FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Quarterback Kevin O’Connell, projected to be Tom Brady’s backup, was cut Monday by the New England Patriots. O’Connell’s release came three days after Brady sustained what the Patriots described as a sore shoulder in a 27-24 exhibition win over the Washington Redskins. On Monday, Brady stretched with his teammates, at one […]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Former NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte won’t race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his best track, because of sponsorship issues at Yates Racing. The team had seven races to sell this season for the No. 96 Ford, and the sponsorship it secured wanted Erik Darnell in the car. The 26-year-old will […]

BOSTON (AP) — Tedy Bruschi is retiring after a 13-year career marked by an inspiring return to the New England Patriots as a starting linebacker eight months after a stroke. A person familiar with his decision told The Associated Press on Sunday night that the 36-year-old Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference […]

MONTREAL (AP) — Carl Edwards passed Marcos Ambrose on the final turn to win the crash-filled Nationwide race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which ended with the cars on rain tires for the second straight year. Edwards won a two-lap sprint to the finish on a track that was both wet and dry in spots from […]

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — In a final hour of surprises, Heath Slocum delivered the biggest one Sunday at The Barclays. One week after Slocum wondered if he would even make it to the PGA Tour Playoffs, he finished off a compelling afternoon at Liberty National by making a 20-foot par putt on the 18th […]

BOSTON (AP) — It was a scene right out of the movies. A former major league right-hander spends the spring and early summer throwing batting practice to his son’s team before he returns to the bigs with six shutout innings. That’s exactly what Paul Byrd did Sunday. Byrd, making his first major league start since […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jake Peavy is having a hard time getting healthy. Still waiting to make his first start for the Chicago White Sox, Peavy left his minor league rehab outing after only 3 1-3 innings and 68 pitches Saturday night because he felt tightness in his pitching elbow. The right-hander, acquired from San […]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg doesn’t expect the insertion of Michael Vick into the Eagles offense to disrupt its rhythm. “Not at all,” Mornhinweg said. “We’ll straighten that out. We’ll take care of that. Michael is going to help this offense. I’m confident of that.” Vick played in just six plays Thursday […]

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox right-hander Tim Wakefield expects to get a cortisone shot Monday after his next scheduled start was scratched because his balky back acted up again. The 43-year-old knuckleballer spent 5½ weeks on the disabled list with back problems after the All-Star break. He returned Wednesday and pitched seven innings, allowing […]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — A few hours after Scott Kazmir reported to his first full day of work on the West Coast, his brand-new Angels cap already was darkened by sweat. The left-hander couldn’t wait to get started on what he hopes is another playoff run in his eventful young career. Los Angeles welcomed Kazmir […]