Rangers get Yu Darvish

THE TEXAS RANGERS have submitted the winning bid for Yu Darvish, earning the right to negotiate a contract with the Japanese pitcher.

Major League Baseball announced last night that the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League informed the U.S. commissioner's office that they have accepted the top bid for Darvish.

The Rangers, who have won the past two AL pennants, have 30 days to sign Darvish to a contract. The 25-year-old righthander is considered the top pitcher in Japan.

In other baseball news:

* The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached agreement on a 2-year, $15 million contract with free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel.

ESPN college football analyst Craig James, who starred as a tailback at Southern Methodist University and with the New England Patriots in the 1980s, announced he was running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican from Texas.

* Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray has won the Courage Award given by the Football Writers Association of America for his comeback from cancer. After nine surgeries, Ray played in three games this season for Michigan State.

Veteran point guard Baron Davis signed with the New York Knicks because he said he always wanted to play home games at Madison Square Garden. However, Davis has been sidelined by a herniated disc in his back and could miss 8 to 10 weeks. The Cleveland Cavaliers waived Davis last week and designated him as their amnesty player.

* The Charlotte Bobcats acquired center Byron Mullens from Oklahoma City for a 2013 second-round draft pick.

* The Sacramento Kings voided Chuck Hayes' $21.3 million, 4-year contract, saying the forward-center failed a team physical that forced his release.

Saint Joseph's guard Langston Galloway was named Big 5 Player of the Week. Drexel forward Samme Givens was named Colonial Athletic Association co-player of the week.