Dodgers Make Fourth Bid To Bring Back Ramírez

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a fourth bid for Manny Ramírez yesterday, this time offering the enigmatic slugger a one-year, $25 million contract with a $20 million player option for 2010.

The player option came at the request of Ramírez's agent, Scott Boras, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who requested anonymity because talks are ongoing.

The latest proposal is similar in dollars to Los Angeles's first offer to the free agent left fielder this offseason, a two-year, $45 million deal with a buyout or a club option that was ignored by Boras and later withdrawn by the team.

This offer, however, gives Ramírez a chance to determine his fate in 2010. He could stay with the Dodgers for a $20 million salary in 2010 or decline the option and become a free agent again.

-- TWINS: Right-hander Boof Bonser is expected to miss the entire season after arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder detected partial tears in his labrum and rotator cuff.

Bonser had the procedure yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. The pitcher was bothered by tendinitis in the winter, and when spring training began, persistent soreness and weakness in the joint prevented him from beginning his throwing program.

After two MRI exams showed no structural damage, the exploratory surgery was recommended. Bonser will need six to eight months to recover, leaving little room for him to return before the end of the 2009 season.

After getting bumped from the rotation last year, Bonser struggled in the bullpen for most of the summer before getting back on track in August. He finished 3-7 with a 5.93 ERA in 2008, but his powerful arm and big curveball made him the favorite for the long relief role this spring.

-- ROCKIES: Left-hander Jeff Francis has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder at a Denver-area clinic.

Francis had the operation yesterday at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in suburban Greenwood Village, Colo. He is expected to miss the entire season.

The Rockies say he'll begin rehabilitation immediately, but no date has been set for him to resume baseball activities.

-- YANKEES: Alex Rodriguez was booed, then homered in his first game since admitting he used a banned substance.

The New York slugger started the spring training season with a two-run homer and two walks at the Blue Jays' ballpark in Dunedin, Fla. The third baseman left the exhibition opener in the fifth.

There were a lot of cheers, a smattering of boos and occasional cat calls from hecklers. Earlier this month, Rodriguez said he used the banned substances from 2001 to 2003 while with the Rangers.

Many in the crowd at mostly filled Dunedin Stadium stood and cheered as he circled the bases after homering off Ricky Romero in the fourth.

-- ASTROS: Miguel Tejada will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Tejada and Houston Manager Cecil Cooper said the Dominican team's request that the shortstop play first base during the tournament was a factor in the decision.

-- INDIANS: Closer Kerry Wood hasn't thrown off a mound since last weekend because of a sore back, and Manager Eric Wedge says the team will give him a few more days of rest.

-- BREWERS: Outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. said he could miss up to a month of spring training because of a right shoulder impingement.