BASEBALL NOTES

Maury Wills, the former all-star shortstop, was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays as a spring training instructor on running and stealing.

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New York Mets’ outfielder Rich Becker agreed Friday to a one-year, $1.55-million contract, avoiding arbitration.

Becker, 26, hit .264 for Minnesota last season with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. He made $260,000. New York acquired Becker from the Twins on Dec. 12 for outfielder Alex Ochoa.

In a deal announced late Thursday, pitcher Dave Mlicki agreed to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

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The Boston Red Sox won their salary arbitration case with outfielder Damon Buford, who will be paid $460,000 this season instead of the $750,00 he asked for.

Buford, 28, earned $225,000 in 1997, when he hit .224 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs in 122 games for Texas. He came to Boston with Jim Leyritz for Aaron Sele.

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Two Colorado Rockies’ officials received minor bruises in a traffic accident during a scouting trip to Mexico.

Pat Daugherty, vice president of scouting, and Jeff Schugel, director of international scouting, were in Merida, Mexico, when the accident occurred Tuesday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.