A-Rod putting extension talks on hold

Baseball
Alex Rodriguez isn't interested in talking extension with the Yankees until after the season. "I think it would be selfish on my part to talk about my contract status when our team desperately needs wins," Rodriguez said yesterday. He has 3 1/2 seasons left on his $252 million, 10-year deal, but can opt of the contract this fall and become a free agent. Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, called reports Wednesday about New York planning to open discussions premature . . . Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner signed a four-year, $57 million extension that will keep him in Cleveland through 2012, with a team option for 2013. Hafner's salary this year was increased by $2.25 million to $6.3 million, and $3 million was added to raise his 2008 salary to $8.05 million. He will receive $11.5 million in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons, and $13 million apiece in 2011 and 2012 . . . The Mariners were still completing details on a five-year contract extension for Ichiro Suzuki, according to a team official who requested anonymity because the negotiations weren't finished . . . Athletics righthander Rich Harden was put back on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder, the same ailment that shelved him for three months this season . . . It was out with the old, in with the new for the Mets, who designated 48-year-old infielder Julio Franco for assignment to clear a roster spot for 22-year-old outfielder Lastings Milledge . . . Padres lefthander David Wells was suspended for seven games and fined $3,000 by the commissioner's office for his animated argument with umpire Ed Hickox last weekend . . . Injured Yankees slugger Jason Giambi will meet with baseball steroids investigator George Mitchell later this month . . . Troy Ellerman, an attorney who admitted leaking the confidential grand jury testimony of Barry Bonds and other athletes to a reporter, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison, the harshest penalty to result from the government's probe of steroids.

Basketball

Dwight Howard signed a five-year contract extension with the Magic worth approximately $80 million, Orlando's second big move in two days after Rashard Lewis agreed to a $110 million deal. Howard averaged a team-best 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds last season . . . The Mavericks officially re-signed swingman Devean George to a one-year deal . . . The Pistons and restricted free agent forward Amir Johnson agreed to an $11 million, three-year contract . . . The Spurs re-signed two reserves, giving guard Jacque Vaughn and forward Matt Bonner multiyear deals. San Antonio also acquired guard Vassilis Spanoulis from the Rockets for center Jackie Butler and the draft rights to forward Luis Scola . . . Michelle Snow scored 24 points as the Houston Comets posted an 87-77 home win over the Minnesota Lynx, who learned that guard Lindsey Harding, this year's No. 1 overall draft pick, will miss the rest of the season with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament . . . Tan White's 16 points led the Indiana Fever past the visiting New York Liberty, 79-63 . . . The Detroit Shock beat the Sky, 78-65, in Chicago behind Deanna Nolan's 18 points.

Hockey

Brent Sutter resigned as coach and general manager of the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels -- a team he owns in Alberta -- amid speculation he will soon be named coach of the New Jersey Devils, who have scheduled a press conference today for what the team called a "major announcement." . . . The Edmonton Oilers and All-Star defenseman Sheldon Souray have agreed to a five-year deal. Financial terms weren't immediately released . . . Centers Mike Ribeiro (one year, $2.8 million) and Joel Lundqvist (two years, $1.45 million) re-signed with the Dallas Stars . . . Brockton native Joe Callahan, a defenseman, inked a one-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

Miscellany

Formula One's latest attempt at extending its global popularity has been put on hold because the US Grand Prix won't be back at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2008 after eight troubled years. Speedway CEO Tony George said he and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone agreed not to schedule the event next year . . . The Patriots finalized a four-year contract agreement with rookie offensive lineman Clint Oldenburg . . . Former Harvard linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders . . . Two players were selected in the NFL supplemental draft: Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver (Chargers, fourth round) and Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither (Ravens, fifth) . . . Crystl Bustos and Kelly Kretschman hit two-run homers as the US opened the World Cup of Softball with a 9-1 win over Venezuela in Oklahoma City . . . In the MLS, Houston's Nate Jaqua and Joseph Ngwenya each had a goal and an assist to lead the Dynamo to a 4-0 road win over the Chicago Fire . . . The Revolution will play the Harrisburg City Islanders in a US Open Cup quarterfinal at Gillette Stadium Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m.