Report: Baldelli to sign with Red Sox

BOSTON (WPRI) - Cumberland native Rocco Baldelli is close to signing with the Boston Red Sox, according to ESPN's Peter Gammons.

The free agent has undergone a series of tests at Mass General, and according to Gammons, the Red Sox are statisfied that Baldelli is healthy enough to contribute next year.

Baldelli will receive the Tony Conigliaro Award at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner in Boston Thursday night. That is when the official announcement is expected to be made.

Baldelli had played for the Tampa Bay Rays but missed significant time last year because of an illness diagnosed recently as mitochondrial fatigue syndrome.

If he does sign with the Sox, he will replace Coco Crisp.

Baldelli is a career .281 hitter, and hit four home runs in just 28 games last season.