Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir agreed yesterday to a $28.5 million, three-year extension through 2011, a deal with a club option that could raise the contract's value to $39.5 million over four seasons.

The 2007 AL strikeout champion is 36-30 with a 3.63 ERA in 100 major league appearances, including 99 starts. He began this season on the 15-day disabled list after straining his left elbow, but returned to the rotation May 4.

Shortstop Jeff Keppinger will be out for 4-to-6 weeks with a broken left kneecap, leaving Cincinnati without its best clutch hitter so far.

Hank Steinbrenner expects his struggling New York Yankees (19-21) to focus and turn around their season.

"They've got to play smarter and harder," he said. "The injuries -- when you're missing Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, that makes it tough. ... At the same time, you've got to get it done. We still have plenty of good hitters. We need to get the job done."

Clay Buchholz was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Boston Red Sox because of a broken nail on his right middle finger. ... Jim Hoey, who pitched in 23 games for Baltimore last year, will miss the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. ... The Chicago Cubs were on the verge of signing free agent outfielder Jim Edmonds, who was released last week by the San Diego Padres.