Mets upset Beltran went ahead with knee surgery … NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are upset Carlos Beltran had knee surgery this week after the team asked him to wait while management discussed options with its medical staff.  —  Assistant general manager John Ricco said the center fielder …

Florida Marlins' Josh Johnson agrees to 4-year, $39M deal  —  Pitcher Josh Johnson reached an agreement on a four-year, guaranteed $39 million contract that will keep him with the Florida Marlins through 2013.  The pitcher confirmed the agreement to ESPN.com Thursday.  —  Johnson

Valverde, Tigers agree to terms  —  Deal is for two years, stabilizes back end of bullpen  —  DETROIT — The Tigers are poised to sign the veteran closer they hoped to add.  They agreed to terms Thursday with Jose Valverde on a two-year contract with an option for a third …

Source: Contreras on Cubs radar  —  The Chicago Cubs remain interested in former Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras, according to a source close to the situation.  —  The source expects Contreras to sign a one-year, incentive-laden contract with either the Cubs or the St. Louis Cardinals.

Hicks makes most of time on Texas Rangers sale  —  For the last nine months, the only thing Hicks Sports Group has been able to buy is time.  —  Now the group that owns the Rangers appears to be running low on that, too.  —  The “deadline” for Tom Hicks and HSG to finish negotiations …

Atlanta Braves, Melky Cabrera avoid arbitration  —  Atlanta Braves outfielder Melky Cabrera avoided salary arbitration and accepted a one-year offer worth $3.1 million from the club.  —  Cabrera, 25, was acquired last month by the Braves from the Yankees in a deal that sent right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez to New York.

LaRoche, D-backs agree to one-year deal  —  Lefty-hitting slugger becomes club's everyday first baseman  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to terms Thursday on a one-year deal with Adam LaRoche, a baseball source told MLB.com.  —  The signing — still pending a physical …

Details on one-year arb contracts for Barmes, Buchholz  —  DENVER — The Rockies avoided arbitration today with two players they will be counting on heavily next season, second baseman Clint Barmes and reliever Taylor Buchholz.  —  Barmes more than doubled his salary, coming in at roughly $3.4 million.

MLB pitching in for devastated Haiti  —  Baseball supports relief efforts with $1 million donation  —  Major League Baseball, its clubs, its players and its fans are participating in rapid relief efforts for the devastated nation of Haiti, which remains in a state of chaos amid widespread fatalities …

Former New York Yankees scout awarded $700,000 in damages by Dominican court  —  A former New York Yankees Latin American scouting director who was fired amid allegations that he had skimmed bonuses from several prospects was awarded nearly $700,000 in damages against the team by a Dominican court …

Bell, Padres come to terms, avoid arbitration  —  Closer agrees on one-year deal for $4 million in 2010  —  SAN DIEGO — Leading the National League in saves and being named to an All-Star team has served Padres' closer Heath Bell well — both on the field and financially.

Glavine mulling new job with Braves  —  Legendary left-hander says he's unlikely to pitch again  —  ATLANTA — Tom Glavine is not ready to officially declare that his legendary pitching career is complete.  But as he nears this likely reality, he has wondered whether it's time to mend relationships …

Sheets healthy, ready to prove it  —  Free agent didn't pitch in 2009 but is ready to go in 2010 — he just needs a team  —  Ben Sheets believes he can be a No. 1 starter again after missing all of '09 with elbow trouble.  —  Ben Sheets answered his cell phone, but there was no time to talk.

Sox agree to terms with Okajima  —  The Red Sox announced it had agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Hideki Okajima to a 1-year, non-guaranteed contract.The Globe's Peter Abraham is reporting the deal is worth $2.75 million with Okajima having the ability to make up to $200,000 more depending on how many games he pitches.

Valdez designated for assignment  —  Merkin Valdez was designated for assignment, clearing room on the 40-man roster for Aubrey Huff, who signed as a free agent for one year and $3 million.  —  Valdez was 2-1 with a 5.66 ERA in 48 games last season.  He struck out 38 batters and issued 28 walks in 49 1/3 innings.