Roberts, O's close to new deal
Brian Roberts and the Baltimore Orioles are near agreement on a four-year, $40 million extension that could keep the second baseman with the team through the 2013 season.
Roberts tried to contain his enthusiasm Thursday as he prepared for the team's first full-squad spring training workout. He dressed at his locker, took his physical, shook hands with teammates he hadn't seen all winter and ate breakfast in front of his cubicle.
After the results of the physical come back, the Orioles are expected to hold a news conference today to announce the extension. Roberts is already signed through this season; the additional four years would begin in 2010.
A-Rod's cousin lives in Miami: The cousin who Alex Rodriguez claims repeatedly injected him with a substance from the Dominican Republic has been found living in Miami. Yuri Sucart and his wife, Carmen, live in a south Miami home protected by bushes and a rolling gate. Those at the home Thursday refused comment.
Carmen Sucart told an ESPN producer on the phone that "her husband had nothing to say."
Cubs tickets: Individual game tickets for the Cubs regular season will go on sale today. Fans who stood in line Thursday for wristbands will be available to purchase tickets at the Wrigley Field box office, where tickets will go on sale at 8 a.m. Tickets can be purchased by telephone through Tickets.com beginning at 10 a.m.
The phone number for Illinois callers is (800) 843-2827. The phone number for out-of-state callers is (866) 652-2827. Visitors to cubs.com can purchase tickets beginning at 10 a.m.
A virtual waiting room will be used for all Internet orders. The virtual waiting room will begin accepting customers at 9:30 a.m., with a random selection at 10 a.m. All internet customers will need a valid cubs.com account. Outlet ticket sales will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 23 at Chicagoland Tickets.Com outlets.
Sox on Univision: The White Sox and Univision Radio's La Tremenda (WRTO 1200-AM) have extended their agreement to broadcast 39 games in Spanish in 2009. La Tremenda will present its first Spanish-language broadcast of 2009 on Wednesday, April 8, at 7:11 p.m. (the first night game of the season at U.S. Cellular Field), when the Sox host the Kansas City Royals.
Around the bases: Outfielder Jeff Francoeur agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves worth $3,375,000, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. ... Andy Marte, once viewed as Cleveland's third baseman of the future, was designated for assignment after the club acquired reliever Juan Salas from the Tampa Rays for minor-league infielder Isaias Velasquez. Marte will only return to the Indians if he clears waivers. ... Colorado Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis will have exploratory surgery on his pitching shoulder next week and expects to miss the 2009 season. Francis said Rockies orthopedic surgeon Thomas Noonan will perform the operation Wednesday, and Francis expects rehabilitation to take 6-12 months.