Ryan Braun met fans at the Brewers’ annual offseason convention on Sunday and vowed to be “better than I’ve ever been” when he returns to the field from his suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

There were catchers White Sox general manager Rick Hahn could have added to the mix, with better 2013 numbers than Tyler Flowers and Josh Phegley and owners of solid career numbers. To Hahn’s credit, he didn’t waiver from the master formula.

Robbie Ross was back in the comforts of Texas on Sunday afternoon, signing autographs at a Rangers Winter Caravan event at a local sporting goods store. He’s glad to be home after offseason journeys to Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic. It was 26 days spent in the latter — where he was restricted to playing baseball and to a resort — that could make a big impact on the Rangers’ 2014 season.

On Sunday afternoon, shortly after Brewers owner Mark Attanasio confirmed that Milwaukee is in agreement on a four-year contract with right-hander Matt Garza, the club issued a press release stating the deal is official, providing clarity following recent rumors and speculation that the deal had been held up.

General manager Jack Zduriencik said at Mariners FanFest that he expects more roster moves are coming in the final weeks of the offseason, but he again sounded as if the club is looking at complementary additions rather than a blockbuster signing from among the remaining free agents.

The first TwinsFest held at Target Field came to a close on Sunday, and Twins president Dave St. Peter said he was pleased with the three-day event, which was created in 1989 and used to be held at the Metrodome.

Sunday not only marked the end of the annual Reds Caravan, but it also culminated at the club’s home ballpark. That’s where the Reds held their annual “select-a-seat” event for potential new or returning season-ticket holders.

Jason Kipnis does not want any distractions once Opening Day arrives. If the Indians are going to discuss a contract extension with the All-Star second baseman, he feels Spring Training is the time to approach the subject, and he’s open to such talks.

Typical of a period of high-stakes contract negotiations, Reds pitcher Homer Bailey was more diplomatic than emphatic about his situation. While Bailey remains open to a long-term contract with Cincinnati, he certainly isn’t willing to paint himself into a corner … yet.

The D-backs have signed veteran first baseman and outfielder Shelley Duncan to a Minor League deal, according to the Arizona Republic.

The Brewers and FOX Sports Wisconsin announced on Sunday that Matt Lepay, a seven-time winner of the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year Award, will handle play-by-play for approximately 35 Brewers telecasts this season, filling in for Brian Anderson while he handles national telecast work.

The contrast in images — an NHL game at the same place where Mariano Rivera wept and Derek Jeter blasted his 3,000th hit into the bleachers — was undeniable as the Rangers defeated the Devils, 7-3, on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte enjoyed one more send-off to their illustrious careers on Saturday, as the pair of retired hurlers were honored at the annual dinner of the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

The NHL’s first outdoor game in California, played in front of a Dodger Stadium sellout crowd of 54,099, was a 3-0 win for the first-place Anaheim Ducks over the Los Angeles Kings.

While the Hot Stove was quite busy on Friday, things were relatively calm on Saturday. However, a few tasty tidbits did come up, like Ubaldo Jimenez possibly returning to the Indians on a one-year deal and the Tigers unlikely to make any major moves.

All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki finished 2013 healthy, which means he is spending his winter building rather than repairing. It couldn’t come at a better time for the Rockies, who lost clubhouse leader Todd Helton to retirement last year.

If Justin Verlander’s rehabilitation goes as planned, president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said, the right-hander’s status for the start of the season won’t be a question. Dombrowski isn’t willing to guarantee it yet because he doesn’t want to prompt Verlander to push himself to the risk of re-injury.