Off the wire

LITTLE ROCK — BASEBALL

Giants agree with DeRosa

The San Francisco Giants have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa on a two-year contract, adding a key bat to the middle of their order. Giants spokesman Jim Moorehead said the 12-year veteran passed a physical Monday and the team planned to formally announce his deal today. DeRosa, who turns 35 in February, had left wrist surgery after the 2009 season, when he batted .250 with a career best 23 home runs to go along with 78 RBI for Cleveland and St. Louis. He was traded from the Indians to the Cardinals on June 27 but was in the St. Louis lineup for three games before hurting his wrist against San Francisco. He spent a stint on the disabled list for an injury that was later diagnosed as a partially torn tendon sheath. He is a career .275 hitter with Atlanta, Texas, the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland and St. Louis.San Francisco also is working to finalize a contract to bring back infielder Juan Uribe. The 30-year-old Uribe began the 2009 campaign as a backup but wound up playing in 122 games at third, shortstop and second in his first season with San Francisco. He batted .289 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI.

The New York Mets have signed right-hander Kelvim Escobar to a one-year contract. The team announced the deal on Monday. He was expected to get $1.25 million. Escobar, an 18-game winner in 2007, missed nearly all of the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels because of shoulder trouble. If healthy, he would likely work out of the bullpen for the Mets, who are looking for setup help for All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez. The 33-year-old Escobar has extensive relief experience from his days in Toronto. He came up with the Blue Jays in 1997 and saved 38 games in 2002. Escobar was cleared a few weeks ago to pitch by Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek, who performed shoulder surgery on Escobar in July 2008.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed reliever Bob Howry to a one-year contract with a club option for 2011. Terms weren’t disclosed. The 36-year-old right-hander was 2-6 with a 3.39 ERA in 63 appearances with the San Francisco Giants last season. Right-handed batters hit just .207 against him. Howry has a 44-49 career record in parts of 12 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco.

BOXING

Commission steps in

The head of the Nevada boxing commission ordered Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to submit to urine tests Monday as a way of trying to break the impasse that has threatened to derail their proposed March 13 megafight. Pacquiao and Mayweather must submit to the tests within 48 hours or face possible fines or suspension by the Nevada Athletic commission. “That at least starts the ball rolling,” said Keith Kizer, the commission’s executive director. The two sides signaled late in the day that there could be room for a compromise after Mayweather’s representatives said there was footage on HBO’s 24/7 program that showed Pacquiao having blood taken 14 days before his knockout of Ricky Hatton. Mayweather’s promoter, Richard Schaefer, said he was told that Top Rank representatives would be talking early today to Pacquiao in the Philippines to see what cutoff date he would agree to on blood testing. Schaefer said there was a possibility the two sides could compromise somewhere between Mayweather’s demand for testing up until the weigh-in and the 14 days Pacquiao had blood taken before the Hatton fight.

HOCKEY

Capitals trade for Chimera

The Washington Capitals acquired left wing Jason Chimera from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade that sends Chris Clark and defenseman Milan Jurcina to Columbus. The deal cuts about $2 million in salary this season from Washington’s payroll, which could clear room for another trade. Chimera has eight goals and nine assists this season, along with 47 penalty minutes, more than anyone on Washington’s roster. The deal moves him from the last-place Blue Jackets - a team on a franchiserecord-tying nine-game losing streak - to a first-place Capitals club. Clark was in his fifth year with the Capitals, his fourth as the team’s captain. He has four goals and 11 assists this season, but his playing time has diminished over the years. Jurcina was in his fourth season with Washington and part of a crowded group of defensemen.

The Los Angeles Kings have placed Justin Williams on injured reserve after the veteran right wing broke his leg. Williams was hurt in the Kings’ loss at Phoenix on Saturday night. He could be out for three months, Coach Terry Murray said. Williams has 24 points in 22 games this season on the Kings’ top line.

New York Rangers top-line forward Vinny Prospal is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery that will keep him out for at least 10 days, and maybe up to three weeks. Prospal, in his first season with New York, was injured Saturday night in the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. The surgery took place Monday morning. In 38 games this season, the 34-year-old left winger has eight goals and 32 points. His 24 assists are tops on the Rangers and 19th best in the league.

SKIING

Vonn crashes, bruises bone

Vancouver Olympic favorite Lindsey Vonn bruised a bone in her left arm following a crash on the opening run of a World Cup giant slalom on Monday in Lienz, Austria. Vonn had X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging scans at a hospital before returning to the U.S. team hotel with her arm in a splint.

SPEEDSKATING

Wust qualifies for Games

Olympic 3,000-meter speedskating champion Ireen Wust of the Netherlands qualified Monday in Heerenveen, Netherlands, to defend her title at the Vancouver Olympics. Wust earned her second starting place for the Feb. 12-28 Winter Games by winning the Dutch trials over 3,000 meters in 4 minutes, 6.80 seconds at Thialf Ice Stadium. She qualified for the 1,500 on Sunday.