Reliever Kyle Farnsworth and the Cubs agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
Farnsworth, who struck out 92 in 77 games last season, had asked for $1.7 million, while the Cubs countered with $1.1 million.
BEARS TAB BORAS: Rob Boras, a Glenbard West graduate who spent the last three years as offensive coordinator at Nevada-Las Vegas, was named Bears tight ends coach.
CLARETT IN THE CLEAR: Maurice Clarett is ready to enter the NFL draft, clearing another obstacle when a federal judge rejected the league’s request to suspend her ruling.
VAN VICTIM UPGRADED: Former Thornridge player Chris Gonzalez has been upgraded from critical to fair condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
Gonzalez has been hospitalized since Monday after an 18-wheel truck crashed into the van carrying members of the Navarro Junior College team, killing two of Gonzalez’s teammates and injuring others.
DOPING DRAMA: The federal government is preparing indictments against a nutritional supplements lab and its founder, as well as the personal trainer of baseball star Barry Bonds, according to reports.
EYE ON ATHENS: The boos nearly drowned out “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and a few dozen fans chanted “Osama! Osama!” as the United States was eliminated 4-0 by Mexico in Olympic men’s soccer qualifying for the Athens Olympics.
BOX SET? Less than a week after Lennox Lewis retired, Corrie Sanders and Vitali Klitschko have begun talks for a bout for the vacant WBC title.
RACE TRACKING: Third-year driving star Ryan Newman has been selected by motorsports writers as the preseason favorite to win the 2004 Nextel Cup championship.
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Compiled from RedEye news services.
