News & Notes

MLB

- According to the Pioneer Press, the Minnesota Twins plan to offer C Joe Mauer a contract extension this off-season in the range of $120 million over 7 years.
- The Chicago Cubs have shut down Canadian P Rich Harden for the remainder of the season. Harden was the one who requested the move. "He doesn't want to pitch and we respect his decision," Cubs manager Lou Pinella told the Associated Press.
- The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that that San Francisco Giants P Tim Lincecum would be open to long-term extension this winter. "I definitely like San Franscisco. I've seen nothing but positive things as far as my personal experiences. It's where I see myself being for a while," Lincecum told the Chronicle.

NBA

- The Charlotte Bobcats and G Ronald "Flip" Murray have agreed on a one-year deal worth $1.99 million. Murray was the spark plug off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks last year and will be sorely missed on their roster. Good pick-up for the Bobcats.
- The Indiana Pacers have extended the contract of head coach Jim O'Brien through the 2010 season.
- According to Mark Bartelstein, the agent for free-agent F Ime Udoka has announced that Udoka will sign with the Portland Trail Blazers. Returning to the team he broke into the league with, after some good years with the San Antonio Spurs.
- It is being reported that the Denver Nuggets will sign former Raptor F Joey Graham to a one-year deal worth $884,881.
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star has reported that Toronto Raptors PF Chris Bosh may be suffering from a tweaked hamstring. Although the injury isn't considered serious, Bosh could sit out the start of training camp. Fingers crossed Raptor fans, you know how this type of thing has panned out for the team  in the past.
- The New York Knicks have officially signed G Nate Robinson to a one-year deal today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

NFL

- ESPN is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys are considering resting RB Marion Barber this week. Barber suffered a quadriceps injury in the team's loss to the New York Giants last sunday.

NHL

- C Rob Niedermayer has signed a one-year deal with the New Jersey Devils. It was rumoured that Niedermayer was in contract negotiations with a KHL team this off-season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
- The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that Dave Tippett with replace Wayne Gretzky as head coach. Gretzky stepped down from his position yesterday. Tippett last coach for the Dallas Stars.
- LW Theo Fleury's comeback-bid came to and end today when he was cut from Calgary Flames training camp. Fleury's performance has been one of the feel-good stories of the pre-season. It will be interesting to see if he signs a two-way deal with another team.
- The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday that they have signed F Milan Hejduk to a one-year contract extension through the 2010-2011 season.
- The Atlanta Thrashers have traded D Steve McCarthy to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.

MMA

- UFC Middleweight champ Anderson Silva will be sidelined briefly to recover from  surgery to get bone spurs removed from his elbow.