Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward has been ruled out of Sunday’s game at Arizona because of a sprained right knee. Ward, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver, has missed only three games to injury in his 10-season NFL career. He sat out two games last December because of a hyperextended knee, and missed a 2005 game that ended a streak of games played at 116.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme walked off the field Friday after missing his third straight day of practice with a strained right elbow, stopped in front of a group of reporters, and answered the question before it was asked. “I don’t know,” Delhomme said of whether he’ll play Sunday against Tampa Bay.
The Chicago White Sox and catcher A.J. Pierzynski agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension Saturday that will keep him with the team through the 2010 season. Pierzynski will make a base salary of $5.85 million in 2008 under the final year of a three-year contract he signed in 2005. He will then receive $6.25 million in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Rich Hill and the Chicago Cubs just wanted to get in a little work. They almost got in a little history, too. Hill allowed only one hit over six innings — a suitable tuneup for the playoffs — and Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno hit solo homers Saturday, leading the NL Central champions to a 4-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Michael Hill was named general manager of the Florida Marlins on Saturday, replacing Larry Beinfest, who became president of baseball operations. The Marlins also named Dan Jennings and Jim Fleming as assistant general managers, adding to their roles in the team’s player personnel and development departments.
Daniel Sedin had a goal and an assist, and twin brother Henrik helped set up three goals as the Vancouver Canucks finished the preseason schedule with a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Mason Raymond, Ryan Shannon, Markus Naslund and Ryan Kesler also scored for the Canucks (4-2-2).
Magnus Johansson and Adam Burish scored short-handed goals in the third period as the Chicago Blackhawks came from two goals down to beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in an exhibition game Saturday night. With the game tied at 3-3 and his team a man short, Kevyn Adams broke in on right wing and fired a shot at St.
A penalty for speeding on pit road sent Kyle Busch to the back of the pack. All he did after that — with the help of a lot of yellow flags — was pass everyone else on the track.
J.D. Drew skipped Boston’s wild celebration of its first AL East title in 12 years. He didn’t miss much Saturday night. Continuing his surge at the end of a trying season, Drew hit a full-count fastball for a three-run homer in the seventh inning to help the Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 6-4. “It’s (been) frustrating for me not to perform,” he said.
