IN BRIEF

BASEBALL

Brewers reach deal with shortstop Hardy

The Milwaukee Brewers and shortstop J.J. Hardy agreed to a $4.65 million, one-year contract Monday, avoiding salary arbitration.

The 26-year-old Hardy was a cornerstone of the Brewers' first playoff team since 1982, batting .283 with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs as Milwaukee won the National League wild card last season. He was an All-Star in 2007.

Also: Closer Jose Valverde and the Houston Astros avoided salary arbitration when they agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract.

The right-hander led the NL with 44 saves last season.

The American League champion Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a $1,000,018, one-year contract with outfielder Gabe Kapler.

The 33-year-old -- who considers 18 his lucky number -- came out of retirement last season to bat .301 with eight homers, 17 doubles, 38 RBIs and a career-best .498 slugging percentage in 96 games with the Brewers.

Omar Infante, who started 77 games at five positions for Atlanta last season, agreed to a $4,325,000, two-year contract with the Braves.

Mike Scioscia's extension with the Los Angeles Angels puts the most successful manager in franchise history under contract through 2018.

Two people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press the parties agreed to a 10-year deal that allows Scioscia to opt out after the 2015 season.

The Cleveland Indians agreed to a $1.95 million, one-year contract with catcher Kelly Shoppach, extending their streak of avoiding salary arbitration to 18 years.

Pitcher Tim Redding completed his $2.25 million, one-year deal with the New York Mets, saying he would pitch in whatever role the team wants.

Redding made 33 starts for Washington last year and went 3-1 against the two-time NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies. He was 10-11 overall -- leading the Nationals in wins -- with a 4.95 ERA.

The Boston Red Sox will hold a news conference today to formally announce the signing of pitcher John Smoltz.

MISCELLANEOUS

Former Rebel Hamga settles on Valparaiso

Former UNLV center Beas Hamga announced plans to transfer to Valparaiso (Ind.) University to play basketball.

The 7-foot Hamga scored five points in five games for the Rebels this season before leaving the program Dec. 12.

Valparaiso competes in the Horizon League.

Also: Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady will miss the next two weeks to rest his sore left knee. McGrady has missed 11 games, including the second game in Houston's past four back-to-back sets.

The Winter Classic drew the biggest television audience for a regular-season NHL game in nearly 34 years.

The Detroit Red Wings' 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on New Year's Day attracted an average of 4.4 million U.S. viewers on NBC, the network said.

The Columbus Blue Jackets placed captain and leading scorer Rick Nash (lower-body injury) on injured reserve, retroactive to Jan. 6.

Former Horse of the Year Azeri is still the property of Michael Paulson after a bid of $4.4 million fell short of the owner's undisclosed reserve price in an auction at Kentucky's Keeneland track.

The 11-year-old is a mare in foal to another Horse of the Year, Ghostzapper.

Portugal soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, and Brazil's Marta took the women's award for the third year in a row.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas named Chuck Esposito as executive director of its race and sports book. Esposito formerly was the Caesars Palace sports book director.