Red Sox' Wright suspended for 80 games

Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright was suspended for 80 games following a positive test for Human Growth Hormone.

Major League Baseball made the announcement Wednesday, the latest in a series of setbacks for the 34-year-old knuckleball pitcher.

Wright accepted a 15-game suspension in spring training last year under the league's domestic violence policy.

The commissioner's office says he tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2).

... Righthander Jose Leclerc and the Rangers agreed to a $14.75 million, four-year contract, a deal that covers the seasons the closer would be eligible for salary arbitration.

... Righthander Bud Norris and the Blue Jays finalized a minor league contract. Norris, who turned 34 on Saturday, had 47 saves over the past two seasons for the Angels and Cardinals. He went 3-6 with a 3.59 ERA and 28 saves in 64 appearances with St. Louis last year. ... Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina took another step in his comeback from left knee surgery in December by catching opening-day starter Miles Mikolas in a camp game Wednesday.

Former Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn announced his retirement.Kuhn played nine seasons with the Packers (2007-15) and won the Super Bowl in the 2010 season.

... The Broncos released starting safety Darian Stewart and the Browns released linebacker Jamie Collins, who never lived up to high expectations.

Veteran musher Aliy Zirkle took the lead in Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. She is seeking to become the first woman to win in nearly three decades.

Zirkle is a three-time second-place finisher in the 1,000-mile race.

She was first to leave the Ophir checkpoint Wednesday morning, 432 miles (695 kilometers) into the race.

Earlier Wednesday, Frenchman Nicolas Petit retook the lead after arriving first at Ophir when defending champion and front-runner Joar Ulsom stopped for a 24-hour mandatory rest at Takotna. Participants also must take two eight-hour rests.

Tennis: Andy Murray says he is pain-free after hip surgery but likely won't play at Wimbledon. Murray said in an interview with the BBC that he wants to continue playing but the surgeons "couldn't give me any guarantees."

Skiing: Olympic slalom champion Frida Hansdotter will retire from Alpine skiing's World Cup next week.