OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics traded all-star closer Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday for outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor-league pitcher Raul Alcantara.
Bailey gives the Red Sox a reliable ninth-inning pitcher to replace the departed Jonathan Papelbon. Bailey, the 2009 AL rookie of the year who made the all-star team that season and again in 2010, was the subject of trade talk this offseason.
The 27-year-old right-hander went 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 saves in 41M innings and 42 appearances last year. He spent time on the disabled list for the second straight season, pitching for the first time in 2011 on May 29 after being sidelined with a strained right forearm.
The 24-year-old Reddick batted .280 with seven homers and 28 RBIs in 87 games for Boston in 2011. He can play any outfield spot and likely will get immediate action for the A’s, who already lost outfielders David DeJesus and Josh Willingham in free agency. Center fielder Coco Crisp isn’t expected to return either.
B The New York Yankees said star third baseman Alex Rodriguez is fine after having special treatment on his right knee and left shoulder in Germany this month.
The 36-year-old Rodriguez had plasma-rich platelet injections after a recommendation from Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team gave its permission after vetting the process.
Munchak not interested in Penn State job •NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Mike Munchak said he is not heading to Penn State as football coach.
The Tennessee Titans coach said he’s flattered to be mentioned for his alma mater, but insisted he loves what he’s doing.
“You all know Penn State means a lot to me. I obviously went to school there and I’m real concerned for what they’ve gone through the last couple of months. I’m flattered that people think I’d be a great fit for the coach there,” Munchak said. “They have not contacted me in any way or talked to me about the possibility of working there. I have not reached out to them. I have a job that I enjoy quite a bit.”
BTerry Bowden was introduced at Akron to restore a program with a rich tradition and a state-of-the-art stadium, but a woeful record in recent years. He was hired as the 27th coach in school history Dec. 22.
Bowden was an Akron assistant to coach Gerry Faust in 1986 and has a 140-62-2 record in 18 seasons, including 11-0 at Auburn in 1993.
Finland tops U.S. in world juniors •EDMONTON, Alberta —Joel Armia had two goals and an assist to lead Finland to a 4-1 win over the United States in a Pool B preliminary-round game at the world junior hockey championship.
In the other Pool B game, Mark Scheifele scored two goals to lead Canada to a 5-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Footnotes. Anna Fenninger of Austria skied a nearly flawless second run in Lienz, Austria, to capture a giant slalom for her first World Cup victory, while Vail’s Lindsey Vonn extended her lead in the overall standings with a fifth-place finish.
B The Dallas Stars activated goaltender Kari Lehtonen from injured reserve after he missed 12 games with a lower-body injury.
B Former No. 1-ranked player Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario was selected captain of Spain’s Fed Cup team. The Associated Press
