NEW YORK (AP) β Alex Rodriguez is getting hitting tips from Barry Bonds as the New York Yankees third baseman prepares to return from a season-long suspension for violating baseball’s drug agreement. Rodriguez spokesman Ron Berkowitz confirmed the workouts. Bonds testified in 2003 that he was not aware substances given to him by personal trainer Greg Anderson were banned performance-enhancing drugs.
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) β LeBron James took part in shootaround today after missing Cleveland’s Tuesday practice with flu-like symptoms and the superstar is expected to play against the Utah Jazz tonight. However, the bug hit All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, who stayed home to rest with the same flu-like issues. A team spokesman said Irving remains probable to play against the Jazz.
UNDATED (AP) β The NFL says its investigation into whether the New England Patriots used underinflated footballs in the AFC championship game is ongoing after a report claimed the league found 11 balls were not properly inflated. ESPN cited anonymous league sources in reporting 11 of the Patriots’ 12 allotted game footballs were underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch.
NEW YORK (AP) β Baseball’s umpires have a new contract. Both the umps and the owners have ratified a five-year collective bargaining agreement that extends through the 2019 season. The previous agreement expired Dec. 31.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) β The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new offensive coordinator. Greg Olson is now with the Jags after serving the Raiders in the same capacity for two seasons. He was with Jacksonville earlier in his career as an assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach.
