Ever since he became the Washington Nationals' very first draft pick, Ryan Zimmerman wanted to stay with the club for the long haul.
Now he'll get that wish.
The Nationals took what they hope is another step toward consistent contention by locking up their third baseman -- and the guy many still call the face of the franchise -- through 2019, adding six years to Zimmerman's existing contract in a deal announced Sunday. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.
The extra six seasons are worth $100 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
"It's nice that it's done," Zimmerman said at a news conference at the club's spring training stadium in Viera, Fla. "It's where I want to be. It's where I've always wanted to be."
Hamilton/RANGERS: When it comes to the Texas Rangers, star Josh Hamilton wants to make this clear: "My loyalty is here."
On Friday, the former AL MVP said he didn't feel that he owed the Rangers. Hamilton clarified those remarks Sunday and said his loyalty is with the Rangers.
"This is where I've been. This is where my family's been, so obviously I would love to stay here more than anywhere else," he said. "First of all, they get a chance to do what they need to do to keep me here."
Hamilton was the 2010 AL MVP. He hit .298 with 25 home runs last year in an injury-interrupted season, playing hurt throughout the postseason before having sports hernia surgery in November.
RED SOX/PUNTO: No matter what kind of numbers shortstop Nick Punto puts up for the Boston Red Sox this season, none will be bigger than the one on his back.
Punto is wearing No. 5 this season, which carries a lot of weight in Red Sox lore. It's the number that fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra wore at shortstop for the Red Sox for nine years. Garciaparra was a five-time All-Star and the AL Rookie of the Year in 1997.
Punto says he called Garciaparra last week to "tell him how honored I am to wear his number." Punto says Garciaparra appreciated the call.
Outfielder Rocco Baldelli wore No. 5 for Boston in 2009, making him and Punto the only two players to wear it since Garciaparra was traded during the 2004 season.
Orioles/Wada: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada has been held out of his scheduled bullpen session because of discomfort in his left elbow.
The Orioles sent Wada for an X-ray and manager Buck Showalter said there was nothing unusual about the results. Showalter said Wada's elbow was aspirated, and that he will be re-evaluated in a few days.
Showalter says Wada has had discomfort in his elbow in previous years.
Wada signed a two-year, $8.14 million contract last December.
Wada was 107-61 with a 3.13 ERA and 1,329 strikeouts in 210 career games over nine seasons with the Fukuoka Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League. In his 52 starts in 2010 and 2011, Wada was 33-13 with a 2.29 ERA.
Cardinals 2B Shuffle: St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak would like to see Tyler Greene take over for Skip Schumaker as the team's regular second baseman. First-year manager Mike Matheny isn't ready to commit to the switch.
A first-round selection out of Georgia Tech in 2005, Greene has yet to earn consistent playing time in the major leagues.
Second base is the only starting position up for grabs in Cardinals camp as the team prepares to defend its 2011 World Series championship.
Mets/Tejada: New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada has reported to spring training camp on time. Still, it was later than manager Terry Collins had anticipated.
Collins says he had expected Tejada to be among the early arrivals so the Mets could get a head start with their new double-play combination. Tejada takes over for Jose Reyes, who took a free agent deal with the Marlins, and Daniel Murphy is set to start at second.
The 22-year-old Tejada said that he was delayed because of a visa problem. He says he told Collins during an early-morning meeting that he'd been working with a trainer back home.
Tejada batted .284 in 96 games last year with 36 RBIs.
First Published February 27, 2012, 5:15 a.m.