Cuban pitcher Yadier Alvarez's representatives are seeking a waiver that would allow him to sign with a Major League club before July 2.

A previous report indicated Alvarez would not be able to sign before July because international prospects born after September 1, 1995 must register with MLB before they could sign. Alvarez was not registered.

MLB can waive that requirement, though, for a player who has “a compelling justification for his failure to register.”

Daniel Murphy reiterated Thursday that he wants to sign a contract extension with the New York Mets with free agency looming next winter.

"I've always been open to an extension," he said. "I've never approached the blessing of playing in the big leagues with thinking I need to maximize every single dollar I can get out of this game. I've made a whole bunch of money already."

The two sides haven't engaged in talks and sources have indicated that the Mets have no intention of opening talks.

Murphy, 29, agreed to an $8 million deal in his final year of arbitration.

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Johan Santana to a Minor League contract.

Santana, who turned 36 in March, hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2012. He has had two surgeries on his left shoulder in recent years.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are willing to consider a second significant contract extension for Andrew McCutchen.

Talks are not active currently, but sources claim the Pirates are "willing to go to great lengths" to work out a new deal if they engage McCutchen. That could mean offering a deal worth $25 million annually.

McCutchen's current contract keeps him under team control through 2018 for a very affordable $38 million.

The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to sign Francisco Rodriguez to a two-year contract.

It was reported earlier Thursday that Rodriguez had agreed to terms with an undisclosed team.

David Ortiz, who will turn 40 this year, has an open-ended future with the Boston Red Sox.

"David knows he's going to be a Red Sox [player] as long as he wants to be a Red Sox [player]," Ben Cherington said when asked about Ortiz's status beyond this season.

This season is the least guaranteed year on Ortiz's contract. He is due to make $16 million and with 425 plate appearances a vesting option for 2016 will trigger.

"There's been no discussion on it recently," Cherington said. "Honestly, we're just happy he's here. He's a huge part of what we're doing on the field. I think, given his stature and personality, I know he means a lot to people off the field too. He's part of the Red Sox legacy, part of the Boston pro sports legacy. He's also a DH who hits in the middle of the lineup. That's what we're focused on. We're happy to keep him there as long as he keeps doing it. There hasn't been any conversation."

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed Carlos Villanueva to a Minor League contract.

Villanueva will earn $2 million if he reaches the Major Leagues.

Ian Desmond will be a free agent next winter, but the Washington Nationals infielder insists that he won't be distracted this season.

"I owe it to everybody here to give my 100 percent concentration and that's what I'm going to do," Desmond said. "All the other stuff is really not going to be talked about. It's time to go."

The Nationals and Desmond's representatives aren't believed to have had any significant talks on a new deal.

It was reported this offseason that Desmond was nearly traded to the New York Mets in a three-team deal.

"You can't really put too much stock into it because I never really heard from Mike [Rizzo]," Desmond said. "I never heard from anybody. The only thing I did heard was [manager] Matt [Williams] calling me and telling me, 'You are not getting traded.'"

The Detroit Tigers have reached an agreement on a one-year deal with Joba Chamberlain.

Chamberlain has already been spotted in camp with the Tigers.

The 29-year-old posted a 3.57 ERA, 8.4 K/9 and 53.2% groundball rate with the club last season.

The New York Yankees offered Yoan Moncada a $25 million contract on Sunday, but that wasn't enough to land the Cuban infielder.

Moncada opted to sign a deal with the Boston Red Sox that included a $31.5 million bonus.

Brian Cashman was intrigued by the 19-year-old's talent and projection, but the price moved higher than ownership was willing to authorize.

"We scouted him extensively and obviously engaged with his agents," Cashman said. "We made our final and best [offer] yesterday and we were told that it wasn't going to be good enough. Obviously we were waiting to hear where he was going to be going. It sounds like he's going to Boston."