Joe Nathan is staying with the Minnesota Twins rather than following Johan Santana, Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva out of town.

Nathan, 33, and the Minnesota Twins agreed to terms yesterday on a $47 million, four-year contract, a deal that includes a 2012 club option on their closer.

The Twins weren't going to get rid of a two-time All-Star, not after deciding to deal Santana and watching Hunter and Silva depart as free agents during the offseason.

"It was definitely a priority for us," assistant general manager Rob Antony said.

Closer Brad Lidge will start the regular season on the 15-day disabled list while he rehabilitates his knee after arthroscopic surgery a month ago. Tom Gordon will fill in at closer for Lidge, who is eligible to come off the DL April 5.

Cliff Lee earned his first big win of the year -- reclaiming his rotation spot with Cleveland. The Indians then created a bullpen opening, parting ways with left-hander Aaron Fultz.

As expected, Chicago made right-hander Kerry Wood its closer, and Jason Marquis got the nod as the fifth starter. Converted to a reliever last season to preserve his troublesome right arm and shoulder, the oft-injured Wood entered spring training in a three-way competition after the Cubs moved former closer Ryan Dempster to the rotation.

Right-hander John Patterson agreed to a minor-league contract with Texas, four days after he was released by the Washington Nationals.

Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., will be renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field during ceremonies before the New York Yankees' exhibition game against the Pirates Thursday.

Right-hander Jake Westbrook struck out eight over six perfect innings and the Cleveland Indians beat the Atlanta Braves, 8-0, in Winter Haven, Fla. ... John Maine allowed a single in six shutout innings in the New York Mets' 1-0 victory against the Baltimore Orioles in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.