The Cardinals placed Jaime Garcia on the DL with a shoulder strain. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals placed left-handed pitcher Jaime Garcia on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain, the team announced.

“I would say at this point it’s worse,” Garcia said, when asked how the discomfort compared to what he dealt with last year. “There’s a lot more pain than last year. It started three starts ago. I was feeling great up until that point. I basically tried to take care of doing little things here and there and it went downhill, getting worse and worse.”

Pacers point guard George Hill missed Thursday’s Game 5 with a concussion. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

After sitting out one game with a concussion, Indiana Pacers starting point guard George Hill has been cleared to play in Saturday night’s game against the New York Knicks.

Hill missed Game 5 of the Pacers’ second-round playoff series on Thursday, which the Knicks won to cut Indiana’s series lead to 3-2. He averaged 17.3 points in the series’ first four games, including a 26-point outburst in a Game 4 win.

Hill started 76 games for the Pacers during the regular season, averaging 14.2 points, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

The team released a statement on its website regarding his health, writing that he passed the NBA’s required concussion tests:

Over the last two days under the care of the Indiana Pacers’ medical staff, George Hill has participated in each step of the NBA’s Return-to-Participation Exertion Protocol as part of the NBA’s Concussion Policy. During the process, George remained symptom-free after each step including his workouts earlier today. After consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the NBA’s Director of Concussion Management, the Pacers’ team physicians have cleared George to play in tonight’s game.

In his final game after announcing his retirement last week, English soccer star David Beckham was removed in the 82nd minute and given a memorable send-off.

Visibly in tears throughout the moment, Beckham — playing for Paris-Saint Germain in their last home match of the season — was embraced by teammates as the match temporarily stopped and then thrown into the air in celebration.

Beckham, 38, played for 20 years for seven different professional teams, including Manchester United and the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy, as well as the British national team.

[Wilson: Beckham's skills with the ball were long overshadowed by his celebrity]

The Eagles’ Jason Avant has strictly played receiver during his seven seasons with the team, but has begun taking snaps at defensive back. (Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Chip Kelly’s latest experiment involves two Eagles offensive players trying their hand at defense.

Eighth-year wide receiver Jason Avant and fourth-year tight end Clay Harbor have been taking additional practice reps at defensive back and linebacker, respectively, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Zach Berman.

Neither player is making a full-time transition. Instead, both are attempting to add versatility, a Kelly staple, in order to increase their chances of making the roster.

Harbor, who has just 47 receptions in three seasons, appears to be on the fringe after the team signed free-agent tight end James Casey and drafted Stanford’s Zach Ertz in the second round.

Avant, on the other hand, has been a veteran fixture in the slot for Philadelphia over the past several seasons. He was the team’s fourth-leading receiver last year with 648 yards on a career-high 53 receptions.

During his first round of offseason workouts, Kelly has already infused the team with a music playlist during practices and a healthier cafeteria menu.

Former Baylor star Brittney Griner said it was an “unwritten law” to keep her homosexuality private so she would not dissuade recruits from choosing the school. (Barry Gossage/Getty Images)

Former Baylor women’s basketball star Brittney Griner, who acknowledged she was gay in an interview with SI.com’s Maggie Gray last month, said Bears coach Kim Mulkey told her not to be open publicly about her sexuality because it would hurt recruiting, according to ESPN.com.

Griner, the WNBA’s No. 1 pick who will debut with the Phoenix Mercury on May 27, said the silence was an “unwritten law” meant to protect the program’s image.

The 22-year-old reiterated she has been open about her sexuality with family and friends since her freshman year of high school and Mulkey and her Baylor teammates knew she was gay.

Mulkey declined to comment on Griner’s personal life, instead referring to a prior statement that touted her as “a celebrated member of the Baylor family.”

From the report:

“It was a recruiting thing,” Griner said during an interview with ESPN The Magazine and espnW. “The coaches thought that if it seemed like they condoned it, people wouldn’t let their kids come play for Baylor.”

…

Baylor University, a private Baptist school located in Waco, Texas, has a “Statement on Human Sexuality” in its student handbook. Located under the label “Sexual Misconduct,” it says that “Christian churches across the ages and around the world have affirmed purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm. Temptations to deviate from this norm include both heterosexual sex outside of marriage and homosexual behavior. It is thus expected that Baylor students will not participate in advocacy groups which promote understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching.”

Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, formerly the assistant GM of the Raptors, won the NBA’s 2012-13 Executive of the Year Award.(Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

The Toronto Raptors are pursuing Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri, the 2012-13 NBA Executive of the Year, in hopes of making him their top basketball executive, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

Toronto has been searching for a successor to current president and GM Bryan Colangelo, with even Phil Jackson’s name coming up as a possibility.

The team’s owner, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, has until Monday to make a decision on Colangelo’s contract for next season, according to Yahoo! Sports, and he could remain with the Raptors under the new top executive.

Ujiri was hired as the Raptors’ Director of Global Scouting in 2007 and served as their assistant GM in 2008 and ’09 before accepting his position with the Nuggets and guiding them to the playoffs after a successful trade of star Carmelo Anthony.

From the report:

Ujiri’s contract as Denver’s general manager expires this summer and he has been in talks with ownership on an extension. Ujiri, 42, has a strong bond with Nuggets CEO Josh Kroenke, but new MLSE top executive, Tim Leiweke, has expressed a desire to make a serious financial and organizational commitment to an elite executive to turn around the franchise.

Ujiri has developed into the most well-respected and sought-after executive in sports. Ujiri is the first African-born GM in North American sports, and his ascension to stardom from modest beginnings has become something of league folklore.

…

The Philadelphia 76ers pursued Ujiri for their GM job a year ago, but he declined their interest. Nevertheless, Ujiri’s history in Toronto and the commitment of the MLSE company to resurrecting the Raptors could make this a harder decision for Ujiri, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Ujiri is one of the NBA’s lower paid GMs.

Mets first baseman Ike Davis is hitting well below .200 into May for the second straight season. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New York Mets’ discussions about demoting first baseman Ike Davis to the minor leagues are “intensifying,” and the 26-year-old could be sent down as soon as early next week, according to ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin.

Davis has once again gotten off to a miserable start to the season, hitting .160 with 46 strikeouts and just six extra-base hits in 38 games. He hit .170 with just five home runs during the first two months of 2012.

The team’s front office is more eager to demote Davis than manager Terry Collins, who has “fought for Davis,” according to Rubin.

From the report:

One telltale sign a change may be coming: Andrew Brown played first base Friday with Triple-A Las Vegas after previously playing only outfield for the 51s this season. Brown actually has played more minor league games in his career at first base than any other position. He went 3-for-15 during a stint with the Mets that ended Monday when Rick Ankiel was signed.

Brown, who is on the 40-man roster, would need to remain in the minors for 10 days, so he could not be swapped for Davis until the middle of next week.

General manager Sandy Alderson told the New York Post‘s Mike Puma that the team has not set a timetable on the decision.

Ike Davis going to Triple-A at some point is a possibility. But as far as a deadline having been set, "we're not there yet," says the GM.—
Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) May 18, 2013

Just three years ago, Davis was considered one of baseball’s top prospects, hitting .264 with 19 home runs and a .791 OPS during his rookie season.

He rebounded from the slow start last year to hit 32 homers in 2012, but finished with a .227 batting average.

The Charlotte Bobcats are beginning the process of becoming the Hornets, again. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

The Charlotte Bobcats are beginning the process to change their name back to the Charlotte Hornets, according to a CBS Sports report. According to the report, a source told CBS Sports the Bobcats hope to acquire digital assets to allow a return to their old nickname. Commissioner-in-waiting Adam Silver told Bobcats season ticket holders in April that any change to the Hornets would take 18 months.

The Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2002 but the team will now be known as the New Orleans Pelicans, opening the door for a possible return of the Hornets in Charlotte.

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan recently acknowledged that the Bobcats were doing field research to asses how fans felt about a possible change back to the old nickname.

Kyle Long signs with the Bears. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears and their first-round selection of the 2o13 NFL Draft Kyle Long have agreed to a four-year contract, the team announced on Friday. Long was selected with the 20th overall pick in the draft out of Oregon. Long participated in drills with no pads and said the minicamp has been “awesome,” so far.

Long, the son of NFL defensive end Howie Long and brother to St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long, played left guard for most of his collegiate career at Oregon. Long has been playing right tackle for most of minicamp with the Bears with the hopes of offsetting NFC North rival Ndamukong Suh.

