Rockies, Desmond agree to 5- year deal
All- Star free agent outfielder Ian Desmond and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a five- year, $ 70 million contract.
A versatile 31- year- old, Desmond hit .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBI this year in his lone season with Texas, earning his first All- Star trip since 2012. He played shortstop from 2011- 15, then was shifted to the outfield by the Rangers.
Orioles general manager Dan Duquette says the fans have spoken, and they don’t want free agent JoseBautista. The former Blue Jays outfielder, now a free agent, has had a number of incidents with Orioles pitcher Darren O’Day and outfielder Adam Jones.
Former Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday and the Yankees finalized a oneyear, $ 13 million contract.
Outfielder Carlos Gomez agreed to an one- year, $ 11.5 million contract to remain with the Rangers. NBA
Back pain sidelines Rose
LeBron James scored 25 points, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love also surpassed 20, as the Cavaliers crushed the host Knicks 126- 94.
Knicks point guard Derrick Rose missed his first game of the season with lower back pain.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his seventh career triple- double in the Bucks’ 115- 107 win over the visiting Trail Blazers.
NFL Pierre- Paul done for season
New York Giants defen- sive end Jason Pierre- Paul will miss the rest of the regular season after surgery to repair a sports hernia. Pierre- Paul sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Steelers.
The Browns plan to start Robert Griffin III at quarterback against the Bengals on Sunday, according to ESPN. Griffin was the Browns’ starting quarterback in the season opener, but broke a bone in his shoulder during the Week 1 loss to the Eagles. COLLEGES
Loyola stays hot at home
Clayton Custer scored 19 points and had five assists to lead Loyola to its third consecutive win, 77- 64 over Wright State on Wednesday night at the Gentile Arena.
Milton Doyle added 14 points and five assists, and
Ben Richardson had 13 points for Loyola ( 8- 2), which is 6- 0 at home.
Oregon hired football coach Willie Taggart, who spent the past four seasons at South Florida. Taggart led USF to an 18- 7 record over the past two seasons, including a 10- 2 mark this year.
Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft. HOCKEY
Wolves fall in overtime
Kenny Agostino became the third AHL player this season to record four assists and Wade Megan collected two goals, but the Wolves suffered a 6- 5 overtime loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins in Grand Rapids, Michigan.