76ers Bynum says he might not play this year 76ers Bynum says he might not play this year ADVERTISING PHILADELPHIA — Out all season with bad knees, Andrew Bynum’s latest setback may be the one that finally ends his year.
76ers Bynum says he might not play this year
PHILADELPHIA — Out all season with bad knees, Andrew Bynum’s latest setback may be the one that finally ends his year.
Bynum admitted for the first time that he may not play for the Philadelphia 76ers because of swelling in his right knee. Bynum had been steadfast since training camp that he would eventually make his Sixers’ debut, even setting an All-Star break target date. Bynum backed off Friday because he still had swelling in his right knee from five-on-five drills last week. Bynum, an All-Star last season with the Lakers, refused to commit to a comeback.
Crawford could miss Dodgers’ opener
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford could miss his team’s April 1 opener against San Francisco after leaving spring training to have his elbow examined in Los Angeles.
Recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery on Aug. 23, Crawford felt nerve irritation in his left arm. The Dodgers said Friday he was examined a day earlier by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and told Crawford to rest.
Indians closer Chris Perez has shoulder strain
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Indians All-Star closer Chris Perez could be sidelined one month because of a strained shoulder.
Perez, who saved 39 games last season, will not throw for the next week to 10 days. Once he resumes his program, the Indians estimate he will be pitching in games in three or four weeks. Indians manager Terry Francona said he wasn’t sure whether Perez would be OK for opening day.
Reds sign RHP Mark Prior to minor league contract
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Pitcher Mark Prior has joined the Cincinnati Reds in his latest comeback bid.
The Reds signed the 32-year-old righty to a minor league contract. This is the fourth straight spring that the oft-injured pitcher has tried to make it back to the majors. Prior pitched for Boston in Triple-A last season, making 19 relief appearances with a 3.96 ERA.
Berdych upsets Federer, advances to Dubai final
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tomas Berdych saved three match points before upsetting defending champion Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 Friday to earn a spot in the final of the Dubai Championships against Novak Djokovic.
Top-ranked Djokovic rallied past fourth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the other semifinal.
Martin to start up front at Sprint Cup Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Mark Martin will be on the pole at Phoenix International Raceway for the second straight year after becoming the second-oldest pole-sitter in NASCAR history.
Martin went around PIR’s mile oval at a speed of 138.075 mph on Friday to earn his 56th career pole a week after finishing third in the Daytona 500.
Haas advances to Delray Beach semifinals
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Second-seeded Tommy Haas of Germany beat Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-1 on Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.
The 19th-ranked Haas, who will turn 35 in March, is the oldest player ranked in the top 50.
Haas, who reached his 25th career final two weeks ago at San Jose, Calif., before losing to Canadian Milos Raonic, will next face 2010 Delray Beach champion Ernests Gulbis of Latvia.
By wire sources
