Baseball news and notes for Monday, February 25, 2008

Pirates: At Bradenton, Fla., free-agent pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim finalized an $850,000, one-year contract, four days after agreeing to terms. The Pirates also designated infielder Ray Olmedo for assignment. Kim, expected to join the team today, could earn up to $1.15 million in performance bonuses based on games pitched. His deal guarantees him $300,000.

Phillies: At Clearwater, Fla., closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today and could miss the regular season opener. Lidge, Philadelphia’s biggest offseason acquisition, limped off the field Saturday after injuring his knee when he caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice. Doctors removed torn cartilage from the same knee in October.

White Sox: At Tucson, Ariz., Mark Buehrle was scratched from his scheduled outing in an intrasquad game because of soreness.

Blue Jays: Shannon Stewart agreed to a minor league contract Sunday with an invitation to spring training. The right-handed hitting outfielder spent last season with the Oakland Athletics, batting .290 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs in 146 games.

Cubs: At Mesa, Ariz., second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from the hospital Sunday evening, the team said, one day after complaining of a rapid heartbeat during fielding drills.

Red Sox: At Fort Myers, Fla., Terry Francona agreed to a three-year contract extension that runs through 2011. The deal includes club options for 2012 and 2013, which would give him a full decade as manager if the team exercises them.

Diamondbacks: At Tucson, Ariz., third baseman Chad Tracy, recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee, went through agility drills on a side field at Tucson Electric Park. The workout was viewed as a milestone in Tracy’s long road back.

Associated Press