Nate Diaz has been suspended 90 days by the UFC. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Ultimate Fighting Championship has suspended Nate Diaz for 90 days and have fined him $20,000 for a homophobic slur on his Twitter account. The UFC lightweight took to his Twitter account on Thursday to verbally attack bantamweight fighter Bryan Caraway. Diaz took exception to Caraway receiving a $60,000 bonus for submission of the night after the original recipient, Pat Healy, was docked $130,000 in bonus money for failing a post-fight drug test.

The UFC said in a statement that the money Diaz is being docked will be donated to charity.  Diaz’s manager, Mike Kogan, defended Diaz’s homophobic slur, claiming the slur had a different meaning in Northern California, where Diaz is from.

“Nate voiced a personal opinion about an incident that took place involving Bryan Caraway in which he chased Dana all over Twitter to try to get a bonus, which was taken away from Pat Healy, got the bonus, and then had the nerve to go back out there and bash (Healy),” Kogan said.

Brett Anderson has a stress fracture in his right foot. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

Oakland Athletics left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson has a navicular stress fracture in his right foot and will be reevaluated next month, the Athletics announced on Friday. Anderson underwent a CT scan on Thursday which revealed the stress fracture.

The 25-year-old southpaw, who is currently on the 15-day disabled list with sprained right ankle, was hoping to return to the rotation on Friday but will need more time to heal from the stress fracture.

Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Anderson was still experiencing soreness in his right ankle after pitcher’s fielding practice.

Anderson is 1-4 with a 6.21 ERA while striking out 29 batters this season for Oakland. Anderson missed most of last season after recovering from Tommy John Surgery in 2011.

Andy Pettitte has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees have placed veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left trapezious muscle, according to multiple reports. The 40-year-old was forced to exit Thursday’s game against the Seattle Mariners after just 4.2 innings on Thursday. The Yankees have recalled pitcher Vidal Nuno from Triple-A to take Pettitte’s place on the roster.

Yankees manager Joe Giardi said Pettitte felt “OK” on Friday and the disabled list was a possibility for the southpaw. Pettitte joins right-hander Ivan Nova as another pitcher in the Yankees starting rotation to be placed on the disabled list. Pettitte believes he will be able to return once the 15-day stint is complete.

Pettitte is 4-3 with a 3.83 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 49.1 innings of work for the Yankees this season.

Andy Pettitte to DL, believes he can be back as soon as 15 days are up. Vidal Nuno back to rotation.—
Pete Caldera (@pcaldera) May 17, 2013

Yankees put Pettitte on DL. Nuno coming back to start.—
Danny Knobler (@DannyKnoblerCBS) May 17, 2013

Bruce Irvin was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, the NFL announced on Friday. Irvin can return to the active roster on September 30 and could return to the lineup for the Seahawks Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Seahawks selected Irvin with the 15th pick out of West Virginia in the 2012 NFL Draft. Irvin recorded 10 tackles, eight sacks and forced a fumble during his rookie year in Seattle.

Irvin released a statement about his suspension for violating the NFL’s policy.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption,” Irvin said in a statement. “I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again. I look forward to contributing to the team the moment I return.”

Robert Griffin III’s rehab is going well, according to his father. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Robert Griffin III‘s father, Robert Griffin II, said his son has been throwing footballs prior to the draft and that his rehabilitation is going “extremely well,” USA Today’s Jim Corbett reported on Friday. Griffin III hopes to be ready in time for the Washington Redskins’ season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 9.

Griffin III, the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year, had surgery on January 9 to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his right knee. Dr. James Andrews, the orthopedist who performed surgery on Griffin III’s knee, said Griffin III’s recovery has been nothing short of “unbelievable” and “superhuman.”

In his rookie season, Griffin III threw for 3,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Rob Gronkowski could need surgery to repair a disc in his back. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski could require surgery to repair a disc in his back, USA Today’s Mike Garafolo reported on Friday. Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI to examine a previously injured disc in his back that was bothering him last season.

According to the report, a source speaking on the condition of anonymity said the MRI revealed damage to a disc on Gronkowski’s back. However, it’s not the same disc that was shaved down in a procedure in 2009. The source claims Gronkowski will visit spine specialist Robert Watkins after surgery to place a plate in Gronkowski’s forearm next week. He is expected to be ready for Patriots’ training camp.

The 23-year-old is expected to undergo his fourth arm surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Monday. An infection from a previous procedure to repair Gronkowski’s broken left forearm had delayed the fourth surgery.

