Final cut? Pavano has elbow surgery

Baseball
Righthander Carl Pavano underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow yesterday, likely bringing his unproductive stint with the New York Yankees to an end. Pavano will be sidelined for most -- if not all -- of what remains on the $39.95 million, four-year deal he signed before the 2005 season. He is 5-6 in 19 starts with the Yankees. He was sidelined by shoulder, back, elbow, and rib injuries from June 27, 2005, through the 2006 season. He returned this year but felt forearm soreness during a win at Minnesota April 9 . . . The Yankees called up lefthander Sean Henn and infielder Chris Basak from Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while sending outfielder Kevin Thompson and pitcher Matt DeSalvo back to the International League . . . Roger Clemens resumed his workouts at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, still aiming to make his 2007 debut Saturday against Pittsburgh . . . Pedro Martínez, 35, threw off a mound for the first time since rotator cuff surgery last fall, one of the major steps toward his goal of rejoining the New York Mets' starting rotation by August . . . The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Josh Hamilton from the 15-day disabled list and recalled righthander Todd Coffey from Triple A Louisville. The Reds also set top prospect Homer Bailey's major league debut for Friday at home against Cleveland. Bailey, 21, was the seventh overall pick in the 2004 draft. Hamilton had been on the DL since May 22 with gastroenteritis, an inflamed digestive tract . . . Another former Reds first-round pick, Nationals righthander Ryan Wagner, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder yesterday in Birmingham, Ala. Wagner, the 14th overall pick in 2003, was shipped to Washington last July in a seven-player deal . . . The Blue Jays put first baseman Lyle Overbay on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken right hand and recalled catcher Curtis Thigpen from Syracuse . . . The Colorado Rockies designated outfielder Steve Finley, 42, for assignment.

football

Quarterback Trent Green could be on the field with the Dolphins this weekend after Miami finished its long-anticipated trade with Kansas City. Green will undergo a physical in Miami and if he passes it, the trade will be completed, a person within the NFL with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press. Foxsports.com reported that Kansas City will get a fifth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-rounder, depending on how well Green plays in Miami . . . Suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman has been accused of kicking and hitting two men in his Georgia hometown during the weekend. He has not been charged with a crime, but a magistrate will hear testimony Friday to determine if charges should be filed. Two men filed a complaint Sunday with police in Monticello, Ga., southeast of Atlanta, accusing Thurman of assaulting them early Sunday following an argument at a home . . . Saints first-round draft pick Robert Meachem was scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday, according to NFL.com . . . Former NFL defensive lineman Bob Buczkowski, 43, pleaded guilty to helping run a million-dollar prostitution ring with his girlfriend out of his parents' suburban home. Buczkowski pleaded guilty in Allegheny County (Pa.) court to two counts of promoting prostitution, six counts of possessing, and dealing cocaine and other charges. He agreed to turn state's witness against others charged in the case.

Horse racing

Rags to Riches will run Saturday in the Belmont Stakes in an attempt to become the first filly in 102 years to win the final jewel of the Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher took several days before deciding to give his Kentucky Oaks winner a chance to take on the boys in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. Rags to Riches has won her last four starts, taking the Santa Anita Oaks before her impressive win in the Kentucky Oaks May 4. Time Squared has been pulled out of contention, and several jockey changes have been made: John Velazquez, who was set to ride Slew's Tizzy, now will ride Rags to Riches. Garrett Gomez, who has ridden Rags to Riches to her four victories, will stay on Hard Spun, replacing Mario Pino. Rafael Bejarano is the new rider for Slew's Tizzy. The post position draw is today.

Miscellany

Emirates Team New Zealand moved within one victory of an America's Cup rematch with Alinghi by beating Luna Rossa to take a 4-0 lead in the Louis Vuitton Cup final off Valencia, Spain . . . Kara Nilan of Taconic High School was named Gatorade Massachusetts Softball Player of the Year. Nilan, who will continue her career at Bowdoin in the fall, was 20-1 for the Braves this season and allowed just two earned run in 144 innings (0.10 ERA), striking out 247 and walking 21 . . . Phil Mickelson withdrew from the Stanford St. Jude Championship in Memphis -- the final PGA Tour event before the US Open -- and will have a cortisone shot in his left wrist. A doctor assured him he can play pain-free next week at Oakmont . . . Boxing great Muhammad Ali, 65, received an honorary doctorate of humanities from Princeton . . . Loree Moore, Ashley Battle, and Cathrine Kraayeveld each scored 15 points to lead the surprising New York Liberty to a 78-67 victory over visiting Indiana in WNBA action . . . Seimone Augustus scored 22 points, Lindsey Harding added 20, and Nicole Ohlde had 19 points and 13 rebounds as Minnesota (1-7) ended the worst start in franchise history with an 90-85 victory in Phoenix . . . Rebekkah Brunson had 21 points and nine rebounds to lead Sacramento to a 74-57 victory over visiting San Antonio.