Yankees add Nick Johnson to lineup

New York

Nick Johnson is returning to the Yankees, a move that likely will end Johnny Damon's time in New York after four seasons.

Johnson reached a preliminary agreement Friday on a $5.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not yet complete.

Johnson must pass a physical for the agreement to be finalized. He can earn about $1 million more in performance bonuses next year, and the deal includes a 2011 mutual option for at least $5.5 million with possible escalators.

Damon, who had a key double steal that helped New York beat Philadelphia in the World Series, became a free agent after completing a $52 million, four-year contract.

Johnson, a first baseman, began his career in New York. He will replace Matsui as the Yankees' DH and Melky Cabrera appears likely to take over from Damon in left. Johnson hit a combined .291 for Washington and Florida last season with eight homers, 62 RBIs, 99 walks, a .426 on-base percentage and a .405 slugging percentage. He figures to bat second for the Yankees behind Derek Jeter.

While Johnson has had a high on-base percentage throughout his career, he has been fragile. He has made nine trips to the disabled list for a sprained right wrist (2000), bruised left wrist (2002), broken right hand (2003), strained back (2004), broken cheekbone (2004), bruised right heel (2005), broken right leg (all of 2007), right wrist surgery (2008) and strained right hamstring (last season).

Notes

• Baltimore finalized its $12 million, two-year contract with reliever Mike Gonzalez, who will get a chance to become its closer.

• Philadelphia exercised its $8.5 million option for 2011 on shortstop Jimmy Rollins, the 2007 National League most valuable player.

• Left-hander Javier Lopez, who had been with Boston, agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract with Pittsburgh.

• Milwaukee agreed to a one-year contract to keep right-hander Claudio Vargas.

• Among players eligible for arbitration, right-hander Ricky Nolasco and the Florida Marlins agreed at $3.8 million.

• Dennis Herrera, San Francisco city attorney, called on Major League Baseball not to allow the Oakland Athletics to move to San Jose, saying it would hurt San Francisco financially.

Herrera sent a letter to commissioner Bud Selig expressing "grave concern" about a move and saying he would do everything possible to protect the city's interests. The San Francisco Giants hold territorial rights to the San Jose area, and say much of their revenue comes from there.

• A lawsuit by a businessman seeking $203,000 from ex-slugger Sammy Sosa has been thrown out by Dominican Republic prosecutor Adolfo Feliz.

Carim Abu Nabaa alleged Sosa didn't pay him a commission of $150,000 on a house sale, $43,000 for a luxury watch, and $10,000 for getting Reggaeton singer Don Omar to perform at Sosa's 41st birthday party.