Morning Marquee: Padres sign right-hander Josh Johnson

Details of the San Diego Padres’ signing of right-hander Josh Johnson were released on Wednesday, as the club decided to bring back the injury-prone starting pitcher despite the arm injury that cost him the 2014 campaign.

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The Hall of Fame press conference featured the four new inductees – Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz – and offered plenty of entertainment for those who checked it out. The group will enter Cooperstown in a ceremony this summer. Other MLB news included the Arizona Diamondbacks signing veteran infielder Nick Punto to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite and the Atlanta Braves designating Tyler Pastornicky for assignment

Of late, the Chicago Cubs’ top prospect list was released by Baseball America – and Kris Bryant tops the list, followed by shortstop prospect Addison Russell, who was acquired by the Cubs in a midseason trade with the Oakland Athletics last year. Outfielder Jorge Soler came in third, followed by Kyle Schwarber and right-hander C.J. Edwards.

Here’s more from around the league:

“Baseball America releases Cubs’ prospect list” – Cubbies Crib

“Yankees re-sign infielder Stephen Drew” – Yanks Go Yard

“Day after vote, ‘old goats’ talk Hall” – MLB.com

“Tsuyoshi Wada’s role in 2015 with the Cubs?” – Cubbies Crib

“Big Unit stumps for Edgar Martinez bid for HOF” – ESPN