Yankees add Thames

Marcus Thames agreed Monday to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, who also finalized a $1.1 million, one-year deal with Randy Winn to give themselves more left field options.

Thames, who turns 33 next month, began his major league career with the Yankees in 2002 and homered on his first big league pitch that June 10 off Arizona's Randy Johnson. Thames was traded to Texas in June 2003 for Ruben Sierra, then let go by the Rangers after the season.

He spent the last six seasons with Detroit and hit .252 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs last year, down from 25 homers and 56 RBIs the previous season. He would get a $900,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and have the chance to earn an additional $900,0000 in performance bonuses.

The right-handed-hitting Thames could find himself alongside center fielder Curtis Granderson, his former Tigers teammate, and complement the switch-hitting Winn, who hit .292 from the left side last year and .158 from the right. Thames batted .257 against lefties and .248 vs. righties.

Speedy Brett Gardner also is in the mix for outfield playing time.

Vizquel to wear Aparicio's number

The Chicago White Sox are taking Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio's number 11 out of retirement for newly acquired 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel.

A Venezuelan like Aparicio, Vizquel will wear the number as a tribute to his countryman.

"For me, it's like a huge celebration, trying to keep his name alive and trying to spread the word of Venezuelan shortstops," Vizquel said during a conference call. "I think every kid now - the new generation of shortstops in Venezuela - has to know about Luis Aparicio and everything that he means to us in this game."

Aparicio said if there's one player he'd like to see wear his number, it's Vizquel, the leader among shortstops in games (2,681) and a three-time AL All-Star.

"I have known Omar for a long time," the 10-time All-Star shortstop and nine-time Gold Glove winner said in a statement. "Along with being an outstanding player, he is a good and decent man."

The 1956 AL Rookie of the Year with the White Sox, Aparicio was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1984 - the same year his number was retired.

Bob Melvin hired as scout by New York Mets

Former major league manager Bob Melvin has been hired as a professional scout by the New York Mets, who also brought back Mookie Wilson as their minor league outfield and base running coordinator.

Melvin was the National League Manager of the Year in 2007 with Arizona. He managed the Seattle Mariners from 2003-04 and then the Diamondbacks from 2005 until he was fired last May 8 and replaced by A.J. Hinch.