Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Dec 15 (The Sports Xchange) - Pete Rose is disappointed with the latest decision to continue to ban him from the Major League Baseball but says he'll continue to be baseball's biggest fan. Rose held a news conference on Tuesday in Las Vegas after commissioner Rod Manfred issued a three-page statement a day earlier with his reasons for upholding Rose's lifetime banishment for betting on baseball as Cincinnati Reds manager. The career hits leader confirmed what he told Manfred during a meeting in September that he still gambles but that he now has his life under control. "I've worked hard at it," Rose said "I've got it under wraps the last several years. I'm under control right now. Unlike 30 years ago, when I was out of control as a gambler." - - The Texas Rangers signed right-hander Tony Barnette to a two-year contract with a club option for 2018, the team announced. The Rangers also re-signed catcher Bobby Wilson to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training camp. - - Left-hander Jerry Blevins opted to remain with the New York Mets, reaching agreement on a one-year contract for a guaranteed $4 million with the chance to add $1 million in performance bonuses. Because of injuries, Blevins appeared in only seven games last year. He retired all 15 batters he faced before he suffered a broken left forearm on a line drive off the bat of Miami's Dee Gordon on April 19. The 32-year-old Blevins rebroke the arm on Aug. 3 when he slipped off a curb in Florida. - - Third baseman Will Middlebrooks reached agreement on a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Middlebrooks, who began the 2015 season as San Diego's starting third baseman, hit only .212 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 83 games and spent time in the minor leagues. (Editing by Frank Pingue)