AL West

(Reuters) - Hard-hitting outfielder Nelson Cruz and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract extension, the team said on Thursday.

(Reuters) - Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda has signed a one-year deal with the New York Yankees after the free agent parted company with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees said Thursday.

Tony LaRussa will become only the second retired manager to guide a team in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game next July when he leads the National League squad in the annual mid-season classic.

(Reuters) - Three times All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder reportedly has agreed to a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, Major League Baseball's website said on Tuesday.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced nominations for the 2012 Academy Awards on Tuesday. The winners will be named at the annual Oscars ceremony in Hollywood on February 26.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced nominations for the 2012 Academy Awards on Tuesday. The winners will be named at the annual Oscars ceremony in Hollywood on February 26.

(Reuters) - Two time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum has reached a verbal agreement with the San Francisco Giants on a two-year, $40.5 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration, Major League Baseball's website said on Tuesday.

Japanese hurler Yu Darvish told home fans Tuesday he was moving to the US major league to pit his skills against better batters because he wanted to become the world's "number one pitcher".

(Reuters) - Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish expects to make a smooth transition to the majors next season and the Texas Rangers' expensive acquisition was quick to display a subtle sense of humor at his introductory news conference on Friday.

The Texas Rangers formally introduced prize acquisition Yu Darvish, saying the Japanese star pitcher is the kind of player they need as they strive for a World Series title.

(Reuters) - Slugging first baseman Carlos Pena is returning to the Tampa Bay Rays on a one-year deal while reliever Joel Peralta also agreed to a one-year contract, the Major League Baseball team said on Friday.

The manager of the most expensive Japanese baseball player ever said Thursday that his American purchasers -- who are paying almost $112 million for his services -- had got a bargain.

(Reuters) - Major League Baseball's (MLB) Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a six-year deal with Japanese pitching ace Yu Darvish just as the negotiating window was set to close, the team said on Wednesday.

Japanese star pitcher Yu Darvish has agreed to a six-year deal worth $60 million with the Texas Rangers and will join the Major League Baseball club for the North American 2012 season.

(Reuters) - The Los Angeles Angels will keep shortstop Erick Aybar for at least one more year after he agreed to a $5 million contract, according to a report on the team's website on Tuesday.

(Reuters) - The American League champion Texas Rangers and reliever Mark Lowe have agreed to a one-year, $1.7 million deal to avoid arbitration, the Major League Baseball team said on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Washington Nationals will avoid salary arbitration with starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez by agreeing to a contract extension through the 2016 season, the team said on Sunday.

(Reuters) - Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan has expressed confidence of striking a deal with flame-throwing Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish before next week's deadline.

Two-time defending American League champions Texas entered the winning bid to negotiate with Japanese star pitcher Yu Darvish, Major League Baseball officials announced.

(Reuters) - The Texas Rangers have won the rights to negotiate exclusively with Japanese pitching ace Yu Darvish after offering what may be the sport's richest ever posting fee, Major League Baseball announced in a statement on Monday.