Padres Land Veras

Quilvio Veras, who led the major leagues with 56 stolen bases in 1995, was acquired by the San Diego Padres from the Florida Marlins for reliever Dustin Hermanson.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose Rijo, still hoping to salvage his baseball career, had his third elbow operation in 15 months and is expected to miss the 1997 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Steve Cooke, limited by shoulder injuries to three appearances since 1994, agreed to a $175,000, one-year contract. … Pitcher Bob Patterson, who lost his right to free agency when owners failed to approve the proposed labor deal, agreed to a $1.1 million, one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. …. Rex Hudler, a 36-year-old utility player who made $400,000 last season with the California Angels, agreed to a $2.6 million, two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. …. Following the Rangers’ first division title, Texas general manager Doug Melvin and manager Johnny Oates got one-year contract extensions through 1998.