Tigers sign second baseman Torres

The Tigers signed former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres on Friday to a $15 million, one-year contract. The two-time All-Star’s deal includes a one-time assignment bonus of $500,000. Torres hit .265 with 138 home runs and 441 RBIs in seven seasons with the Yankees, who acquired him from the Cubs in 2016. The 28-year-old infielder hit .257 with 15 homers, 63 RBIs and 26 doubles last season while helping the Yankees win the AL East and reach the World Series, where they lost to the Dodgers in five games. Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris told reporters Torres — who played shortstop and then second base during his stint with the Yankees — is expected to play second for the Tigers while Colt Keith, who played the position for most of last season, will shift to first base. Torres was originally signed in 2013 by the Cubs and included in a deal in 2016 with Adam Warren, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford that sent Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs. The Cubs ended up winning the World Series that year, ending a 107-year drought.

Eagles prepare to be without Hurts

Jalen Hurts was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol Friday, forcing the Eagles to prepare to play against the Cowboys without their star quarterback. “It’s going to be tough for him to make it this week,” coach Nick Sirianni said Friday. The Eagles would turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday if Hurts is not cleared to play because of the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against the Commanders. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against the Cowboys in November — was in his recovery from the head injury. Hurts isn’t healthy enough to play just yet. The 26-year-old Hurts did not practice this week, leaving Pickett — who suffered a rib injury in relief action against the Commanders — in line for his first start as an Eagle.

Ovechkin takes part in full practice

Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record should be back on very soon. Signs point to Ovechkin returning to the Capitals’ lineup on Saturday night at the Maple Leafs after missing five weeks with a broken left leg. Ovechkin skated with regular linemates Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas and took part in power play drills in practice Friday. Coach Spencer Carbery said things were trending the right way for Ovechkin but wanted to see how the 39-year-old comes out of a full practice before making a decision Saturday. Ovechkin led the league with 15 goals in 18 games before getting injured last month. He is now 27 away from breaking Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals that was once considered unapproachable. The veteran winger and longtime Capitals captain could challenge it before the end of this season if he resumes the pace he was on before a collision with Utah’s Jack McBain on Nov. 18 caused a broken fibula. The Caps won 10 of the 15 games Ovechkin missed and sit second in the Eastern Conference coming out of the Christmas break. —Associated Press