Braves agree to deal with Anderson

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Atlanta Braves finally added a proven hitter to their outfield, agreeing with free agent Garret Anderson on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citing a person familiar with negotiations.

An announcement could come as soon as today, and Anderson is expected to join the Braves at spring training within two days. MLB.com also reported the agreement, citing unnamed sources, after it first appeared on AJC.com.

The 36-year-old left-handed hitter has a .296 career average and 272 home runs in 15 seasons in the majors, all with the Los Angeles Angels.

"I've always loved this guy," Braves manager Bobby Cox said of Anderson, who hit .293 with 15 home runs and 84 runs batted in last season. "He's got one of the sweetest swings in baseball. He's a guy you want up with the game on the line, and he uses all fields. I hope we get him."

Four days after Ken Griffey Jr. signed with Seattle instead of Atlanta, the Braves landed Anderson, a three-time former All-Star. He's expected to play left field, either in a platoon with Matt Diaz or in more of an everyday role.

"I like it," Brian McCann said. "The track record on him is, he can hit. And he's got a ton of knowledge, too, which will be good for us to pick his brain. I've heard from a bunch of people that he's a great guy. It gives us one more experienced hitter."

Notes

• New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter has a sore right hamstring and expects to resume running today.

Jeter took part in all drills Sunday except a running program.

"It's no big deal," he said. "It's really not an issue."

Jeter said his hamstring soreness will not affect his training for next month's World Baseball Classic. The shortstop is on the United States team.

"It's not a pull. It's not a strain," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's a little sore. Obviously we're going to watch him and make sure he's ready."

• Cincinnati Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez got a day off from manager Dusty Baker, who doesn't want to push him too hard coming off a severe knee injury.

The 32-year-old infielder missed all of last season because of a fracture in his left knee. He went through a workout before spring training began and was cleared to participate fully.

• Houston Astros non-roster invitee Toby Hall has decided to have surgery on his right shoulder and will be out four months.

Hall hurt his shoulder during batting practice earlier in the week and aggravated a previous injury. Houston said Sunday an MRI showed a torn labrum. Hall had dislocated the shoulder during 2007 spring training with the Chicago White Sox.

Hall will not be able to throw for four months after the surgery. The Astros said they were proceeding to void his minor-league contract, but have given him the option of receiving treatment from the medical staff until the surgery is scheduled.

• The Colorado Rockies are watching Carlos Gonzalez closely in every batting session, bunting drill and outfield station, especially his control at the plate.

Gonzalez, in competition for the starting job in left field and playing time at the other two outfield spots, tends to over-swing and not wait for the right pitches.

"I think I have a good swing if I make good contact," Gonzalez said. "It is more a matter of being patient. Sometimes when we feel comfortable at the plate we get aggressive and hit the ball far. At the same time, when we feel comfortable, we need to be smart and get a good pitch and make good contact."

• Ten Arizona Diamondbacks players and one coach missed spring training drills Sunday with unspecified stomach illnesses.

The team isn't sure if the illness stems from something the players ate, a virus going around the clubhouse or some other factor.