Gatlin out again after order rescinded

Banned sprinter Justin Gatlin got support but no relief yesterday from a federal judge in Pensacola, Fla., who rescinded his order of allowing the defending 100-meter champion to compete in this weekend's US Olympic track and field trials. Judge Lacey Collier said although he believed Gatlin "is being wronged," he lacked jurisdiction over the US Olympic Committee to determine who is eligible for the trials. The former world 100- and 200-meter champion's only recourse appears to be with the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, Collier wrote in his seven-page order. Last week, Collier issued a temporary restraining order that would have allowed Gatlin to compete . . . Dinara Safina has been advised by the Russian Tennis Federation that she can play singles for the Olympic team at Beijing, replacing Anna Chakvetadze, who decided to skip the Games.

Felix Hernandez hobbled around the Seattle Mariners clubhouse with a walking boot protecting his injured left ankle, but the team said the righthander hopes to make his next start. Hernandez sprained his ankle covering home plate in the fifth inning of the Mariners' 5-2 win over the Mets Monday night . . . Toronto Blue Jays righthander Shaun Marcum (elbow) has been cleared to begin a throwing program after visiting Dr. James Andrews and could return by the All-Star break . . . With outfielders Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui unable to play the field because of injuries, the New York Yankees purchased the contract of Justin Christian from Triple A Scranton/Wilkes Barre and started him in left field against Pittsburgh. Damon is expected to be sidelined for a day or two with a sore left arch. Matsui has been bothered by a sore knee . . . Hank Blalock's expected return to the Texas Rangers has been delayed after he bruised his right hand diving for a ball during a rehabilitation assignment at Triple A Oklahoma City. The bruise is considered minor . . . The Houston Astros placed second baseman Kaz Matsui on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring.

Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL. The decision by commissioner Gary Bettman comes a day after Samueli pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission. His sentencing is Aug. 18. The NHL will then review Samueli's status and set the length of his suspension . . . The Toronto Maple Leafs put goalie Andrew Raycroft and forward Kyle Wellwood on waivers, paving the way for their exit, and told forward Darcy Tucker they plan to buy him out of his contract. Raycroft, the former Bruins netminder, appeared in only 19 games last season after losing his starting job to Vesa Toskala. Raycroft earned $2 million, and has a year left on his deal at $2.2 million . . . When the Tampa Bay Lightning called, Barry Melrose was eager to listen. Out of coaching for 13 years, when the team approached him "I couldn't wait to say yes," Melrose said after the Lightning's new owners made his hiring official. The former Los Angeles Kings coach replaces John Tortorella, who coached the Lightning to a league-worst 31-42-9 record last season . . . The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed forward Tuomo Ruutu to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million.

The NCAA champion Boston College men's hockey team was honored at a White House ceremony. President George W. Bush greeted the Eagles and other 2007 and 2008 NCAA champions on the South Lawn . . . Garrett Reagan, who coached the Hingham High boys' hockey team to three state titles, died of a heart attack June 17 at his home in Scituate. He was 67. Obituary, D10 . . . Denver Nuggets All-Star Carmelo Anthony pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving while ability-impaired and was sentenced to a year probation, 24 hours of community service, and more than $1,000 in court costs . . . Former NBA star Dennis Rodman pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of spousal battery in Los Angeles . . . Asjha Jones scored 20 points and rookie Amber Holt added a career-high 19 as host Connecticut moved ahead of Detroit into first place in the WNBA's Eastern Conference with an 85-68 victory over the Shock . . . Craig Wood, the first of only five players to capture the Masters and US Open in the same year and the first player to lose all four majors in extra holes, was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame by earning the minimum 65 percent of the vote. Denny Shute, who won a British Open at St. Andrews and won back-to-back years at the PGA Championship, was selected through the Veterans Category, and golf writer Herbert Warren Wind and seven-time USGA champion Carole Semple Thompson were selected through the Lifetime Achievement category . . . Tiger Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee and doctors said it's highly unlikely there will be any long-term effects . . . Daria Cummings shot 72 to take a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the NEWGA Championship at Abenaqui CC in Rye Beach, N.H. . . . One man was arrested and a second was sought in a robbery and beating that left Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker unconscious on a side street after a long night of partying at Las Vegas nightclubs. Arfat Fadel, 30, faces charges for multiple felonies including kidnapping and robbery . . . Fox confirmed that former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan will join the network's NFL pregame show next season.