Off the wire
BASEBALL
Rangers sign Cabrera for 3B
The Texas Rangers have found a veteran to play third base after the retirement of Adrian Beltre. Free agent Asdrubal Cabrera agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Rangers, according to a person familiar with the deal. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was pending a successful physical for the 33-year-old infielder. Cabrera split last season, his 12th in the majors, with the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies. After playing 90 games at second base for the Mets, Cabrera was traded July 27 to Philadelphia, where he also played shortstop and third base. In 147 games overall, he hit .262 with 23 home runs and 75 RBI, his most since 2011 when he had career highs of 25 home runs and 92 RBI in the first of his two consecutive AllStar seasons as Cleveland’s shortstop. Cabrera is a .269 career hitter with the Indians (2007-14), Washington (2014), Tampa Bay (2015), the Mets (2016-18) and Phillies. Markakis back to Braves The Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract to bring back AllStar outfielder Nick Markakis,a deal worth a guaranteed $6 million.
Markakis’ deal, announced Tuesday, includes a $4 million salary this year and $6 million club option for 2020, with a $2 million buyout. The agreement solidifies the lineup for the defending National League East champions, whose big acquisition of the offseason was free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson. Markakis, 35, is coming off one of the best seasons of his 13-year career and first All-Star appearance. A Georgia native, Markakis earned both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors last year, hitting .297 with 14 home runs and 93 RBI while starting all 162 games in right field.
Tigers add infield depth
Infielder Gordon Beckham agreed to a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers and was invited to major-league spring training. If Beckham is added to the 40man roster, he would get a one-year contract paying $700,000 while in
the majors, and $138,000 while in the minors. Beckham played in only 33 major-league games over the past two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.
FOOTBALL
NFL investigates laser NFL security is investigating whether a fan attempted to shine a laser into the face of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during their AFC Championship Game victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Local television stations posted footage Tuesday that showed a green light flashing on Brady late in the Patriots’ 37-31 overtime victory. At least two instances occurred
on their go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, including a crucial 25-yard pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski. Laser pointers are banned at most sporting events because of the potential for distraction and safety reasons. The light can damage the retina in the eye. The NFL has dealt with the issue in the past, including a Monday night game in Mexico two years ago in which then-Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was caught in the eye multiple times.
BASKETBALL
Doncic fined for kick Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic was fined $10,000 for kicking the ball into the stands, which led to his ejection from a game against Indiana. Doncic kicked the ball after a basket by the Pacers late in the third quarter of their 111-99 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night. The NBA announced the fine Tuesday. The 19-year-old rookie from Slovenia said he didn’t intentionally kick the ball into the stands. The ball ricocheted off the back of the backboard into the first couple of rows of seats. Because Doncic had received a technical earlier in the game, his second technical resulted in the first ejection of his career.
SOCCER
Ronaldo guilty of tax fraud
Cristiano Ronaldo pleaded guilty to tax fraud Tuesday and received a two-year suspended sentence. The Juventus forward, who was facing charges stemming from his days at Real Madrid, was in a Madrid court for about 45 minutes and signed an agreement that will cost him nearly $21.6 million in fines. Ronaldo arrived at court in a black van and was wearing a black sports coat, black pants and white tennis shoes. He stopped to sign an autograph before walking up some stairs leading to the courthouse. He was accompanied by his lawyers and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez. A couple of police officers escorted the player. A few hundred journalists waited outside but the Portuguese player did not stop to talk.
HORSE RACING
Accelerate top pick Accelerate is the early favorite for the $9 million Pegasus World Cup, with oddsmakers giving the Breeders’ Cup Classic champion 9-5 odds of winning the final race of his career. Accelerate drew the No. 5 post in the 12-horse field for Saturday’s race, which will be held over 11/8 miles at Gulfstream Park. Accelerate is looking for his fifth consecutive victory, and he would enter the top 10 in all-time earnings among North American thoroughbreds if he prevails. City of Light is the second choice at 5-2, and Gunnevera — who was second to Accelerate at the Breeders’ Cup Classic — is 8-1 on the morning line.