MLB • Catcher Mike Napoli and the Texas Rangers finalized a $9.4 million, one-year contract Sunday to avoid a salary arbitration hearing.
Napoli, a former Salt Lake Bee, set career highs last season by hitting .320 with 30 homers and 75 RBIs in 113 games in his first season with Texas, making starts at catcher, first base and designated hitter. He spent his first five major league seasons with the Angels before being traded twice in a five-day period last winter.
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Napoli, 30, who made $5.8 million last season, had asked for $11.8 million in arbitration and was scheduled for a hearing Wednesday. The Rangers had offered $8.3 million.
Napoli’s deal was completed days after the Rangers avoided arbitration hearings with new contracts for slugging outfielder Nelson Cruz ($16 million, two years) and shortstop Elvis Andrus ($14.4 million, three years). The Rangers haven’t had a salary arbitration hearing since winning their case against Lee Stevens in 2000.
U.S. completes Davis Cup sweep
Tennis • The United States completed its 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup in Fribourg, Switzerland, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning the closing singles matches.
Harrison made his Davis Cup debut, defeating Michael Lammer 7-6 (0), 7-6 (4) to extend the Americans’ lead to 4-0. Isner, who stunned Roger Federer in four sets Friday, then beat Marco Chuidinelli 6-3, 6-4 to give the U.S. its first sweep since a 2004 first-round series against Austria.
The U.S. will play at France in the April 6-8 quarterfinals.
• Angelique Kerber won her first WTA title by overpowering second-seeded Marion Bartoli 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3 in the Open GDF Suez final in Paris.
From wire reports
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