The Red Sox placed Jon Lester on waivers this month and he was claimed, according to a report.

After the claim was made, the Red Sox pulled Lester back off waivers rather than trade him or allow another team to assume his contract.

Lester will earn $11.625 million next year and his contract includes a $13 million team option for 2014.

The Twins placed Joe Mauer on waivers Tuesday, according to a source.

There is already speculation that the Red Sox, who cut $275 million in salary obligations in a trade with the Dodgers over the weekend, could claim Mauer.

The Red Sox have long coveted Mauer, but general manager Ben Cherington has indicated that he will be more disciplined in regards to major contracts.

Mauer, 29, has about $142.5 million remaining on his contract, including $138 million from 2013 to 2018.

According to a source close to the Red Sox, they are unlikely to take on that much salary so soon after shedding the contracts of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

The Brewers placed Shaun Marcum on waivers Tuesday.

The deadline for players to make postseason rosters is Friday night, making Marcum's Thursday start against the Cubs well-timed.

Marcum has pitched only once since missing more than two months with right elbow tightness.

The Pirates have released Erik Bedard.

Bedard, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal in the offseason, has a 5.01 ERA in 2012.

Bedard has 14 losses, tied for the most in the Major Leagues.

The Mets have placed Scott Hairston and Andres Torres on waivers, according to a source.

While their view may have changed, the Mets were once committed to playing hard in September and re-signing Hairston. He could be a valuable right-handed bat off the bench for a contender.

Hairston is owed roughly $234,000 for the remainder of the season.

The Cubs have claimed right-handed pitcher Miguel Socolovich off waivers from the Orioles and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa.

Catcher Blake Lalli was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Padres placed pitcher Jason Marquis on the 15-day DL and claimed right-hander Thad Weber off waivers from the Tigers.

Marquis has a fractured left wrist. He'll be replaced on the roster by Brad Boxberger, who was recalled from Triple-A Tucson.

The Padres have placed Edinson Volquez on trade waivers.

Volquez was San Diego's Opening Day starter.

The Diamondbacks have placed Joe Saunders on trade waivers.

Arizona traded Stephen Drew on Monday night, saving themselves at least $3.3 million going forward. They could make a similar move with Saunders.

Saunders, 6-10 with a 4.22 ERA, is owed just under $1.5 million for the rest of the season and will become a free agent this winter.

The Red Sox have released Mark Prior from his minor league contract.

Triple-A Pawtucket had to make room for pitcher Pedro Beato, who came over to complete the Kelly Shoppach trade with the Mets.