First baseman Richie Sexson and the New York Yankees reached a deal a week after the Seattle Mariners cut the slumping slugger.
A person familiar with the contract said Sexson would be paid a prorated share of the $390,000 minimum salary. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.
ESPN.com first reported a tentative agreement between Sexson and the Yankees.
The Yankees were eager to add a powerful right-handed bat as they start the second half of the season. They went into the All-Star break third in the AL East, six games behind Boston.
Pro baseball: Liriano's agent calls for union investigation
The agent for Minnesota pitcher Francisco Liriano is asking the players' union to investigate why the Twins have yet to call him up from Triple-A Rochester.
Greg Genske says his client is frustrated because he has pitched well in the minors for more than a month but remains stuck in Rochester.
Genske says the delay has had an adverse effect on Liriano's service time, which determines when he is eligible for arbitration.
Twins GM Bill Smith says he is pleased with Liriano's progress after missing last season with Tommy John surgery. But he also noted that the team's four young starting pitchers have performed well with the big club and made it difficult to create a spot for the Dominican left-hander.
More pro baseball: Former Sox pitcher Nomo retires
Hideo Nomo, who pitched a pair of no-hitters and led a rush of Japanese players to the major leagues, is finished.
Nomo announced his retirement yesterday, agent Don Nomura said. Once known for a deceptive delivery and a devastating forkball, the 39-year-old Nomo was released by the Kansas City Royals in late April.
Nomo's 123 wins are the most in the majors by a Japanese pitcher. He was the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is one of only four pitchers to throw no-hitters in the AL and NL, including a no-hitter for the Red Sox in 2001. ... The Red Sox have signed their first-round pick Casey Kelly, a combination shortstop and pitcher. Team officials said Kelly will be assigned to the Rookie League Gulf Coast Red Sox.
The 18-year-old recently graduated high school in Sarasota, Fla. He hit 44 for 93 with 13 doubles, a triple, five home runs and 11 steals. He fanned 77 batters and walked a dozen over 66 innings.
General Manager Theo Epstein said Kelly will start playing shortstop and will eventually be exposed to pitching.
Pro football: Patriots sign CB Wilhite
The New England Patriots have signed fourth-round draft pick Jonathan Wilhite for the defense squad.
The Patriots did not release the terms of the deal.
Wilhite was a cornerback at Auburn University. He played 34 games, made 101 tackles and three interceptions.
New England drafted the 24-year-old player as a potential replacement for departing defensive back Asante Samuel or Randall Gay.
More pro football: Vikings decline comment on tampering charges
The Minnesota Vikings have declined to comment on allegations by the Green Bay Packers that they made inappropriate contact with quarterback Brett Favre.
Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan issued a two-sentence statement saying the Vikings "are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league."
Pro basketball: O'Bryant works out for 1st time as a Celtic
The Boston Celtics have brought newly signed free agent Patrick O'Bryant into the team, hoping he'll be able to help fill the void left by James Posey.
O'Bryant worked out, then was introduced to the media at the team's Waltham practice facility. He agreed to a two-year deal with the NBA champions on Wednesday, the same day the free agent Posey signed a four-year with the New Orleans Hornets.
A 7-foot center, the 22-year-old O'Bryant appeared in 40 games with the Golden State Warriors last season, averaging 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds.
Pro soccer: Revs' Parkhurst on U.S. Olympic soccer team
Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley will lead the U.S. men's soccer team into the Beijing Olympics.
Coach Peter Nowak announced the 18-man roster. Forward Brian McBride, goalkeeper Brad Guzan and New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst are the three overage players allowed in the under-23 tournament.
Selecting the Olympic squad was tricky because the Beijing Games overlap with World Cup qualifying for the U.S. team.
"We're trying to accommodate the Olympic team, but we need to also keep in mind it's an important time for the senior team," Nowak said on a conference call. "We need to make sure we field two competitive teams."
Tour de France: Cavendish wins Tour stage
Mark Cavendish of Britain has won the 12th stage of the Tour de France. Cavendish has won three stages in this race. He led a group sprint to the finish in the 105-mile ride through rolling hills and plains.
More Tour de France: Ricco positive for EPO at Tour
Italian rider Riccardo Ricco has tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO during the Tour de France. He was booed by spectators when he was taken off the Saunier-Duval team bus by police.
Ricco was in ninth place overall and had won two of the 11 stages at this year's race. He was runnerup at the Giro d'Italia earlier this year.
