Rafael Soriano headed to Washington Nationals

Reliever Rafael Soriano and the Washington Nationals reached agreement pending a physical on a $28-million, two-year contract that includes $14 million in deferred money, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

Speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official, the person said Soriano’s contract contains a $14-million option for 2015 that would become guaranteed if he reaches 120 games finished over 2013 and 2014 combined.

A one-time All-Star, Soriano had 42 saves and a 2.26 earned-run average for the AL East champion New York Yankees last year while filling in for injured closer Mariano Rivera, who plans to return from a knee injury in 2013.

Soriano decided in October to decline a $14-million option for 2013, taking a $1.5-million buyout from the Yankees.

The Angels avoided arbitration with pitcher Jerome Williams, agreeing to terms with the right-hander on a $2-million contract for 2013.

Four other Angels — pitchers Jason Vargas, Tommy Hanson and Kevin Jepsen and third baseman Alberto Callaspo — filed for salary arbitration Tuesday and are set to exchange figures Friday. If the team and players can’t come to terms, arbitration hearings are scheduled from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20.

Williams, 31, was 6-8 with a 4.58 ERA in 32 games, 15 starts, last season, striking out 98 and walking 35 in 137 2/3 innings. Williams is expected to pitch in long relief and serve as a spot starter in case of injury.

—Mike DiGiovanna

ETC.

McGinley voted captain

Paul McGinley was chosen as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain for 2014, ending a chaotic campaign marked by a late challenge from former captain Colin Montgomerie.

McGinley, a 46-year-old Irishman, replaces Jose Maria Olazabal, whose team rallied to victory over the United States in October at Medinah, outside Chicago. Europe will defend the trophy at Gleneagles, Scotland.

Top-ranked Rory McIlroy spoke forcefully Monday and Tuesday in favor of the new captain. He said Montgomerie would be less motivated because he captained the winning 2010 Ryder Cup team.

Montgomerie had earlier said it would be a dream to captain the team in his home country of Scotland. He left a meeting of the European Tour’s tournament committee without making a comment.

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American teenager Mikaela Shiffrin won a World Cup night slalom at Flachau, Austria, buoyed by a roaring crowd for her third victory in her first year on the circuit.

Shiffrin was second after the opening run and third-fastest in the final run to finish in a combined time of 1 minute 51.45 seconds.

The Vail, Colo., skier was already the first American to win two World Cup races before turning 18.

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George Gund III, the original owner of the San Jose Sharks, has died. He was 75.

The Sharks said Gund died Tuesday after a battle with cancer.

Gund and his brother Gordon relinquished their ownership stake in the Minnesota North Stars in 1990 in exchange for the rights to an expansion team in the Bay Area.