Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Jan 28 (The Sports Xchange) - Chicago Cubs fans paid their respects to Ernie Banks after the statue of the legend was placed in a downtown Chicago plaza on Wednesday. Fans gathered in Daley Plaza to take photos of the statue that normally stands at Wrigley Field. The statue will remain at the plaza through Saturday. The Hall of Famer known as "Mr. Cub" died Friday night at the age of 83. The family of Banks announced Sunday that he died after suffering a heart attack. Mayor Rahm Emanuel, accompanied by Banks' widow, Liz Banks, placed a wreath at the statue on Wednesday. The mayor said that while Banks has long been known as Mr. Cub, he "always will be and always has been Mr. Chicago." A public visitation and a memorial service for Banks will be held Friday and Saturday in Chicago. - - - The Chicago White Sox brought back infielder Gordon Beckham and decided to cut ties with outfielder Dayan Viciedo despite signing him to a one-year deal worth $4.4 million two weeks ago. Beckham signed a one-year, $2 million contract to return to the team that traded him to the Los Angeles Angels in August. To make room on the 40-player roster, the White Sox designated Viciedo for assignment -- a possible precursor to a trade. Beckham, 28, played his first five-plus seasons with the White Sox and figures to compete for time at second base or be used as a utility infielder. - - - The Washington Nationals added a veteran arm to their pitching staff, reaching agreement on a one-year, $3.5 million contract with former Toronto Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen. The deal includes a mutual option for $7 million in 2016 with a buyout of $1.5 million, according to reports. The 33-year-old Janssen posted 81 saves and a 2.94 ERA for the Blue Jays during the past three years, including 34 saves in 2013 and 25 in 2014. He struggled in the second half of last season after becoming ill during the All-Star break and finished with a 3.94 ERA in 45 2/3 innings. - - - The Miami Marlins officially signed outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year contract. The deal is for $2 million and Suzuki is expected to be the team's fourth outfielder behind right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, center fielder Marcell Ozuna and left fielder Christian Yelich. Suzuki enters next season 156 hits shy of 3,000 career hits in the majors. (Editing by Gene Cherry)