01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, January 24, 2006

The Chicago Cubs and pitcher Wade Miller agreed yesterday to a one-year contract.

Bothered by shoulder problems, the 29-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 4.95 E.R.A. in 16 starts in his lone season with the Boston Red Sox. He spent the first five weeks and the final two months on the disabled list.

Miller was with the Houston Astros for his first six major league seasons, going 16-8 in 2001 and 15-4 in 2002. He is 62-43 with five complete games and a 3.98 E.R.A. during his career.

ROUNDUP FOSSUM, RAYS AGREE: Left-hander Casey Fossum avoided arbitration with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when he agreed yesterday to a $4.55-million, two-year contract that includes a club option for 2008. Fossum set career highs for wins, innings pitched and strikeouts last season when he went 8-12 with a 4.92 E.R.A. in 36 games, including 25 starts. He moved from the bullpen into the rotation in mid-May and struck out 128 in 162 2/3 innings. Fossum's deal includes a $50,000 signing bonus and calls for base salaries of $2 million in 2006 and $2.2 million in 2007. He could earn an additional $800,000 in performance bonuses in 2007 and again in 2008, when he would earn $3 million in base pay or receive a $300,000 buyout if the Devil Rays don't exercise their option.

BONDS OUT OF CLASSIC: Barry Bonds pulled out of the World Baseball Classic yesterday, saying he didn't want to risk an injury that could jeopardize what might be his final season with the San Francisco Giants. The star slugger had three operations on his troublesome right knee last year and missed most of the 2005 season before returning Sept. 12 and playing in 14 games. He announced in late November that he planned to play for the United States and was included on the preliminary U.S. roster for the inaugural 16-nation tournament, scheduled for March 3-20.

REDS GM OUSTED: Reds general manager Dan O'Brien was fired yesterday by new owner Bob Castellini, his first major change since he took control of the team. O'Brien was entering his third season as general manager and had a year to go on his contract. The Reds have had five consecutive losing seasons, their longest such streak in 50 years.

DiMAGGIO AUCTION ITEMS: More than 1,000 items of Joe DiMaggio memorabilia, including his 1947 A.L. MVP Award plaque and a signed photo of Marilyn Monroe, will be auctioned in May The sale announced yesterday by Hunt Auctions Inc. also will include the baseball from DiMaggio's record-breaking 45th consecutive hit during his 56-game streak in 1941 and a set of World Series rings from 1936-96 presented to DiMaggio by the Yankees. DiMaggio, who died in 1999, played for the Yankees from 1936-42 and 1946-51, appearing in 13 All-Star games. He won three A.L. MVP awards. The auction will take place May 19-20.

ATTACKER SURRENDERS: A man who punched Boston Red Sox pitcher David Wells to the floor of a Manhattan diner, knocking out two of the lefty's teeth, surrendered yesterday to finish his sentence for misdemeanor assault. Rocco Graziosa, who came to Manhattan Criminal Court wearing a dark blue, cotton velvet, athletic warm-up suit, didn't have much to say. "I'm not in a very good mood today," he replied when asked how he was doing. Despite his self-defense claim, Graziosa, 30, of Yonkers, was convicted Nov. 22, 2002, of third-degree assault for hitting Wells in a diner at First Avenue and 86th Street. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail. Graziosa's lawyer, Henry Mazurek, said Wells is still pursuing the civil suit he filed in September 2003 against his client. Mazurek said he will take sworn statements about the incident from Wells in a deposition on Feb. 13.

BAGWELL INSURANCE ISSUE: The Houston Astros intend to file a health insurance claim on Jeff Bagwell's contract, arguing that the four-time All-Star is too hurt to play this season. Bagwell is guaranteed about $17 million in 2006 whether he plays or not. But if he retires or is deemed unable to play, the Astros can file the claim by Jan. 31 and collect $15.6 million. The 37-year-old Bagwell missed 115 games last season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder. Doctors who examined him earlier this month told the Astros he's still not ready and the team decided to move forward with the claim.

HELTON UNDERGOES SURGERY: Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow yesterday and is expected back in time for spring training. Helton injured his elbow last week during a workout, the team said. He bats and throws left-handed.