Cubs claim reliever Floro:
The Cubs added relief pitching Tuesday by claiming Dylan Floro off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. Floro, 26, was 0-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the Rays last season. Floro struck out 14 and walked five in 15 innings. Floro earned midseason International League honors at Triple-A Durham, where he was 1-2 with a 2.88 ERA and 7 saves in 32 appearances. Floro has two minor-league options left. The Cubs’ 40-man roster now stands at 39.
3 rookie Bears honored:
Bears running back Jordan Howard, center Cody Whitehair and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd have all been selected to the Professional Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team. Howard set two Bears rookie rushing records with 1,313 yards on 252 carries and 7 100-yard games. The fifth-round draft pick finished second in the NFL in rushing behind Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott. Whitehair was an anchor on the Bears offensive line, starting all 16 games at center. First-round pick Floyd had 33 tackles and 7 sacks in 12 games.
Roenick to get ‘One More Shift:’
Jeremy Roenick will participate in the “One More Shift” promotion when the Hawks host Vancouver on Jan. 22. Roenick played eight of his 20 NHL seasons with the Hawks and ranks ninth in points (596), seventh in goals (267) and 13th in assists (329).
Chris Paul out 6-8 weeks:
LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. The Clippers said Tuesday that their all-star guard will continue to undergo treatment and evaluation by the club’s medical staff.
Hamilton back with Rangers:
ARLINGTON, Texas — Slugger Josh Hamilton is getting another shot with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers said Tuesday they have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for the oft-injured 2010 AL MVP. The 35-year-old Hamilton had his best years in Texas as a five-time all-star, including trips to the World Series in 2010-11.
Hamilton was released in August, closing the books on a $125 million, five-year deal signed with the Los Angeles Angels in free agency after the 2012 season.
Bautista stays with Blue Jays:
TORONTO — Jose Bautista is staying with the Toronto Blue Jays after all.The free agent slugger agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with Toronto that includes mutual options for more years, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the deal, said Bautista passed his physical Tuesday night.
Ligety, Lund done for season:
GENEVA — Two of skiing’s biggest stars will miss next month’s world championships because of season-ending surgery. Ted Ligety of the United States and Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway — each with five career world titles — both announced in Instagram posts Tuesday they will now focus on returning for next season. Ligety’s persistent back problem has denied him a chance to win a fourth straight giant slalom title. Svindal posted a photo from a hospital bed, four days after he left Switzerland ahead of the classic downhill in Wengen to seek treatment on the right knee he seriously injured a year ago.
Oregon coach suspended:
The University of Oregon has suspended football strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde one month without pay after three players were hospitalized following a series of intense workouts last week. The school announced the decision in a statement Tuesday evening and detailed a review of the incident. It added that all future workouts have been modified and the strength and conditioning coach will now report to director of performance and sports science Andrew Murray instead of coach Willie Taggart, who apologized.
