Notes

LITTLE ROCK — DODGERS

Cuban outfielder gets big deal

ESPN reported Thursday that Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig has reached agreement on a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The agreement is pending a physical exam, and would be the largest deal for a Cuban defector, surpassing the four-year, $36 million deal Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes signed in February.

A source told ESPN that the agreement includes some clauses that could permit Puig to become a free agent after his fourth year.

The 21-year-old Puig batted .330 with 17 home runs, 47 RBI and 78 runs scored in 327 at-bats with the Cienfuegos Elefantes in the 2010-2011 Cuban National Series. He hit .370 in 46 at-bats in the playoffs.

Puig, who also was considered the fastest player in Cuban baseball, was left off the Cienfuegos team for the 2011-2012 season after having been caught on several occasions trying to escape the country. He finally succeeded in defecting last month and established residency in Mexico.

YANKEES

Warren to start for Sabathia

NEW YORK - The New York Yankees have purchased the contract of right-hander Adam Warren from Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes/Barre, and he’ll take ace CC Sabathia’s turn in the rotation today for his first major league start.

A day after the Yankees were hit with two injuries to their starting staff, New York placed Andy Pettitte on the 60-day disabled list Thursday before playing the Chicago White Sox because of a broken left fibula. They recalled right-hander Ryota Igarashi from their top minor league team.

Sabathia strained his groin June 24 and didn’t tell anyone until it bothered him during his bullpen session Tuesday. He should be out until shortly after the All-Star break.

Freddy Garcia will make a start for Pettitte on Monday after being demoted from the rotation at the end of April. Pettitte was injured Wednesday and could be out up to eight weeks.

RAYS

Scott, others coming off DL

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays activated designated hitter Luke Scott from the 15-day disabled list and had him batting cleanup against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.

Scott had been sidelined since June 15 because of back stiffness. To make room on the roster, right-handed pitcher Chris Archer was optioned to Class AAA Durham.

Scott was batting .220 with 9 home runs and 35 RBI entering Thursday.

Meanwhile, Rays Manager Joe Maddon said pitchers Jeremy Hellickson and Kyle Farnsworth likely will return from the disabled list Saturday. Farnsworth has been out all season with a right elbow strain. Hellickson has been sidelined since June 15 because of right shoulder inflammation.

ORIOLES

Nick Johnson put on DL

BALTIMORE - The Baltimore Orioles have placed designated hitter Nick Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right wrist.

The move was announced Thursday, one day after Johnson was removed from Baltimore’s game against the Los Angeles Angels after one at-bat.

Playing in his first season with the Orioles, Johnson is batting .207 with 4 home runs and 11 RBI. He missed time with the New York Yankees last year with an inflamed tendon in his right wrist, but he said that injury and his current one are not related.

To replace Johnson on the roster, the Orioles recalled outfielder Xavier Avery from Class AAA Norfolk. Avery hit .217 in 15 games with Baltimore earlier this season.

MLB

Dykstra agrees to plead guilty

LOS ANGELES - Former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra faces up to 20 years in prison after agreeing to plead guilty to three counts stemming from a bankruptcy fraud case in Los Angeles.

U.S. attorney’s spokesman Thom Mrozek said Thursday that Dykstra will plead guilty to one count each of bankruptcy fraud, concealment of assets and money laundering. It was unclear when Dykstra will next appear in court.

Prosecutors said that after filing for bankruptcy, Dykstra hid, sold or destroyed more than $400,000 worth of items without permission of a bankruptcy trustee. Dykstra is serving a three-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to grand theft auto and providing a false financial statement.