2. WELLS WILL ENTER NFL DRAFT: Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells is giving up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft.

Wells issued a statement Thursday saying the move is in the best interest of his family.

Wells fought nagging injuries much of his career at Ohio State. He still managed to run for 1,197 yards despite missing three full games with a right foot injury.

3. GEM TIES KNOT WITH PETTY: Richard Petty's famed No. 43 Dodge was rescued from near ruin Thursday when Gillett Evernham Motorsports agreed to merge with Petty's slumping organization to create a new team. GEM had been in exclusive negotiations with Petty Enterprises to combine the two teams into one four-car organization, and an agreement in principle was announced Thursday.

4. NADAL ELIMINATED: Top-ranked Rafael Nadal was eliminated from the Qatar Open on Thursday, while Roger Federer advanced to the semifinals. Nadal lost to Gael Monfils of France, and Federer saved three set points to defeat Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

5. RUSSIANS MAKE FINAL: The Russian brother and sister combination of Dinara Safina and Marat Safin won the mixed doubles match against France on Thursday at Perth, Australia, to secure a place in the final against Slovakia at the Hopman Cup.

Baseball

1. SMOLTZ JOINS Red Sox: After more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz is ready to finish his stellar career wearing a different uniform.

In a stunning end to one of Baseball's longest runs, Smoltz reached a preliminary agreement Thursday on a $5.5 million, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox after failing to work out a deal to return for his 22nd season with the Braves.

Later, the Red Sox announced they signed Rocco Baldelli at the annual dinner of the Boston Baseball Writers Association.

2. Brewers LAND HOFFMAN: Crank up the AC/DC, Milwaukee: The Brewers have landed career saves leader Trevor Hoffman, solving a shaky closer situation that could have gone into spring training with no clear-cut favorite.

3. BERROA TO Yankees: Former AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. The former Kansas City Royals shortstop, bidding to make the team as a backup infielder, is guaranteed $66,000 under his deal.

4. HAIRSTON STAYS WITH Padres: Scott Hairston and the San Diego Padres avoided arbitration, agreeing Thursday to a $1.25 million, one-year contract.

5. POHLAD REMEMBERED: Carl Pohlad rose to the pinnacle of the business world, earning billions and gaining a measure of fame as owner of the Minnesota Twins. His son recalled at Pohlad's funeral Thursday that his father cared little about the trappings of wealth. Carl Pohlad died Monday at age 94.

COLLEGE SPORTS

1. HAROLD EARNS ANOTHER HONOR: Kansas State's Brandon Harold has added his fourth freshman All-America honor of the season. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive end has been named to the Football Writers Association of America's 2008 Freshman All-America team, the association announced Thursday.

Harold has already been honored as a first team freshman All-American by College Football News, Sporting News and Phil Steele.

2. BCS RESPONDS: Bowl Championship Series officials believe they're prepared to fend off any legal challenges. With the Utah attorney general investigating the bowl system for a possible antitrust violation, Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner and BCS coordinator John Swofford said the BCS has carefully considered the legality of its format.

3. TULSA LINEMAN HONORED: Tulsa offensive lineman Wilson Holloway, who defeated Hodgkin's lymphoma twice in the past 10 months, was honored Thursday with the Courage Award from the Football Writers Association of America and the Orange Bowl.

4. PITT RB MIGHT GO TO NFL: Pittsburgh running back LeSean McCoy did not attend a post-bowl team meeting Thursday, possibly indicating that he may change his mind and declare for the NFL draft. McCoy said in late November he would return for his junior season.

5. WISCONSIN RB DECLARES: Wisconsin junior running back P.J. Hill will enter the NFL draft, ending his college career third on the Badgers' all-time rushing list with 3,996 yards.

Staff and wire reports