Gronkowski missed five games last season after breaking his left forearm blocking during an extra-point attempt against the Indianapolis Colts. He re-injured his left forearm in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Houston Texans.

New Bills GM Doug Whaley said he is open to starting rookie EJ Manuel in Week 1. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

New Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley has a lot to do just a couple of days into his new job.

First on the list is finding a starting quarterback after the team released Ryan Fitzpatrick in March.  The team drafted quarterback EJ Manuel with the 16th pick of the first round of last month’s draft and he is expected to compete for the starting job.

The team already has veterans Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson on the roster, both acquired in the offseason. The Bills finished 6-10 last season and have not made the playoffs since 1999.

Whaley said he is open to the possibility of Manuel starting the Week 1 contest against the New England Patriots.

“Time will tell,” Whaley said, via NFL.com . ”He does have the work ethic and the leadership qualities that he’ll have a chance. But we believe competition brings out the best in everybody. Between him, Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson, even Jeff Tuel, we’re excited to see who comes out on top of that position battle.”

Whaley said he was part of the decision to draft Manuel.

“We have a philosophy that the information makes the decision,” Whaley added. “We think that we did enough due diligence and the information pointed us all to this point that EJ would be the guy we feel will take the Buffalo Bills into the future.”

GALLERY: Manuel and other rookies at NFL minicamps

Free-agent wideout Donte’ Stallworth can resume football activities after being burned in a hot-air balloon accident. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Free-agent wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth has been cleared to resume football activities after he was burned in a hot-air ballon accident in March, reports NFL.com. 

The balloon carrying Stallworth, his girlfriend and the balloon’s pilot became tangled after hitting power lines. Stallworth suffered no permanent injuries.

“In that moment, I thought my eyes would close and I’d never wake up again,” Stallworth told FoxSports.com about the accident.

Stallworth has played for six different NFL teams and has just 84 catches over the past four seasons. Last season, Stallworth played for the New England Patriots.

He signed with the team in December and caught one pass for a 63-yard touchdown in a victory over the Houston Texans. He was placed on injured reserve the next day with a high ankle sprain. In his career, Stallworth has 321 catches for 4,837 yards and 35 touchdowns.

Even though this is a friendly exchange between the players, the war of words continues between the coaches of the Rangers and Capitals. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Even though the Stanley Cup playoff series between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers is over, there is no love lost between the two teams, and the verbal sparring has gotten personal.

Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates did not like the way New York Rangers coach John Tortorella characterized the Caps’ complaints about officiating as whining.  The Rangers eliminated the Capitals four games to three in their first-round playoff series with a 5-0 rout in Game 7.

“Well, I think he’s out of line,” Oates said on Washington’s 106.7 The Fan. “[Tortorella] should be worried about his own series. We didn’t whine once during the series. I never complained. I don’t know, did you guys ever hear me complain about officiating?”

Oates was then asked whether he could beat up Tortorella.

“Yes,” Oates said, “easily.”

Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin was also highly critical of the officiating in the series. The Rangers received 28 power-play opportunities in the series and the Capitals had 16.

Tortorella had his own response to Oates and the Capitals.

“We’ve got everybody and their brother whining out there in Washington about what happened in that series,” Tortorella said. “And I think that’s a big reason they lose that series.”

Coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola and Chivas USA have seen attendance drop dramatically during a losing season. (Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber denied reports that Chivas USA was for sale or in line for relocation, according to Grant Wahl of SI.com.

The Mexican newspaper Record reports MLS is planning a buyout of Chivas USA owner Jorge Vergara, possibly against his wishes, according to the Los Angeles Times. Chivas USA is drawing the league’s worst attendance (8,035) while producing the Western Conference’s worst record. The lack of Los Angeles-area television broadcasts has also hurt the franchise financially.

The Times points to the lack of a local TV deal as an issue of compliance that could allow the league to force Vergara out, and possibly set up the franchise’s relocation:

Media reports last month identified Mexican businessman Carlos Slim as a potential buyer of Chivas USA and Chivas of Guadalajara, the Mexican league team Vergara also owns. Record reported three weeks ago that such a deal, which would include the Mexican team’s new state-of-the-art stadium, would be worth $700 million.

Another possible scenario would see MLS brokering a deal for Chivas USA in order to move the franchise.

San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Florida have been speculated as possible destinations for the struggling team.

