Rollins Signs $40-Million Extension

Jimmy Rollins says he’s one of the top shortstops in baseball. Now, he has a salary to prove it.

Rollins agreed to a $40-million, five-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. The 26-year-old shortstop has spent his career with Philadelphia and was eligible for free agency after the 2006 season.

His contract includes a $5-million signing bonus. Philadelphia holds a club option for 2011 at $8.5 million with a $2-million buyout. If the Phillies exercise the option, the total value of the contract would increase to $46.5 million.

“We’ve never envisioned our ballclub going forward without Jimmy,” Phillie General Manager Ed Wade said. “He brings a lot of energy and is a catalyst for this team.”

This season, Rollins has hit .263 with five home runs and 19 runs batted in.

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Alex Sanchez, the first player suspended for failing a test under Major League Baseball’s new steroid policy, was cut by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Sanchez, who was designated for assignment, lost his starting role despite a .346 average. He has been poor defensively in the outfield and was unhappy about being a backup.

Tampa Bay also released catcher Charles Johnson.

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Atlanta Brave catcher Johnny Estrada was back in the starting lineup Monday night for the first time since sustaining a concussion when he was run over at the plate a week earlier by Darin Erstad of the Angels.

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Larry Walker might retire after this season because of age and injuries. Walker, 38, enters the St. Louis Cardinals’ game at Toronto today hitting only .243 with five homers and 23 RBIs.

“The age and the surgeries that I’ve had are what’s pushing me back, eight surgeries and a reconstructed knee,” Walker said. “Father Time is creeping on me, and I realize that.”