Red Sox finally head home after grueling 19-day journey

The cramped clubhouse looked pretty good to the Boston Red Sox.

From Tokyo to Toronto and finally to Fenway Park, players were relieved just to be home after a 19-day journey that ended with a three-game sweep by the Blue Jays.

“We’re fine,” Dustin Pedroia said Monday, surrounded at his locker by cartons. “I feel great. I think that toward the end of that road trip I started getting adjusted to the time and now I’m ready for the long haul.”

Jacoby Ellsbury seemed to need a little more time.

Standing amid the clutter in front of his locker, the rookie outfielder said shortly after noon, “I’m real tired. I actually just got up 20 minutes ago.”

One day before their home opener against Detroit, the Red Sox were still in some strange territory after their three-nation sojourn – last place.

Not a great start, but no cause for alarm, especially since they’re finally in a country where they haven’t lost.

“We’ve only played seven games, so it’ll be a lot better playing these home games,” said Pedroia, one of about a half-dozen players to show up on the off day. “We’ll be back in the cold weather and we’ll figure out a way to win.”

Boston goes into today’s game with a 3-4 record. Highly touted Detroit is 0-7.

Being home, though, might not make winning easier. The highly touted Tigers have played all six of their games at home – and lost every one.

Young, Arizona make deal

Center fielder Chris Young and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension through 2013.

The agreement, which includes a team option for 2014, was confirmed by a person familiar with the details who spoke on condition of anonymity because an announcement had not been made. The deal is likely to be announced today.

Terms of the contract approach the $31 million, six-year deal that Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki agreed to in January, the person familiar with the details said.

Young, entering his second big league season, declined to comment on the contract situation before the Diamondbacks played their home opener Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Guillen ban looming?

Jose Guillen’s 15-day suspension would start Thursday unless players and owners agree on changes to their drug rules or the penalty is put on hold again.

Major League Baseball and the players’ union announced March 28 they were putting the suspensions of Guillen and Jay Gibbons on hold for 10 days, giving lawyers more time to reach an agreement that would toughen the drug policy.

Spiezio pleads guilty

Former St. Louis Cardinals infielder Scott Spiezio pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving and hit-and-run charges stemming from a December car crash in Orange County, Calif.

Spiezio was ordered to serve three years probation, undergo a three-month alcohol program, attend two Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and complete 80 hours of community service.