BASEBALL NOTES

Pittsburgh Pirate Manager Gene Lamont signed a contract extension that keeps him with the team through 2000. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

*

The New York Yankees avoided an arbitration hearing with pitcher Andy Pettitte, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3.75-million.

*

Cincinnati Red pitcher Jose Rijo, trying to come back after four elbow surgeries, threw for the first time at spring training in Sarasota, Fla., and said he felt no pain. Rijo hasn’t pitched in the majors since July 1995.

The 1990 World Series most valuable player had his fourth surgery last September after three other failed comeback attempts.

*

Dennis Martinez, the 42-year-old nonroster invitee with 20 years of major league experience, impressed Atlanta Brave Manager Bobby Cox as pitchers and catchers reported to camp at Orlando, Fla.

Martinez appeared recovered from season-ending knee surgery after going 1-5 with a 7.71 ERA for Seattle last year.

*

New York Met Manager Bobby Valentine said four spots in the starting rotation already have been penciled in.

Valentine said Dave Mlicki, Rich Reed, Al Leiter and Bobby Jones were the foursome. He also indicated that Masato Yoshii, Armando Reynoso and Paul Wilson all were in line for the open slot.