MLB

Price is right for Red Sox: Pitcher signs monster deal

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox and ace pitcher David Price agreed to a deal worth $217 million over seven years.

Price has a 3.09 earned-run average in eight major league seasons with 1,372 strikeouts and 104 wins. The left-hander was traded from Detroit to Toronto last season as the Blue Jays made a playoff push in the AL East. One year earlier, he was traded to Detroit from Tampa Bay, where he spent the early part of his career.

Price is a serious upgrade for the Red Sox pitching staff, which struggled last season as Boston finished 78-84, last in the division.

NFL

Broncos sign Bush as safety valve for Ward

ENGLEWOOD – With T.J. Ward expected to miss time with a high left ankle sprain, the Denver Broncos brought back safety Josh Bush.

Bush played in three games for Denver earlier this season, including the opener when Ward served a one-game suspension, before being cut to make room for offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus.

He spent a week with the Bills after his release from Denver.

To make room, Denver (9-2) waived tight end Richard Gordon, whose role had diminished with the acquisition of Vernon Davis.

Ward was hurt in Denver’s win over New England on Sunday night on the same play that run-stuffer Sylvester Williams sprained his right ankle.

Both are expected to miss Sunday’s game at San Diego and could be sidelined much longer.

McCown down, Pryor signs with Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND – Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor was expected to sign Tuesday with the Browns.

Pryor, a former starting quarterback with Oakland, will join the struggling Browns for the remainder of this season.

Pryor was in training camp this summer with Cleveland but was one of the last players cut. The Browns were intrigued with his potential but decided not to keep him. However, with wide receivers Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel sidelined with concussions, the Browns have a major need at the position.

Pryor can also play quarterback, which could give the Browns some insurance with starter Josh McCown likely done for the season with a collarbone injury. McCown was injured in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s 33-27 loss to the Ravens.

League removes officiating crew off Sunday night game

NEW YORK – The NFL has moved referee Pete Morelli’s crew off the upcoming Sunday night game between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.

Instead, the crew will work an afternoon game between the Eagles and Patriots.

Morelli’s group was heavily criticized by both sides after the 49ers-Cardinals game Sunday. Arizona head coach Bruce Arians said the officials “can’t count to three.”

Earlier this season, side judge Rob Vernatchi from Morelli’s crew was suspended for one game for not properly keeping track of the clock in a Pittsburgh-San Diego matchup. At the time, the league said the error would affect the full-season evaluation of Morelli’s crew.

Flexing their might: Patriots-Texans game moved

NEW YORK – The NFL moved the Dec. 13 game between New England and Houston to prime time.

Switched from the Sunday night game to 11 a.m. is Seattle at Baltimore.

The league routinely switches more attractive Sunday afternoon matches to prime time when the previously scheduled evening game is not as enticing. The Patriots lead the AFC East and the Texans now are tied for the lead in the AFC South.

Seahawks-Ravens moves from NBC to Fox.

Associated Press