Twins sign Dozier to four-year extension
Second baseman Brian Dozier signed a four-year, $20 million contract extension with the Minnesota Twins.
Dozier, 27, is now signed through 2018 and is one of the core players in the coming youth movement at Target Field.
Dozier batted .242 last season with 23 home runs, 33 doubles, 71 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. He was named to the All-Star team and participated in the Home Run Derby at Target Field.
The contract calls for a $2 million salary in 2015 and $3 million in 2016 before spiking to $8 million and $9 million in the final two seasons.
Cubs’ prospect hits ninth homer
Chicago Cubs third base phenom Kris Bryant flexed his muscle again on Tuesday and belted his ninth home run of spring training.
The Las Vegas native and last year’s Minor League Player of the Year started the day hitting .480. Bryant connected Tuesday off Oakland Athletics left-hander Drew Pomeranz.
Despite being the home run leader this spring, Bryant most likely will begin the season at Triple-A. If Bryant starts the season in the minors, the Cubs will be able to delay a potential free-agency bid by the 23-year-old for an entire extra season.
Dodgers sign Cuban second baseman
The Los Angeles Dodgers landed coveted Cuban second baseman Hector Olivera after reaching agreement on a six-year, $62.5 million deal.
The agreement includes a $28 million signing bonus. Among the teams pursuing Olivera were the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres.
The 29-year-old infielder, who turns 30 in April, also has the ability to play third base. He impressed scouts last month during workouts in the Dominican Republic with his power and raw ability. It’s not yet known when the Dodgers will deem the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Olivera ready for the major leagues.
Tampa Bay to retire Zimmer’s No. 66
The Tampa Bay Rays will honor Don Zimmer on Opening Day by retiring uniform No. 66 during a pregame ceremony at Tropicana Field.
The longtime senior adviser for the Rays died on June 4 at the age of 83.
From 1971 until he died last year, Zimmer either managed, coached or served as an adviser for nine major league clubs.
His baseball career spanned 66 years and teams he was associated with advanced to the postseason 19 times, including all four of the Rays’ appearances.
Zimmer earned six World Series rings.
Howard’s return expected Wednesday
After missing 26 games with knee issues, Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is expected back for Wednesday night’s road game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rockets coach Kevin McHale said, barring any setbacks, that he planned to use the big center for the first time since Jan. 23. Howard is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.
McHale wants to limit Howard to 20 minutes per game initially. He is averaging 16.3 points, 11 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 32 games this season.
Tar Heels think Meeks won’t play vs. Wisconsin
North Carolina does not expect forward Kennedy Meeks to be able to play in Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup against No. 1 seed Wisconsin.
“We’ll just have to wait and see,” coach Roy Williams said on his weekly radio show Monday night. “They’re not completely ruling him out, and they’re not saying that he can play. Let me say it that way: I don’t think we’ll have him, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Meeks, who is averaging 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds as a starter, left the Tar Heels’ win Sunday against Arkansas with a little more than three minutes left in the game after spraining his left knee.