Newsmakers
Sidelined Dallas Mavericks swingman Josh Howard is out indefinitely to continue his recovery from surgery on his left ankle in May. Howard returned to the starting lineup Saturday against Toronto and played in the past three games. Coach Rick Carlisle said Howard needs more time to recover.
Fined The NFL fined Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official during a 41-21 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday. The NFL also said defensive lineman Tommie Harris had been fined $7,500 for punching Cardinals offensive lineman Deuce Lutui on the fourth play from scrimmage. Harris was ejected and later apologized.
Declined The Milwaukee Brewers declined their $6.5 million mutual option on Braden Looper, electing to pay the pitcher a $1 million buyout. The 35-year-old right-hander filed for free agency later Friday.
•The Colorado Rockies declined a $5 million option on right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt then filed for free agency.
Suspended Boston College has suspended three men’s basketball players, two of them starters, for two games for an unspecified violation of team rules. Forwards Corey Raji and Rakim Sanders missed Friday night’s opener against Dartmouth and will miss Tuesday’s game against St. Francis, N.Y. Cortney Dunn also will sit out the first two games.
Stripped A top prospect for the San Francisco Giants has been stripped of his U.S. visa after he was charged with killing a man in his native Dominican Republic. Pablo Peguero, the Giants’ representative for Latin America, said 19-year-old Angel Villalona can’t join the team in the United States because the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic has revoked his visa.
Signed BYU basketball coach Dave Rose has signed a new five-year contract. Athletic director Tom Holmoe said the deal keeps Rose with the Cougars until the 2013-14 season. Recovering Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells had surgery on his left wrist and is expected to be ready for spring training. The team said doctors repaired cartilage in his wrist, which he broke diving to make a catch against Cleveland in 2008.