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 …

PLEADING THE 5TH  —  PELFREY, DUQUE BID FOR METS' LAST ROTATION SLOT  —  “El Duque” or “The Kid?”  Who will occupy the fifth spot - veteran Orlando Hernandez or young right- hander Mike Pelfrey - ap pears to be the only question about the Mets' rotation as they open Grapefruit League play this week.

Red Sox give Francona 3-year extension  —  FORT MYERS, Fla.—Terry Francona was rewarded Sunday for managing the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships in four years when the team gave him a three-year contract extension through 2011.  —  The deal includes club options for 2012 and 2013 …

Notes: No lack of effort from Ensberg  —  Veteran infielder dedicated despite abundance of competitors  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Morgan Ensberg has had a lot of adjusting to do over the past year.  New team.  New expectations.  New position.  So far, he's taking it all in stride.

La Russa's Bonds suggestion rejected  —  Manager thought home run leader would help protect Pujols  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa acknowledged Sunday that he recommended to club brass this offseason that St. Louis sign all-time home run champion Barry Bonds.

Yanks' Quiet Bullpen Acquisition Impresses  —  TAMPA, Fla. — LaTroy Hawkins found a seat next to the veteran Bob Tewksbury on the Minnesota Twins' bench in the top of the seventh inning on May 17, 1998.  —  Hawkins was 25 years old, and he knew it was Beanie Baby Day at Yankee Stadium …

Sather says Jagr's staying put  —  At trade deadline time, everybody's name gets tossed out there.  It's the nature of the beast.  —  But the silliest one making the rounds has been Jaromir Jagr to (pick a team).  —  He's not going anywhere, even if his stats this year are pedestrian by his Hall of Fame standards.

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 …

Notes: Bush not taking spot for granted  —  McClung in bullpen mix; intrasquad games on tap  —  PHOENIX — Just like Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy, pitcher Dave Bush was glad that his Spring Training began at Maryvale Baseball Park and not in a Florida hearing room.

Report: Jeter would support MLB blood testing  —  While union chief Don Fehr has opposed blood testing of Major League Baseball players for steroids and substances like HGH, one of the sports biggest stars disagrees.  —  “You can test for whatever you want to test for,” New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter told Bloomberg News.

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.