Cardinals place Isringhausen on DL

Jason Isringhausen pitched three times after cutting his pitching hand, apparently from striking a television in frustration, before the St. Louis Cardinals placed their bedraggled closer on the 15-day disabled list. The team acknowledged yesterday the injury made for an easier decision about what to do with Isringhausen, who has six blown saves in 17 chances and an 8.00 ERA. The move came a day after Isringhausen gave up a three-run, go-ahead home run to Jason Bay in the eighth inning of an 11-5 loss to the Pirates. "You know what? He's not effective right now, so something's bothering him," general manager John Mozeliak said. "I think medically right now, that's part of it. Are there other aspects that are affecting him as well? I'm sure there are." Manager Tony La Russa characterized the cut as an "aggravation" for Isringhausen, 35 . . . Peter Magowan, the owner who brought Barry Bonds to San Francisco, built a new ballpark, and kept major league baseball in the city, is stepping down as managing partner of the Giants and will spend more time with his family. Magowan, 66, will retire Oct. 1 but maintain an ownership stake.

The Chicago White Sox fired director of player personnel David Wilder along with scouts Victor Mateo and Domingo Toribio in the club's Latin American operation after a two-month investigation by Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations, the team said. "It's very disappointing. This is a tough day," general manager Kenny Williams said in San Francisco, where the White Sox played the Giants. Findings were turned over to federal authorities. The White Sox said the three were dismissed "for actions in Latin America that were violations of club policy and standards" but did not elaborate.

NFL owners could opt out of their agreement with the players union next week, leaving open the possibility of a 2010 season without a salary cap. The labor agreement is on the agenda for the league meetings in Atlanta Tuesday. "If they don't do it next week, then it will be soon after that," said Gene Upshaw, the executive director of the NFL Players Association. "They want to opt out and we don't." In the agreement signed in March 2006, both sides were given the right to get out of the deal by Nov. 8, 2008. The end of the agreement does not necessarily mean there will be a work stoppage, although Upshaw has predicted that the owners could lock out the players in 2011 . . . Penn State coach Joe Paterno shrugged off a medical scare and said he feels fine after going to a hospital in Austin, Texas, this week to be treated for dehydration. He even suggested he'd like to keep coaching longer. "Realistically, at my age, if I go three, four, five [more] years, that would be great," Paterno, 81, said.

Serena Williams withdrew from her quarterfinal match against Alize Cornet at the Italian Open in Rome because of a back problem, and older sister Venus Williams was beaten by defending champion Jelena Jankovic, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3, with the American committing 57 unforced errors. Jankovic will next play second-seeded Maria Sharapova, who rallied past Patty Schnyder, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-2, for her 300th career win. Sharapova will become No. 1 in the rankings Monday, courtesy of Justine Henin's retirement . . . Defending champion Roger Federer cruised into the semifinals of the Hamburg Masters by defeating Fernando Verdasco, 6-3, 6-3. Novak Djokovic also made the final four, downing Albert Montanes, 6-2, 6-3. Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal, who defeated Carlos Moya, 6-1, 6-3 . . . The Australian Open women's singles final will be a night match in 2009.

Natalie Coughlin broke her American record in the women's 100 freestyle while finishing second at the Santa Clara (Calif.) Grand Prix. Coughlin finished in 53.39 seconds, bettering her record of 53.40 set March 2, 2007. Australia's Cate Campbell, 15, won in 53.30 to set a US Open record . . . The Phoenix Suns will interview Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner as a replacement for former head coach Mike D'Antoni . . . Shaun George stunned former heavyweight champion Chris Byrd in Byrd's first pro fight as a light heavyweight, stopping him in the ninth round at Las Vegas. Byrd, 37, was knocked down in the first round, then was floored twice in the ninth.