Thursday's sports briefs

BASEBALL

After more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz is ready to finish his career wearing a different uniform.

In a stunning end to one of baseball's longest runs, Smoltz reached a preliminary agreement Thursday on a $5.5 million, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox after failing to work out a deal to return for his 22nd season with the Braves.

A person familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Red Sox had yet to make an official announcement, said Smoltz, 41, can earn an additional $5 million in bonuses, some based on days on the active roster. The deal is a subject to a physical, which is scheduled for Monday.

Smoltz, the only pitcher in baseball history with 200 victories and 150 saves, had pitched for the Braves since 1988.

• The Red Sox also agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with outfielder Rocco Baldelli, and might have a deal to announce for pitcher Brad Penny as soon as today.

The Brewers landed career saves leader Trevor Hoffman, solving a shaky closer situation that could have gone into spring training with no clear-cut favorite.

Hoffman agreed to a one-year contract worth $6 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced. Hoffman can make an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses.

The 41-year-old righthander had pitched for the Padres since 1993, becoming the face of the franchise after Tony Gwynn retired. Hoffman converted 30 of 34 chances last season, increasing his saves record to 554.

It's not official yet, but Twins infielder Nick Punto hopes to play for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

"I think it's good for baseball," Punto said. "I think it would be a cool experience. And I would get to learn a little more about my heritage."

Punto said officials are making sure he is eligible. He doesn't expect any hurdles because his grandparents are from the Naples region.

Joe Nathan (USA) and Justin Morneau (Canada) also appear headed for the WBC. Provisional rosters are due Jan. 19.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III

• The Chicago Cubs and Milton Bradley wrapped up their $30 million, three-year deal after the mercurial outfielder passed a physical. A switch-hitter, Bradley batted .321 with 22 homers for Texas, but his production has often been overshadowed by his outbursts and flashes of anger.

• The Dodgers have agreed to terms with 15 free agents, including longtime big league shortstop Juan Castro. The 36-year-old Castro has a .228 batting average in 984 career games with the Dodgers, Reds, Twins and Orioles.

• Bernice Gallego, a 72-year-old California woman, recently discovered an antique worth saving: a rare 1869 baseball card of the first pro team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings. She was going to sell the card on eBay for $10, but pulled it from auction after realizing it could be worth much more when someone asked her to end the auction immediately.

AROUND THE HORN

Ice dancing: Five-time defending national champions Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto withdrew from this month's U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., because of Agosto's back injury. They still intend to compete at the world championships in March in Los Angeles.

Tennis: The Russian brother and sister combination of Dinara Safina and Marat Safin won the mixed doubles match against France in Perth, Australia, to secure a place in the final against Slovakia at the Hopman Cup. ... Top-ranked Rafael Nadal was eliminated from the Qatar Open, while Roger Federer advanced to the semifinals of the tuneup for the Australian Open. ... Former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo upset top-seeded Ana Ivanovic in the Brisbane (Australia) International quarterfinals, her first victory over a top 10 player in two years.

Auto racing: Dakar Rally leader Nasser Al Attiyah was disqualified for skipping part of the sixth stage he won on Thursday in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Rally officials said Al Attiyah missed more than three hidden check points during a difficult route through the Andes foothills between San Rafael and Mendoza. ... Gillett Evernham Motorsports has reached a merger agreement with Petty Enterprises, creating a four-car team that will ensure the famed No. 43 races in 2009.

Soccer: Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo escaped injury after crashing his sports car in a tunnel on the way to training. ... Crew defender Ezra Hendrickson retired, ending a 14-year professional career that included three MLS Cup titles.

College track: Arkansas is vacating two national championships in track and field after the NCAA clarified how many points the Razorbacks needed to forfeit from the 2004 and 2005 men's outdoor meets for violations involving sprint star Tyson Gay.

STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES