Arizona slugger Mark Reynolds says he's agreed to terms on a new contract with the Diamondbacks.

Two people familiar with the talks said yesterday that the deal was worth $14.5 million over three years and includes an $11 million club option for 2013.

Reynolds expressed "relief to finally be able to get it done."

A 16th-round draft pick, the 26-year-old third baseman hit 44 homers with 102 RBIs last season. He also struck out 223 times, breaking the major league record of 204 he set the previous year.

His agreement first was reported by The Arizona Republic.

The new contract was expected to be announced by the team today.

According to one of the people familiar with the deal, Reynolds gets a $1 million signing bonus and a $500,000 salary this season, then $5 million in 2011 and $7.5 million in 2012. If the club doesn't pick up the 2013 option, Reynolds gets a $500,000 buyout.

Reynolds is the second young player to be locked up with a new contract from the Diamondbacks this spring. Earlier, 22-year-old All-Star outfielder Justin Upton signed a $51.25 million, five-year contract.

He has been a work in progress on defense. Reynolds led the majors with 35 errors in 2008 but improved to 24 last year.

"Just the negotiations back and forth, day in and day out," he said, "throwing numbers here, there, trying to come to an agreement. It's a lot of work. I never really realized how much there was to it, but it's a good problem to have."

HEATED MOMENT

MARINERS' LEE EJECTED FOR HIGH, HARD ONE

The anticipated spring pitching matchup of Seattle ace Cliff Lee and his Arizona counterpart Dan Haren ended abruptly when Lee was tossed from the game for allegedly throwing at the Diamondbacks' Chris Snyder.

The blowup came with two outs in the third inning of Arizona's 13-5 victory yesterday at Tucson, Ariz., when Lee threw one pitch inside, then another that zipped just over Snyder's head.

Snyder walked toward the mound, then the dugouts and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown.

Lee, acquired in a big offseason trade with Philadelphia, says he was just trying to throw inside when a couple of pitches got away from him.

In the first inning, Snyder and Lee collided when the Mariners' left-hander was backing up a play at home plate.

Haren gave up a run and four hits in four innings, fanning three and walking two. Arizona's Chris Young went 2 for 3 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer.

The second-inning fracas overshadowed a solid if not spectacular performance by Haren, the Diamondbacks' opening day starter.

"I was tired there at the end but that's to be expected," Haren said. "I worked my way out of a couple of jams the first couple of innings and loaded them up in the last, but all in all it was probably good to work on those situations, kind of minimizing the damage and stuff."

He loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth but only one run scored — on Dustin Ackley's sacrifice fly. Rob Johnson flew out to center and Jack Wilson grounded out to end the inning.

DODGERS

RELIEVER GAGNE SENT TO MINOR LEAGUE CAMP

Los Angeles has sent former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne to their minor league camp, stalling the former Cy Young Award winners' bid to make it back to the majors.

The 34-year-old Gagne had a 20.25 ERA in three outings during spring training, allowing six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

The Dodgers reassigned Gagne to the minors, and manager Joe Torre said the reliever accepted the move. Gagne had an out clause and could have become a free agent.

Gagne was a dominant closer for the Dodgers and won the Cy Young in 2003. That came during a stretch in which he successfully converted 84 straight save chances.

ELSEWHERE

Phillies: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco sprained his right knee during yesterday's 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla. Polanco was injured while trying to catch Delwyn Young's pop single that landed just behind the mound in the second. Polanco said he could return by the end of the week.

Rangers: Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton left last night's game against San Francisco in the third after he was hit on the top of his left hand by a pitch from Madison Bumgarner at Surprise, Ariz. X-rays came back negative and Hamilton will be evaluated this morning.

Twins: Minnesota closer Joe Nathan, facing the prospect of season-ending surgery, plans to play catch Saturday to test the torn ligament in his right elbow, The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported. Nathan was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA last year, with a career-high 47 saves.