Garcia inks 3-year deal with ChiSox

Pitcher Freddy Garcia agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract extension with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, 10 days after being traded from Seattle.

The 28-year-old right-hander was eligible to become a free agent after this season, but the White Sox traded for him June 27 in the hope they could sign him to a longer deal.

Under terms of the deal, Garcia will earn $8 million in 2005, $9 million in 2006 and $10 million in 2007.

“When we acquired Freddy, our short-term goal was for him to help us reach the playoffs and beyond,” White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. “But in planning for the future, we also felt he was a necessary ingredient to help sustain the long-term success of the organization.”

Garcia, who made his home debut Tuesday night against Anaheim, was 5-7 with a 3.35 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 16 combined starts with the M’s and White Sox prior to Tuesday’s game. But those numbers are somewhat misleading. He’s received only 2.71 runs of support per nine innings, lowest in the American League.

A two-time All-Star, Garcia is 77-50 with a 3.90 ERA and 828 strikeouts in five-plus seasons. He has won at least 16 games in three of the last four seasons, and had his best year in 2001 when he was 18-6 with a league-best 3.05 ERA.

Garcia was acquired from the Mariners with catcher Ben Davis and cash in exchange for catcher Miguel Olivo and minor leaguers Jeremy Reed and Michael Morse.

Larkin not sure he’ll retire

Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin has asked the Reds to cancel his retirement ceremonies planned for the final weekend of the season because he’s not sure this will be his last year.

“Right now, I would like to leave my options as a player open for 2005,” Larkin said.

Larkin, 40, was picked this weekend for his 12th All-Star team. The Reds’ captain was hitting .295 with four homers and 31 RBIs going into Tuesday night’s game at St. Louis.

Yankees’ protest denied

The New York Yankees’ protest of a weekend game against the New York Mets was denied by the commissioner’s office.

The Yankees officially filed the protest Monday, a day after Jorge Posada was called out for interference in the eighth inning of a 6-5 loss.

Posada was called out when he was hit while running to second on Miguel Cairo’s grounder. Posada was struck by the ball after it got past diving first baseman Mike Piazza and umpires ruled second baseman Ty Wigginton, who was behind Posada, still had a chance to field the ball.

The Yankees’ contention was that Wigginton would have had no play at first base.

A bit of good news for Rolen

Scott Rolen expects to be able to play despite his sore left knee after an MRI revealed irritation in the joint.

The Cardinals’ All-Star third baseman has been bothered by the knee for about a month, but it mostly affects him on the basepaths. He leads the major leagues with 80 RBIs.

Rolen said he and Dr. George Paletta, the Cardinals’ physician, discussed a series of injections that would cushion the knee. But he’s holding off, at least for now.

Governor lobbies for Hafner

Travis Hafner is getting some campaign help from North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven.

Hafner, a North Dakota native, is a finalist for the last spot on the American League’s All-Star team, and Hoeven is appealing to Hafner’s home state fans for support.

Hoeven voted online for Hafner on Tuesday, and issued a statement asking North Dakotans to elect the Indians first baseman to his first All-Star game. Fans can vote online until 5 p.m. PDT today.

Clearing the bases

Reliever Bob Wickman was activated from the 60-day disabled list by the Indians. Cleveland also designated for assignment reliever Jose Jimenez, who was 1-7 with a 8.42 ERA. The club has 10 days to release, trade or outright the right-hander to the minors… . Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett was placed on the 15-day DL after tearing skin on his right middle finger, one day after returning from a back injury… . The Rangers placed infielder Herbert Perry on the 15-day DL with a sprained right calf and purchased the contract of infielder Manny Alexander from Triple-A Oklahoma… . The Orioles claimed catcher Ken Huckaby off waivers from the Rangers… . Expos right-hander Zach Day was placed on the 15-day DL with right shoulder tendinitis. Montreal recalled left-hander Chad Bentz from Triple-A Edmonton… . San Francisco Giants reliever Jason Christiansen was activated from the 15-day DL. Right-hander David Aardsma was optioned to Triple-A Fresno to make room for Christiansen.