Sports news from the Associated Press

Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz has agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers....

Baseball Hall to begin drug education program
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Baseball Hall of Fame is starting a drug education program for students and young adults - in the same year Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa will appear on ballot for the first time after careers tainted by steroid accusations....

Kershaw and Dodgers agree to $19M, 2-year deal
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided a salary arbitration hearing next week, agreeing to a $19 million, two-year contract....

AP Source: Rangers and Andrus agree to 3-year deal
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Shortstop Elvis Andrus and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a three-year contract and avoided salary arbitration....

Lawsuit: George Brett falsely advertises necklaces

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Lawyers are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit that claims Hall of Fame slugger George Brett has been falsely advertising necklaces and bracelets as being able to help improve health and sports performance....

Twins take bids on Kim-and-Kris-autographed ball
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins are cutting ties with the Kardashians, too....

Ex-MLB pitcher Penny signs with Softbank Hawks
FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) -- The Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League have signed former major league pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year contract....

Wife of Yankees GM Cashman files for divorce

NEW YORK (AP) -- The wife of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has filed divorce papers, a day after prosecutors charged a woman with stalking him and extorting money over an extramarital affair....

Rangers' Hamilton confirms alcohol relapse

ARLINGTON, Texas. (AP) -- Josh Hamilton shed no tears and used no prepared statement as he apologized and shared few details about his relapse with alcohol. Still, it was clear he was upset by what he had done....

Cubs pitcher Matt Garza's championship ring stolen
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Sheriff's detectives say that an American League Championship ring belonging to Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza has been stolen from his California home....