Sports Briefs

BASEBALL

Ramirez leaves Cubs to sign with Brewers

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers agreed to terms with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez, his agent tells The Associated Press. Agent Paul Kinzer says the deal is in place, pending a physical.

Ramirez provides a much-needed big bat for the Brewers, who are expected to lose first baseman Prince Fielder through free agency and may be without NL MVP Ryan Braun for the first 50 games if he loses his appeal for testing positive for a banned substance.

Ramirez, 33, played the past eight seasons with the NL Central rival Chicago Cubs. He played 149 games for the Cubs last year, batting .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI.

BASEBALL

Phillies send Francisco to Blue Jays for minor leaguer

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies traded outfielder Ben Francisco to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for minor league left-hander Frank Gailey. Francisco spent parts of three seasons with the Phillies, hitting .259 with 17 home runs and 75 RBI in 225 games.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Criminal charges considered for Xavier-Cincinnati brawl

CINCINNATI — An Ohio prosecutor said Monday he will consider criminal charges in the aftermath of a players brawl at the end of the Cincinnati-Xavier basketball game, as stunned fans and school officials pondered the tarnishing blow delivered to one of the city’s most eagerly anticipated annual events.

Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters said in a statement that his office would determine whether any criminal charges were appropriate. He declined further comment.

Deters, a University of Cincinnati alumnus, didn’t specify what charges would be considered, but possible charges stemming from Saturday’s incident could include assault and battery or disorderly conduct.

PRO BASKETBALL

Pistons part ways with veteran Hamilton

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons waived Richard Hamilton, who was due to make $19 million over the final two years of his contract in Detroit.

Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring in eight of his nine seasons with the franchise. He helped Detroit win the 2004 NBA title during a run in which the franchise reached at least the Eastern Conference finals six straight seasons.

HOCKEY

Murray pays the price for Kings’ slow start

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings fired coach Terry Murray on Monday after a slow start to a season of high expectations. He was replaced by assistant coach John Stevens, who will be an interim head coach.

Murray has the highest winning percentage (.560) of any coach in Los Angeles franchise history, but the Kings lost both of their first-round playoff series while under his direction.

Murray clearly has struggled to reach his current club, which is mired in mediocrity after entertaining hopes of contending for the Stanley Cup. Los Angeles has lost four straight to drop to 13-12-4.

From wire dispatches and staff reports