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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Newsmakers

From Staff And Wire Reports

Traded The Atlanta Braves traded RHPs David Hale and Gus Schlosser to the Colorado Rockies for minor-league catchers Jose Briceno and Chris O’Dowd. Hale pitched 45 games for the Braves last season, going 4-5 with a 3.30 ERA.

Signed Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce agreed to a $3.7 million, one-year contract and avoided an arbitration hearing. Pearce hit .293 for Baltimore last year and set career bests with 21 homers and 49 RBIs.

• Pitcher Chad Billingsley and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. The 30-year-old had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and spent all of last season on the Dodgers’ disabled list. He is 81-61 with a 3.65 ERA in 190 starts.

Sued Spurs star Tim Duncan filed a lawsuit in San Antonio contending that a series of investments enriched his financial adviser but were losing propositions for the NBA star. The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages against Charles Banks of Atlanta.

Banned Kenyan Rita Jeptoo, three-time winner of the Boston Marathon and two-time Chicago Marathon champ, was handed a two-year doping ban. Jeptoo tested positive for blood-booster EPO.

Injured UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has a rib injury, forcing the cancellation of his title defense against Vitor Belfort at UFC 184 next month. Ronda Rousey’s bantamweight title defense against Cat Zingano is the new main event of the show at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 28.

Sidelined American defender Christie Rampone and midfielder Megan Rapinoe will miss the U.S. team’s exhibition games at France and England next month. Rampone was omitted from the roster because of a back injury and Rapinoe because of a knee strain.

Explained The IndyCar Series opener scheduled for March in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was canceled after public prosecutors warned it would cost the local government too much and waste public funds.