ANAHEIM – John Lackey agreed to a $3.76 million, one-year contract with the Angels on Monday, bypassing salary arbitration.
On Saturday, the AL West champions agreed to multi-year contracts with outfielder Juan Rivera and infielder-outfielder Chone Figgins. Both players had filed for arbitration.
Four Angels now remain eligible for arbitration: closer Francisco Rodriguez, reliever Scot Shields, reliever Brendan Donnelly and catcher Jose Molina.
Schuffenhauer and Jones were silver medalists four years ago, riding in Hays’ sled. This will be the fourth Olympic trip for Jones.
Francis, who missed two games, met with team officials on Monday.
The guard, averaging 16.6 points and 5.4 assists this season, is expected to play Wednesday night at home against Washington.
MIAMI – Dontrelle Willis avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a $4.35 million, one-year contract with the Florida Marlins on Monday.
The 24-year-old left-hander led the major leagues in wins last year. He is 46-27 with a 3.27 ERA in 93 career starts.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Students from Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Duke and North Carolina completed their 2!-day basketball game Monday, finishing with an expected world record for the longest continuous game.
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers and catcher Rod Barajas agreed to a $3.2 million, one-year contract Monday, avoiding salary arbitration.
Barajas set career highs in batting average (.254), home runs (21) and RBIs (60) in 2005, his first full season as a starter. He threw out 21 of 65 runners trying to steal.
He can earn $50,000 bonuses next season for reaching 475 and 500 plate appearances.
Barajas, who played for Rangers manager Buck Showalter in Arizona, came to Texas in 2004 expecting to back up rookie Gerald Laird. When Laird went down with torn thumb ligaments early in the season, Barajas became the starter and stayed in that role when Laird returned.
BASEBALL: Relief pitcher Jeff Nelson agreed to a minor league contract Monday with the St. Louis Cardinals, who need a middle man to replace injured Al Reyes … Left-hander Mark Hendrickson agreed to a $1.95 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday, avoiding arbitration.