ATLANTA — In a stunning end to one of baseball’s longest runs, John Smoltz reached a preliminary agreement 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 Atlanta Braves.

A person familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Red Sox had yet to make an official announcement, said Smoltz can earn an additional $5 million in bonuses, some based on days on the active roster.

The deal is a subject to a physical, which is scheduled for Monday.

Smoltz, the only pitcher in baseball history with 200 wins and 150 saves, had pitched for the Braves since 1988. The 41-year-old is 210-147 with 154 saves and a 3.26 ERA, is the winningest pitcher in postseason history at 15-4 and won the NL Cy Young award in 1996.

In addition, he became just the 16th pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts last April in one of his final appearances with the Braves.

Hoffman heads to Brewers

MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have landed career saves leader Trevor Hoffman.

Hoffman’s agent, Rick Thurman, credited Milwaukee for being “diligent and aggressive” in its pursuit of Hoffman after Brewers players called to recruit him.

Hoffman agreed to a one-year contract worth $6 million, a deal that hadn’t yet been announced. He can make an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses, based on games finished.

The 41-year-old right-hander had pitched for the San Diego Padres since 1993, becoming the face of the franchise after Tony Gwynn retired. Hoffman converted 30 of 34 chances last season, increasing his saves record to 554.

A’s ink Japanese deal

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics have entered into a formal partnership with the Rakuten Eagles of Japan.

Under the agreement announced Thursday, the A’s and the Rakuten Eagles will share information pertaining to player development and data analysis. The teams also will exchange baseball operations staff including coaches, strength and conditioning specialists and medical personnel.

A’s general manager Billy Beane says the agreement will benefit both organizations and he looks forward to the relationship growing in the future.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Beanie Wells going pro

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells is giving up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft.

Wells, one of seven Ohio State juniors who were considering making the early jump, issued a statement saying the move is in the best interest of his family.

Wells fought nagging injuries much of his career at Ohio State. He was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate before missing three full games this past season with a right foot injury, but still managed to run for 1,197 yards.

In three seasons at Ohio State, Wells ran for 3,382 yards, fourth best in school history.

He’s projected to be one of the first running backs selected in the draft.

P.J. Hill entering NFL draft

MADISON, Wis. — 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.

He finished last season with 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns.

BASKETBALL

Clippers sign Fred Jones

LOS ANGELES — Three days after waiving Fred Jones, the Los Angeles Clippers signed the free-agent guard to a 10-day contract Thursday.

Jones averaged 6.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in five games with the Clippers after signing as a free agent on Dec. 28. If a player is under contract Jan. 10 other than a 10-day contract, it’s guaranteed for the season.

The 29-year-old Jones, a six-year NBA veteran, averaged 7.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 70 games for the New York Knicks last season. He’s averaged 7.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 378 career NBA games for Indiana, Toronto, Portland, New York and the Clippers, after leading Oregon to the final eight in the 2002 NCAA tournament.

The Pacers made him the 14th overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft.

GOLF

Ogilvy starts tour with 67

KAPALUA, Hawaii — Geoff Ogilvy opened the PGA Tour season Thursday without making bogey on his way to a 6-under 67 and a one-shot lead in the Mercedes-Benz Championship, a score that only surprised him because of the location.

In his eight previous rounds on the Plantation course at Kapalua, he had never shot better than 72. But the former U.S. Open champion is coming off a victory in the Australian PGA and a tie for sixth in the Australian Open last month, and he was just as sharp in taking the first-round lead over Ernie Els, Kenny Perry and Johnson Wagner.

Els arrived in Maui having played only once in the last six weeks, and that worked well for him. In his first time to Kapalua in four years, he made only one blunder — a tee shot into the hazard on the par-5 15th — to get his season off to a solid start.

FIGURE SKATING

Belbin, Agosto withdraw from U.S. championships

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto will have to share the record for U.S. dance titles a little while longer.

Belbin and Agosto withdrew from this month’s U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday because of his back injury. It’s the same injury that knocked the Olympic silver medalists out of last month’s Grand Prix final.

Belbin and Agosto were favored to win a record sixth title at nationals, which begin Jan. 19 in Cleveland. They have won five straight, tying them with four other couples.

Belbin and Agosto still intend to compete at the world championships in March in Los Angeles. Results there determine how many entries countries get at next year’s Vancouver Olympics, and a healthy Belbin and Agosto would likely give the United States three dance teams for a second straight Olympics.

TRACK & FIELD

Christian Smith headed back to Kansas State

EUGENE — Olympian Christian Smith is leaving the Oregon Track Club’s elite team to finish his undergraduate degree at Kansas State University.

Smith’s performance in the 800 meters was one of the highlights of the Olympic Track Trials this summer in Eugene.

Athletes with Oregon ties finished in the top three spots at the trials, each earning a trip the Beijing Games. Smith dove for the finish, coming in third behind Nick Symmonds and Andrew Wheating.

Smith plans to return to Eugene for the U.S. track and field championships on June 25th.