Red Sox acquire infielder Hill from Brewers
The Boston Red Sox acquired veteran infielder Aaron Hill from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday for two minor leaguers plus cash.
Right-hander Aaron Wilkerson and second baseman Wendell Rijo were the prospects acquired by Milwaukee.
Hill, 34, was batting .283 with eight homers and 29 RBIs for the Brewers. He can play both second base and third base.
Hill has a career batting average of .269 with 159 homers since reaching the majors in 2005. He has also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Wilkerson, 27, will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He is a combined 6-3 with a 2.14 ERA this season while splitting time at Double-A Portland (eight starts) and Triple-A Pawtucket (nine starts).
Rijo, 21, has a .201 batting average this season while splitting time between Single-A Salem and Portland.
Boston designated outfielder Ryan LaMarre for assignment to open up a 40-man roster spot for Hill.
Hall of Famer Hornung sues helmet manufacturer
Legendary football player Paul Hornung filed suit against equipment company Riddell on Thursday, claiming its helmets didn’t protect him from suffering a brain injury.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Heisman Trophy winner filed the suit in Chicago. The suit seeks damages of at least $50,000.
Hornung, 80, says he suffered multiple concussions during his playing career and suffers from dementia.
In his suit, Hornung said that Riddell should have warned players that the plastic helmets “provided no protection” against brain trauma.
Hornung was the 1956 Heisman winner at Notre Dame. He was a star running back for the Green Bay Packers and was named NFL MVP in 1962. He retired in 1966.
Former Bills QB undergoes cancer biopsy
Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly underwent a biopsy procedure on Thursday after doctors were concerned over a recent inconclusive scan.
Kelly, 56, first began battling cancer in his jaw in 2013 and had a recurrence in 2014. Doctors in New York City are investigating whether the cancer has returned.
The development was announced by Kelly’s wife, Jill, on her Instagram account.
“This guy — and that smile. We’re back in NYC. Jim’s last scans came back inconclusive necessitating the need for biopsy surgery today. Please pray for good results and NO cancer. Thank you!!! #kellytough”
Kelly led the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances. He retired after the 1996 season.
Devils re-sign Palmieri to five-year deal
The New Jersey Devils have re-signed leading scorer Kyle Palmieri to a five-year deal worth $23.25 million.
Palmieri, 25, was a restricted free agent. He will make $4.5 million each of the next two seasons, followed by $5 million in the ensuing two seasons and $4.25 million during the 2020-21 campaign.
The right wing had 30 goals and 27 assists last season in his first campaign with the Devils. He spent his first five seasons with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and has 73 career goals and 146 points in 280 games.
Perreault, Jets agree to deal
Forward Mathieu Perreault and the Winnipeg Jets agreed to a four-year extension, the club announced.
The deal, which begins with the 2017-18 season is worth $16.5 million. Perreault will make $4.5 million the first season and $4 million in each of the remaining three seasons.
Perreault, 28, had 41 points (nine goals, 32 assists) last season. He scored 18 goals the previous season in his first campaign with Winnipeg. Perreault has 195 career points (78 goals, 117 assists) in 361 NHL games with Washington, Anaheim and Winnipeg.