MLB notes: Rockies finalize deal with outfielder Ian Desmond

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies finalized a $70 million, five-year contract with All-Star outfielder Ian Desmond on Tuesday.

Next up, turning him into a first baseman.

With an abundance of outfielders, the Rockies are exploring the possibility of Desmond taking over at first – a spot he’s never played in his career.

Desmond was an All-Star outfielder for the Texas Rangers last season when he hit .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs. Before that, he was primarily a shortstop for the Washington Nationals.

The Rockies paid him a lucrative deal to learn a new skill set at Coors Field, where he’s a .379 career hitter in 23 games. The 31-year-old Desmond will fill in for Mark Reynolds, who’s now a free agent.

Colorado already has a shortstop in Trevor Story.

Rangers re-sign Gomez on deal reached at winter meetings

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers have re-signed free agent outfielder Carlos Gomez, finishing the one-year, $11.5 million agreement reached during winter meetings.

To make room for Gomez on the 40-man roster, right-hander Brady Dragmire was designated for assignment Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Gomez figures to play center field for the Rangers after Ian Desmond left for Colorado on a five-year, $70 million deal. Gomez is likely to be joined by Shin-Soo Choo in right and Nomar Mazara in left.

Gomez batted .210 with five homers in 85 games this year for Houston and was released by the Astros in August. He signed with Texas and hit .284 with eight homers and 24 RBIs in 33 games. An All-Star in 2013 and ‘14 with Milwaukee, Gomez has a .257 average and 116 home runs in 10 big league seasons.

The 23-year-old Dragmire was received from Pittsburgh in a waiver claim this month.

Braves agree to minor-league contract with LHP John Danks

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a minor league contract with left-hander John Danks.

The 31-year-old Danks was released by the Chicago White Sox in May after going 0-4 with a 7.25 ERA in four starts. He was in the final season of a $65 million, five-year contract that began when he was one of the game’s most promising young starters.

Danks was a first-round pick who went a career-best 15-11 with a 3.72 ERA in 2010. But he was plagued by injuries after signing his big contract, going 25-48 over the last five seasons. The deal reached Monday with the Braves includes an invitation to the big league camp in spring training. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports he will receive a prorated $1.5 million contract for any time spent in the majors.

Orioles re-sign reliever Ondrusek in major league contract

BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Orioles have signed right-handed reliever Logan Ondrusek to a major league contract.

Ondrusek pitched in seven games with Baltimore last season. He had a 9.95 ERA over 6 1-3 innings.

Previously, he was 3-3 in 40 games with the Cincinnati Reds in 2014. He had a 5.49 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 16 walks in 41 innings.

In five seasons with Cincinnati and one with Baltimore, the 32-year-old Ondrusek is 21-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 288 games, none of them starts. He was drafted by the Reds in the 13th round of the 2005 amateur draft and made his major league debut in 2010.