MLS commissioner Don Garber e-mails: "Absolutely nothing" to reports of Chivas USA sale/move.—
Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) May 17, 2013

Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett will try his hand at rugby. (E. Bakke/Getty Images)

Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett will try a new sport in a rugby event next week, reports the Columbus Dispatch.

Clarett will play for the Columbus affiliate of Tiger Rugby, the rugby development program for selecting the team that will represent the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Clarett is scheduled to play in the The Ohio Rugby Sevens Invitational in Mechanicsburg on May 25.

Clarett played one season at Ohio State, rushing for 1,237 yards and scored 18 touchdowns and helped Ohio State win the 2002 BCS National Championship.  He was dismissed from the program the following season for accepting improper benefits.

The Denver Broncos selected Clarett in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft but released him in training camp. He served 3½ years in prison on robbery and concealed weapons charges, then played for the Omaha Nighthawks in the UFL in 2011.

Tyron Smith said he has given his parents and siblings more than $1 million since being drafted in 2011, but they keep coming back for more. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

After USC tackle Tyron Smith signed a four-year, $12.5 million contract as the ninth overall pick of the 2011 draft, he gave a substantial amount to his family. But it wasn’t enough, Smith told The Dallas Morning News.

Smith and his girlfriend have since had to file protective orders against his parents and siblings who have kept coming back for more.

During Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif. last year, one of Smith’s brothers showed up and had to be removed from the facility. In October last year, while Smith was at the Cowboys’ team hotel prior to a Sunday afternoon home game, two of his sisters showed up from California unannounced at his Dallas home. His girlfriend dialed 911. A Dallas police report reads the sisters were there to “harass and torment” him “in the pursuit of collecting financial gain.”

Last October Smith’s attorney at the time said Smith’s “mom and/or the stepdad threatened the physical well-being of Tyron and the life of his girlfriend.” The order also prohibits contact from Smith’s parents through his siblings.

The Morning News also reports on more than $1 million that Smith’s attorney claims his family took without authorization through a financial advisor they recommended to their son before the draft. Smith said no money has gone missing since switching financial advisors. Smith said he won’t pursue legal action at this time in an effort to recover the money.

“There was money missing, but I just don’t know where it went,” Smith said. “There were times I would check my statements and it wouldn’t make sense and I hadn’t authorized it at all. I just felt betrayed and I was like, ‘Who can I trust?’”

Last October, Smith’s mother, Frankie Pinkney, denied the family took any of Smith’s money without his authorization or harassed or threatened him. She has also blamed Smith’s girlfriend for the family’s turmoil.

“I don’t know anything about any missing money,” Pinkney said at the time. “The money that we did receive from Tyron was all accounted for and everything is in writing.”

Last season, when Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told Smith he was ready to move to the more prestigious — and potentially more lucrative –left tackle position, Smith wanted to share his good news with his parents via a text message. He said the return text might as well have just read dollar signs — and possibly started the demand cycle all over again.

“They were already looking forward to the next contract, talking about things they wanted to get already,” Smith said, dropping his head. “I was like I haven’t even got there and there’s not even a sure thing that I will. And that was all that was coming out of their mouth.”

Jets running back Mike Goodson was arrested on drug and weapons charges. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

New York Jets running back Mike Goodson was arrested Friday morning and booked on drug possession and gun charges, reports Channel 12 New Jersey.

Woodson was officially charged with possession of marijuana (under 50 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a loaded handgun and possession of hollow point ammunition, according to the New Jersey State Police.

Goodson, 25, and a companion were in a stopped SUV along a highway when a tow truck driver came upon them just after 3:00 a.m. Goodson was being taken to a nearby hospital when officers searching the vehicle found marijuana and a loaded handgun. A police spokesman also said hollow-point bullets were with the gun in the car with Goodson.

Goodson signed a three-year, $6.9-million deal this offseason and was thought to get some playing time with another recent Jets pickup, running back Chris Ivory.

Goodson has been in the NFL for four seasons and played with the Oakland Raiders in 2012, rushing for 221 yards on 35 carries.

More from Channel 12:

Sources say Goodson and a companion were found intoxicated in an SUV along Route 80 in Denville. Authorities have not said why the car was stopped on the highway.

Goodson was being taken to a hospital when authorities discovered marijuana in his possession. Officers searching the SUV also found a loaded 45-caliber handgun.

Both Goodson and his companion, identified as Garret Evans, were taken to a hospital for an evaluation. They were then released to State Police custody and transported to the Netcong barracks.

