CHICAGO - Reliever Jason Motte and the Chicago Cubs have finalized a $4.5 million, one-year contract that allows the former St. Louis closer to earn $2.5 million more in performance bonuses.Motte was one of baseballs top closers in 2012, when he had 42 saves in 49 chances and helped St. Louis reach the NL championship series. The right-hander had elbow-ligament replacement surgery in May 2013 and missed the season. He returned last season and went 1-0 with a 4.68 ERA in 29 games.Motte is eligible for up to $2.5 million of $3 million in available performance bonuses under Fridays deal, including $250,000 each for 60 and 65 games pitched. He would earn $250,000 for 50 games finished and each additional game finished through 59.He made his major league debut with the Cardinals in 2008 and had spent his entire career with the team that selected him in the 19th round of the 2003 amateur draft.The Cubs went 73-89 last season and finished last in the NL Central. Their bullpen had a respectable 3.61 ERA, good for 15th in the majors. Hector Rondon emerged as the closer with 29 saves and a 2.42 ERA, but it was his first year in the role and Motte provides another option should the righty falter.Also Friday, the Cubs claimed catcher Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Shane Peterson off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Donn Roach and infielder Logan Watkins were designated for assignment.Lavarnway spent the last seven seasons in the Red Sox organization, including 97 games at the big league level. He is a career .201 major league hitter with five home runs and 34 RBIs. Peterson batted .308 with 40 doubles, 11 homers and 90 RBIs with Triple-A Sacramento last season. He was originally selected by St. Louis in the 2008 draft and acquired by Oakland as part of the trade that sent Matt Holliday to the Cardinals. Wholesale Diamondbacks Jerseys . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Ketel Marte Jersey . With the team he supported as a child on the verge of reaching the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 19 years, Ba instead scored the goal that knocked them out. http://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.com/...alez-jersey.com) - Patrik Elias registered the winner in the shootout as New Jersey nipped Toronto 2-1 at Prudential Center on Wednesday. Cheap Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys .com) - The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics both entered Wednesday nights game riding lengthy losing streaks. Brad Boxberger Jersey . Re-signed by the club to a one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contract on July 5, Bass appeared in three preseason games with Columbus prior to breaking a bone in his hand on Sept.PITTSBURGH – Brandon Morrows MRI results are in and theyre not good. The 29-year-old felt something pop in his right index finger in the fifth inning of his Friday night start against the Pirates. He, and the Blue Jays, now know the cause: a torn tendon sheath. Hes been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. "If he heals up he should be back in July," said manager John Gibbons. "If its not healing up theyll have to do surgery and hell be done for the year, probably." The injury is the latest setback for Morrow in whats become a star-crossed career. After making 26 and 30 starts in 2010 and 2011, respectively, Morrow has been limited to only 37 appearances since the beginning of the 2012 season. In 2012, he began to show what the front office believes he could be, posting 10 wins, a 2.96 ERA and a 1.115 WHIP. An oblique strain cost Morrow more than two months that summer and while subsequent injuries, to his forearm and now his finger, were unrelated, it was a sign of things to come. The Blue Jaays will select the contract of Marcus Stroman and hell be at PNC Park in time for Sundays series finale with the Pirates.dddddddddddd Gibbons plans to begin with Stroman in the bullpen, although the 23-year-old acclimated well to his first taste of Triple-A baseball. Stroman is 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA, a 1.088 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings for the Buffalo Bisons this season. In his last start, Stroman struck out 10 and didnt allow a hit over six innings. At one point, he retired 16 consecutive Louisville Bats hitters. As for the starting rotation, Gibbons will send Dustin McGowan to the mound against the Pirates on Sunday. Left-hander J.A. Happ is scheduled to make his first start of the season on Monday in Philadelphia, followed by Drew Hutchison on Tuesday. Sending Morrow to the 60-day disabled list opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Stroman. The Blue Jays still need to clear space for Stroman on the 25-man active roster. A corresponding move will be made before Sundays game. ' ' '