The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Randy Johnson and Arizona agreed Monday to a $33 million, two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Diamondbacks through the 2005 season.

Johnson won four NL Cy Young Awards and one World Series title in the first four seasons of his current contract. The 6-foot-10 left-hander known as Big Unit will be 42 when the deal ends.

"They want some return on what they're giving me and I try to give them it back tenfold," Johnson said. "I suppose that if you continue to say that I'm old, you're eventually going to be right. But I'm looking at it as just a number."

Johnson's $16.5 million average annual salary will be the highest ever for a pitcher, topping the $15.45 million Roger Clemens averaged with the New York Yankees in 2001 and 2002.

Johnson is 81-27 since joining the Diamondbacks, raising his career record to 224-106.

EXPOS: Montreal acquired Livan Hernandez from the San Francisco Giants, uniting the former World Series MVP with his half brother, Orlando Hernandez.

Montreal acquired Livan Hernandez and catcher Edwards Guzman and $3.2 million in exchange for pitcher Jim Brower and a player to be named. The money will pay all of Livan Hernandez's salary but the $300,000 minimum.

Livan Hernandez, 28, was 12-16 with a 4.38 ERA last year for the Giants, and he has a 69-69 major league record and 4.42 ERA since defecting from Cuba.

SHORT HOPS: John Lackey, the first rookie to win Game 7 of the World Series in 93 years, will pitch the season opener for the Anaheim Angels on Sunday night against the Texas Rangers.

• The Astros optioned shortstop Adam Everett to Triple-A.

Everett, a member of the U.S. gold medal Olympic team in 2000, was Houston's starting shortstop on opening day last season. He hit .189 in 14 games to start last season before being demoted.

• Braves pitcher Paul Byrd likely will start the season on the disabled list because of a sore elbow.

• Charles Nagy accepted the Padres' assignment to Triple-A Portland.

In camp as a non-roster invitee, Nagy's attempt to earn the final spot in the rotation ended when he was struck by a line drive last Wednesday.

The 35-year-old right-hander was 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA in three spring appearances.

• Brian Meadows, slated to be Pittsburgh's fourth starter, was optioned by the Pirates to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

With experienced starters Jeff Suppan and Jeff D'Amico improving the staff, there wasn't a spot for Meadows anymore.

• American League MVP Miguel Tejada will sit out at least two games after getting hit on the left knee with a pitch.

• Seattle reliever Kazuhiro Sasaki has a sore right shoulder and may not be available for the Mariners' opener at Oakland on April 1.

• Montreal right-hander Orlando Hernandez will miss at least one regular season start because of tendinitis in his shoulder.

• Philadelphia pitcher Brandon Duckworth will open the season on the disabled list.

• X-rays on Adrian Beltre's sore left ankle showed no fracture and the 23-year-old third baseman might return to the Dodgers' lineup as soon as today.

GAME REPORT: Aramis Ramirez hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off Doug Creek in a five-run sixth inning as the Pirates beat the Blue Jays 9-6. Pokey Reese went 3-for-3.

• Garrett Stephenson pitched six innings in his best start of the spring in the Cardinals' 6-1 victory over the Dodgers. Stephenson allowed one run and five hits.

• Pat Hentgen struck out five in six strong innings for his first victory of the spring for the Orioles in a 4-3 victory over the Twins.

• Todd Helton, bothered by a sore back late last season, raised his spring average to .487 in the Rockies' 4-2 win over the White Sox.