Newsmakers

Agreed Boston Red Sox minority owner Jeff Vinik agreed to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, taking on the challenge of turning around an NHL franchise that has struggled since winning the Stanley Cup in 2004. Vinik is purchasing Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment from a group led by Oren Koules and Len Barrie, the team said in a statement. The deal is contingent on approval from the league’s Board of Governors, which is expected to meet in three to four weeks.

•Reliever Kevin Gregg agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a deal that could be worth $11.5 million over three seasons. Toronto has a $4.5 million option for 2011 or an option for 2011 and 2012 that would pay $8.75 million over two seasons.

•Free-agent second baseman Adam Kennedy agreed to sign with the Washington Nationals. Kennedy’s agreement calls for him to make $1.25 million in 2010 and there is a $2 million club option for 2011.

•Catcher Yorvit Torrealba and the San Diego Padres agreed on a one-year contract worth $1.25 million. The agreement is subject to the catcher passing a physical. Torrealba would get a $750,000 salary this year, and the deal would include a $3.5 million mutual option for 2011.

Promoted The Chicago Bears promoted Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator. Marinelli, who retains his assistant head coach title, worked with the Bears’ defensive line this season after spending three years as the Detroit Lions’ head coach.

Confirmed A Kentucky coroner says final autopsy results have confirmed that an enlarged heart caused the death of University of Southern Indiana basketball player Jeron Lewis, who collapsed during a game last month. Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe says tests found that Lewis, 21, suffered from enlargement of the heart muscle and thickening of its walls. Lewis collapsed on the court Jan. 14.

Leaving Souix Falls (S.D.) football coach Kalen DeBoer, who coached the Cougars to three NAIA championships in four years, is leaving the school to become offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois.

Suspended Olympic hurdler Duane Ross has received a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for using performance enhancing drugs.