Bail for Evans was set at $150,000 full cash and Goodson’s was set at $50,000. Both men were transported to the Morris County Jail in default of bail.

Alayna Adams, 9, is reunited with her father, Lt. Col. Will Adams, disguised as a Tampa Bay Rays catcher for the ceremonial first pitch. (AP)

Alayna Adams, a 9-year-old from Dunedin, Florida, thought she was taking the mound at Tropicana Field Thursday night to throw out the first pitch as part of a USO program honoring military families.

Alayna and the crowd first watched a video message from her father, Lt. Col. Will Adams,  on the video screen. He was due to come home Monday after a year in Afghanistan. He wished his daughter and family well and said he would see them soon.

After the video, Alayna tossed the baseball to a man wearing a Rays uniform, including a catcher’s mask and pads, behind the plate. When the man took off the mask, he revealed himself to be her father. She ran into his arms to the roar of the crowd before the Rays and Red Sox took the field.

The video below has since gone viral.

From the Tampa Tribune:

Adams, 40, had arrived Wednesday at MacDill Air Force Base. Wednesday night he stayed in a hotel room, alone, awaiting the next day’s surprise.

“That was the hardest part,” he said later. “Being back home and not being able to see them.

Peyton Manning worked under the tutelage of Duke head coach David Cutliffe this offseason. (Getty Images)

Peyton Manning has a signed a new contract with the Broncos that includes an insurance policy to give the team salary cap credit if the quarterback incurs a serious injury, according to ProFootballTalk.

The financial terms of Manning’s contract were not restructured. He will still be paid $40 million guaranteed over the next two seasons — $20 million in 2013 and 2014.

From ProFootballTalk:

Though it has been disclosed on the league’s official online transaction page as a “renegotiated” contract, a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the new terms don’t alter the compensation in any way. The insurance would both compensate the Broncos and provide a cap credit in the event Peyton can’t play.  To get the cap credit, the contract must refer to the insurance policy. The Broncos can avoid the $20 million payment in 2014 only if Manning suffers injury to the same area of his neck that kept him from playing in 2011.

The Broncos are currently about $7 million under the cap, according to the Denver Post.

Manning has spent some of his offseason throwing balls to new receiver Wes Welker and working out with Duke coach David Cutliffe.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said it was “disappointing” that former assistant Tim Davis called him the “devil.” (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Thursday night that it was “terribly disappointing” to hear that former assistant coach Tim Davis had referred to Saban as “the devil himself.”

“It really is a little terribly disappointing,” Saban told reporters Thursday night in Atlanta, according to AL.com’s Don Kausler Jr.

“I try to do right by the people that work for me,” he added. “It’s a tough, demanding job. And at the same time, if anybody had an issue or problem with me, I would want them to just tell me.”

Davis coached under Saban at both Alabama and with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. He is now an assistant at Florida under head coach Will Muschamp.

At a booster club meeting in Melbourne, Fla., on Tuesday, Davis made the Prince of Darkness comparison when saying how much he liked working for Muschamp.

“I’ve always wanted to work with Will,” Davis said. “Will’s got a plan. Will coached under the devil himself for seven years. I only did three. He did seven. And his DNA is not any different than Nick.”

This isn’t the first time someone has made the comparison. Earlier this year, Vanderbilt coach James Franklin called Saban “Nicky Satan.” Davis’ charge was a little different, Saban said, because they coached together.

“It’s just disappointing. If somebody has a problem with me, I’d appreciate it if they’d tell me. If I’m doing something to offend somebody, I’d certainly like to do whatever I have to do to fix it. It’s not our intention. It’s not what we try to do.”

Rob Gronkowski will have a fourth surgery on his arm. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will undergo a fourth arm surgery soon, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday. Rapoport reported that the surgery is technically set for Monday, though it could happen even earlier.

For more than a month, it’s been considered likely that Gronkowski would have to undergo another procedure.

Last month, reports said that Gronkowski was battling an infection in an area where a second metal plate was installed to help heal his broken forearm. Doctors would remove the plate and install a new one, but they would need to make sure the infection is gone. Rapoport added that Gronkowski could need another surgery if the infection persists.

As of now, the Patriots expect Gronkowski to be ready for training camp, but it depends on whether his infection has cleared up.

