In brief: Bengals linebacker Thurman reinstated

Linebacker Odell Thurman was reinstated from an NFL suspension after sitting out the last two seasons.

The Cincinnati Bengals said Monday they were informed by commissioner Roger Goodell that Thurman is eligible to play. He was suspended the last two seasons because of violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

“Odell has met the NFL’s conditions for reinstatement and has been added to our off-season roster,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. “It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines, and to maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team.”

Thurman was suspended for the first four games of the 2006 season after missing a drug test, and the suspension was extended to the full season after he was arrested for drunken driving. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to six days in a treatment center.

“Offensive tackle Max Starks, a backup for most of last season, will return to the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing a one-year tender offer worth $6.9 million.

The money is guaranteed to Starks even if he is cut, but the Steelers prefer to sign him to a multiple-year contract to free up salary cap money. Currently, Starks – who started only four games last season – would go into the season as one of the team’s highest-paid players.

“University of Washington center Juan Garcia will be out indefinitely after suffering the same kind of foot injury that sidelined Huskies quarterback Isaiah Stanback two seasons ago.

The Lisfranc joint that Garcia injured is on the top of the foot. Injuries to the joint are often mistaken for sprains, when in fact a small fracture or dislocation has occurred.

Basketball

Drake hires ASU assistant Phelps

Arizona State assistant Mark Phelps was hired as Drake’s men’s coach, replacing Keno Davis.

Phelps’ hiring came less than a week after Davis took the Providence job. School officials said Phelps, 42, was their top choice.

“Ohio State freshman center Kosta Koufos will declare for the NBA draft but will not immediately sign with an agent, the school said.

Koufos averaged 14.4 points and 6.7 rebounds last season.

Golf

17-year-old wins Mid-Pacific Open

Tadd Fujikawa shot a 4-over 76 in the final round of the Mid-Pacific Open on Sunday in Kailua, Hawaii, to win his first tournament as a professional.

The tournament also marked the first time the 17-year-old made the cut as a pro.

Fujikawa entered the final round with a seven stroke lead over David Ishii, the 1990 Hawaiian Open champion and 14-time Japan Golf Tour winner.

He bogeyed three of the last four holes on the front nine and led by five at the turn.

But Fujikawa then shot par on eight of the back nine holes en route to becoming the youngest player in the tournament’s 50-year history with a 10-under 278.

Horse racing

Nafzger, Prado inducted into Hall

It’s been nearly two years since Barbaro left jockey Edgar Prado searching for words after their triumph together in the Kentucky Derby.

Prado had trouble talking again after learning he had been selected for induction into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

“I’m just speechless,” said Prado, who grew up in a racing family of 11 children in Peru and began his riding career there at age 16. “I’m shaking like a leaf.”

Two-time Derby winning trainer Carl Nafzger; Inside Information, a champion filly in the 1990s; and Manila, a grass specialist who won 12 of his final 15 races in the 1980s, were also among six honorees voted into the hall.

Ismael Valenzuela, a two-time Derby-winning jockey, and the California-bred Ancient Title were selected to the hall by the Historic Review Committee.

The Class of 2008 will be inducted Aug. 4.