Cardinals reach extension with Berkman

Lance Berkman agreed to a $12 million contract with St. Louis, giving the Cardinals a valuable bat for 2012.

The 35-year-old Berkman is completing a big comeback season with 31 home runs, 91 RBIs and a .300 average. The switch-hitter made his sixth All-Star team this summer, his first such honor since 2008.

The signing was announced Thursday, before a loss to the New York Mets.

Signing Berkman provides a potential backup plan for the Cardinals if Albert Pujols leaves as a free agent. The three-time N.L. MVP, who has played all 11 major league seasons with St. Louis, cut off negotiations on a new contract at the start of spring training.

Marlins’ Nunez isn’t Nunez

Florida Marlins closer Leo Nunez has been playing under an assumed name, and the issue prompted him to return to his native Dominican Republic, two people familiar with his immigration status said.

Both people said the Marlins have been aware of the issue for several months. They spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Dominican and team officials haven’t made any public comment on the case.

One of the people said Nunez’s real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he’s 29, a year older than listed in the team media guide. The Marlins placed Nunez on Major League Baseball’s restricted list, and he isn’t expected to pitch in the final week of the season.

Tour of Taiwan scheduled

A major league all-star team will travel to Taiwan in November for five exhibition games.

The big league all-stars will play Taiwan’s national team from Nov. 2-6, the commissioner’s office and players’ association said Thursday.

Games will take place in Taipei (Nov. 2), Taichung (Nov. 3-4) and Kaohsiung (Nov. 5-6).

MLB and the union also are discussing the possibility of having Oakland and Seattle play regular-season games in Japan next season.

Ramirez blocked from team

A person familiar with the situation says Manny Ramirez will not be allowed to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic because he neither served a suspension nor contested it following a positive drug test this year.

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, however, have concluded Ramirez is ineligible, the person told the Associated Press on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because management and the union did not announce that publicly.