BASEBALL NOTES

Frank Thomas, who believes he is underpaid at $9.9 million, was scheduled to meet Monday with Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to discuss his salary complaints.

Thomas has refused to practice with the team and has sat out six days of workouts in Tucson. The mandatory reporting date is today, according to baseball’s labor agreement.

“I don’t know who initiated the meeting, but it’s always good to see if someone has a disagreement they are able to sit down and discuss it,” White Sox Manager Jerry Manuel said.

As he stood around one of the team’s practice diamonds, Reinsdorf refused to comment on Thomas or the meeting, which was announced on the team’s Web site.

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Reliever Jerry Dipoto of the Colorado Rockies, who had surgery last May to relieve a bulging disc in his neck, felt stiffness in his neck during a 15-minute throwing session in Tucson.

Dipoto called Sunday’s episode a “setback” but didn’t think it would sideline him for more than a few days.

“The doctors told me to expect another setback along the way,” he said. “It’s not going to be just smooth sailing. I guess this is a setback, just a bump in the road.”

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Shortstop Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees was scratched from an intrasquad game in Tampa, Fla., because of right shoulder stiffness and will sidelined at least until late in the week. Jeter has been receiving treatment for the shoulder for several days. . . . Dwight Gooden, one of the candidates for the Yankees’ fifth starter spot, will start the team’s spring training opener Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. . . . The Cincinnati Reds re-signed third baseman Aaron Boone to a one-year contract, enabling him to play for his father, new Red Manager Bob Boone. Aaron Boone, 27, played in 84 games last season before suffering a knee injury in July, ending his season. He hit .285 with 12 home runs and 43 runs batted in.