MLB: Rays sign ‘Fausto Carmona’
The Rays signed right-hander Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, to a one-year deal worth $3.25 million.
Hernandez, 32, pitched seven years in the majors, all with Cleveland. He was 0-3 with a 7.53 ERA last season after being arrested last winter in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges, which eventually were dropped.
In Punta Gorda, Fla., Matt Bush, a former pitcher in the Rays organization, was sentenced to four years and three months for a drunken driving hit-and-run crash. Bush was released by the Rays in October.
Left-hander John Lannan finalized a $2.5 million, one-year contract with the Phillies. He was 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA last season for the Nationals.
The Rangers and White Sox free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski will meet today, ESPN.com reported.
SOCCER: Messi scores new deal
Lionel Messi agreed to a new contract with Barcelona that will keep him with the Spanish powerhouse through 2018. The 25-year-old Messi, a three-time world player of the year, has 90 goals so far in 2012, surpassing Gerd Mueller’s 40-year-old record of 85 in a calendar year.
The Red Bulls will kick off their 2013 season on March 3 at Portland and play their home opener on March 16 against D.C. United. The MLS season scheduled six games to open the season on March 2.
ETC.: Monty elected to golf’s Hall of Fame
Colin Montgomerie was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be May 6 in St. Augustine, Fla.
Heisman winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M was voted the Associated Press Player of the Year.
Michigan QB Denard Robinson pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license but remains eligible to play in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 against South Carolina.
Wisconsin reportedly will hire Utah State’s Gary Andersen as head football coach to replace Bret Bielema.