Staff and wire reports

Reds first baseman Sean Casey, who will miss the All-Star Game because of a strained right calf, had a vested interest in his selection to the National League team.

Casey's contract calls for the Reds' $8.5 million 2006 option to become guaranteed if he becomes an All-Star twice from 2002-05. If he is an All-Star next year, that would trigger the clause.

In all, 43 players earned $2.05 million in bonuses. Six players will receive $100,000 each: San Francisco's Barry Bonds, Anaheim's Vladimir Guerrero, the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez, Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia and Boston's Curt Schilling.

For the six-time All-Star Schilling, starting next week's All-Star game would be worth a $50,000 bonus.

Under the contract he personally negotiated last November when he was traded from Arizona to Boston, the Red Sox pitcher would receive that amount if American League manager Joe Torre selects him to start against the NL in Houston on July 13, according to a survey of contracts by the Associated Press.

"Maybe I could split it with him," Torre said Monday with a playful smirk.

Oakland's Mark Mulder, 11-2 with a 2.95 ERA, remains the most likely AL starter, with Houston's Roger Clemens the probable starter for the NL.

CARDINALS: Miami University star Mike Ferris, selected in the second round (60th overall) in last month's amateur draft, has agreed to terms with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Colerain High graduate will report to New Jersey of the short-season New York-Penn League.

Ferris was regarded as possibly the best college power-hitting prospect in this year's draft. Projected by some to go as high as the middle of the first round, it surprised the Cardinals that he was still available when they took him with the 60th overall selection. He belted 21 homers for the RedHawks while putting up a .513 on-base percentage and .755 slugging percentage.

Ferris, a left-handed hitting first baseman, is lauded for his ability to work counts and hit the ball to all fields. He was selected as a first-team All-American by Baseball America.

MARLINS: Florida activated right-hander Josh Beckett (4-4, 3.86 ERA) from the 15-day disabled list Monday and designated reliever Aaron Small for assignment. The World Series MVP was on the DL with a strained a back muscle.