Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Dec 15 (The Sports Xchange) - The Washington Nationals and outfielder Bryce Harper avoided a grievance hearing by agreeing to a two-year, $7.5 million contract. Harper hit .273, with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs over 100 games in an injury-shortened 2014 season. He is now eligible for free agency after the 2018 season. - - The New York Yankees re-signed switch-hitting third baseman Chase Headley on Monday to a four-year contract extending through the 2018 season. Headley's deal is reportedly worth at least $50 million. - - The Chicago Cubs formally introduced Jon Lester and the left-handed pitcher said he is ready to help bring the team its first World Series since 1908. Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract with a record-setting $30 million signing bonus last week. He needed to pass a physical to make it official and showed off his new Cubs jersey for the first time at a news conference in downtown Chicago on Monday afternoon. - - The Texas Rangers added right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa to their bullpen by agreeing to a one-year, $1-million deal. Fujikawa, 34, spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, but he became a free agent once the club decided to decline his $5.5-million option for next season. Fujikawa returned from Tommy John surgery late last season and posted a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings while striking out 17 batters. In two seasons in the majors, he has a 5.04 ERA in 25 innings. - - Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis will have neck surgery and also have a bulging disk removed on Wednesday. Markakis agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal with the Braves in early December. (Editing by Frank Pingue)