The Nationals have claimed catcher Chris Coste off waivers from the Mets. New York signed Coste, 37, to a one-year deal in December.

The Pirates have claimed Hayden Penn off waivers from the Marlins. Penn had a 7.77 ERA in 22.0 innings with Florida during the 2009 season, but had a 4.11 ERA and 8.0 K/9 rate in Triple-A.

The Mets released pitcher Josh Fogg. The 33-year-old right-hander signed a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training in January but was bothered by a sore side muscle and didn't appear in a Grapefruit League game.

The Nationals have released Elijah Dukes. Manager Jim Riggleman said it was a strictly baseball decision. "We like some of our other options in right field, really," Riggleman said. "Elijah was great." There will be much more later on this story, a stunning development that seemed to take the clubhouse completely by surprise.

The Blue Jays added some pitching depth on Thursday, claiming right-hander Casey Fien off waivers from the Red Sox. To clear room on the 40-man roster, Toronto placed injured righty Scott Richmond on the 60-day disabled list. Fien, 26, appeared in nine games for the Tigers in 2009, posting a 7.94 ERA in those appearances. The right-hander spent most of last season with Triple-A Toledo, where he finished 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA. Over 58 innings in 42 games in the Minors last year, Fien saved 14 games and ended with 66 strikeouts against 15 walks.

The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has claimed right-handed pitcher Gaby Hernandez off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Royals placed right-handed pitcher Henry Barrera on the 60-day D.L. as he continues to rehab from ?Tommy John? surgery on his right elbow on June 30, 2009. Barrera will be eligible for reinstatement on June 3. The 23-year old Hernandez was 10-9 with a 5.23 ERA in 26 starts for Tacoma (AAA) in the Seattle Mariners organization in 2009. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox on February 10, 2010 before being designated for assignment on March 1. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is 46-45 with a 4.27 ERA in a six-year professional career after being selected by the New York Mets in the third round of the 2004 June Draft. He was dealt to the Florida Marlins on December 9, 2005 for catcher Paul LoDuca. Born and raised in Miami, Hernandez pitched in the Marlins chain for two and a half seasons before being acquired by the Mariners for pitcher Arthur Rhodes on July 31, 2008.