After managing the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships in four seasons, Terry Francona was rewarded yesterday with a three-year contract extension that runs through 2011.

The deal includes club options for 2012 and 2013, which would give him a full decade as manager if the team exercises them.

Francona also received something else: a touching e-mail from general manager Theo Epstein as final details were being worked out Saturday night.

"It was just personal (about) what we've been through since the very beginning," Francona said after yesterday's spring training workout in Fort Myers, Fla. "It meant a lot to me. He means a lot to me."

Francona guided the Red Sox to World Series sweeps of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004, their first title in 86 years, and the Colorado Rockies last year. He succeeded the fired Grady Little when he signed a three-year contract on Dec. 4, 2003. Francona later received a two-year extension through the 2008 season.

"The ballclub showed a lot of trust in me, which I don't take lightly," he said.

At 48, he is entering his fifth season as manager, the last of his previous contract.

PHILLIES

LIDGE TO HAVE SURGERY ON INJURED RIGHT KNEE

Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today and could miss the regular-season opener.

Lidge, Philadelphia's biggest offseason acquisition, limped off the field Saturday after injuring his knee when he caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice. Doctors removed torn cartilage from the same knee in October.

The 31-year-old right-hander was expected to return to Philadelphia yesterday for surgery that would sideline him for three to six weeks. The Phillies open the season at home March 31 against Washington.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said setup man Tom Gordon would close if Lidge isn't ready for opening day.

CUBS

DEROSA HOSPITALIZED FOR RAPID HEARTBEAT

Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from a Mesa, Ariz., hospital last night, the team said, one day after complaining of a rapid heartbeat during fielding drills.

DeRosa, 33, is expected to be examined by a cardiologist today and could be back on the field by the middle of the week, the Cubs said.

His irregular heartbeat was not life-threatening, according to the team. A woman who answered the phone at the hospital said she had no information about DeRosa.

"He had an episode yesterday of an atrial dysrhythmia that he's had in the past that has lasted briefly," Cubs doctor Stephen Adams said, speaking with reporters yesterday afternoon at DeRosa's request. "This one had a bit of an extended period of time for which he contacted our head athletic trainer, Mark O'Neal, who appropriately saw him and was with him."

ASTROS

ONLY CLEMENS KNOWS IF HE'LL ATTEND CAMP

Roger Clemens might show up at Houston Astros spring training this week for a minor league minicamp that includes his son, Koby.

The minicamp begins today in Kissimmee, Fla., and Koby Clemens, a catcher in the Astros' minor league system, is expected to participate. Minor leaguers could check in for the camp yesterday, but neither Koby nor his father arrived before the minor league clubhouse closed at 5 p.m.

Roger Clemens has come to the spring camp with his son the past few seasons. He has a personal services contract with the Astros that will kick in when he officially retires.

Houston manager Cecil Cooper said he was expecting the seven-time Cy Young Award winner to attend the camp, but said he didn't know when he might arrive. Neither general manager Ed Wade nor assistant GM Ricky Bennett had any indication when Clemens would arrive or if he'd show up at all.

ELSEWHERE

White Sox: Mark Buehrle was scratched from his scheduled outing in a Chicago White Sox intrasquad game at Tucson, Ariz., because of soreness. The left-hander, slated to start the season opener, had been expected to throw two innings today. He said he felt a little tight, but it was nothing serious and he plans to pitch against Arizona on Feb. 29 in Chicago's third spring training game. "It's not a big deal," manager Ozzie Guillen said. The White Sox plan to monitor Buehrle closely this spring and not use him too much because of all the innings he has thrown throughout the years.

Pirates: Free-agent pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim finalized an $850,000, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday, four days after agreeing to terms. The Pirates also designated infielder Ray Olmedo for assignment. Kim, expected to join the team today, could earn up to $1.15 million in performance bonuses based on games pitched. His deal guarantees him $300,000.