Associated Press
Monday, February 25, 2008

Phillies 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.

The 31-year-old right-hander was expected to return to Philadelphia yesterday for surgery today that would sideline him for three to six weeks. The Phillies open the season at home March 31 against Washington.

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said setup man Tom Gordon would close if Lidge isn't ready for Opening Day.

"Ideally, if everything went right I wouldn't miss any of the season because that would be four weeks," Lidge said. "But that will be based on how it feels."

CUBS: Second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from the hospital yesterday evening, the team said, one day after complaining of a rapid heartbeat during fielding drills.

Cubs spokesman Peter Chase announced DeRosa's release shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday. The team initially said DeRosa was released Saturday evening, but later said he was kept overnight at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz., as a precaution.

DeRosa is expected to be examined by a cardiologist today and could be back on the field by the middle of the week, the Cubs said.

His irregular heartbeat was not life-threatening, according to the team.

RED SOX: Terry Francona was rewarded for managing Boston to two World Series championships in four seasons when the team gave him a three-year contract extension 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.

Francona is entering his fifth season as Red Sox manager, the last of his previous contract. If he serves out the full three-year extension, he would have eight seasons on the job. The only Red Sox manager with a longer tenure was Joe Cronin, who held the job for 13 years from 1935-47.

PIRATES: Free agent pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim finalized a one-year, $850,000 contract with Pittsburgh, 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.

General Manager Neal Huntington said Kim will be used exclusively in relief. Last season, 22 of his 28 appearances with Colorado, Florida and Arizona were starts. He went 10-8 with a 6.08 ERA.

BLUE JAYS: Shannon Stewart and Toronto agreed to a minor league contract 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 RBI in 146 games.

Stewart, who turns 34 today, was selected 19th overall by Toronto in the June 1992 draft and is a career .298 hitter with 566 RBI, 193 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .362. Leg problems in recent years have slowed the once speedy Cincinnati native.

WHITE SOX: Mark Buehrle was scratched from his scheduled outing in an intrasquad game because of soreness.

The left-hander, slated to start the season opener, had been expected to throw two innings today. He said he felt a little tight, but it was nothing serious and he plans to pitch against Arizona on Feb. 29 in Chicago's third spring training game. Since 2001, Buehrle leads AL left-handers in innings with 1,577 2/3 . He was 10-9 a year ago with a 3.63 ERA.