Rangers make pitch to free agent Ohtani

Texas Rangers officials met with Japanese free agent Shohei Ohtani at his agent’s office in Los Angeles, where a contingent led by co-owner Ray Davis, general manager Jon Daniels and manager Jeff Banister delivered their sales pitch to the two-way star.

At stake is landing the prize of the offseason, an affordable talent who the Rangers believe can pitch and have success at the plate in the major leagues. They are one of seven finalists.

■ Former Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella apologized for rules violations that led to him being banned from baseball for life, saying he’s “disgraced and humbled” by his actions.

■ Right-hander Mike Mikolas is returning from Japan after three seasons, agreeing to a $15.5 million, two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.

ODDS AND ENDS

Golf: PGA Tour player Morgan Hoffmann, 28, says he has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and his right pectoral muscle is nearly gone. He says he was diagnosed in November 2016.

Boxing: Former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, four-division world champion Erik Morales and light middleweight champion Ronald “Winky” Wright have been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Tennis: An agreement to move the Miami Open to the Miami Dolphins’ stadium is in jeopardy because of a previously undisclosed audit concerning how much money the tournament owes MiamiDade County.