Cubs corral Duensing to buoy depleted pen
SPORTS WIRE
The Cubs agreed to terms on a one- year, $ 2 million deal with free- agent lefthander Brian Duensing to add depth to a bullpen that lost most of its left- handed strength since its World Series run.
Duensing, 33, opened 2016 in the minors with the Royals, elected free agency in May and after subsequently signing with the Orioles went on the disabled list after experiencing elbow soreness.
He later had surgery to remove chips from the elbow, returning to pitch in September and the playoffs — compiling a 4.05 ERA in 14 short-relief appearances during the regular season.
The Cubs had three lefthanders in their bullpen for the World Series. Two ( Aroldis Chapman, Travis Wood) are free agents and Mike Montgomery is expected to get a chance to earn the fifthstarter job next spring. Gordon Wittenmyer
The White Sox agreed to terms on a one- year deals for infielder Brett Lawrie and outfielder Avisail Garcia, Lawrie for $ 3.5 million and Garcia for $ 3.0 million. The team also declined to tender a contract for 2017 to righthanded pitcher Blake Smith.
Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols underwent surgery on his right foot, possibly sidelining him past Opening Day. Pujols had a procedure to release his plantar fascia.
The Washington Nationals reacquired catcher Derek Norris from the San Diego Padres for minor- league right- hander Pedro Avila.
MAC title to 13- 0 Broncos
Robert Spillane intercepted a pass with 51 seconds remaining, and No. 17 Western Michigan ( 13- 0) held off Ohio ( 9- 4) 29- 23 at Ford Field in Detroit to win its first Mid- American Conference title since 1988. The question is whether the Broncos have done enough to make it to the Cotton Bowl. Western Michigan is trying to earn the Group of Five bid to a New Year’s Six bowl.
Taylor Rapp returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown and Myles Gaskin ran for 159 yards to help No. 4 Washington ( 12- 1) strengthen its case for a playoff berth with a 41- 10 victory over No. 8 Colorado ( 10- 3) in the Pac- 12 championship game in Santa Clara, California.
Rosberg goes out on top
Formula One champion Nico Rosberg shocked the motor- racing world by announcing he was retiring at the age of 31, five days after earning his first world championship.
“I had a very clear dream, that was to become Formula One world champion,” Rosberg said. “I have achieved this childhood dream and I am not willing to do that sort of commitment again.”
The Wolves ( 10- 9- 1- 1) notched a 4- 1 road victory over the Rockford Ice Hogs ( 7- 11- 1- 2). Forward Landon Ferraro extended his goal streak to four games.
Juwan Morgan scored a career- high 18 points and grabbed10 rebounds as No. 13 Indiana ( 6- 1) rolled to an 8360 victory over visiting SIU-Edwardsville ( 4- 4).
Slovenia’s Ilka Stuhec ( 1 minute, 45.48 seconds) won the season- opening downhill at Lake Louise, Alberta, for her first World Cup victory.
Kjetil Jansrud ( 1: 21.66) and Norwegian teammate Aksel Lund Svindal finished 1- 2 in a World Cup super- G in Val D’Isere, France.