Giants signed RHP Jason Berken to a minor league contract.

He should be given an invitation to spring training. Berken spent all of 2013 at Triple-A with the White Sox, holding a 3.80 ERA over 27 starts. He'll likely begin the year in the Triple-A Fresno rotation.

White Sox signed RHP Jason Berken to a minor league contract; assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte.

Berken posted a 5.49 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 19 2/3 innings last season between the Orioles and Cubs. He will serve as organizational relief depth for the Pale Hose.

Cubs sent RHP Jason Berken outright to Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs claimed Berken off waivers from the Orioles in early September, but they have already deemed him unworthy of a spot on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old right-hander owns an ugly 5.36 ERA over 110 appearances (28 starts) in the majors.

Jason Berken allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings Monday in a loss to the Astros.

Make that 100 losses for the Cubs. Berken allowed four hits (including a home run) while walking one and striking out a pair. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed eight runs over 18 2/3 innings in four starts since being claimed off waivers from the Orioles last month. If he makes any starts for the Cubs next year, that's probably not a good sign.

Jason Berken shut out the Reds for six innings Thursday in a no-decision.

Berken was facing a spring training lineup, so let's not make too much of this. He'd make for a risky final week pickup in NL-only leagues, particularly since he gets the Rockies at Coors Field next time out.

Jason Berken, who is replacing Jeff Samardzija in the Cubs' rotation, will make his first start next Saturday against the Pirates.

The 28-year-old righty appeared in one game for the Orioles earlier this season, allowing a whopping seven runs (two earned) on six hits in one inning of work. He owns a career 5.40 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 230 MLB innings and should be avoided in all fantasy formats.

Cubs claimed RHP Jason Berken off waivers from the Orioles.

Berken was designated for assignment by the Orioles earlier this week. The 28-year-old right-hander has only made one appearance in the majors this season, but was a useful bullpen piece as recently as 2010.

Orioles designated RHP Jason Berken for assignment.

Berken allowed seven runs in a one-inning appearance with the Orioles earlier this season. The 28-year-old right-hander seems likely to pass through waivers with ease and accept a spot back at Triple-A Norfolk.

Orioles optioned RHP Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk.

Berken was hammered for seven runs (two earned) in an inning of work Monday against the Rangers. He should be called back to the major leagues at some point this summer.

The Orioles have informed right-hander Jason Berken that he will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

The move isn't official yet, but left-hander Zach Phillips is expected to replace him on the active roster. Berken was just added to the roster on Monday and was blasted for seven runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over an inning of work.

Orioles recalled RHP Jason Berken from Triple-A Norfolk.

Berken will function as depth for the Orioles bullpen, which was heavily taxed this weekend. The 28-year-old right-hander has posted a solid 1.23 ERA and 15/8 K/BB ratio in 22 innings this season for Norfolk.

The Orioles will recall right-hander Jason Berken from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday when Robert Andino is placed on the paternity leave list.

Berken has a 0.60 ERA and 10/4 K/BB ratio in 15 innings over three starts with the Tides. Andino is only expected to miss a couple days, so his stay with the team could be brief.

Orioles optioned RHP Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk.

Berken has thrown just one inning this spring due to a hamstring injury, so his demotion doesn't come as a big surprise. While the 28-year-old has pitched exclusively as a reliever in the majors over the past two seasons, the O's will have him start at the Triple-A level.

Jason Berken (hamstring) threw a full bullpen session Tuesday morning in Orioles camp.

Berken is expected to pitch an inning of relief Thursday in a minor league game. If that goes well, he should be finally cleared for Grapefruit League appearances.

Jason Berken (hamstring) played catch Monday.

Berken felt a grab in his hamstring late last week while playing long toss, but he is feeling better already and will be looking to make his Grapefruit League debut within the next several days. He's trying to win a spot in the O's bullpen, but the right-hander only has an outside shot.

Roch Kubatko reports that Jason Berken felt a "grab" in his hamstring Friday while long-tossing.

Berken has been dealing with hamstring issues since the beginning of camp but had been throwing lately without any issues. It's unclear at this point how much of a setback today's aggravation was, but it could potentially threaten his status for Opening Day.

Jason Berken (hamstring) played catch Tuesday up to 140 feet and expects to get off a half-mound soon.

Berken has made incremental progress since straining his left hamstring early in camp. The 28-year-old right-hander shouldn't need many innings to get ready for the season, so he still has a chance of securing a bullpen spot.

Jason Berken (hamstring) was able to play catch Friday.

Berken has been nursing a strained left hamstring that he suffered at the beginning of camp. It's not clear when he'll be able to throw from a mound, but it's probably not far off. He'll have plenty of time to get ready before the start of the season.

Jason Berken (hamstring) is aiming to resume playing catch on Wednesday in Orioles camp.

Berken suffered a strained left hamstring during a workout last week. He was able to run on a water treadmill Monday and should be able to catch up quickly with the other pitchers in O's camp once he is cleared.

Jason Berken (hamstring) ran on a water treadmill Monday at the Orioles' spring training complex.

Berken suffered a strained left hamstring during a workout last week but feels confident about being able to play catch-up once he is cleared to return to spring training activities. "There's been good improvement," the righty told reporters Monday in O's camp.