AL MVP runner-up Ortiz gets extension  —  BOSTON —Red Sox slugger David Ortiz agreed Monday to a four-year contract extension through 2010, just five months after finishing runner-up for the AL MVP award.  —  The designated hitter was in the last year of a $12.5 million, two-year extension he signed in May 2004.

Notes: Nats warned, ready for opener  —  Robinson serves suspension; Guzman decision coming  —  HOUSTON — Manager Frank Robinson will talk to his team before the Nationals begin their series against the Mets on Tuesday, but he won't be issuing any strong warnings.

Derrek Lee agrees to new five-year, $65M deal  —  CHICAGO — NL batting champion Derrek Lee and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $65 million, five-year contract, a deal expected to be announced Tuesday.  —  "It's fairly likely something will be worked out," agent Casey Close said Monday.

Braves call up hard-throwing Aussie  —  ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves shuffled their bullpen again Monday night, farming out Joey Devine and calling up hard-throwing Australian Peter Moylan.  —  Devine, promoted just last week from Triple-A Richmond, had two awful appearances for the Braves.

Chat with Randolph opened eyes  —  Mets outfielder Floyd has found motivation to gut out injuries  —  NEW YORK — As Cliff Floyd prepared to leave the Mets clubhouse Saturday afternoon, Willie Randolph pulled him aside.  Manager and left fielder discussed the circumstances of the rain-interrupted weekend …

Crisp's star on the rise  —  Coco Crisp is shopping his idea for a new reality show to television networks.  The program, which mixes the elements of dating-themed programs with the reward opportunities of a game show, is tentatively titled, "May/December."

Matthews' return to Rangers is looming  —  Struggling Nix could find himself without roster spot  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Gary Matthews Jr. played center field and went 3-for-3 for Triple-A Oklahoma on Monday and could be back in a Rangers uniform Friday.  —  How the club gets him on the roster could become quite a ticklish situation.

Recognition comes early for Atkins  —  Play against Padres nets third baseman NL's weekly award  —  PHOENIX - Garrett Atkins epitomizes the Colorado Rockies.  —  He is easily overlooked.  —  But he would like to think he's ready to get some attention.  —  Chalk up a notch of notoriety for Atkins on Monday.

Prospectus Today  —  Simmer.  Down.  Now.  —  friendly  —  Contact  —  So, this showed up in my inbox Sunday morning...  My initial reaction was to say, "no." Then I thought about it, and figured, "sure, why not."  —  But this isn't the article D is looking for.

Book Excerpt: Stepping Up  —  The following is an excerpt from Stepping Up: The Story of Curt Flood and His Fight for Baseball Players' Rights by Alex Belth.  Reprinted by permission of Persea Books, Inc. (New York)  —  Once he was in Denmark, Flood took a room in a little town called Vaethbeck …

1986 World Series Game 6 Re-Enacted in RBI Baseball  —  So last week had the first day since I've been keeping the blog that I missed an entry.  I felt bad about this lack of discipline, and no doubt you were upset as well.  I wanted to post the little project that I was working on that diverted my attention from posting about music.

Notes: Escobar puts his finger on pain  —  Right-hander files nail, will make next start Wednesday  —  ANAHEIM — Kelvim Escobar's therapy turned out to be a quick manicure.  —  Escobar had the nail on the middle finger of his right hand filed down and he will make his scheduled start …

Braves place Chipper on 15-day DL  —  Third baseman suffered right knee, ankle sprains Sunday  —  ATLANTA — Chipper Jones has been placed on the disabled list for the third consecutive season.  But he and the Braves are hopeful that the sprains he suffered to both his right knee and right ankle won't prove to be a lingering problem.