BOSTON — Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The team announced the procedure Friday, saying it included repair of cartilage and loose fragment removal.

He is expected to make a full recovery in time for spring training, which opens Feb. 14 for the Red Sox.

Betts is coming off a career season in which he was chosen an All-Star for the first time, posting career-highs in batting average (.318), home runs (31) and RBI (131).

He was also a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, becoming the seventh Red Sox player to earn both awards in the same season.

And he is one of three finalists for the American League MVP award, to be announced next week.

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RANGERS: Texas signed third baseman Will Middlebrooks and infielder Doug Bernier to minor league contracts, with invitations to major league spring training.

Middlebrooks, 28, spent most of last season with Triple-A Colorado Springs in the Milwaukee organization. He hit .282 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI in 68 games in Triple-A, and was 3 of 27 in 10 games with Milwaukee.

The Texas native and former Portland Sea Dog has a career batting average of .228 over parts of five major league seasons with Boston, San Diego and the Brewers.

Bernier, 36, has spent most of his career in the minors. He has 46 games of big league experience with Colorado and Minnesota.

BLUE JAYS: Designated hitter Kendrys Morales will sign a three-year, $33 million contract with Toronto, according to numerous reports.

Morales, 33, hit .263 with 30 home runs last season for the Royals.

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TRADE: The Phillies acquired Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Dodgers for first baseman Darin Ruf and utilityman Darnell Sweeney.

Kendrick, 33, hit .255 with 26 doubles, eight home runs, 40 RBI, a team-leading 10 stolen bases and a .326 on-base percentage this past season for the Dodgers. He made 123 starts – 79 in left field, 23 at second base, 14 at third base and seven at first base.

BREWERS: Manager Craig Counsell agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2020 season.

Counsell, 46, just finished his first full season. He has a 134-165 record since taking over in May 2015.

BRAVES: Atlanta agreed to a $12.5 million, one-year deal with 43-year-old right-hander Bartolo Colon.

Colon went 15-8 with a 3.43 ERA for the Mets in 2016.


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