SAN DIEGO (AP) — Free agent pitcher James Shields has decided to play for the San Diego Padres. He was 14-8 pitching for the American League champion Royals last year and at the end of the season turned down an offer of $15.3 million to come back to the team. An All-Star in 2011, Shields is 114-90 with a 3.72 earned run average in nine seasons.
UNDATED (AP) — The College Football Playoff selection committee has a new member. Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt has been appointed to a spot on the committee replacing Oliver Luck, the former West Virginia athletic director, who now works for the NCAA. After Baylor and TCU were skipped over for last year’s playoff, Baylor coach Art Briles complained about a lack of representation on the committee by someone from Texas.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder have lost center Steven Adams for at least three weeks. He has undergone surgery to repair a fractured bone in his right hand after being hurt during a game with the Los Angeles Clippers. In 50 games this season, Adams is averaging 7.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
UNDATED (AP) — A new Associated Press Top-25 men’s basketball poll is out and once again Kentucky is a unanimous choice to be No. 1. The 23-0 Wildcats got all 65 first-place votes with Virginia back in the No. 2 spot with Gonzaga (gahn-ZAG’-uh) third, Duke fourth and Wisconsin fifth.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Domestic violence charges against Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy have been dismissed by prosecutors. The district attorney for the case told the judge that officials attempted many times to contact the woman, but failed. He said Hardy had a reached a civil suit agreement with the woman.
