This is the December 21, 2012 news archive. View today's NL Central news and rumors.

NL Central News and Rumors

Astros sign RHP Jose Veras to one-year deal

CNNSI.com

HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Astros signed veteran right-handed reliever Jose Veras to a one-year contract Friday.

CNNSI.com

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers signed left-handed reliever Tom Gorzelanny to a two-year contract Friday.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

The Houston Astros signed veteran right-handed reliever Jose Veras to a one-year contract Friday.

Chris Haft, MLB.com

The Giants took their turn Friday at obtaining right-hander Sandy Rosario, claiming the much-traveled 27-year-old reliever off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.

T.R. Sullivan, MLB.com

The Rangers added another bullpen candidate by claiming left-handed reliever Jeff Beliveau off waivers from the Cubs on Friday. He gives the Rangers a possible left-handed relief option if they decide to use Robbie Ross in the rotation.

Brian McTaggart, MLB.com

The job, by definition, requires plenty of travel. As the Astros' director of international, Oz Ocampo spends the majority of his time in places like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama and Colombia, looking for the next big thing in a sea of raw …

Adam Berry, MLB.com

Shortstop Gustavo Nunez, picked by the Pirates in the 2011 Rule 5 Draft, returned to the Tigers organization on Friday, as the D-backs outrighted his contract to Triple-A Toledo.

Carrie Muskat, MLB.com

The Cubs have finalized their deal with outfielder Nate Schierholtz on a one-year, $2.25 million contract.

CNNSI.com

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins have signed injury-hampered right-hander Rich Harden to a minor-league contract with an invitation to compete for a spot on the staff in spring training.

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

Veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano, after five-and-a-half seasons with the Minnesota Twins, will join his third team in five months after agreeing to a two-year, $14 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.