The 23-year-old Gronkowski missed five games near the end of last season after breaking his left forearm blocking during the final, meaningless extra point of a 59-24 Patriots win over the Indianapolis Colts. He re-injured the forearm during New England’s 41-28 AFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Houston Texas and missed the rest of the Patriots’ playoff run.

In 11 regular-season games last season, Gronkowski had 55 receptions for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Andy Pettitte left Thursday’s start against the Mariners with an apparent injury. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte left his start against the Mariners in the fifth inning on Thursday with what appeared to be an injury.

According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Pettitte exited the game after just 79 pitches after “appear[ing] to stiffen and wince after throwing his final pitch.” Yankees manager Joe Girardi came out to talk with Pettitte, who jogged off the mound and was replaced by Shawn Kelley.

Upon leaving his start, Pettitte had surrendered two runs and four hits to the Mariners. He had three walks and five strikeouts. Pettitte entered Thursday’s start with a 4-2 record and 3.83 ERA in seven starts this season.

The 40-year-old Pettitte missed the start of the season because of lower back spasms.

Kevin Durant said he has no regrets on the Thunder’s season. ( Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

The day after the Oklahoma City Thunder were ousted early from the 2012 NBA Playoffs, star forward Kevin Durant vowed to learn from the season and not dwell on whether it was a waste.

In his exit interview on Thursday, Durant was asked whether he thought the season was a waste because the Thunder didn’t win a championship. His reaction did not mirror that of Kobe Bryant, who once said after a playoff exit that any season without a championship was for nothing.

“Nothing’s ever a wasted year for me. It’s basketball,” Durant said, according to DailyThunder.com. “I’ve grown so much as a man since the beginning of the season. I’ve grown so much as a leader. Nothing is ever wasted. Of course the ultimate goal in this league is to win a championship. But I’m never going to say I wasted a year.”

After point guard Russell Westbrook’s injury, the Thunder struggled to get past the Houston Rockets in the first round before falling to the Grizzlies in five games. Last season, the Thunder played for an NBA championship against the Miami Heat.

There was only so much Durant could do to carry the load without Westbrook. In 45.8 minutes per game during the five-game series with the Grizzlies, he averaged 28.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists.

“I’m going to be who I’m going to be. I’m not Kobe Bryant, I’m not Michael Jordan, not LeBron James, not Magic Johnson. I’m me,” Durant said. “I’m not going to ever compromise myself or my integrity or what I believe in to win some basketball games or to win a championship. That’s just how I was brought up.

“I’m always going to fight for the game I love. I’m going to claw until the last buzzer sounds. If that’s after the championship, then of course I’ll be happy. I’m not satisfied just being in this league and losing.”

George Hill is out for the Pacers in Game 5 against the Knicks with a concussion. (Ron Hoskins/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill is out for the team’s Game 5 matchup against the New York Knicks on Thursday night with a concussion, the team announced.

Hill suffered the concussion in the Pacers’ 93-82 win over the Knicks in Game 4. Pacers coach Frank Vogel Hill said that Hill is day-to-day. Hill has averaged 16 points, 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game so far in the playoffs.

The Pacers are looking to wrap up a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals with a Game 5 win against the Knicks in New York. If they win on Thursday, they would move on to face the top-seeded Miami Heat.

Pacers guard @george_hill3 will miss tonight’s game at New York due to a concussion sustained in Game 4.

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 16, 2013

Titus Young was released by the Lions after the 2012 season for detrimental conduct. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The ex-girlfriend and mother of Titus Young’s son claimed the troubled ex-Lions receiver waited outside her home, threatened and harassed her while seeking a restraining order, according to the Press-Enterprise.

A Riverside County judge granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday, May 8 during an eight-day period in which Young was arrested four times. The order requires the NFL free agent to stay at least 100 yards away at all times from his ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his 8-month-old son, Titus Jr.

From the Press-Enterprise:

“He would say things like, ‘I understand why O.J. killed his wife.’ He says, ‘We’re always gonna be a family and I’m always going to be his,’” the restraining order request states. “He got mad and yelled at my neighbors and tried to fight multiple people that he doesn’t even know.

“Titus Young Sr. has been clinically diagnosed with a mental disorder and I am afraid of what he is capable of doing,” she wrote in the restraining order request. “He also has been in a mental help facility more than once and still believes that he does not have a problem.”

Young, 23, was drafted by the Lions in 2011 before being benched in November for detrimental conduct — including punching teammate Louis Delmas — and eventually released from the team at the end of last season. The Rams claimed Young, but released him after nine days.

