Rockies, Oswalt agree to minor-league deal
Rockies, Oswalt agree to minor-league deal
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a minor-league deal with three-time All-Star pitcher Roy Oswalt.
The team announced the news on its Twitter account Thursday, with Oswalt expected to report to extended spring training.
The 35-year-old Oswalt has a career record of 163-96. He’s also 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA at Coors Field.
On his Twitter account, Oswalt tweeted: “Always loved the mountains, im back!”
Oswalt hasn’t pitched in the majors since Oct. 2, when he was with the Texas Rangers. He’s also played for Houston and Philadelphia.
The first-place Rockies certainly could use a boost on the mound with righty Jhoulys Chacin on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained lower back.
Ravens, McKinnie agree to two-year deal
BALTIMORE — Bryant McKinnie has decided to remain with the Ravens.
After joining Baltimore in 2011 and winning a Super Bowl with the Ravens last season, McKinnie looked at other teams as a free agent. But Thursday he agreed to a two-year deal to stay put.
The 33-year-old McKinnie is an 11-year NFL veteran who spent his first nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He joined Baltimore as a starter in 2011, but was a backup for most of last season. However, he started all four postseason victories at left tackle last winter as the Ravens won the NFL championship.
Baltimore has used Michael Oher at left tackle, but he fits better on the right side. And the Ravens didn’t draft any tackles last week, taking just one offensive lineman: guard Ricky Wagner of Wisconsin.
So there’s a place for McKinnie to be a starter again in Baltimore.
McKinnie has 148 starts in 164 career games in addition to 11 playoff starts.
Notre Dame looks at adding on to stadium
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — “The House that Rockne Built” could be getting a new look.
University officials announced Thursday a feasibility study to determine whether it makes sense to make better use of space at Notre Dame Stadium, which is used fewer than 10 times a year for football games, commencement and recreational events.
The school is looking at attaching buildings to the stadium that could house a conference center with classrooms and meeting space, a media center, a visitors’ center and other uses. They could also include about 3,000 new club seats to watch games.
University officials say they won’t know the costs until the details are decided. The study is expected to take six to nine months.
The stadium opened in 1930.
Stuart Holden to rejoin US national team
CHICAGO — Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden will rejoin the U.S. team after an absence of 2½ years for its training camp ahead of three World Cup qualifiers next month and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann made the announcement Thursday on the U.S. Soccer Federation’s website.
A member of the 2010 U.S. World Cup team, Holden injured his right knee on a challenge by Manchester United’s Jonny Evans during a Premier League match on March 19, 2011. Holden had surgery on the knee in September 2011.
The 27-year-old didn’t play again until Jan. 15 this year. He recently completed a one-month loan to Sheffield Wednesday.
Holden hasn’t played for the United States since Oct. 12, 2010, against Colombia.
Sources: Kahn out as Wolves president
MINNEAPOLIS — David Kahn is out as president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Flip Saunders is coming in.
The Timberwolves announced Thursday that owner Glen Taylor has decided not to pick up the option for next season on Kahn’s contract. Three people with knowledge of the situation tell The Associated Press that Taylor is putting the finishing touches on a deal to hire Saunders as Kahn’s replacement. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.
Saunders coached the Wolves from 1995-2005.
Kahn spent four seasons leading the Timberwolves. He helped bring point guard Ricky Rubio and coach Rick Adelman to Minnesota, but his teams went 89-223 and missed the playoffs in all four of his seasons.
Rockets’ Harden diagnosed with strep throat
HOUSTON — Houston Rockets star James Harden has been diagnosed with strep throat and is still expected to play Friday night in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Harden had what the team called flu-like symptoms on Wednesday, but he scored 31 points with seven 3-pointers to lead the Rockets to a 107-100 win in Game 5. The team says Harden was treated by doctors for the condition Thursday afternoon.
The Rockets have cut the lead in the series to 3-2 and are trying to become the first team in NBA history to win a best-of-seven playoff series after trailing 3-0.
Tipsarevic into Munich quarterfinals
MUNICH — Top-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia defeated Grega Zemlja of Slovenia 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the BMW Open on Thursday.
Tipsarevic is bidding for his second title of the year after winning the Chennai Open at India in January. He will face Daniel Brands of Germany, who beat Gael Monfils of France 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.
Third-seeded Tommy Haas overcame Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 to set up a quarterfinal with Florian Mayer. Sixth-seeded Mayer defeated Marinko Matosevic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The 35-year-old Haas, a finalist in 2000, is bidding to win the title for the first time in his 10th appearance.
Wawrinka reaches Portugal Open quarters
OEIRAS, Portugal — Second-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland rallied past Albert Ramos of Spain 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 Thursday to move into the Portugal Open quarterfinals.
Eighth-seeded Tommy Robredo also advanced on the Spaniard’s 31st birthday, defeating Robin Haase 6-4, 6-4.
On the women’s side, fourth-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain is into the semifinals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Monica Puig of Puerto Rico.
Romina Oprandi also advanced with a 6-2, 6-2 win against Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Golden State coach Jackson fined $25,000
OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State coach Mark Jackson was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for making public comments in an attempt to influence the officiating in the Warriors’ playoff series with Denver.
After Golden State’s 107-100 loss at Denver on Tuesday night, Jackson repeatedly mentioned Kenneth Faried’s foul in the first half, when the Denver forward stuck out his right leg and moved his body while Warriors star Stephen Curry ran through traffic.
“They tried to send hit men at Steph,” Jackson said. “There were some dirty plays early.”
From wire sources