Pitcher Garcia Signs Deal for $27 Million

Pitcher Freddy Garcia plans to stay with the Chicago White Sox for a while.

Garcia signed a $27-million, three-year contract extension with the White Sox on Tuesday, 10 days after being traded from Seattle.

The 28-year-old right-hander was eligible to become a free agent after this season. But the White Sox traded for him June 27 in the hope that they could sign him to a longer deal.

Garcia’s longtime friendship with White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen was thought to be a selling point. Guillen also is from Venezuela and is the second cousin of Garcia’s fiancee.

Garcia will earn $8 million in 2005, $9 million in 2006 and $10 million in 2007.

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Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin has asked the Reds to cancel his retirement ceremonies planned for the last weekend of the season because he’s not sure this will be his last year.

“Right now, I would like to leave my options as a player open for 2005,” Larkin said in a statement.

Larkin, 40, was picked this weekend for his 12th All-Star team.

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World Series MVP Josh Beckett was put on the 15-day disabled list after tearing skin on his right middle finger, one day after returning from a back injury.

Beckett was activated before Monday’s 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was removed after throwing 73 pitches over four innings.

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The Baltimore Orioles claimed catcher Ken Huckaby off waivers from the Texas Rangers.... The Rangers put infielder Herbert Perry on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right calf.... Montreal Expo right-hander Zach Day was put on the 15-day disabled list because of right shoulder tendinitis.