Sports Highlights

Bigger Pedro reports

Martinez
Those extra days of home cooking showed when a beefier Pedro Martinez arrived Thursday at Red Sox training camp. Martinez, packing extra pounds on his usually skinny frame, dined on healthier fare in the Dominican Republic. "Rice, beans, vegetables and some chicken," he said. "I wanted to feel stronger." He hasn't exactly spent the offseason at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and, although he didn't give his weight, Martinez appeared to be about 10 pounds heavier than the 170 pounds listed in the team roster. Before opponents who couldn't hit him assume he's out of shape, they better check his fastball. "Don't worry about it," he said. "Get me on the mound. You'll see."

Valentin: No kneed to worry

Valentin
After sufferering a career-threatening knee injury, John Valentin is healthy and ready to play ball. Nine months ago at Fenway Park, the patellar tendon that holds Valentin's left kneecap in place ruptured, and he collapsed while trying to field a grounder. The outlook was bleak. Valentin, 34, had surgery and there were estimates he could take 18 months to heal. "I know I want to play again and I want to play at the level that I know I can play," said Valentin, who walks without a limp and expects to be ready for opening day "barring any setback (like) somebody hitting my knee."

Sox want to lock up Nomar

Garciaparra
The Red Sox are looking to sign shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to a long-term contract extension, The Boston Globe reported Tuesday. Garciaparra has had discussions with the team that would keep him in a Red Sox uniform into the next decade and possibly beyond. "All I can say is we want Nomar Garciaparra to play his entire career in Boston," general manager Dan Duquette told the paper.

OFFSEASON PLAYER MOVEMENT

Acquired via trade Players traded
INF Chris Stynes from Cincinnati for INF Donnie Sadler and OF Michael Coleman
Players signed Players Lost
P Rod Beck (option picked up) P Ramon Martinez (option declined)
P Hipolito Pichardo (option picked up) P Rheal Cormier (signed with Philadelphia) P Frank Castillo (signed as free agent) P Tom Gordon (signed with Cubs)
Re-signed P Tim Wakefield P Jeff Fassero (signed with Cubs)
Re-signed P Pete Schourek 1B Rico Brogn a (signed with Atlanta)
P Hideo Nomo (signed as free agent) OF Midre Cummings (signed with Arizona)
P Kent Mercker (signed as free agent) OF Bernard Gilkey (signed with St. Louis)
P David Cone (signed as free agent) INF/OF Izzy Alcantara (released)
OF Manny Ramirez (signed as free agent)