Las Vegas ? Relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth and the Kansas City Royals reached a preliminary agreement on a $9.25 million, two-year contract Thursday.

The deal is pending a physical, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized.

Farnsworth was traded July 30 from the New York Yankees to Detroit for catcher Ivan Rodriguez. The hard-throwing right-hander went 2-3 with a 4.48 earned-run average and one save in 61 appearances overall last season, then filed for free agency.

Born in Wichita, Kan., Farnsworth would get $4.25 million next year and $4.5 million in 2010. The deal includes a $5.25 million club option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout, and Farnsworth could make an additional $750,000 per season in performance bonuses.

The Royals also signed pitchers Doug Waechter and Horacio Ramirez on Thursday, made a minor trade with Seattle and completed another deal with Houston.

Ramirez, a 29-year-old lefty, made 15 relief appearances with the Royals this season. He was 1-1 with a 2.59 ERA in 241/3 innings.

Waechter, a 27-year-old righty, was 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA in 48 relief appearances for Florida this season. He allowed 63 hits in 63 1-3 innings.

“Our expectation is that Horacio Ramirez will be a part of our starting rotation in 2009,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “Waechter will come in to provide depth to our relief corps.”

The Royals also selected left-handed pitcher Jose Lugo from the Triple-A Rochester roster of the Minnesota Twins in the Rule 5 draft and traded him to Seattle for cash.

Kansas City acquired outfielder Jordan Parraz from Houston to finish the trade that sent minor-league pitcher Tyler Lumsden to Houston on Nov. 24 for a player to be named or cash.

The 24-year-old Parraz will be assigned to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He hit .289 with 31 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 42 RBIs last year for advanced Class A Salem in the Carolina League.

BASEBALL

Twins, Punto agree

Minneapolis — Versatile infielder Nick Punto and the Minnesota Twins agreed on a two-year contract Thursday. Punto hit .284 for the Twins last season and filed for free agency. The deal includes a club option for 2011.

Punto was the team’s regular shortstop for much of last season. The 31-year-old started 59 games at shortstop and split another 29 starts at second and third this year. Punto has a career average of .252 during six-plus seasons in the majors.

Red Sox unveil logo

Boston — The Boston Red Sox unveiled their new “Hanging Sox” logo on Thursday. In a marketing-driven event, the team introduced its new primary and secondary home and road jerseys, but the major emphasis of the evening was the Red Sox new team logo of “Hanging Sox,” a pair of red socks that diminishes the use of the old circular logo and doesn’t contain the words “Boston” or “Red Sox.”

The “Hanging Sox” will be on most of the club’s letterhead and signs. In addition, the “Hanging Sox” will be on the front of a secondary cap, expected to be worn sparingly during the upcoming season.

Pudge to play winter ball

San Juan, Puerto Rico — Catcher Ivan Rodriguez will soon return to his Caribbean homeland, ending a more than decade-long absence from Puerto Rico’s winter league. Caguas Creoles president Ismael Isern said Thursday the 14-time All-Star catcher will play for the team Tuesday against the Santurce Crabbers. Isern would not estimate how many games Rodriguez might play with the Creoles.

D’backs land Lopez

Las Vegas — Free-agent infielder Felipe Lopez and the Arizona Diamondbacks reached a preliminary agreement on a $3.5 million, one-year contract. The 28-year-old Lopez, who has spent eight seasons in the majors, split this year between Washington and St. Louis. He batted .283 with six homers and 46 RBIs in 143 games.

NBA

Knicks’ Mobley retires

Greenburgh, N.Y. — New York Knicks guard Cuttino Mobley retired from the NBA on Thursday because of heart disease that he said has gotten worse. Mobley said doctors told him he faced significant risks if he kept playing. The 11-year veteran said by walking away now, he could live a long life.

Howard leads voting

New York — Orlando center Dwight Howard leads early balloting for the NBA All-Star game with 775,933 votes and is followed by Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers’ star, has 719,252 votes, and Cleveland’s James has 643,786, according to early returns released by the league on Thursday.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ohio State lineman charged

Beavercreek, Ohio — Ohio State freshman defensive end Nathan Williams has been charged with shoplifting at a suburban Dayton mall.

GOLF

Pavin officially selected

New York — Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup on Thursday, selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993. A former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.

Sorenstam opens with 70

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Annika Sorenstam started the final tournament of her career Thursday with a 2-under 70, four shots off the lead at the Dubai Ladies Masters.

AUTO RACING

Labonte leaves Petty

Charlotte, N.C. — Bobby Labonte has been released from his contract with Petty Enterprises, which is trying to negotiate a deal with Gillett Evernham Motorsports that would solidify the future of its famed No. 43 Dodge. Petty Enterprises has been unable to find sponsorship for Labonte, a former NASCAR champion.