Also out of Yankees camp in Tampa on Sunday: Outfielder Brett Gardner settled on a four-year, $52 million contract. That deal begins with the 2015 season. Gardner has a $5.6 million contract for this season.

The Yankees begin Grapefruit League games on Wednesday, a day after an exhibition against Florida State. Their opener will be in Brandenton, Fla., against the Pirates, who reciprocate on Thursday.

Jeter will retire after this season, following a year in which injuries limited him to 17 games.

Jeter says he is "pretty sure" that he will be part of the squad that will play games against the Marlins on March 15-16 in Panama, the home of retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

Rivera will be honored at the games. Jeter and Rivera were longtime teammates.

Asked whether he would make the trip, Jeter smiled and said, "What do you think?"

Spring is a key time for Gardner, who is moving to left field. He makes way in center for Jacoby Ellsbury, who joined the Yankees on a seven-year, $153 million free-agent deal.

Gardner, 30, hit .273 last season with eight home runs, 52 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.

Garnder's deal means the Yankees will have their projected starting outfield together for at least the next three seasons, according to CBSNewYork. The pact includes a club option for a fifth year at $12.5 million but not a no-trade clause.

In addition to Gardner and Ellsbury, the Yankees signed Carlos Beltran to a three-year deal in the offseason. Beltran will play right field.


FATHERS KNOW BEST


Pending tests Monday, Chase Headley will miss at least two weeks of Padres spring training. Reason: calf strain. Headley will have an MRI exam on his right calf on Monday.

Two immediate reactions: Headley's injury comes early enough in spring training to benefit him and the Padres; and, questions must be asked about Headley's future with the team as he enters the final year of his contract. Headley turns 30 in May.

Manager Bud Black told media members he has four or five players in mind as a fill-in for Headley. They include Alexi Amarista and Ryan Jackson, both on the Padres' 40-man roster; non-roster invitee Alberto Gonzalez and top prospect Jace Peterson.

"From an evaluation standpoint it's good to see those guys. We know what chase can do," Black said. "Obviously players have to get ready for the season, but for the short term it will be good to get those guys exposed and they're up for it."

Injuries are a common problem for the Padres, who saw players miss 1,883 man-games in each of the past two seasons. Headley was among the stricken last season, losing time to hand and knee injuries. His spring was derailed by a broken thumb in mid-March.

If doctors find nothing more severe than a strain, Headley will have plenty of time to sharpen up in Cactus League games.

Last week, Headley admitted his contract situation might end his term with the Padres. His handlers and Padres brass are talking ahead of his walk year.

"Both sides understand where the other party's coming from and, frankly, respects where the other side is coming from," he said, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "We're hoping at some point that we can come to common ground."

If they don't, which is a real possibility, Headley could be traded before the July 31 deadline.

Headley would benefit from a strong recovery this season. In 2012 he finished fifth in MVP voting after hitting .286 with 31 home runs. He also had an NL-best 115 RBIs. Last season's numbers: .262 with 12 homers and 64 RBIs.

He signed a one-year, $10.5 million contact in January.


HOMECOMING


Chris Capuano joined the Red Sox in training camp this week with a fresh one-year contract and a chance to pitch for the team he cheered for growing up.

Where he fits in the pitching staff will be determined, but Boston's WBZ-TV suggests his initial work will come out of the bullpen.

It's possible Capuano might land in the rotation, but he saw time as a starter and reliever last season with the Dodgers. He figures to be a long reliever and lefthanded specialist.

At 31, Capuano is a journeyman. His free-agent contract is guaranteed at $2.25 million, and according to CBS Sports nets him $5 million with incentives.

Team officials are watching Capuano work in Fort Myers, Fla., getting a handle on his ability and health. Capuano's career includes two surgeries on his left elbow, but he has been healthy since missing the 2008 and '09 seasons.

Capuano's chance to join the Red Sox came when Ryan Dempster decided not to pitch this season. He had been courted by the Orioles and Mariners.

The plus side for the Red Sox? Capuano can adjust to his role. He was a spot starter last season for the Dodgers, the first year in which he wasn't in the rotation full time. He will be in the same situation this season, because the Sox's rotation appears set with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Jake Peavy and Felix Doubront.

Capuano is from Massachusetts. Worth noting: He has pitched once at Fenway Park … in a high school all-star game.

Contributors: Ray Slover, The Associated Press