Newsmakers

Sentenced The man who fatally stabbed University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard during an on-campus fight in 2009 was sentenced Friday in a Vernon, Conn., courtroom to 18 years in prison. John Lomax III had been charged with murder, but pleaded no contest to first-degree manslaughter in January. Howard died of a single stab wound.

• Former NFL lineman Barret Robbins has been sentenced to five years in Florida prison for a drug-related probation violation. A Miami-Dade County judge imposed the sentence, more than a year after crack cocaine was found in Robbins’ car after a traffic stop near Dallas.

Jeopardized San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos has a sore right shoulder, putting a potential opening-day start against St. Louis in jeopardy. Latos said his shoulder had improved significantly in the past 24 hours, but he won’t make his next scheduled spring training start on Saturday.

Sidelined The Philadelphia Phillies shut down closer Brad Lidge with shoulder soreness and said he is likely to begin the season on the disabled list. The 34-year-old right-hander started the ninth inning on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins in Clearwater, Fla., but was pulled after giving up a home run and two walks.

• Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer had surgery on his left thumb and will miss the next two months. Langer injured his thumb in a biking accident. He had surgery Wednesday in New York to repair damaged ligaments.

Retired Former slugger Mike Sweeney signed a one-day minor league contract with Kansas City so he could officially retire as a member of the Royals. Sweeney played for Kansas City from 1995-2007 and spent his last three seasons with Oakland, Seattle and Philadelphia.

Arrested Troubled Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly has been arrested on a drug charge in Houston. Police said Jolly was pulled over and officers discovered a bottle containing 600 grams of codeine under the passenger’s seat. Jolly was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Agreed Right-hander Kevin Millwood agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. Millwood would get a $1.5 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. He would have the chance to earn $3.5 million more in performance bonuses.