Indians sign OF Austin Jackson

A person familiar with negotiations says the Indians are finalizing a deal with free agent outfielder Austin Jackson.

Jackson would get a minor league deal with an invitation to training camp this spring, said the person who spoke Wednesday to the Associated Press because the sides haven’t completed the agreement.

Jackson, who will turn 30 on Feb. 1, would give the Indians some outfield depth and insurance in case left fielder Michael Brantley isn’t ready for the start of the season. Brantley played in just 11 games last season following surgery on his right shoulder.

The Indians chose not to re-sign Rajai Davis as a free agent.

ESPN.com first reported Jackson and the AL champion Indians are nearing a deal.

A .272 career hitter, Jackson played in 54 games for the Chicago White Sox last season. He underwent surgery on his left knee in June. He’s played in 40 postseason games.

Tennis

SERENA WILLIAMS ADVANCES TO AUSTRALIAN

OPEN SEMIFINALS >> Serena Williams reached her 10th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal, and kept her bid alive for a record 23rd major title, with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Johanna Konta at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Her opponent in the semifinals, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who beat fifth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, had a much longer wait to get back to this stage at a major nearly 18 years.

It’s the second time in the last two years that three women in their 30s have reached the semifinals at a major: Venus Williams, 36, Serena Williams, 35, and LucicBaroni, 34. Serena also reached the semifinals at the 2015 U.S. Open, alongside 30-somethings Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci.

“Thirties is the new 10,” Williams said after her match. “No matter what happens, someone 34 or older will be in the final.”

It’s also the first time since 2002 that three American women have reached the semifinals at the same Grand Slam. Venus Williams plays American CoCo Vandeweghe in the other semifinal on Thursday.

Olympics

BOLT STRIPPED OF GOLD

MEDAL >> Usain Bolt has been stripped of one of his nine Olympic gold medals in a doping case involving teammate Nesta Carter.

The IOC says Carter tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned stimulant, in re-analysis of samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Carter and Bolt were teammates on the winning 4x100meter relay team.

The IOC says “the Jamaican team is disqualified,” and “the corresponding medals, medalist pins and diplomas are withdrawn and shall be returned.”