01:00 AM EDT on Friday, October 28, 2005

BOSTON -- On the first day on which players could file for free agency, the Red Sox took care of one item on their off-season shopping list, reaching a tentative agreement with veteran reliever Mike Timlin.

Timlin, who established a club record for most appearances (81) in a season last year, will return on a one-year deal. Timlin is likely to earn a modest increase from his 2005 base salary of $2.75 million, with the new deal worth somewhere close to $3.5 million.

The team will have Timlin undergo a physical early next week, which will make the agreement official.

Timlin, who will turn 40 in March, has spent the last three seasons as a bullpen workhorse for the Sox, appearing in 229 games over that span.

Last year, he was 7-3 with a 2.24 E.R.A. with 13 saves. He spent the final five weeks of the season as the team's closer, allowing Curt Schilling to return to the starting rotation.

He's been remarkable durable in his career, having appeared in 60 games or more in each of the last nine seasons. His 893 career appearances rank him second among active pitchers.

Only four American League reliever compiled more innings than Timlin (80 1/3). His 13 saves were the most he's had since earning 27 in 1999.

It's expected that Timlin will return to the set-up role next season.

-- SEAN McADAM