The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms with outfielder Daniel Nava on a one-year contract that will pay him $1.85 million as the sides avoided arbitration.

Nava batted .270 with 21 doubles, four homers and 37 RBI in 113 games last season.

 Third baseman David Freese avoided arbitration with the Angels, agreeing to a one-year contract for $6,425,000.

 Former Mets general manager Omar Minaya is leaving his job as senior vice president of the Padres to become a special adviser to union head Tony Clark.

 The Phillies signed right-hander Chad Billingsley to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

Billingsley spent all of last season on the disabled list for the Dodgers recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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BASKETBALL

NBA: Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds, Jeff Green added 13 points and the host Memphis Grizzlies built an early lead en route to a 99-69 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

 Jerryd Bayless scored 19 points, Jared Dudley and Khris Middleton had 17 apiece, and the Milwaukee Bucks ended a 17-game losing streak in Orlando with a 115-100 win.

 Rodney Stuckey scored 22 points, Roy Hibbert had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the host Indiana Pacers routed the New York Knicks, 103-82.

HOCKEY

AHL: The Portland Pirates recalled forward Greg Carey from ECHL Gwinnett.

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In 23 games with the Pirates this season, Carey has a goal and four assists.

GOLF

PGA: Ryan Palmer opened with a 7-under 64 to build a one-shot lead when play was suspended by darkness at the Phoenix Open.

Tiger Woods, who helped draw a record, raucous crowd, had trouble hitting the green and shot a 2-over 73 – the first time in his career he’s shot over par in his first round of the year.

LPGA: Ha Na Jang shot a 7-under 65 in the second round of the Coates Golf Championship at Ocala, Florida, for a four-shot lead over Stacy Lewis.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Bernd Wiesberger made seven birdies on his last 10 holes to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

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Rory McIlroy was two shots back after a final-hole bogey.

AUTO RACING

SPRINT CUP: Chase Elliott will replace Jeff Gordon when the four-time NASCAR champion retires at the end of this season.

Elliott is the reigning Xfinity Series champion, and Hendrick Motorsports had to find a Sprint Cup seat for him or risk losing the 19-year-old to another organization.

INDYCAR: The series opener scheduled for March in Sao Paulo was canceled on Thursday. The television channel promoting the event released a brief statement saying the decision was made “unilaterally” by the local government in Brasilia.

– From staff and news services


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