His father claims Young suffers from a psychological disorder stemming from a concussion.

Doc Rivers has three years remaining on a five-year extension. (Steve Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Doc Rivers gave Celtics fans reason for pause after saying he would ponder his future in the weeks after the team’s loss to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge put the issue to rest Thursday when he said the coach who led the Celtics to the 2007-08 NBA title and 2009-10 Finals would return for the 2013-14 season, according to the Boston Globe.

Rivers has three seasons remaining on a contract extension signed two years ago.

Rivers was absent from the NBA Draft Combine due to a strained hamstring suffered while playing tennis last Sunday, but Ainge said Rivers will continue to be a big part of the team’s future.

From the Globe:

“Yeah (he’ll be back), Doc and I are talking about our team next year,” Ainge said. “(No suspense) from my perspective. We’ve got a great coach. We’ve got a coach everybody would love to have and he’s got three years left on his contract and I think Doc likes Boston, too.Coaches get tired, though. It’s a hard job.

“You guys are the only one (who made it an issue).”

Alexi Ogando complained of pain in his right biceps during a 6-2 win over Oakland Wednesday. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

The Rangers placed starting pitcher Alexi Ogando on the disabled list, the team announced Thursday.

Ogando was diagnosed with right biceps tendinitis the morning after he allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts over six innings in a 6-2 win against Oakland. The righthander has started the 2013 season with a 4-2 record and 3.08 ERA in nine starts.

Ogando had one trip to the the DL last season with a right groin strain he sustained running the bases in an interleague game.

The Rangers have recalled right-handed reliever Cory Burns from Triple A Round Rock for the short-term. The team plans to bring Josh Lindblom up from Round Rock to make Ogando’s start in the rotation. Lindblom is 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in eight Triple-A games, including seven starts.

Chad Johnson was given probation as part of a plea bargain involving domestic violence charges last August. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

CBS Sports reports the Broward County sheriff’s office has confirmed its issue of a warrant for Chad Johnson’s arrest.

TMZ.com first reported the former NFL wide receiver was wanted for allegedly violating his probation by not visiting his probation officer. Johnson was given probation and ordered to attend counseling as part of a plea bargain following a domestic violence incident with then-wife Evelyn Lozada last August.

Lozada accused Johnson of head-butting her during an altercation in a vehicle. The Dolphins released him after his arrest and he has not be signed by another team. The receiver who once legally changed his name to “Chad Ochocinco” and back was one of sports’ most colorful personas during his 11-year NFL career that began with the Bengals and included a stop with the Patriots.

Johnson wrote, “Chilly in Pasadena” on his Twitter account Thursday, which, if true, puts him outside the Broward County jurisdiction for the time being.

Chilly in Pasadena 😡—
Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) May 16, 2013

A disappointing 2012 led the Cowboys to demand a pay cut from offensive tackle Doug Free. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys have apparently won their game of chicken with offensive tackle Doug Free. Free has accepted a pay cut to remain with the team, according to a source reported by ESPN.

Free was due $7 million this season and count $10.02 million against the Cowboys’ salary cup, before the team informed him he would be cut unless he took a salary reduction.

The 2007 fourth-round draft pick out of Northern Illinois reportedly will make $3.5 million in 2013 and 2014, clearing the same amount in the team’s cap.

Free has been disappointing at right tackle after an impressive 2011 season led to a four-year, $32 million deal that included $17 million guaranteed. The Cowboys have said they believe a second year under assistant coach Bill Callahan will benefit Free.

Alex Ovechkin reportedly also played in Russia’s quarterfinal loss to the United States in their World Championships quarterfinal with a hairline fracture in his foot. (Patrick McDermott/NHL/Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot during Game 6 and played Game 7 with the injury, a league source with direct knowledge of the injury told the Washington Post.

A replay (see below video) shows Ovechkin slowly getting to his skates after blocking the first of two shots by Rangers’ defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the first period of Game 6.

The source said Ovechkin played the remainder of the series after it was determined that the hairline fracture would not worsen. Ovechkin was limited to a little more than 19 minutes in Games 6 and 7, his fewest minutes of the series.

After the Rangers ended the Capitals’ season with a Game 7 win, Ovechkin played with the injury in Russia’s 8-3 quarterfinal loss to the United States in the World Championships on Thursday.