Ozzie Denies Return

A St. Louis radio station reported that Ozzie Smith is negotiating to play baseball again. But another broadcast report quoted Smith as saying it’s not true.

Malcolm Briggs, a reporter for KSDK-TV, who spoke to Smith, said the shortstop told him he had no plans for a comeback.

Right-hander Pedro Astacio, 5-1 with a 4.25 ERA for the Colorado Rockies last season, agreed to a four-year contract worth about $23 million.

Right-hander Darren Dreifort and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a $685,000, one-year contract, more than triple his $220,000 salary last season.

Left-handed reliever Alan Embree and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a two-year contract worth $1,475,000.

Veteran major league infielder Mariano Duncan has reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Central League.

The San Diego Padres acquired speedy outfielder James Mouton from Houston for pitcher Sean Bergman, whose 6.09 ERA last year was the worst of his career.

John Valentin will file for salary arbitration today, dimming but not extinguishing Red Sox hopes that they can sign the veteran infielder to a multiyear contract extension.

Jason Bere, 4-2 last year in a comeback season after elbow surgery, agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.