Sarasota, O's agree to deal

Sarasota County officials say they've reached a tentative agreement that would bring the Baltimore Orioles to the area for spring training in 2010.

Officials released a statement Tuesday saying they would send the agreement to the county commission for approval. The Sarasota City Commission will also have to approve parts of the deal. Both boards are scheduled to vote today.

The 30-year agreement calls for the renovation and expansion of Ed Smith Stadium at an estimated cost of $31.2 million. The Orioles would pay all operating and maintenance costs for the term of the lease, while the county and the team would split capital maintenance and repair costs.

Some of the funding would include local tourism tax revenue and more than $7 million in state money.

Knuckleballer Wakefield on DL

ARLINGTON, Texas - All-Star knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is headed to the disabled list because of a lower back problem.

The Boston Red Sox recalled right-hander Clay Buchholz from Triple-A Pawtucket to start in Wakefield's place tonight in the finale of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Manager Terry Francona said Wakefield, who turns 43 next week, got hurt throwing on the side Saturday.

Wakefield said he wasn't exactly sure when he got hurt or when he will try to throw again, though he didn't sound overly concerned.

BLUE JAYS: General manager J.P. Ricciardi still hasn't received an appropriate trade offer for Roy Halladay, and has set a Tuesday deadline to complete a deal for the Cy Young Award winner.

Ricciardi said the deadline is necessary to get an agreement in place for what is likely to be a complicated deal. He also wants the matter resolved before Halladay makes a scheduled start July 29 in Seattle.

BREWERS: Hitting coach Dale Sveum has been suspended three games and fined an undisclosed sum for yelling at umpires after a game in Cincinnati. He was angry about the way the strike zone was called.

PHILLIES: Pedro Martinez has taken a "really big step" forward after throwing 64 pitches in four innings in a simulated game.

The Phillies' new right-hander faced hitters for the first time in 11 days Tuesday and afterward said he was excited about the outing.