Martínez on mend, aims for July return

Baseball

New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martínez said yesterday he is recovering well from rotator cuff surgery, but the ace righthander still doesn't plan to return to the mound until July or August. "The progress has been excellent," said Martínez, who appeared at a charity softball game in the Dominican Republic organized by Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. "The problem has to do with the calcification of the bone that was broken with the tear and that had to be operated on. You have to let it run its course, so we're aiming for July or August as the return date." Los Angeles Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero also appeared at the event and said his aching right knee that bothered him last season feels better and won't require surgery . . . National League MVP and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has dismissed his agent, Larry Reynolds, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. Howard, who is eligible for arbitration after the 2007 season, made $355,000 last season, when he led the majors with 58 homers and 149 RBIs. "He's obviously due for a big raise," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told the newspaper . . . The Orioles have reached agreement with free agent utilityman Aubrey Huff, the Baltimore Sun reported, citing several industry sources. The newspaper said the offer is believed to be for three years and $20 million.

Hockey

Pat Kane scored two power-play goals and added an assist to lead the United States past winless Slovakia, 6-1, at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Mora, Sweden. The US (1-1-1) can advance to the second round with a win over Sweden today in its final Group A game. In other games, Finland shut out Switzerland, 4-0, and will play a Group B final against unbeaten Russia tonight, and the Czech Republic beat Belarus, 2-1, for its first win . . . Alexei Mikhnov scored the go-ahead with 39 seconds left in the second period and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins held on to down the visiting Providence Bruins, 5-4. Jonathan Sigalet had four assists for Providence . . . New York Islanders defenseman Radek Martinek will be out of action for four weeks after breaking his foot in a game earlier this week.

Football

Starting free safety Deon Grant was cleared to play in the Jacksonville Jaguars' season finale against Kansas City. The seven-year veteran suffered a strained hamstring in last week's loss to New England . . . The Eagles signed guard Todd Herremans to a five-year extension, a deal that would run through 2013 . . . The Arizona Cardinals signed safety Aaron Francisco to a four-year extension, through 2010.

Tennis

France upset defending champion United States, and Australia beat top-seeded Russia in the opening matches of the Hopman Cup mixed teams tournament in Perth, Australia. Tatiana Golovin defeated Ashley Harkleroad, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, and Jerome Haehnel beat Mardy Fish, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), to give France an unbeatable lead before forfeiting the mixed doubles match. Also, Australia beat Russia, 2-1.

Miscellany

Bud Delp, the Hall of Fame trainer who guided Spectacular Bid to Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories in 1979, has died. He was 74. Delp, who died of cancer Friday at his home in Ellicott City, Md., was inducted into horse racing's Hall of Fame in August 2002. He finished ninth on the career wins list with 3,674 . . . Jay Williams's comeback was put on hold when the NBA Development League's Austin Toros waived him so he can rehabilitate a groin injury. Williams, the former Duke star and No. 2 pick in the 2002 draft, is trying to make it back after injuring his left leg in a motorcycle accident. He was replaced on the Toros' roster by former Boston College star Troy Bell . . . Wake Forest's Jim Grobe won the Bobby Dodd national college football coach of the year honors . . . Tiger Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren, are expecting their first child this summer, Woods announced on his website.