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Sports Shorts

MLB: Rangers deal for Cubs’ Garza

Matt Garza was traded to Texas from the Cubs, giving the Rangers a pitcher they have long coveted.

The deal completed last night gives the Rangers a boost to a starting rotation plagued by injuries.

Texas sent the Cubs rookie pitcher Justin Grimm, top prospect third baseman Mike Olt and Class-A pitcher C.J. Edwards. There will also be a player to be named later.

Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera was removed in the fifth inning of a 7-3 win over the White Sox in Chicago with a sore hip flexor muscle. He will be evaluated today.

Cabrera, who became baseball’s first Triple Crown winner in 45 years last season, has played in 97 of Detroit’s 98 games and began the day leading the AL with a .359 batting average.

Max Scherzer outpitched Chris Sale to improve to 14-1.

In Boston, Matt Moore (14-3) pitched a two-hitter for his first career shutout and the Rays beat the Red Sox 3-0 to move within a half-game of first place in the AL East. Moore walked one batter, struck out four and needed just 109 pitches as the Rays won for the 18th time in 20 games.

In Washington, the Pirates beat the Nationals 6-5 on the strength of a pair of Andrew McCutchen two-run homers. But All-Star closer Jason Grilli left with forearm tightness after throwing a pitch in the ninth inning.

“Hopefully it’s not as severe as it can be and is just something minor,” catcher Russell Martin said.

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp is expected to miss the entire three-game series against the Blue Jays after spraining his left ankle in his first game back from an 11-game absence to nurse a sore left shoulder.

HOCKEY: Babcock to coach Canada

Mike Babcock will return as coach of Canada’s Olympic hockey team.

The Red Wings coach will have the Blues’ Ken Hitchcock, Stars’ Lindy Ruff and Bruins’ Claude Julien as assistants at next year’s Sochi Games, Hockey Canada announced.

The Jets re-signed center Bryan Little to a five-year contract worth $23.5 million. The 25-year-old Little plays on Winnipeg’s top line with captain Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler.

The Coyotes re-signed five players, including defenseman David Runblad. He received a two-year, one-way contract.

ETC.: Barca appoints new coach

Barcelona appointed Gerardo “Tata” Martino as its new coach, according to The Guardian. The Argentinian, who led Newell’s Old Boys to the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores, will sign a three-year deal.

Martino will replace Tito Vilanova who stepped down on Friday as he continues to receive treatment for throat cancer.

The Liberty signed Samantha Prahalis to a seven-day contract.

Prahalis was picked seventh by the Mercury in the 2012 WNBA draft and averaged 11.6 points and 4.5 assists last season. With Diana Taurasi moving to the point this year, Prahalis’ time was cut being waived by Phoenix on Thursday.

Australian rider Stuart O’Grady announced his retirement, one day after completing a record-tying 17th Tour de France.

The 39-year-old O’Grady ended a 19-year professional career after a strong performance by his Orica GreenEDGE team in this year’s Tour. Teammate Simon Gerrans won the third stage and O’Grady stood on the podium when the Australian-based outfit won the team time-trial in the fourth stage.