BASEBALL: Pujols sets deadline for deal

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak confirmed star first baseman Albert Pujols set the start of spring training as a deadline for signing a contract extension, but declined to characterize negotiations. The Cardinals exercised a $16 million option for next season on Pujols’ contract in October.

* Free-agent reliever Kyle Farnsworth agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract with the Rays, who saw closer Rafael Soriano sign with the Yankees on Thursday.

* The Cubs announced they will unveil a statue of franchise legend Ron Santo outside Wrigley Field before their game against the Nationals on Aug. 10. Santo died of complications from bladder cancer on Dec. 3 at age 70.

* Ozzie Canseco, a former major league baseball player and the twin brother of former A’s slugger Jose Canseco, was arrested on DUI charges in Tampa early yesterday morning.

GRID: Eagles fire defensive coordinator

The Eagles fired defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. The Eagles allowed 377 points this season, the most since 1974. McDermott replaced Jim Johnson after the assistant died of cancer in 2009.

* A Salvation Army store near Detroit has enjoyed a busier day than usual after former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez donated a dozen bags of Wolverines apparel. Rodriguez, who was fired Jan. 5, gave more than 400 items to the store in Wayne, and around 300 people showed up at an auction in the store’s parking lot.

GOLF: Appleby, Maruyama tied for Sony lead

In Honolulu, Stuart Appleby finished with three straight birdies to tie Shigeki Maruyama for the lead at the Sony Open, going into today’s 36-hole final round. They were at 10-under 130.

* In Johannesburg, defending champion Charl Schwartzel shared the Joburg Open lead with fellow South Africans Thomas Aiken and Garth Mulroy at 15-under 198 after the third round.

NBA: Bosh injures ankle in Heat loss

In Chicago, LeBron James sat on the game at the end of the bench, while he rested his sore ankle. Chris Bosh limped off, tried to return and then went for X-rays after hurting his ankle in the third quarter.

Down to one star instead of three, the Heat turned to Dwyane Wade and he responded last night. It just wasn’t enough to keep the Heat from their third straight loss because Derrick Rose was just as tough for the Bulls.

Rose had 34 points to Wade’s 33 and after the two Chicago natives and stars had an old-fashioned shootout in the final 2 minutes, the Bulls prevailed 99-96 when Kyle Korver retrieved a loose ball and hit a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left.

* In Memphis, Zach Randolph had 23 points and 20 rebounds, and the Grizzlies ruined Dirk Nowitzki‘s abbreviated return with an 89-70 victory over the Mavericks. Nowitzki returned after missing nine games with a sprained right knee, but he managed only seven points before being ejected in the third quarter.

* Rockets rookie Patrick Patterson was taken to Atlanta’s Piedmont Hospital during a 112-106 win over the Hawks because of chest pain and congestion.