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Sports Shorts

MLB: Giambi, 42, signs deal with Indians

The Indians signed former Yankees first baseman/designated hitter Jason Giambi to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The 42-year-old Giambi spent the past three-plus seasons as a part-timer with the Rockies, even interviewing for Colorado’s managerial position this offseason.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said outfield prospect Bryce Brentz accidentally shot himself in the leg last month, but could recover in time to play in spring training. Cherington said Brentz was cleaning the gun went it went off. The bullet passed through Brentz’s left leg.

SOCCER: U.S. women win coach’s debut

The U.S. women’s soccer team beat Scotland 4-1 yesterday in Jacksonville, Fla., in Tom Sermanni’s debut as coach, making the most of two first-half goals by Christen Press.

The English Premier League trophy slipped further from Manchester City’s grasp after the champions lost 3-1 at Southampton and gave Manchester United the opportunity to surge 12 points ahead. United plays Everton today.

ETC.: Nuggets roll to ninth straight victory

In Cleveland, Danilo Gallinari scored 19 points, Kenneth Faried added 17 and the Nuggets won their ninth straight game with a 111-103 victory over the Cavaliers.

C. Vivian Stringer earned her 899th coaching win as Rutgers rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to beat visiting Cincinnati. Stringer gets her first chance to become the fourth women’s basketball coach with 900 wins on Tuesday vs. DePaul.

According to ESPN.com, the Big East is hoping to resolve its divorce with the seven Catholic schools planning to leave the conference within the next few weeks, in time to form their own league for the 2014-15 college basketball season.

Saints coach Sean Payton has chosen Rob Ryan, twin brother of Jets coach Rex Ryan, as his new defensive coordinator. Rob Ryan was fired by Dallas last month.

Varvara Lepchenko won in her Fed Cup singles debut to lift the U.S. team to a 1-1 tie against Italy, after Sara Errani beat Jamie Hampton 6-2, 6-1. … Rafael Nadal beat Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-2, to make the final of the VTR Open in Vina Del Mar, Chile, after a seven-month layoff.