03/08 14:09: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says, “the Rays were working on some final details with Hank Blalock on a complicated deal that will enable him to opt out if he’s not in the majors. The sides are still expected to come to an agreement.

03/08 09:07: According to Roger Mooney of TBO.com, Rays’ manager Joe Maddon said, ““I anticipate it’s going to be done relatively soon.”

03/07 19:45: Hank Blalock is close to signing a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.  Topkin also noted that the deal could be completed as early as tonight or early tomorrow.

03/06 20:55: According to Jon Hayman of Sports Illustrated, free agent Hank Blalock and the Tampa Bay Rays are close to an agreement.

Blalock, 29, hit 25 home runs in 2009 for the Texas Rangers, but had a .277 on-base percentage. You can see Blalock’s contract history and statistics here.