Young spent 13 years with the Rangers playing shortstop, second base and third base. He played 126 games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013 before being traded in August to Los Angeles, where played 21 games during their run to the playoffs.

Earlier this week, the 37-year-old had made it clear if he were to return to baseball, he would stay with the Dodgers.

“I’ve made no secret I’ve loved my time in L.A.,” Young told the Los Angeles Times. “Great teammates, coaching staff. It’s a first-class organization, top to bottom. As far as baseball is concerned, the Dodgers are it for me.”

Young finishes his career with a .300 batting average and .346 on-base percentage. He's a seven-time All-Star selection, a Gold Glove winner and placed eighth in MVP voting in 2004 and 2011.


CHEN GETS WISH, SIGNS WITH ROYALS


Left-hander Bruce Chen got his wish Thursday, agreeing to a $4.25 million, one-year contract to return to the Kansas City Royals, where he's spent the past five seasons.

Chen became a free agent after last season, but he made it clear that he wanted to return to the Royals. He'll do so on a deal that pays $3.25 million this season with a mutual option at $5.5 million for 2015 with a $1 million buyout. The deal is subject to a physical, likely to take place Saturday.

He'll also be eligible for performance bonuses this season of $125,000 for each start from 16 through 25, a sign the Royals may view him primarily as a long-reliever with the ability to step in as a spot starter in the case of injuries or ineffectiveness.

That's similar to the role Chen had last season, arguably the best of his 15-year career. He went 9-4 with a 3.27 ERA while making 15 starts and 19 appearances out of the bullpen.

One of the most popular players in the clubhouse, the 36-year-old Chen has seemingly gotten better with age. He won 35 games for the Royals from 2010-12, when he was almost exclusively a starter, and then helped stabilize the rotation the last 2½ months of last season.

Chen's been successful despite a fastball that rarely breaks 85 mph. He instead relies on a beguiling mix of sliders, curveballs and cutters, and often jokes about his lack of velocity.

The front end of the Royals rotation is set with James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie and recently signed Jason Vargas. Talented left-hander Danny Duffy, who came back from Tommy John surgery last season, is in line for one of the remaining spots, leaving the fifth job up for grabs.

Hard-throwing youngster Yordano Ventura pitched well during a September call-up and is widely expected to join the rotation at some point this season. It's possible that Chen could serve as a stopgap out of spring training if Ventura isn't quite ready to step into the rotation.

Former starter Luke Hochevar, who flourished in the bullpen last season, and Wade Davis, who has also been much better as a reliever than a starter, could also compete for the job.


YANKEES ADD OPTION FOR A-ROD


Scott Sizemore is among nine players agreeing to minor league contracts with the Yankees, giving New York another option for Alex Rodriguez's replacement at third base.

Sizemore, who turned 29 on Jan. 4, has been limited to six at-bats over the past two seasons because of an injured left knee that twice required surgery.

He originally got hurt on Feb. 25, 2012, during a fielding drill in Oakland's first full-squad spring training workout and had surgery that March 21 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Sizemore returned to hit .216 with six RBIs during 21 spring training games last year and was 0 for 6 last season when he got hurt again April 9 while chasing a bloop single by the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout.

One week later, Dr. James Andrews reconstructed the ACL using a patellar tendon graft and repaired a torn meniscus.

Sizemore has a .238 career average with 14 homers and 70 RBIs in 160 games for Detroit (2010-11) and Oakland (2011, 2013). He'll compete with Kelly Johnson and Brendan Ryan.

Also Wednesday, New York announced deals with right-handers Bruce Billings, Robert Coello, Brian Gordon and Chris Leroux; infielders Russ Canzler, Yangervis Solarte and Zelous Wheeler; and outfielder Antoan Richardson.

Contributors: Cassandra Negley, The Associated Press