SAN FRANCISCO — Slugger Ryan Howard agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract extension Monday that could keep him with the Phillies until 2017.
The 30-year-old first baseman will make $20 million each in 2012 and 2013 and $25 million annually from 2014-16. The Phillies have a $23 million club option for 2017 with a $10 million buyout.
“As part of this deal, he has agreed to buy a second home for me,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said jokingly.
Howard hit .279 with 45 homers and 141 RBIs last season, and after going 0-for-3 Monday against the Giants has three homers and 16 RBIs in 83 at-bats this year.
Cardinals place Lopez on DL
ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals placed infielder Felipe Lopez on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain and recalled outfielder John Jay and infielder Tyler Greene from Triple-A Memphis.
Outfielder Allen Craig, 1-for-18 in his first major-league experience, was optioned to Memphis.
Footnotes.
Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez was scratched from the lineup against the Chicago Cubs because of lower back tightness.
• Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka (neck) threw a 69-pitch simulated game and is scheduled to make his season debut Saturday at Baltimore, replacing knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in Boston’s rotation.
• Right-hander Brandon McCarthy, at Triple-A Oklahoma City after not making the Rangers’ rotation out of spring training, has been put on the seven-day disabled list in the minor leagues after feeling soreness in his right shoulder after his last start.
The Associated Press
