News briefs: Kearns rejoins Indians in one-year deal

CLEVELAND -- Even as he packed his bags for New York, Austin Kearns knew there was a good chance he would be back in Cleveland.

Kearns, who spent four months with the Indians last season before he was traded to the Yankees, returned to the club on Monday by agreeing to a $1.3 million, one-year contract. Kearns made Cleveland's roster out of training camp and was with the Indians until July 30, when he was dealt for pitcher Zach McAllister.

Kearns had discussions with the Indians about returning prior to the trade.

"I knew there was a chance," Kearns said. "In the end, Cleveland was the right place to come back to and play. I enjoyed playing here. There are a lot of good guys on the team, guys I've maintained relationships with. They have a lot of talented young guys on this team. I enjoyed playing with everyone."

Kearns batted .272 with eight homers and 42 RBI in 84 games for Cleveland. With the Yankees, he batted .235 with two homers and seven RBI in 36 games.

The Indians made a priority of signing a right-handed hitting outfielder this offseason, and Kearns was available for the right price. Full Story

Reliever Vizcaino to join Yanks in minors

NEW YORK -- A person familiar with the deal says reliever Luis Vizcaino has agreed to a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees.

Vizcaino would get a $750,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and the chance to earn an additional $850,000 in performance bonuses, the person told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

The 36-year-old right-hander was 8-2 with a 4.30 ERA for the Yankees in 2007, when he made a career-high 77 appearances.

He was 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA last season for the Cleveland Indians, who cut him on June 23.

Hall finalizes Astros deal, to play 2B

HOUSTON -- Bill Hall doesn't like to be called a utility player. After finalizing a contract with Houston, he can shed that title and be known as the Astros' starting second baseman.

Hall received a $3.25 million, one-year contract from Houston that includes a $4 million mutual option for 2012. General manager Ed Wade said Hall, who spent last season with the Boston Red Sox, will play regularly at second base.

Hall played several positions last season, but spent the most time at left field, where he appeared in 55 games with 42 starts, and second base, where he had 51 appearances with 38 starts.

He's excited about the chance to play one position after bouncing around for most of his career.

Pena thanks Rays fans in ad

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Former Rays slugger Carlos Pena wants Tampa Bay fans to know how much he enjoyed his four seasons with the AL East champions.

Less than two weeks after agreeing to a $10 million, one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, Pena said goodbye to Rays supporters in an ad in Monday's St. Petersburg Times.

Pena noted the Rays were the worst team in baseball when he joined the club in 2007. A year later, they won the first of two division titles and made an improbable run to the World Series.

The first baseman said the turnaround showed him "more than ever that anything is possible if I believe it to be with all my might." He also thanked team officials for believing in him.

Mota agrees to Giants minor contract

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants and right-handed reliever Guillermo Mota have agreed to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

The Giants confirmed that Mota was staying with the World Series champions. He made the opening day roster in 2010 after signing a minor league contract last February.

Mota, 37, went 1-3 with a 4.33 ERA in 56 appearances over 54 innings for San Francisco in his 12th major league season. He pitched twice in the World Series against Texas, beaten in five games by the Giants.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean is doing his best to keep the bullpen and roster intact heading into 2011.

Fields accepts Pirates minor-league deal

PITTSBURGH -- Infielder Josh Fields has agreed to minor-league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and been invited to big league spring training.

The 28-year-old Fields missed most of last season with a right hip injury, then hit .306 with three home runs and six RBI in 13 games with Kansas City.

Primarily a third baseman, Fields has a .234 average with 34 homers and 107 RBI in 217 games with the White Sox (2006-09) and Royals. He had 23 homers and 67 RBI in 100 games as a rookie with the White Sox in 2007.

Cubs give radio guy five-year extension

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a five-year extension with WGN Radio play-by-play man Pat Hughes.

Hughes spent 15 years as the partner of color analyst and former Cubs third baseman Ron Santo, who died earlier this month. WGN vice president and general manager Tom Langmyer said in a statement that the station is "very fortunate" to have Hughes behind the microphone.

Under the new contract, Hughes will be with the station through the 2015 season. Next season will be his 16th with the Cubs and his 29th broadcasting professional baseball.

He spent 12 years as play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers.

New buyer emerges for rare Honus Wagner card

BALTIMORE -- A new buyer has emerged for the rare Honus Wagner baseball card that was bequeathed to an order of Roman Catholic nuns in Baltimore.

The card was sold at auction last month for $220,000, but the winning bidder never paid. So Dallas-based Heritage Auctions contacted one of its longtime clients, a Philadelphia cardiologist, who immediately agreed to buy the card for the same price.

The money was sent by bank wire Monday to the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

The card was left to the School Sisters by the brother of a former nun after he died earlier this year. The man had owned the card since 1936. It's in poor condition, but the Wagner card is the most sought-after baseball card in history. About 60 are known to exist.