The Dodgers announced Wednesday the signings of veteran starter Erik Bedard and Minor League reliever Ben Rowen to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.

The Angels avoided arbitration with third baseman David Freese on Wednesday, agreeing on a $6.425 million salary that stood as the midpoint of the numbers previously exchanged by both sides.

The Braves believe Dian Toscano has the capability to become a valuable big league outfielder after he gets an opportunity to spend some time at the Minor League level. The Braves officially announced their four-year deal (includes an option for the 2019 season) with Toscano on Wednesday afternoon.

The Padres have decided to bring back the brown in 2015 — well, at least on a limited basis. The team announced Wednesday that on five Wednesday day games this season, Padres players will wear brown pinstripe uniforms — the same style that was worn by teams from 1985-90.

While the Cubs have made more flashy moves this offseason, and the rest of the division is loaded, St. Louis is primed for another NL Central title.

This is the fourth of a seven-part Around the Horn series that will take a position-by-position look at the Cardinals’ projected starters and backup options heading into next season. Up next: outfielders.

Two weeks after trading dependable setup man Tyler Clippard, the Nationals filled a hole in their bullpen by agreeing to a one-year contract with free agent Casey Janssen on Wednesday, a source confirmed to MLB.com. The deal, which the club has not confirmed, guarantees Janssen $5 million, including a buyout for a 2016 mutual option, according to FOXSports.com.

An elbow injury that requires Tommy John Surgery is among the most serious that a baseball player can suffer. Pitchers can go from fantasy studs to completely off the radar as fast as someone can say “right forearm strain,” but those who want to win their 2015 leagues will need to get reacquainted with the following players.

The drastic increase in the use of the infield shift as a defensive tactic in recent years has created quite a stir around MLB. Columnist Lindsay Berra takes a closer look.

Until hitters more frequently test opposing defenses and the limits of shifting and prove they can utilize those wide-open spaces left available to them in the opposite field, they’ve really got little reason to complain. With unorthodox defensive positioning the new standard, it’s time for the hitters to shift their strategies.

As a former outfielder, Fred Lynn pays extra attention to the players who roam the outfield today. One player stands above the rest: Lynn’s favorite current player, Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

MLBPipeline.com’s 2015 Top 100 Prospects list will be unveiled on Friday on MLB.com, with the Top 50 revealed during a one-hour show on MLB Network at 9 p.m. ET. Leading up to that, MLBPipeline.com takes a look at baseball’s Top 10 prospects at each position.

The bronze statue of Ernie Banks was on display in Daley Plaza on Wednesday as a public memorial to allow fans to celebrate the Hall of Famer’s life. Banks, who played his entire career (1953-71) with the Cubs, passed away Friday at the age of 83.

We are witnessing a major shift in Major League Baseball having nothing to do with loading up the infield on one side of the field. It involves a deeper appreciation of the value of defense by catchers, a critical phase of the game obscured for decades by the power and glory of offense.

As part of MLB’s Diamond Diplomacy program, Jed Lowrie visited Colombia to host camps for at-risk kids.

Just a few months away from beginning the first year of his record-breaking $325 million contract, Stanton joined MLB Network for a special feature Tuesday evening — “The Offseason: Hope in Chicago and Miami” — to discuss the Marlins’ offseason and his aspirations for the next 13 years in Miami.

Cuban teenage prospect Yoan Moncada has worked out privately for the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Rangers and Brewers, according to sources. The Rays, Cubs, Phillies and Cardinals have also shown interest. The question remains: When will Moncada sign? Here’s what MLB.com knows.