CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton spent last night in a local hospital after being injured in a two-car crash near the team’s stadium early yesterday morning. Newton suffered fractures to his lower back, an injury similar to what Dallas quarterback Tony Romo has been playing through. Spokesman Charlie Dayton said it was unclear if Newton would be able to practice this week or play Sunday against the Buccaneers.
CLEVELAND (AP) β The Cleveland Browns are switching quarterbacks, going with rookie Johnny Manziel (man-ZEHL’) over Brian Hoyer for Sunday’s game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Manziel has participated in just 18 plays since being taken with the 22nd overall pick in last year’s NFL draft. Hoyer led the Browns to a 7-6 record but has struggled since November.
SAN DIEGO (AP) β The Chicago White Sox have picked up a starter and a closer at the winter meetings in San Diego. The White Sox picked up starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (sah-MAHR’-juh) and reliever Michael Ynoa (ih-NOH’-ah) from Oakland for four prospects after agreeing to a four-year deal with closer David Robertson. . Samardzija was 7-13 with 202 strikeouts and a 2.99 ERA for the Cubs and Athletics last season, and Robertson saved 39 games for the New York Yankees.
SAN DIEGO (AP) β The Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league right-handers Jeferson Mejia (meh-HEE’-uh) and Zack Godley. A person familiar with the negotiations says lefty Francisco Liroano is staying with the Pittsburgh Pirates after agreeing to a $39 million, three-year contract. And the Atlanta Braves have worked out a one-year contract with free-agent infielder Alberto Callaspo (ky-AS’-poh), according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) β The fourth-ranked Louisville men’s basketball team just got a little deeper. The NCAA says that Cardinals freshman forward Shaqquan Aaron can begin playing on Dec. 20 after sitting out nine games for receiving housing-related extra benefits. Aaron has missed seven games but practiced for Louisville while his amateurism was being determined by the sanctioning body
