BASEBALL

BOSTON SIGNS ST. JOHN’S CLOSER

First-round draft pick Craig Hansen agreed yesterday to a $4 million, four-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. The right-handed closer from St. John’s, selected 26th overall in last month’s amateur draft, was the last of Boston’s 16 picks to sign. In three seasons at St. John’s, the 6-foot-5 inch Hansen was 7-6 with 26 saves and a 3.49 ERA in 83 games.

NEVIN ELECTS TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO

First baseman Phil Nevin of the San Diego Padres rejected a trade yesterday that would have sent him to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Sidney Ponson. The proposed deal was contingent upon Nevin’s approval. He has the right to block a trade to eight teams, including the Orioles. Nevin, 34, is batting .263 with nine home runs, 11 doubles, and 47 RBI in 71 games.

Ponson is 7-9 with a 5.91 ERA. The non-waiver deadline is Sunday afternoon, so Ponson still may be dealt by the Orioles.

SOCCER

KENYA TO PLAY CUP QUALIFIER IN EMPTY STADIUM

Kenya was ordered yesterday by soccer’s governing body to play its September 2 World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in an empty stadium as punishment for fan violence. Kenya and Morocco tied 0-0 in the June 18 qualifier at Nairobi. A 15-year-old boy was killed before the game and others were injured when fans stampeded to get into the stadium. FIFA’s disciplinary committee also fined Kenya’s soccer association $19,300.

HOCKEY

RED WINGS WAIVE THREE VETERAN PLAYERS

The Detroit Red Wings placed defenseman Derian Hatcher and forwards Darren McCarty and Ray Whitney on waivers yesterday, effectively cutting ties with the three high-profile veterans. If the players go unclaimed, the Red Wings have the option of buying out their contracts and making them unrestricted free agents. Hatcher’s contract calls for a salary of $4.94 million this season, Whitney is due $2.66 million, and McCarty $1.71 million. All three players are 33 years old.

BASKETBALL

NBA FREE AGENCY SIGNING DATE PUSHED BACK AGAIN

The NBA pushed back the free-agency signing date again yesterday, forcing dozens of players to wait another several days before they can begin signing contracts. The moratorium on signings was supposed to end Thursday at 6 p.m., but now will likely last until Monday or Tuesday.

EUROPEAN STAR AGREES TO DEAL WITH PACERS

Lithuanian star Sarunas Jasikevicius, who won three consecutive Euroleague championships, agreed to a three-year deal yesterday with the Indiana Pacers, his agent, Doug Neustadt, said. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The 29-year-old point guard cannot sign a contract until terms of the new NBA collective bargaining agreement are finalized.

FOOTBALL

SMITH AGREES TO $57 MILLION DEAL WITH 49ERS

Alex Smith, the first pick in April’s draft, agreed to terms yesterday on a six-year, $57 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith will receive a guaranteed $24 million, a lawyer familiar with terms of the deal told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The agreement is expected to set off a run of signings of first-round draft picks. The only other first-rounder to agree to terms is offensive lineman Logan Mankins, taken by the New England Patriots.

SWIMMING

HARDY, SCHOEMAN SET RECORDS AT WORLDS

American Jessica Hardy and South African Roland Schoeman set world records at the World Swimming Championships in Montreal yesterday. The 18-year-old Hardy posted a time of 1 minute, 6.20 seconds in the semifinals of the 100-meter breaststroke, eclipsing the record of 1:06.37 set by Australia’s Leisel Jones at the 2003 world championships in Barcelona.

Schoeman broke his own record in the 50M butterfly, set just a day earlier in the semifinals.

– Associated Press