Millwood, Rangers Agree on Deal

Free-agent pitcher Kevin Millwood on Monday reached a preliminary agreement on a $60-million, five-year contract with the Texas Rangers.

Millwood is expected to undergo a physical today in Texas, and the deal probably will be finalized Wednesday.

Details of the deal were disclosed by two people familiar with negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized. Millwood’s decision to accept Texas’ offer was first reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on its website.

Millwood pitched for the Cleveland Indians last season and had a 9-11 record and an American League-leading 2.86 earned-run average. The right-hander, who turned 31 Saturday, rejected a salary arbitration offer from the Indians.

Right-hander Jason Johnson agreed to a $4-million, one-year contract with the Indians.

Johnson, 32, had an 8-13 record and a 4.55 ERA in a career-high 210 innings last season with Detroit. He could earn as much as $11.5 million over two years in a deal that includes a mutual option for 2007.

Johnson is 52-86 during his nine-year career, which also included stints at Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.

Toronto General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said the Blue Jays were trying to finalize a trade for Arizona slugger Troy Glaus, but the deal was on hold because the former Angel third baseman had not completed a physical.

Glaus and a prospect are expected to be sent to Toronto for reliever Miguel Batista and Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson. Glaus last season led the Diamondbacks with 37 home runs and 149 runs batted in.

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SOCCER

Crespo’s Goals Help Chelsea Defeat Fulham

Striker Hernan Crespo scored in the 74th minute and host Chelsea withstood a two-goal rally by Fulham to win, 3-2, in an English Premier League game.

William Gallas scored from close range in the third minute after a header from fellow defender Robert Huth. Midfielder Frank Lampard made it 2-0 in the 24th minute

American Brian McBride scored to get Fulham within a goal in the 27th minute, and Heidar Helguson tied the score on a penalty kick in the 56th.

But Crespo, an Argentina international, volleyed past goalkeeper Mark Crossley after winger Joe Cole’s cross looped over defender Zat Knight.

The Blues (16-1-1) have 49 points, nine more than second-place Manchester United, which beat West Bromwich Albion, 3-0, on goals by Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Ruud van Nistlerooy.

Liverpool ruined former striker Michael Owen’s return to Anfield by defeating Newcastle, 2-0, to remain third with 34 points.

Midfielder Steven Gerrard scored his 12th goal, in the 14th minute, on an assist from Peter Crouch, who capped the scoring in the 44th.

Jose Antonio Reyes scored in the 58th minute to give Arsenal a 1-0 victory over host Charlton, which lost for the eighth time in nine matches.

Goals from Arouna Kone and American DaMarcus Beasley enabled PSV Eindhoven to reclaim the lead in the Dutch league with a 2-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen.

Feyenoord beat former leader AZ Alkmaar, 2-0, to move into a tie for second with 38 points, three behind PSV. It was AZ’s first loss in 14 games.

Doctors in a hospital in Valencia, Spain, who are treating Real Madrid’s honorary president and former star Alfredo di Stefano for a heart attack and associated complications have decided to wait for his condition to improve before carrying out bypass surgery.

Di Stefano, 79, suffered the heart attack Saturday in the eastern city of Sagunto. His condition remains serious.

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SAILING

Alfa Romeo Takes Lead in Australia Yacht Race

New Zealand-owned Alfa Romeo had a lead of more than 2.3 miles over Wild Oats by 9 p.m. local time as they headed south in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in Australia.

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PASSINGS

Grgich, Among Original San Francisco 49ers

Visco Grgich, a nose guard on the San Francisco 49ers’ original 1946 team, died of natural causes in a Modesto hospital, his son, Mike, said. He was 82.

Grgich, a Pro Bowl selection in 1950, played until 1952.