Rockies, Lawrence agree to one-year deal
Right-hander Brian Lawrence, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies that guarantees him $750,000.
Lawrence, who must pass a physical to finalize the deal, gets a $500,000 salary this year. The Rockies hold a 2008 option with a $250,000 buyout.
•Pitcher Ramon Ortiz and the Minnesota Twins formally agreed on a one-year contract. Ortiz went 11-16 with a 5.57 ERA with Washington last season.
• Jason Michaels, who struggled as Cleveland’s regular in left last season, finalized a $4.25 million, two-year contract, a deal that includes a $100,000 signing bonus and $2.6 million club option for 2009.
•Relief pitcher Justin Duchscherer and the Oakland Athletics avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $1,187,500, one-year contract.
College Football
Hustad changes mind
Helena High standout Matt Hustad, who last month orally committed to playing football at the University of Montana, changed his mind and said he’s heading to Arizona State.
New Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson had recruited Hustad while he was the Idaho Vandals coach.
Hustad will redshirt, and have the option of playing on the defensive line or offensive line.
•Jacob Bower has left BYU after coaches asked him to switch to linebacker from quarterback.
Bower, a freshman last season, was third-string quarterback for the Cougars. He is transferring to Bakersfield (Calif.) College.
•Jim House, who served 11 years as an assistant coach at Nevada and did stints at Wyoming and San Diego State, will return to the Wolf Pack to coach the defensive line.
Olympics
Two cities submit plans
Los Angeles and Chicago submitted detailed plans for the 2016 Summer Olympics to the U.S. Olympic Committee, a major step in the process to decide which city will bid for the games next year.
The USOC Evaluation Commission will travel to Los Angeles on Feb. 28 and to Chicago on March 5 for two-day inspections. The USOC will announce its applicant city April 14.
•The World Anti-Doping Agency is revamping its code to allow more lenience in minor, accidental cases while getting tougher against serious drug cheats.
Miscellany
Tyson pleads not guilty
Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson pleaded not guilty in Phoenix to charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs.
•Barbaro has steadily improved since having surgery on his left hind hoof, although the Kentucky Derby winner has yet to return outside and will be hospital-bound for at least another month.
•Delray Beach, Fla., will host a Fed Cup tennis quarterfinal between the United States and Belgium on April 21-22.
The last time the U.S. played a Fed Cup match at home, it beat Belgium at Delray Beach in the 2005 quarterfinals. The U.S. lost to Belgium in the 2006 semifinals.