One day after a report indicated that shortstop Ruben Tejada is considering filing a grievance against the Mets over service-time issues, general manager Sandy Alderson defended his right to recall players from the Minors if and when he sees fit.

Tim Hudson, who ended his foray into free agency by signing a two-year, $23 million contract with San Francisco, vowed to sustain the passion that has helped him thrive for 15 Major League seasons, and he welcomes the challenge of overcoming the fractured right ankle that ended his 2013 season after 21 starts.

The Pirates on Tuesday reacquired right-hander Duke Welker from the Twins in exchange for lefty Kris Johnson. With the trade, the Bucs essentially got a Mulligan on the “player to be named” in their Aug. 31 acquisition of first baseman Justin Morneau for outfielder Alex Presley. Welker had originally been identified as that player on Oct. 5 after having spent the entire 2013 season in the Pittsburgh organization.

The Mets may not be counting stacks of money “as high as some people expect,” in general manager Sandy Alderson’s words, but they do expect to increase their payroll heading into 2014. Alderson said Tuesday that he expects the payroll to be higher than the $87 million that he calculated for last year’s budget, though the GM stopped short of guessing how much higher.

The Nationals have re-signed right-hander Chris Young to a Minor League contract, MLB.com has learned. This will be Young’s second season with the organization.

The dinner took place Monday night in Manhattan. At a posh hotel, Mets owner Jeff Wilpon, general manager Sandy Alderson and assistant GM John Ricco sat down with representatives for free-agent second baseman Robinson Cano, including the rapper Jay-Z.

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that the Astros will play host to the 2014 Civil Rights Game, scheduled for May 30 against the Orioles at Minute Maid Park.

Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena, 23, and right-handed pitcher Raciel Iglesias, 23, have defected from Cuba and have taken their first steps to becoming free agents, according to an industry source.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect to the Robinson Cano free-agent sweepstakes right now is not where he’ll sign as much as how many baseball general managers and controlling partners will get to have dinner with Jay-Z.

Unless Robinson Cano budges off his demands for a decade-long deal that would surpass $300 million, there will be nothing further for the Yankees to discuss with the All-Star second baseman, team president Randy Levine said on Tuesday.

The calendar is slowly inching toward the end of November and the Blue Jays still have a series of issues — including Melky Cabrera’s health, second base, catcher, Jose Bautista’s future and the starting rotation — that need to be resolved.

The Phillies on Tuesday announced they have signed infielder Reid Brignac to a Minor League contract with an invitation to big league Spring Training.

Yes, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could make a big move before Opening Day on March 31 in Texas — at this point, a trade is the only way to improve the offense — but barring that, it looks like the heavy lifting for the 2014 offense is complete.

The Red Sox may bring back the catching tandem of David Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia next season, but there are others, including Brian McCann and A.J. Pierzynski, who could give the world champions a solid presence behind the plate if Saltalamacchia signs elsewhere.

For the first time in history, online shopping is set to be the No. 1 method for gift buyers in a holiday season, and MLB.com has your back with the MLB.com Shop Virtual Catalog.

The Mets signed first baseman Brandon Allen to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training on Tuesday.

Michael Weiner has one of the most important, underappreciated jobs in all of baseball.