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Sports Shorts

MLB: Izturis signs with Blue Jays

Infielder Maicer Izturis became the first major league free agent this offseason to join a new team, agreeing to a $10 million, three-year contract with the Blue Jays. Izturis batted .256 with 17 steals for the Angels last season. The Jays also purchased right-hander Jeremy Jeffress from the Royals.

The Pirates hired Bill Livesey as senior adviser to general manager Neal Huntington. Livesey, 72, worked most recently as a scout with the Yankees from 2008-11. He also has worked for the Mets.

Oakland general manager Billy Beane was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News.

Gary Tuck will return as bullpen coach of the Red Sox next season under new manager John Farrell.

BLOTTER: Fisk fights drunk-driving charge

Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk, arrested last month when police found him asleep in his pickup truck with an open bottle of vodka in an Illinois cornfield, could lose his driver’s license for a year for refusing to take blood alcohol tests after his arrest. Fisk’s attorney appeared at a hearing yesterday and filed motions to fight the license suspension and suppress evidence.

GOLF: Nirat leads Bjorn in Singapore

Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat shot a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Thomas Bjorn after the completion of the first round in the rain-delayed Singapore Open. Simon Khan, Chinnarat Phadungsil and Pablo Martin were two shots back. Rory McIlroy, with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki by his side, shot a 70. Phil Mickelson shot a 73.

Charlie Wi, looking for his first PGA Tour win, carded an 8-under 64 to take the first-round lead at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Camilo Villegas and Tommy Gainey were one shot back.

Michelle Wie shot a 6-under 66 for a share of the first-round lead with Angela Stanford and Candie Kung in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ochoa, who retired in 2010 at the age of 28, shot a 71.

NBA: Durant leads Thunder past Bulls

Kevin Durant scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as the Thunder beat the host Bulls 97-91. Luol Deng led Chicago with 27 points. … Jamal Crawford scored 25 points as the visiting Clippers held off the Trail Blazers, 103-90.

Golden State center Andrew Bogut will be sidelined the next seven to 10 days to rest and strengthen his surgically repaired left ankle. … Kings forward Thomas Robinson was suspended for two games for elbowing Detroit’s Jonas Jerebko in the neck Wednesday night.

ETC.: Tour de France champ OK after crash

Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins was released from an England hospital after a collision with a car, a few hours after a separate crash left his British cycling coach, Shane Sutton, with a head injury. Wiggins sustained bruises to his ribs and hands when he was hit by a car while out training on his bike.

Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor resigned yesterday after having said on Saturday he would retire at the end of this season. The Rattlers are 3-6 this year.

Roger Federer beat David Ferrer 6-4, 7-6 (5) to advance to the semifinals of the ATP finals in London. Also advancing was Juan Martin del Potro, who beat Janko Tipsarevic 6-0, 6-4.