Newsmakers

Signed The Seattle Mariners have signed catcher John Baker to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. The Mariners announced the signing after Baker, 34, passed a physical. He is expected to compete with Jesus Sucre for the backup job with the Mariners playing behind starter Mike Zunino. Baker spent last season with the Chicago Cubs. He batted .192 in his limited appearances. Baker also played for San Diego and his best seasons came with Florida. Baker hit .271 with nine homers, 25 doubles and 50 RBIs in 2009 with the Marlins, but has not approached those numbers since.

Dismissed Duke has dismissed junior guard Rasheed Sulaimon from the team. In a statement from the school, coach Mike Krzyzewski said Sulaimon “has been unable to consistently live up to the standards required to be a member of our program.” He says “it became apparent that it was time to dismiss him from the program.” The school says Sulaimon remains in good academic standing and is expected to finish the spring semester.

Sentenced Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth has pleaded guilty to reckless driving and has been sentenced to five days in jail for driving 105 mph on the Capital Beltway. Werth will serve his sentence on weekends to minimize disruption to his rehabilitation following shoulder surgery.

Replaced Reigning Xfinity Series champion Chase Elliott will replace Jeff Gordon when the four-time NASCAR champion retires at the end of this season. Hendrick Motorsports had to find a Sprint Cup seat for Elliott or risk losing the 19-year-old to another organization. Elliott will drive a second season in NASCAR’s second-tier series this year with JR Motorsports.

Avoided Third baseman David Freese has avoided arbitration with the Los Angeles Angels, agreeing to a one-year contract for $6,425,000. Freese batted .260 with 10 homers and 55 RBIs in his first season with the Angels.

• The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with outfielder Daniel Nava on a one-year contract that will pay him $1.85 million, avoiding arbitration. Nava batted .270 with 21 doubles, four homers and 37 RBIs in 113 games last season.

Joined Former Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou has signed with Major League Soccer and joined Toronto FC. The 33-year-old Cheyrou could pair with American midfielder Michael Bradley in center of the midfield. He helped Marseille win the French league title in 2010.