Vidro Agrees to Stay With the Expos

Jose Vidro is staying home, wherever home might be next season.

The All-Star second baseman agreed to a $30-million, four-year contract extension with the Montreal Expos.

Vidro said the deal was completed in principle Wednesday. It was announced after the Expos ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night in Phoenix.

“I’ve told you guys I didn’t see myself in another uniform,” Vidro said. “By signing me, it’s a sign we are going to have a home next year. We don’t have a permanent home, but I feel like in this team I’m in my home.”

The Expos, owned by the other 29 major league clubs, are playing 22 “home” games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, again this season to increase revenue.

Baseball is searching for a new home for the team, expected to move from Montreal sometime after this season.

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Closer Robb Nen of the San Francisco Giants is trying something new in an effort to solve his troublesome right shoulder: an extended period of rest.

Nen is headed home to Southern California for a month off from throwing and rehabilitation. He will be reevaluated after that.

Nen recently took 10 days off and went home, a time designated as a mental break and a chance to rest his shoulder, but he still felt pain while playing catch three times last week.

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Mike Piazza, the career home-run leader for catchers, will be spending more time at first base than behind the plate.

New York Met Manager Art Howe said Piazza, once reluctant to change positions, has embraced the idea.

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The Colorado Rockies put pitcher Turk Wendell, who has stiffness in his right shoulder, on the 15-day disabled list. The move was made retroactive to Thursday. He was 0-0 with a 7.02 earned-run average in 12 relief appearances.

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More than two dozen players from the old Negro Leagues will receive pensions from a charitable fund to be established by Major League Baseball.

The 27 players all played part of at least four seasons after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. A management source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the agreement. Details are expected to be announced Monday.

The agreement was first reported by the Washington Post. Players will have the option of getting $833.33 per month for four years -- a rate of $10,000 per year -- or $375 a month for life.