HOUSTON (AP) — Astros reliever Brandon Lyon had surgery to drain a small cyst in his pitching shoulder but is expected to be ready for spring training.The team said in a statement Tuesday that Lyon had the cyst drained two weeks ago and has been throwing without discomfort since. The right-hander is expected to begin workouts with his new club Feb. 20, when pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Kissimmee, Fla.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jacque Jones has returned to the Minnesota Twins, agreeing to a minor league contract.Jones began his major league career with Minnesota in 1999 before joining the Chicago Cubs in 2006. The outfielder's best season came in 2002, when he hit .300 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs while the Twins advanced to the AL championship series.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yorvit Torrealba and the San Diego Padres have finalized a one-year contract that guarantees the catcher $1.25 million.Torrealba gets a $750,000 salary this year under Monday's agreement, and the deal includes a $3.5 million mutual option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Greg Gagne has been elected to the team's Hall of Fame.Gagne spent 10 seasons with the Twins and was part of the World Series-winning teams in 1987 and 1991. He'll become the 22nd member of the Twins Hall of Fame when he's inducted Sept. 4.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Speedy outfielder Willy Taveras has been released by the Oakland Athletics, eight days after he was acquired from Cincinnati with infielder Adam Rosales for infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named.Taveras had been designated for assignment immediately following the Feb. 1 trade. The Athletics owe his $4 million salary in the final season of a $6.25 million, two-year contract that he signed with the Reds, but that would be reduced by the $400,000 minimum if he signs with another team.

NEW YORK (AP) — 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.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have been spending their way out of that small-budget image, mirroring the imminent increase in revenue from their new ballpark with a big spike in player salary commitments.Lead owner Jim Pohlad said it's a sustainable development. So even if the Twins sign Joe Mauer to a mammoth contract extension, they're not afraid it would cost too much to keep a contending-caliber core of players around the American League MVP.

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Winn and the New York Yankees have finalized a $1.1 million, one-year contract.The outfielder can earn an additional $900,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. He would get $100,000 each for 50, 75 and 100, and $150,000 apiece for 125, 150, 175 and 200.

NEW YORK (AP) — 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 NL 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.