Minor League Signings: Lawrence, Place, Salome

Baseball America's Matt Eddy tweets a few minor league signings of note:

• The Angels released Virgil Vasquez and signed Brian Lawrence.  Lawrence, 34, hasn't pitched in the Majors since '07.  He racked up 142 2/3 innings for the Marlins Triple-A affiliate last year, posting a 4.42 ERA.  Lawrence was a staple in the Padres' rotation from 2002-05, even winning 15 games in '04.
• Right fielder Jason Place, released by the Red Sox in Spring Training, was signed by the Yankees.  Place was drafted 27th overall in 2006, one spot ahead of Daniel Bard.  18 of the 44 first-rounders from that draft have yet to play in the Majors, Place among them.
• The Mariners signed catcher/right fielder Angel Salome.  Salome was a fairly well-regarded catching prospect as recently as a year ago, but he was removed from the Brewers' 40-man roster last July after taking an extended leave for the birth of his child and requesting a switch to the outfield upon his return (Tom Haudricourt reporting for Baseball America).