Source: BoSox, Colon agree to minor league deal  —  The Boston Red Sox have reached preliminary agreement on a minor league contract with right-hander Bartolo Colon, a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.  —  If he makes the Opening Day roster, Colon would provide rotation insurance for Boston …

Red Sox extend Francona's contract  —  Manager stays put with one year remaining on original deal  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The optimism that Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein recently expressed in regard to signing manager Terry Francona to a contract extension was validated on Sunday …

Phils closer Lidge to have surgery, out 3-6 weeks  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday and could miss the regular-season opener.  —  Lidge, Philadelphia's biggest offseason acquisition, limped off the field Saturday …

Blue Jays sign Stewart to minor-league deal  —  DUNEDIN, FLA. — Shannon Stewart is back where his career began - with the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  Stewart agreed on Saturday afternoon to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training and is expected to join the Blue Jays in a matter of days.

Batista named the 5th starter  —  It's official.  What we've been telling you all week.  Carlos Silva is the Mariners' No. 3 starter, followed by Jarrod Washburn at No. 4 and Miguel Batista (seen throwing a bullpen session this morning — we've added photos since our initial post) at No. 5.

Scoutmaster in the Bronx: Oppenheimer finds young talent  —  TAMPA - Damon Oppenheimer, the man most responsible for Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy becoming Yankees, was sitting behind his desk recently, recalling the circumstances that allowed him to draft the two pitchers, when suddenly he felt compelled to issue a warning of sorts.

GEEKS GOT IT RIGHT  —  JETER'S FIELDING WOES NO MYTH, BUT HE MAY HAVE ANSWER  —  IT IS so easy to turn this into geeks vs. the prom king, University of Penn statistic professors vs. Derek Jeter.  Who do you think is going to win that one in the court of public opinion?

Ascanio the latest Cub sent to hospital  —  MESA, Ariz. - Another day at Cubs camp, another trip to the hospital for a non-baseball issue.  —  This time it was right-hander Jose Ascanio, who was sent to the hospital today to be examined for injuries suffered Saturday night in a one-sided fistfight at a Scottsdale convenience store.

Beckett, Delcarmen climb ahead on the hill  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Manny Ramírez stepped into the batter's box and hacked.  David Ortiz stepped in and looked.  It didn't matter the approach, really, since yesterday was far more about the pitchers than the hitters.

Royals tested by baseball quiz  —  SURPRISE, Ariz.—When sliding feet-first into a base, is your front foot straight up or sideways?  —  Before a game starts, what are the first two things a player should check?  —  Stumped?  Don't fret.  When first-base coach Rusty Kuntz asked …