Sports Shorts
Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez and Blue Jays second baseman Kelly Johnson have accepted salary arbitration offers from their former teams.
Ortiz, 36, hit .309 last season with 29 homers and 96 RBIs, making $12.65 million in the option year of a contract that paid him $63,225,000 over five seasons. K-Rod, who turns 30 next month, had 23 saves in 26 chances for the Mets during the first half of last season, then was traded to the Brewers during the All-Star break and didn’t get another save. He served as a setup man for closer John Axford.
Veteran outfielder Nate McLouth agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Pirates, returning to the team he spent his most productive seasons with from 2005-09 before being traded to the Braves. McLouth will be guaranteed $1.75 million, with another $450,000 possible in performance bonuses.
The Pirates also agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard on a one-year, $4.5 million contract. Bedard has the chance to earn another $500,000 in performance bonuses.
The Twins have finalized their $4.75 million, one-year contract with closer Matt Capps. … The Astros have hired Jeff Luhnow as their new GM. Luhnow, 45, takes over for Ed Wade.
The Big East introduced Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU and Central Florida as its new members, effective 2013.
Boise State and San Diego State, which currently play in the Mountain West Conference, will join only for football. Houston, SMU and UCF will be leaving Conference USA and joining the Big East in all sports.
Penguins star Sidney Crosby will miss the next two games as a precaution following a collision with teammate Chris Kunitz in Monday night’s loss to Boston. Crosby showed no recurrence of the concussion-like symptoms that sidelined him for more than 10 months this year.
In Winnipeg, former junior hockey coach and convicted sex offender Graham James pleaded guilty to sexual assaults involving two of his former players, including Theo Fleury.
One day after Archie Manning told an Indianapolis radio show he didn’t think either Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck wanted to be on the same team, he backtracked and said he thought the two could work together just fine.
Jeff Garcia signed with the Texans to be their No. 3 quarterback. Houston cut ex-Jet Kellen Clemens to make room for Garcia and the Rams claimed him off waivers.
There will be no Champions League final for Manchester United this season after a shocking 2-1 defeat at FC Basel dumped the three-time European champions out of the tournament.
A person familiar with the situation said Tracy McGrady likely will sign a one-year deal with the Hawks. … Lakers owner Jerry Buss has been hospitalized due to blood clots in his legs.
