Crisp signs firm deal
Coco Crisp agreed Wednesday to a $15.5 million, three-year contract extension with the Boston Red Sox.
Crisp, on the disabled list with a broken finger, already was signed for this year at $2.75 million. The extension contains a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $3.5 million in 2007, $4.75 million in 2008 and $5.75 million in 2009. The deal contains an $8 million team option for 2010 with a $500,000 buyout and contains salary escalator provisions.
Before the extension, Crisp’s contact was set to expire at the end of the year, but he would have been eligible for arbitration through 2009, which would have kept him in Boston until then.
“I was able to hang out with the guys and the front office, and see what they were like,” Crisp said. “I had fun with the guys. Being with the Red Sox made it easy. You want the security and having that, and playing for the Red Sox, is great. There’s no better place to be.”
Griffey hurts knee
Cincinnati center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. left the game against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning because of stiffness in the back of his right knee.
Griffey said the injury isn’t serious, but he doesn’t know if he will be able to play today in the series finale at Wrigley Field.
Rays put Huff on DL
Tampa Bay placed third baseman Aubrey Huff on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee sprain.
Huff could be sidelined four to six weeks after he bumped into shortstop Nick Green near the bullpen while chasing a foul popup Tuesday night. Huff’s leg appeared to land in an awkward position before he fell to the ground. He was able to walk off the field.
Huff underwent X-rays and an MRI Tuesday night.
Clearing the bases
Texas placed rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list because of a dislocated left thumb and activated outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. from the 15-day DL. Both formerly played for the Spokane Indians. … Boston activated veteran left-hander David Wells from the 15-day disabled list and placed right-hander reliever David Riske on the 15-day DL before its game against Toronto. Wells, 42, made his first start of the season against Toronto. … Arizona placed left-handed reliever Terry Mulholland on the 15-day disabled list and brought up right-hander Casey Daigle from Triple-A Tucson. The move leaves Arizona with no lefties on its staff.