Marco Scutaro (back) reported improvement Friday but is unsure when he'll return to game action. Scutaro was scratched from Thursday's lineup with back tightness. It doesn't sound like something that will be a long-term concern, but it's certainly worth tracking nonetheless.

Marco Scutaro was scratched from Thursday's lineup with back tightness. It doesn't sound like a big deal. Consider Scutaro day-to-day.

Giants re-signed 2B Marco Scutaro to a three-year, $20 million contract. Though the Giants probably overpaid to bring the reigning NLCS MVP back, he remains a good fit for them. Scutaro batted a blistering .362/.385/.473 for the Giants after coming over in a trade from the Rockies and carried it over into the postseason with a .328/.377/.391 line. Things have the potential to get ugly at the end of the deal, but Scutaro should be a nice No. 2 hitter for San Fran in 2013.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Marco Scutaro has re-signed with the Giants on a three-year, $20 million deal. Scutaro needs only to pass a physical before the deal becomes official. The Cardinals made a push for the veteran infielder, but it's unlikely they were going to go anywhere close to $20 million for him. Scutaro turned 37 just a day after the Giants clinched the World Series, so he'll play the final year of his deal at 39.

ESPN's Buster Olney hears that the chances of Marco Scutaro re-signing with the Giants are 50/50, with the Cardinals representing the most likely alternative. Olney adds that Scutaro is expected to make a decision soon. The Giants have reportedly offered Scutaro a two-year deal with a vesting option for a third year, while it's unclear what the Cards are offering. While San Francisco offers familiarity, St. Louis does have the benefit of their spring training complex being in Florida, where the 37-year-old lives. The Yankees have also expressed interest in the veteran infielder, but it appears to be a two-horse race at the moment.

Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports that the Giants have offered Marco Scutaro a two-year deal with a vesting option for a third year. Baggarly has recanted his earlier reported that a three-year offer was extended, saying that he "must've gotten his wires crossed," because he's "hearing definitively now" that it's a two-year offer with a vesting option. The Cardinals and Yankees are also in on Scutaro, though it's not clear at this point what they're willing to offer.

Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports that the Giants have made a three-year offer to Marco Scutaro. This backs up a report from ESPN's Buster Olney, who hears that the bidding is somewhere in the range of three years and $24 million. The Giants are in the lead to retain Scutaro following his resurgent second half and postseason heroics, but the Cardinals and Yankees are also in the mix.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the bidding on free agent infielder Marco Scutaro has reached something in the range of three years and $24 million.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal confirms that the Cardinals have interest in free agent infielder Marco Scutaro. The Giants are determined to retain Scutaro, but they will have some competition from the team they ousted during the NLCS. The 37-year-old is good fit for the Cards, who would use him at second base while turning Daniel Descalso into a utility man. In the wake of the news about Alex Rodriguez's hip surgery, the Yankees are another club with "likely interest."

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that the Cardinals met with Marco Scutaro's agent Monday. Scutaro is an obvious fit for the Cardinals, as they could use an upgrade at second base and are looking for insurance at shortstop with the uncertain status of Rafael Furcal. It's hard to imagine them outbidding the Giants, though, as the reigning champs are dead set on retaining the NLCS MVP.