Red Sox agree with RHP Criswell on one-year, $1 million deal

The Red Sox reached an agreement with righthander Cooper Criswell on a one-year, $1 million guaranteed major league deal, according to major league sources, bringing aboard a pitcher who can provide rotation depth or contribute in different bullpen roles. ESPN was first to report the agreement on Tuesday night. Criswell, 27, has bounced between Triple A and the big leagues with the Los Angeles Angels (2021) and Tampa Bay Rays (202223) over the last three seasons, logging 37 innings in 12 appearances (2 starts) with a 5.97 ERA, 18 percent strikeout rate, and 7 percent walk rate. He offers a funky look from a low three-quarters arm slot with tremendous extension, but his 88 mileper-hour sinker was hit hard in the big leagues in 2023 (.372 average, .674 slugging). However, his slider and cutter proved effective pitches in Triple A — where he spent most of the season in the rotation for the Rays’ Triple A affiliate — and likewise yielded some success in the big leagues.

ALEX SPEIER

Royals agree with two RHPs

The Royals agreed to deals with righthanded pitchers Seth Lugo and Chris Stratton, according to two Associated Press sources familiar with the deal. Lugo, who is coming off a strong season with the Padres, will make $45 million over three seasons and can opt out after the 2025 campaign. Stratton will make $3.5 million this season with a $4.5 million player option for 2025 . . . The Detroit Tigers finalized a one-year, $4.75 million contract with lefthander Andrew Chafin, who was 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA for the Tigers in 2022, striking out 67 and walking 19 in 57‚ innings.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL BC women roll over Stonehill

The Boston College women’s basketball won its fourth straight game after shooting a season-best 62.1 percent from the floor to surge past Stonehill College, 101-37, in a nonconference matchup at Conte Forum. It was BC’s highest point total since the 2019-20 season when it scored 109. Dontavia Waggoner led BC’s 10 scorers with a season-best 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Andrea Daley added 15 and T’yana Todd had 14 points for the Eagles (7-5) . . . Caitlin Weimar posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Boston University women to an 80-47 nonconference victory over Emmanuel at Case Gym. Alex Giannaros added 16 points for the Terriers (6-3).

NBA Jordan tops Ring of Honor

Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman are the headliners for the inaugural class for the Chicago Bulls’ Ring of Honor. The first group includes 13 men and the 1995-96 team, which went 72-10 and won the NBA title. The franchise plans to honor the class with a couple of events in January. It also includes Phil Jackson, Jerry Krause, Artis Gilmore, Jerry Sloan, Toni Kukoc, Bob Love, Chet Walker, Johnny “Red” Kerr, Tex Winter, and Dick Klein. The franchise plans to add to its Ring of Honor every two years, with the next class to be inducted in 2026 . . . San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey, 23, has a torn left anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season. Bassey was on an NBA G League assignment when he was hurt Sunday in the Austin Spurs’ game with the Texas Legends in Dallas.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL Duke QB transfers to ND

Notre Dame is going from one talented ACC quarterback to another, after Duke quarterback Riley Leonard committed to the Fighting Irish.

Leonard will succeed Sam Hartman, who transferred from Wake Forest to Notre Dame. Leonard helped the Blue Devils post a stunning 28-7 victory over then-No. 9 Clemson, then entered the transfer portal after his team’s 7-5 season. He announced his intention to play for Notre Dame on social media, writing “A dream come true. Go Irish,” with a shamrock image at the end. Riley is expected to take over the starting job that ex-Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman had for the Fighting Irish this season. Hartman joined Notre Dame this past season after five seasons with the Demon Deacons.

TENNIS Halep gets date to appeal ban

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has an appeal hearing in February to challenge her four-year ban for doping. The Court of Arbitration for Sport set Feb. 7-9 for Halep’s appeal against the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The court set no target for a verdict which can take several months. The 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon champ was banned in September after an investigation into her positive test at the 2022 US Open and irregularities in her biological passport.