Mets want to wear Sept. 11 caps in 2012

Mets player representative Josh Thole hopes to come to an agreement soon with Major League Baseball on a policy that would allow his team to wear emergency service-department caps during games on Sept. 11 every year.

Thole called the players’ association Monday, a day after the Mets were denied their request to wear caps honoring first responders on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. He said he wanted to discuss marketing and licensing possibilities but had not heard back.

The Mets wanted to wear caps honoring police, firefighters and other first responders when they played the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night. They wore the hats for batting practice and the pregame ceremony, but MLB insisted they wear their regular caps during the game.

Carpenter, Cards deal close

Pitcher Chris Carpenter and the St. Louis Cardinals are closing in on a $21 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations are not yet complete. The agreement is likely to be announced soon.

St. Louis has a $15 million option for next season, of which $2 million is deferred without interest, as part of a $63.5 million, five-year contract agreed to in December 2006. That deal carries a $1 million buyout.

Clearing the bases

Former World Series MVP Manny Ramirez was arrested after a domestic dispute at his South Florida home and charged with battery, police said. Ramirez, 39, and his wife were arguing in their bedroom when he slapped her face, causing her to hit her head on their bed’s headboard, according to a police report. … The Chicago White Sox have activated right fielder Carlos Quentin from the 15-day disabled list. … Blue Jays reliever Jon Rauch has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a tear in his right knee.