ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield could soon throw off a bullpen mound. Wakefield, who got a cortisone shot Monday for a bad back, threw in the outfield before Wednesday’s game against Tampa Bay and said the session went good and there were no setbacks. Boston manager Terry Francona said it […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Everyone’s been curious about the condition of Rafael Nadal’s knees, so it made sense that his first Grand Slam opponent in three months would wonder as well. Which might explain why Richard Gasquet tried a drop shot deep in the third set of his U.S. Open match against Nadal on Wednesday. […]

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets signed veteran Ben Hartsock to a one-year deal Wednesday, filling their need for a blocking tight end, his agent told The Associated Press. Hartsock, who spent last season with Atlanta, signed with the Jets a day after the Falcons released him, agent Mike McCartney said. The […]

BOSTON (AP) — Curt Schilling, the former major league pitcher who won the allegiance of Bostonians by leading the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series, said Wednesday that he has “some interest” in running for the seat held for nearly 50 years by Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Schilling, a registered independent and longtime […]

HOUSTON (AP) — It’s less than two weeks from the regular season opener and the Houston Texans defense is far from set. At least two starting spots remain up for grabs. Rookie first-round pick Brian Cushing, who was scheduled to start at strongside linebacker, still hasn’t played because of a knee injury. Coach Gary Kubiak […]

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have claimed former Patriots backup quarterback Kevin O’Connell off waivers. The move comes after third-stringer Drew Stanton tore knee cartilage, an injury that requires surgery. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Wednesday coaches will set up a simple package of plays for O’Connell and “see how comfortable he […]

There’s some complex term for Richie Parker’s medical condition. He can’t remember it offhand and as far as he’s concerned, it doesn’t matter anyway. Parker was born without arms and stands about 5 feet tall. But that doesn’t stop the 26-year-old from doing most of the things anyone else can do – and then some. […]

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Nate Davis knows he’s already shown the doubters just by winning a roster spot with the San Francisco 49ers. Davis is unfazed by a learning disability that makes it difficult for him to grasp the playbook and transfer that information onto the field. He carries himself with a confidence and […]

McNair denies NFLPA lawsuit claims HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans owner Bob McNair on Wednesday denied allegations that he participated in secret meetings to discuss NFL labor talks. The allegations were in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed against the NFL Players Association last week by union employee Mary Moran. She says she was a confidential […]

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Rich Ellerson thumbs through the old program that sits atop the coffee table in his office. It’s from the 1962 Army-Navy game. The Black Knights’ new football coach quickly finds the page he’s looking for — clearly he has done this before — and points to a picture of John […]