Newsmakers

Healing Veteran Mike Lowell is expected to be ready for spring training after having surgery Wednesday on a thumb injury that derailed his trade from the Boston Red Sox to the Texas Rangers. The operation to repair a radial collateral ligament in his right thumb that was torn late last season was done in Phoenix by Dr. Donald Sheridan, the Red Sox said. The third baseman should recover in six to eight weeks, putting him on track for Boston’s first full spring training workout Feb. 24.

Agree The Chicago Cubs found the center fielder they’d been searching for, agreeing to a $15 million, three-year contract with Marlon Byrd. Byrd hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs last season for Texas. He will take over in center from Kosuke Fukudome, who will move to right field after the trade of the troubled Milton Bradley to Seattle.

•The Philadelphia Phillies and free-agent reliever Danys Baez have reached a deal. A person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press that the sides agreed on a two-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Baez must pass a physical for the contract to be complete. The 32-year-old was 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 games with Baltimore last year.

Arrested Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird and his younger brother, New York Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird, were arrested following a brawl in the lounge area of Phoenix’s NBA arena, according to police. Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault Wednesday night and 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct. Police said the Lairds and a third man were arrested at U.S. Airways Arena after the fight during the Phoenix Suns-Boston Celtics game.

Promoted Buffalo Bills national scout Buddy Nix has been promoted to general manager in team owner Ralph Wilson’s first move to revamp his front office. Chief operating officer Russ Brandon, who had been filling the general manager’s role, was promoted to chief executive officer, reporting to Wilson.

Suspended Arkansas suspended three football players – including two defensive starters – for unspecified violations of team rules. The Razorbacks face East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday. Linebacker Wendel Davis, safety Matt Harris and wide receiver Marques Wade are not expected to play. Davis is the team’s second-leading tackler. Harris is third.

Retired Former Olympic cross-country ski champion Christian Hoffmann retired after Austria’s national anti-doping agency provisionally suspended him for his alleged involvement in blood doping.