Off the wire
FOOTBALL
Smith surrenders to police Former Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith on Tuesday surrendered to police who said he is a suspect in a domestic violence incident reported three days earlier. Smith was booked on four misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and related counts and released on $30,000 bail from San Francisco County jail. San Francisco police had been looking for Smith since he fled a home Saturday night after someone called 911 to report a domestic violence incident. The Raiders released Smith on Monday. Pair of referees retiring NFL referees Ed Hochuli and Jeff Triplette are retiring. One of the replacements will be former back judge Shawn Hochuli, Ed’s son. The other is former side judge Alex Kemp. Ed Hochuli, among the most recognizable of NFL officials because of his muscular build, joined the league in 1990. Triplette came aboard in 1996. Hochuli, a lawyer by trade, originally was a back judge and moved up to referee in 1992. Ivory, Bills agree on deal Running back Chris Ivory has agreed to sign a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, where the eighth-year player will have an opportunity to serve as LeSean McCoy’s primary backup. Ivory agreed to the deal Tuesday, two weeks after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ivory, 29, finished with just 382 yards rushing and a touchdown and was inactive for 4 of the Jaguars’ final 5 games. He played two seasons with Jacksonville after signing a five-year, $32 million contract. Ivory enjoyed his best production with the New York Jets in 2015, when he had 1,070 yards rushing and scored 7 touchdowns in 15 games.
MOTOR SPORTS
Gordon among hall nominees
Jeff Gordon is among the new nominees up for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame next year. The four-time NASCAR champion was added to the list of 20 nominees in the first year he was eligible. He retired from full-time competition after the 2015 season with 93 career Cup victories. He is currently an analyst for Fox Sports. Also added to the list this year were driver Harry Gant, four-time championship winning crew chief Kirk Shelmerdine,
and car owners John Holman and Ralph Moody. The nominees were selected by a committee consisting of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, as well as Fox commentator Mike Joy.
BASKETBALL
Boston’s Smart fined $15,000
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been fined $15,000 for public criticism of officiating. NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe announced the fine Tuesday. After Boston’s 123-120 loss to Houston on Saturday, Smart said Rockets guard James Harden is among those who receive favorable treatment from referees. Smart told the Boston Globe that “certain players” get “calls that other guys just wouldn’t get.”
BASEBALL
DeJong gets new deal Shortstop Paul DeJong and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $26 million, six-year contract Monday, a
deal that includes team options for 2024 and 2025. DeJong, 24, made his major league debut May 28 and hit .285 with a team-high 25 home runs and 65 RBI in 108 games. He was selected by St. Louis from Illinois State in the fourth round of the 2015 amateur draft. His deal covers up to four years of arbitration eligibility and one-to-three years of free agent eligibility.
Jay, Royals good for a year
Outfielder Jon Jay agreed Tuesday to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses. Jay, who turns 33 on March 15, hit .296 with 2 home runs and 34 RBI in 141 games last season with the Chicago Cubs, including 13 for 40 (.325) as a pinch hitter. He would get $100,000 bonuses for 250 plate appearances and each additional 25 through 600. His earnings will be well under his $8 million salary last year.
Moss released by A’s Designated hitter Brandon Moss has been released by the Oakland Athletics. Moss was acquired from Kansas City on Jan. 29 and was designated for assignment when Oakland claimed lefthander Jairo Labourt off waivers from Cincinnati on Sunday. Moss is guaranteed $7.25 million this season and a $1 million buyout of his 2019 club option. He was acquired by Kansas City on Jan. 29 along with left-hander Ryan Buchter for righthanders Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer. If Moss, 34, signs with another team, a prorated share of the $545,000 minimum would be offset against what he is owed by the A’s, who announced his released Tuesday. Moss hit .207 with 22 home runs and 50 RBI in 118 games for Kansas City last year and has a .237 average with 160 home runs and 473 RBI in 11 big-league seasons.
Lincecum arrives at camp
Tim Lincecum made it to the Texas Rangers’ spring training camp Tuesday, ready to finalize a contract and return to the major leagues for the first time in two years. Lincecum, 33, figures to compete for a bullpen spot. General Manager Jon Daniels said the four-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young Award winner has been throwing bullpen sessions on his own since a showcase for scouts last month. After wearing No. 55 for his entire major league career, he will switch to No. 44 with the Rangers in honor of his late older brother. Sean Lincecum’s funeral was Saturday, which delayed Tim Lincecum from taking the physical needed to finalize his $1 million, one-year contract.
GOLF
Sharma invited to Masters Shubhankar Sharma can add another achievement to his rapid rise. He’s going to the Masters. Two days after Sharma held the 54-hole lead at his first World Golf Championship, the 21-year-old from India accepted a special invitation to the Masters next month. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said the Masters has a history of inviting international players not otherwise qualified, and Sharma’s results have made him worthy of the invitation. Sharma was outside the top 400 in the world three months ago. Now he is the only two-time winner on the European Tour this season and leads the Race to Dubai. He lost a two-shot lead in the final round of the Mexico Championship and tied for ninth. Sharma rose to a No. 66 ranking.