Veteran right-handed reliever Duaner Sanchez, who was 5-1 with a 4.32 ERA last season, was released Tuesday by the New York Mets. Sanchez, 29, missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder in Spring Training. He appeared in 66 games for the Mets in 2008 and has an 18-10 career record with a 3.91 ERA in 276 appearances over six seasons with the Mets, Arizona, Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mark Prior, who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2006, signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres Tuesday. Prior will get a chance to show his stuff at the Padres' spring training camp. The Padres also signed infielder Chris Burke to a minor-league deal. Prior had signed with the Padres before the 2008 season, but didn't pitch and had surgery on his right shoulder in June.