Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 1-7.

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: RHP Kyle Mertins (Sioux Falls (American Association)), RHP Mike Recchia (Windy City (Frontier)), LHP David Quinowski (Lincoln (American Association))

Chicago Cubs
Signed: LHP Hisanori Takahashi (released by Pirates, Oct. 29), LHP Dontrelle Willis (released by Orioles, Oct. 16)

Chicago White Sox
Signed: 1B Randy Ruiz (Yokohama (Japan))
Released: RHP Mitch Mustain, LHP Matt Talley

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: LHP Jakub Izold, 3B Ray Chang

Colorado Rockies
Released: 1B Miguel De Leon, 2B Yafistel Roja

Detroit Tigers
Signed: RHP Michael Dubee, OF Michael Hernandez (York (Atlantic))

Houston Astros
Signed: C Jason Jaramillo

Kansas City Royals
Signed: RHP Blaine Boyer (did not play in ’12)

Los Angeles Dodgers
Signed: RHP Danny Carela (re-signed), C Ramon Castro (did not play in ’12), 2B Felipe Burin, 3B Brian Barden (did not play in ’12)
Released: RHP Derek Cone, RHP Ronny Lugo, RHP Bret Montgomery, RHP Jason West, LHP Mike Drowne, LHP Matt Laney, LHP Greg Wilborn, C Steve Domecus, C Andrew Edge, 3B Kevin Thompson, 3B Scott Woodward, SS Charlie Mirabal

Miami Marlins
Signed: C Craig Tatum

Milwaukee Brewers
Signed: OF Cole Garner

New York Mets
Signed: SS Omar Quintanilla

Philadelphia Phillies
Released: LHP Pedro Lora, C Liam Bedford, C Angel Chavarin, 2B Carlos Perdomo

Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed: C Lucas May

San Diego Padres
Signed: SS Cody Ransom
Released: RHP Juan Herrera, LHP Juan Marcano, 1B Clark Murphy, OF Jonathan Roof

San Francisco Giants
Signed: RHP Scott Proctor (Doosan (Korea)), RHP Mason Tobin (released by Rangers, April 4)

Seattle Mariners
Removed from 40-man: RHP D.J. Mitchell (outrighted to Triple-A)

Tampa Bay Rays
Signed: RHP J.D. Martin

Taken 35th overall by the Indians in ’01, Martin missed the better part of the ’03 and ’06 seasons with elbow trouble and didn't reach Triple-A for good until ’09. He signed with the Nationals following that season and wound up making 24 career starts for Washington in ’09 and ’10. Though Martin left most of his velocity on the operating table, he has shown fantastic control versus Triple-A competition, notching a 4.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and walk rate of 1.3 per nine over 382 innings.

Texas Rangers
Removed from 40-man: C Eli Whiteside (outrighted to Triple-A)

Toronto Blue Jays
Signed: RHP Mike Benacka (York (Atlantic)), RHP Scott Copeland (re-signed)

Washington Nationals
Signed: RHP Ross Ohlendorf, LHP Sean West, C Joe Witkowski (released by Astros, June 9)
Released: LHP Bobby Hansen, LHP Joe Testa, C Jeremy Mayo, 1B Brett Newsome, 2B Hendry Jimenez, OF Tony Nix