All-Star Chris Young was encouraged after throwing a bullpen session on Monday and the San Diego Padres, entering a crucial stretch against NL West rivals, are cautiously optimistic he can start Thursday or Friday. The 6-foot-10 right-hander was forced to leave his start against the Mets on Tuesday night after five innings because of lower back pain.
Once Casey Blake scooped up the grounder, the rest was as easy as 1, 2, 3. Blake started Cleveland’s first triple play since 1992, Paul Byrd beat Minnesota once again and Victor Martinez homered to help the Indians slow Minnesota’s climb in the AL Central with an 8-3 win over the Twins on Monday night.
Looking for more experience behind young starter Tarvaris Jackson, the Minnesota Vikings acquired veteran quarterback Kelly Holcomb in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. The 34-year-old Holcomb is entering his 12th season and has 21 career starts, nearly twice as many as the other three quarterbacks on the Vikings’ roster combined.
Lane Kiffin narrowed his choice for a starting quarterback down to two players on Monday but the Oakland Raiders coach still isn’t ready to announce his decision. Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper, both of whom started preseason games, will continue to split reps with the Raiders’ first offense in practice this week.
Hal Handel, a longtime racing executive in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of the New York Racing Association on Thursday. Handel, 60, has been the chief executive officer at Greenwood Racing since 1998. He oversaw the renovation of Philadelphia Park’s grandstand and the development of New Jersey’s first off-track wagering facility.
A NASCAR team owner pleaded guilty Monday to defrauding the government of more than $34 million in taxes.
Less than two years ago, the Houston Astros were celebrating their first National League pennant. On Monday, they were starting over. Manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura were fired by owner Drayton McLane, who said the franchise “needed a fresh start” after a plunge to the bottom of the NL Central.
Gary Sheffield was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a sore shoulder that caused him to slump during the second half. While Sheffield is hitting .279 with 24 homers and 71 RBIs in his first season with Detroit, he is batting just .220 (27-for-123) with three homers and 13 RBIs since the All-Star break.
