Mets signed OF Marlon Byrd to a minor league contract. The deal includes an invitation to spring training. The 35-year-old outfielder hit an abysmal .210/.243/.245 with one home run and nine RBI in 153 at-bats between the Cubs and Red Sox in 2012 before being released by the Red Sox. He then had to serve a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. The Mets could certainly use additional depth in their outfield, but Byrd is unlikely to be a major contributor.

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that there has been "a number of inquiries" on free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd. Byrd was officially released by the Red Sox on Tuesday after being designated for assignment over the weekend. While the 34-year-old outfielder is hitting just .210/.243/.245 with one homer and a .488 OPS in 153 plate appearances this year, he shouldn't have much trouble finding a new home at the league minimum. It's not clear which teams are interested, though.

Red Sox released OF Marlon Byrd. Byrd was designated for assignment over the weekend and failed to draw any interest on waivers. The Cubs are still on the hook for the great majority of his salary, so he's free to sign with any team at the league minimum. The 34-year-old is hitting just .210/.243/.245 with one homers and a .488 OPS in 153 plate appearances this year.

Red Sox designated OF Marlon Byrd for assignment. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for the return of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Byrd struggled in his 34 games with the Red Sox and is batting just .210/.243/.245 overall this year, but he seems likely to refuse the assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket and attempt to latch on with another team.

Marlon Byrd is starting in center field and batting ninth Monday night against the Twins. It will be Byrd's Red Sox debut. He was acquired over the weekend from the Cubs for right-handed reliever Michael Bowden and a player to be named later. The 34-year-old outfielder was batting just .070 with a .149 OBP in 13 games for the Northsiders.

Red Sox acquired OF Marlon Byrd from the Cubs for RHP Michael Bowden and a player to be named later. The Cubs are also sending cash to Boston along with Byrd to cover most of the prorated $6.5 million remaining on the 34-year-old center fielder's contract. Byrd will provide outfield depth for the Red Sox while Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford continue to rehab from their respective injuries. Byrd was hitting just .070 with a .149 on-base percentage in 13 games for Chicago but may do well with the change of scenery.

According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, the Cubs have indeed traded Marlon Byrd to the Red Sox. The swap will be announced once the Red Sox finish their afternoon game with the Yankees. Byrd, 34, is batting just .070 with a .149 on-base percentage in 13 games this year, but he should have a little something left in the tank and will try to provide decent-quality outfield depth in Boston while Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford battle injuries.

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports the Red Sox are ''close'' to acquiring OF Marlon Byrd. The Red Sox are looking for an upgrade in center field with Jacoby Ellsbury (shoulder) and Carl Crawford (wrist) sidelined. It's not yet known how much, if any, of Byrd's $6.5 million salary the Cubs are willing to cover, but a deal between the two sides now seems likely to get done. Byrd is in the final season of a three-year, $15 million contract signed in 2010.

Marlon Byrd went hitless again Thursday and is just 3-for-40 for the season. The Cubs were surely hoping to get a decent prospect or two back for Byrd in a trade this year, but that's not going to happen at this rate. Byrd figures to pick it up soon, but even if he does, it'd still make sense for the Cubs to turn him into a fourth outfielder and give Brett Jackson a look come mid-June.

Marlon Byrd is not in Thursday's lineup. The 34-year-old center fielder is off to a rough 1-for-21 start this season. Reed Johnson will take his place in the Cubs' outfield Thursday against the Brewers.