Signs of deal with Ortiz

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- There were indications last night the Red Sox were inching close to reaching a multiyear contract extension with David Ortiz, one of the league's most productive hitters over the last year. The sides recently renewed negotiations, which had cooled off after spring training.

With little chance of signing four other potential free agents -- Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Lowe, and Jason Varitek -- until after the World Series, the Sox want to lock up Ortiz to ensure he helps Manny Ramirez anchor the middle of the lineup beyond this season. Before last night's 0 for 3 with two walks, Ortiz, 28, had hit .284 with 39 homers and 112 RBIs in 137 games since he began playing regularly last May 30. That's when the Sox traded Shea Hillenbrand to the Diamondbacks for Byung Hyun Kim.

General manager Theo Epstein, who has made no secret of wanting to retain Ortiz at the right price, declined comment, citing an agreement he made with Fernando Cuza, Ortiz's agent, to keep the talks private. Ortiz said he made clear to Cuza that he wants to stay in Boston and that he did not want to worry about negotiations during the season.

"I said, `Don't let me know anything unless they're ready to sign me,' " Ortiz said. "Otherwise, I don't want to know. So they might come down tonight and say, `Here, we've got something for you.' I don't know."

The bottom line, said Ortiz, is "I want to stick around. I like it here."

The Sox like his production as well. Ortiz ranks among the league leaders in home runs (10), RBIs (31), extra-base hits (26), total bases (88), slugging percentage (.550), doubles (16), and home run ratio (one every 16 at-bats). He has indicated he would like to improve his batting average (.263) and reduce his strikeouts (41).

The Sox and Ortiz, who finished fifth last year in the MVP balloting, agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million contract in February to avoid salary arbitration. Ortiz had sought $5 million and the Sox had offered $4.2 million.

Injury concerns

The injury woes mounted as third baseman Bill Mueller and righthander Scott Williamson returned to Boston for medical exams. Mueller's right knee continues to plague him while Williamson has expressed concern about the condition of his surgically repaired right elbow.

Mueller seemed more likely than Williamson to join Garciaparra and Trot Nixon on the disabled list since he has been unable to overcome the discomfort in his knee while playing. "Basically, it's not right," Mueller said, "so we'll see how to fix it."

Mueller sat out four games, last Thursday through Sunday, and hoped he had healed the injury. He played Tuesday and Wednesday and was scheduled to play last night before he approached manager Terry Francona and told him the knee continued to hamper him.

Team medical director Bill Morgan was scheduled to examine Mueller after Williamson, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow in 2001. Williamson told Francona after he pitched an inning Tuesday that his elbow felt tender. Francona said he did not believe Williamson will need to go on the DL.

"I'm very confident the reason we're getting him checked out is to put him at ease so he can go ahead and pitch," Francona said. "I don't think this is something where he's going to miss a lot of time."

With Mueller sidelined, Kevin Youkilis played third and is expected to do so tonight in his Fenway debut.

As for Garciaparra, Francona and team officials plan to meet with him today to chart his next step. Though Garciaparra appears close to starting a minor league rehab assignment, Francona said it was unlikely he would do so this weekend. Nixon seems to remain at least a week away from starting an official tuneup in the minors.

Pitch for Mondesi

The moment Ramirez learned the Pirates had released Raul Mondesi, he bolted directly for Francona's office, closed the door, and talked to Epstein about the prospect of the Sox acquiring the 1994 National League rookie of the year and two-time Gold Glove outfielder. Mondesi, 33, who hit .272 with 24 homers and 71 RBIs last year for the Yankees and Diamondbacks, is a righthanded hitter who could provide insurance in case Nixon or Ellis Burks suffer additional setbacks. "He would be a good fit here," Ortiz said. Mondesi returned home to the Dominican Republic to deal with issues stemming from a civil suit filed against him by former Sox infielder Mario Guerrero, who claims Mondesi owes him $640,000 for helping him reach the big leagues. Mondesi would be united with three friends on the Sox: Ramirez, Ortiz, and Martinez. Asked if the Sox had interest in Mondesi, Epstein said, "I don't know." Mondesi needs to clear waivers before the Sox could land him.