BASEBALL: Blue Jays, Bautista agree

A person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press the Blue Jays and major league home run leader Jose Bautista have reached an agreement on a five-year, $65 million contract.

* Vladimir Guerrero has been given a physical by the Orioles, the final hurdle before he can sign a contract and officially join the club. Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract on Feb. 4. . . . Outfielder Delmon Young and the Twins avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $5,375,000.

* Florida International shortstop Garrett Wittels will be in the Panthers’ lineup when their season begins tomorrow, despite unresolved legal issues stemming from a rape charge in the Bahamas late last year. Wittels received clearance from university officials yesterday.

NBA: Bobcats extend Silas

The Bobcats have removed the interim tag from coach Paul Silas, giving him a one-year extension that will keep him with the team at least through the 2011-12 season. Silas took over for fired Larry Brown on Dec. 22.

NHL: Quenneville hospitalized

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was in stable condition after being admitted to a Chicago hospital with an undisclosed illness. Team physician Dr. Michael Terry says it is “not of cardiac nature” and that tests were ongoing.

NFL: Cards name coordinator

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has completed the restructuring of his staff by promoting Mike Miller to offensive coordinator. Miller had been passing coordinator.

* The Chiefs put the franchise tag on linebacker Tamba Hali, the AFC’s leading sacker.

AUTO: Earnhardt in wreck

Instead of leading the field to the green flag in the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start from the back of the pack Sunday after wrecking his primary race car in practice yesterday. Earnhardt hit Jimmie Johnson’s car, then a wall.

CYCLING: Lance retires

Lance Armstrong, 39, has formally announced his retirement from cycling, more than a month after his last race.

MISC.: Taurasi cleared

Diana Taurasi had her provisional suspension for coping lifted by the Turkish Basketball Federation, which said the lab that returned a positive test retracted its report after it “evaluated” Taurasi’s statements in her defense. The federation did not say whether the lab made a mistake.