CHICAGO >> The Chicago Cubs are acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, paying a big price for one of baseball’s best hitters, a person familiar with the situation said.

The Cubs are sending third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season.

Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. He batted .284 with 29 homers, an AL-best 112 RBIs and 30 steals for Houston in 2023.

Tucker, who turns 28 on Jan. 17, joins a crowded situation in Chicago’s outfield, but the Cubs are reportedly looking to trade Cody Bellinger, who also can play first base. They also have talked to Seiya Suzuki’s agent about the outfielder’s no-trade clause.

Yankees get closer Williams from Brewers >> The New York Yankees acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin.

The Yankees also will send $2 million to the Brewers as part of the trade.

A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. His fastball averaged 94.7 mph and he threw it on 53.5% of his pitches, mixing in 45% changeups — known as the “Airbender” — around 1.5% cutters.

Pro football

Moss announces battle with cancer >> NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss announced that he has been battling a cancer found outside of his bowel duct between his pancreas and liver on Instagram live.

Moss, aided by a cane, introduced himself as a cancer survivor and thanked his “prayer warriors” for their support. He had a Whipple procedure to put a stent on his liver on Thanksgiving after experiencing urine discoloration.

Moss spent the last six days in the hospital before getting out and said he’s nursing himself back to full health with chemotherapy and radiation.

Moss stepped away from his role as an analyst on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” on Dec. 6 for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge, the network said in a statement.

Dolphins release Beckham >> The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., ending the former Pro Bowler’s short tenure with the team.

Beckham had missed the past two days of practice for what the team called personal reasons. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel indicated that the decision to part ways was mutual.

Beckham signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in May, but started the season on the physically unable to perform list after offseason knee surgery. Since his Dolphins debut in Week 5 against New England, Beckham had just nine catches for 55 yards in nine games.

Engram to have surgery >> Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum.

Coach Doug Pederson announced the decision, saying Engram will be placed on injured reserve two days before the Jaguars (3-10) host the New York Jets (3-10).

Engram has 47 receptions for 365 yards and a touchdown this season.

Brown returns to practice >> Wide receiver Marquise Brown returned to practice with the Chiefs and there is hope within the organization that one of their premier free-agent acquisitions finally will be able to contribute during the stretch run and the playoffs.

Brown has been on injured reserve since dislocating the sternoclavicular joint in his shoulder when he was tackled on the first play of their preseason opener against Jacksonville. Brown’s return for a practice opens a 21-day window.

Swimming

Walsh takes her world records tally to 7 >> American swimmer Gretchen Walsh set three more world records at the world short course championships.

She lowered the 100-meter individual medley time to 55.11 seconds in the final, and the 100 butterfly record twice.

In the morning heats, Walsh broke Canadian Margaret Mac Neil’s mark of 54.05 from 2022 to 53.24. Then she dropped it again in the evening semifinals to 52.87.

Walsh has seven world records in Duna Arena this week.

The U.S. men’s 4x200 relay team achieved two world records in the same final.

The team clocked a winning 6:40.51, slashing nearly four seconds off its own record from the last championships in 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.

Also, Luke Hobson on the lead-off leg set the individual 200 freestyle world record that Peter Biedermann of Germany held since 2009.

Americans also claimed the day’s other world records: Regan Smith won the women’s 50 backstroke final in a world record time of 25.23, and Kate Douglass improved her own world record in the 200 breaststroke from October to 2:12.50.