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 …

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.

On Baseball: New Blue Jay Rolen puts Cardinals behind him  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - Time and Tony La Russa heal all wounds.  —  Scott Rolen would have waived his no-trade clause to return to Philadelphia had the chance presented itself this winter.  —  That's how intense his desire was to get away from the St. Louis Cardinals' manager.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

El Duque slow out of the gate  —  Quick hits from hot, humid Port St. Lucie after the fifth and final day of full-squad workouts:  —  1. The Mets continue to move slowly with Orlando Hernandez, who hasn't looked comfortable at all this spring.  El Duque was scheduled to throw …

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 …