Montreal signed 2B-S Jose Vidro to a four-year, $30M contract extension on Friday. Prior to signing the extension Vidro was set to become a free agent following the 2004 season, so this new deal will keep him with the club through 2008. Vidro's offensive production over the last three years has ranked him among the top half-dozen second baseman, and while he's off to a slow start in 2004, his skills remain solid, so his batting average should rebound before the end of the year. The second baseman hasn't been completely injury free the past few years, but he currently doesn't appear hindered by any condition that should discourage the Expos from making a multi-year commitment to him. I will be somewhat surprised if the 29-year-old's production improves over the next few seasons, but Montreal should feel fairly comfortable expecting Vidro to continue to contribute at his recent levels through his early thirties. His salary does not appear to be either a bargain or a burden.

The Expos placed LHP Rigo Beltran on the disabled list with a strained left oblique on May 4th. While the move was retroactive to April 29th, making Beltran eligible to return on May 14th, I suspect this injury will prevent Montreal from recalling him before June.

Montreal recalled RHP Jeremy Fikac to replace Beltran on the roster and in the bullpen. The move leaves LHP Chad Bentz as the Expos only left-handed pitcher, and the 24-year-old has not yet proven effective against left-handed batters. Among Montreal's relievers, RHP Luis Ayala has been most successful in retiring the opposition's lefties.