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 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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.