Suns’ Bledsoe dealt to Bucks

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Eric Bledsoe’s disgruntled days are over.

The talented guard is getting a fresh start with the Milwaukee Bucks, who have another proven scorer to take some pressure off All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Bledsoe, who wanted out of Phoenix, was traded to the Bucks on Tuesday in exchange for big man Greg Monroe and two 2018 draft picks.

The 27-year-old Bledsoe had not been with the Suns since Oct. 22, when he posted “I Don’t wanna be here” on Twitter, the same day the Suns fired coach Earl Watson. He had been averaging 15.7 points per game, second behind Devin Booker, and was the team’s on-court leader.

He was sent home by the Suns after the tweet, reducing the team’s leverage because everyone in the league knew Phoenix was trying to trade him. Bledsoe had asked to be traded before the season, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has said. The NBA fined the eight-year NBA veteran $10,000 for the tweet.

Adding Bledsoe will take some of the focus off Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ primary ball-handler.

NFL

TEXANS SIGN JOSH JOHNSON» The Houston Texans have signed free agent quarterback Josh Johnson and released Matt McGloin.

The moves come a day after coach Bill O’Brien said they had discussed the possibility of adding Colin Kaepernick in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to rookie Deshaun Watson.

Instead of adding Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback who began the protest movement by kneeling during the national anthem last season, Houston chose Johnson to be its third quarterback.

The 31-year-old Johnson has been with the Giants, Bills, Colts and 49ers over the past three seasons, but hasn’t appeared in a game since he played two for the Bengals in 2013.

McGloin was signed on Friday to be Houston’s third quarterback behind Tom Savage and T.J. Yates, but was inactive on Sunday.

MLB

RAYS MAKE COBB AN OFFER » The Tampa Bay Rays have extended a one-year, $17.4 million qualifying offer to free agent pitcher Alex Cobb.

The 30-year-old righthander posted career highs for wins, games started and innings pitched while going 1210 with a 3.66 ERA over 29 starts in 2017.

Cobb ranks fifth in wins and second in ERA on the club’s career list with a 48-35 record and 3.50 ERA over six seasons.

PATRIOTS’ HIGHTOWER ON IR » The New England Patriots have placed linebacker and defensive captain Dont’a Hightower on injured reserve.

The team announced the move Tuesday. Hightower left in the second half of New England’s win over Atlanta on Oct. 22 with a right shoulder injury.

A person familiar with the situation said last month that Hightower would need season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The surgery was for a torn pectoral muscle, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not yet been announced by the team.

MLB

ARENADO WINS FIFTH GOLD GLOVE » Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has won his fifth consecutive Gold Glove Award, while Twins center fielder Byron Buxton headlines a group of six first-time winners.

The prizes for defensive excellence were announced Tuesday night by Rawlings.

Arenado, Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward and Royals left fielder Alex Gordon were each honored for the fifth time, most among this year’s winners.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu got his second Gold Glove, joining Arenado in a banner year for the NL West. Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke won for the fourth time in a row, and teammate Paul Goldschmidt took his third award at first base. Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford won for the third in a row.