Dodgers Close To Signing Dioner Navarro

The Dodgers are close to a deal with former catcher Dioner Navarro, formerly of the Rays, per Tony Jackson of ESPN LA. Any chances, however slight, of a Russell Martin return to the Dodges seem near impossible now.

UPDATE: Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times says the deal is done, pending a physical.

How did DRaysBay react to Navarro's departure from Tampa Bay? Per Steve Slowinski: "I think I speak for the entire Tampa Bay community when I say, 'Thank goodness that's over.'"

One the signings of Vicente Padilla, Tony Gwynn Jr., and Navarro are finalized, the Dodgers 40-man roster will be full.

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In other news, George Sherrill signed a one-year deal with the Braves worth $1.2 million, plus $200,000 in potential incentives, per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

Oh yeah, ESPN and MLB want to move up opening day for the Dodgers and Giants to March 31, in San Francisco instead of Los Angeles. The two teams would still play their scheduled series in LA from April 1-4, but the April 11 game in San Francisco would technically be the game that moves. Still, forget that noise.