How the Phillies closed the seven-year, $172 million megadeal with Aaron Nola  —  When the free-agent market opened for business two weeks ago, it became clear almost right away that a familiar rival would pose the primary threat to the Phillies' quest to retain Aaron Nola.The Braves …

Cardinals sign P Kyle Gibson to 1-year, $12M deal, sources say  —  One day after signing pitcher Lance Lynn, the St. Louis Cardinals have added righty Kyle Gibson on a one-year deal with an option for 2025, the team announced on Tuesday.  —  Gbison's deal is worth $12 million next season, sources told ESPN.

More ramps on and off fire-scorched 10 freeway to reopen Wednesday  —  Caution: The area remains a construction zone.  —  Oh what a difference a week makes.  —  This time last week, officials were talking weeks and months before a stretch of the 10 Freeway scorched by an intense Nov. 11 pallet fire might reopen.

Brother of former LA Lakers star Michael Cooper fatally shot in Pasadena, suspect arrested  —  A man was shot and killed at a Pasadena park on Saturday, Nov. 18, and was identified by family Sunday as the brother of former Los Angeles Lakers player Michael Cooper.

Zack Britton, former Yankee, Oriole All-Star reliever, retires  —  Zack Britton is officially retiring from baseball after a 12-year big-league career, the 35-year-old pitcher told The Athletic in an exclusive interview earlier this month.  Britton was a two-time All-Star with three 30-save seasons under …

MLB trade scenarios: Bowden answers 25 questions on top starters, big bats and more  —  On Sunday, we had the first big signing of the offseason, as the Phillies brought back right-hander Aaron Nola on a seven-year, $172 million deal.  As we wait to see which top free-agent starter will come off …

Sources: Paul DeJong, White Sox agree to deal  —  Veteran shortstop Paul DeJong has agreed to a deal with the Chicago White Sox, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers on Tuesday.  —  The one-year agreement is pending a physical, which is expected to be completed next week.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Yankees hire Brad Ausmus as bench coach for manager Aaron Boone  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees hired Brad Ausmus to replace Carlos Mendoza as bench coach for manager Aaron Boone, the team announced Tuesday.  —  Ausmus managed Detroit from 2014-17 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 …

Meeting demand: Shippers prepared for holiday rush  —  Carriers like the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and United Parcel Service have capacity to meet projected demand this holiday season, which is cheery news for shippers and shoppers alike.  —  Like last year, there's expected …

What is Shohei Ohtani's free-agent value?  Teams calculating worth without answers on pitching future  —  Occasionally after one of his rare poor pitching performances, Shohei Ohtani would enter the Los Angeles Angels' dugout and joke, “Maybe just hit.”  As in, maybe just give up pitching altogether …

UCLA comes up short against No. 4 Marquette in Maui Invitational opener  —  The Bruins flash all of their potential and inexperience in the second half, watching a 12-point advantage become a seven-point deficit only to regain the lead in the final minute before falling, 71-69.