does not otherwise warrant the exercise of any of my powers to prevent its completion," Selig said in a statement.

By dealing five of their regulars, the Marlins cleared nearly $160 million in base salaries off their books.

The Athletics have traded Tyson Ross and prospect A.J. Kirby-Jones to the Padres for Andy Parrino and Andrew Werner.

Ross was 2-11 with a 6.50 ERA in five stints with the A's last season, while Kirby-Jones hit .248 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs at Class A Stockton.

Parrino batted .207 with one home run and six RBIs in 55 games with San Diego and Werner went 2-3 with a 5.58 ERA in eight starts for the Padres.

The Royals announced today that the club has traded left-handed pitcher Tommy Hottovy to the Rangers in exchange for a player to be named and cash considerations.  

Hottovy, 31, was designated for assignment on November 2.  The Kansas City native was 0-0 with a 2.89 ERA in nine relief appearances for the Royals in 2012.

The Royals announced today that the club has traded right-handed pitcher Jeremy Jeffress to the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations.  

Jeffress, 25, was designated for assignment on November 2.  The right-hander was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 13 relief appearances for the Royals in 2012.

The Blue Jays have acquired Esmil Rogers from the Indians for Yan Gomes and Mike Aviles.

Rogers, 27, pitched to a 3.06 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 53 innings in 2012.

Toronto had just acquired Aviles from the Red Sox as compensation for manager John Farrell late last month.