Sports in Brief: Haren, Nats said close to a 1-year, $13M deal

A person familiar with the talks told the Associated Press that free-agent pitcher Dan Haren and the Washington Nationals are close to completing a one-year deal for $13 million.

The person spoke Tuesday at the baseball winter meetings under condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't finalized.

Haren was 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA in 30 starts for the Los Angeles Angels.

Free agent Eric Hinske agreed to a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Injured closer Joakim Soria and the Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on an $8 million, two-year contract.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Auburn hired Gus Malzahn as head coach and was set to introduce him Tuesday night, said a person familiar with the decision.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema agreed to become the new coach at Arkansas, taking over a program that stumbled from scandal into an awful season that had begun with hopes of challenging for a national championship.

Ohio State said Heisman Trophy winner and former Tennessee Titans star running back Eddie George is returning to his alma mater as assistant vice president for business advancement.

BOXING: Koki Kameda retained his WBA bantamweight title by scoring a split decision over Mexican challenger Hugo Ruiz in Osaka, Japan.

SOCCER: The Union announced on that midfielder Zach Pfeffer, 17, a Dresher native, has been loaned to Germany's Hoffenheim 1899, a top-flight Bundesliga club, until December 2013. The Union picked up Pfeffer's contract option for the 2014 season and he will return to the Major League Soccer club.

TRACK AND FIELD: The IAAF ratified the 110-meter hurdles world record set by Olympic champion Aries Merritt of the United States.

SPEEDSKATING: Ex-Olympian Guy Thibault will take over as head coach of the U.S. Speedskating short-track national racing program.

GOLF: Rory McIlroy was voted PGA Tour player of the year after winning four times, including his second major championship.

Eight-time major winner Tom Watson said golf has the four major championships at its pinnacle and should have no place in the Olympic Games. - Staff and wire reports