Chamberlain hopes to return in August

Joba Chamberlain plans to start a throwing program next week and expects to rejoin the New York Yankees' rotation this month. The righthander was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. "I'll be throwing in a week," Chamberlain said. "Everything feels fine now." Also, left fielder Hideki Matsui took a step forward in his rehab for a sore left knee, reporting no problems one day after starting a running program . . . Phillies reliever Tom Gordon will see Dr. Lewis Yocum Monday for a second opinion on his injured right elbow, and could be facing Tommy John surgery . . . Paul Lo Duca and the Florida Marlins agreed to a minor league deal, the veteran catcher's second tenure with the team. Lo Duca, who was released by the Nationals after the trading deadline, will report to Triple A Albuquerque . . . The Cleveland Indians purchased the contract of former Red Sox righthander Brendan Donnelly from Triple A Buffalo. Donnelly has been rehabbing his elbow in the minors . . . The Cincinnati Reds have hired former Seattle and Anaheim general manager Bill Bavasi as a special assistant. Bavasi was fired by the Mariners June 15.

Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith has signed a five-year, $58 million offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The Hawks will have seven days to match the offer, which the report said came unexpectedly from the Grizzlies. Atlanta has said it would match any offer for the 6-foot-9-inch forward . . . Philadelphia 76ers center Jason Smith tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during an NBA-approved camp in Las Vegas. Smith averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in his rookie season. The team did not know when he'll be able to play again.

Duke star Amanda Blumenherst advanced to the US Women's Amateur semifinals, beating Spain's Carlota Ciganda, 4 and 3, at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club. Blumenherst, the three-time national college player of the year, will face 15-year-old Erynn Lee of Silverdale, Wash., a 4-and-3 winner over Chelsea Stelzmiller of Placerville, Calif. Azahara Munoz, the NCAA champion from Arizona State, and Belen Mozo also advanced, Munoz routing Australia's Stephanie Na, 7 and 6, and Mozo beating Whitney Neuhauser of Barboursville, Va., 6 and 5 . . . Orville Moody, who won the 1969 US Open for his only PGA Tour title, died in Texas, the Tour said. He was 74. No cause of death was given . . . The organizers of the LPGA's Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika Sorenstam announced they couldn't obtain the sponsorships needed to keep the tournament in Charleston, S.C., through 2010.

Andretti Green Racing announced that Tony Kanaan has signed a five-year contract extension through 2013 . . . Scott Dixon easily earned his fifth pole of the season, averaging 218.968 miles per hour, for today's Meijer Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway . . . The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed Teppo Numminen after the defenseman missed all but one game last season following heart surgery. The one-year deal is worth $1.1 million . . . The Chicago Blackhawks signed former Bruins center Pascal Pelletier to a one-year contract . . . Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez dislocated his left kneecap and was carted off the practice field. Sanchez, the projected starter, hopes to be ready for the Trojans' opener Aug. 30 at Virginia . . . Quarterback Ben Mauck, who helped lead Cincinnati's rise to prominence last season, had his final appeal for another year of eligibility turned down by the NCAA. The NCAA's reinstatement committee said there wasn't enough medical documentation to support Mauck's claim that he missed his freshman year at Wake Forest because of injury . . . FC Dallas acquired forward Jeff Cunningham from Toronto FC in exchange for a third-round pick in 2009. Cunningham is the No. 4 scorer in league history with 99 regular-season goals . . . Mardy Fish moved into the semifinals of the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Florent Serra . . . French tennis player Mathieu Montcourt was banned from the men's tour for two months and fined $12,000 after being found guilty of betting on matches.