Jagr signs $7m deal with Russian team

Jaromir Jagr signed with a Russian team a day after his split with the New York Rangers, leaving the NHL after nearly two decades and returning to the club he joined during the 2004-05 lockout. The Russian League team Avangard Omsk announced the signing of the 36-year-old Czech winger on its website. "It was the toughest decision in my life, hockeywise. No question about it. I hate making changes," Jagr told the Canadian Press. The deal is believed to be for two years plus an option for a third, and will pay Jagr about $7 million tax-free, the equivalent of about $11 million a season in the NHL . . . The Sharks acquired standout defenseman Dan Boyle from Tampa Bay, trading defenseman Matt Carle and top prospect Ty Wishart to the Lightning . . . The Canucks acquired right wing Steve Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick in the 2009 draft and a second-round selection in 2010 . . . The Sabres acquired defenseman Craig Rivet and a seventh-round draft pick from the San Jose Sharks for a pair of second-round choices.

If the Brewers are considered a front-runner in the C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes, manager Ned Yost wanted nothing to do with it. "A rumor's a rumor," Yost said. "We don't pay attention to it too much." According to recent reports, Milwaukee's surplus of minor league talent has given the organization an upper hand in the competition to acquire Sabathia. The reigning American League Cy Young winner is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA in Cleveland. Asked where Sabathia could be slotted in the rotation, Yost was quick to reply, "Sabathia's not on our team." . . . San Diego catcher Michael Barrett will require surgery for facial fractures and may be out six weeks. He left Wednesday night's game at Colorado in the third inning after fouling a ball off his face . . . Indians closer Joe Borowski, last year's AL saves leader, was designated for assignment. The righthander blew his fourth save in 10 chances Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox, and was 1-3 with a 7.56 ERA in 18 games this season. Borowski had 45 saves last season but has struggled since returning from an arm injury . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates designated pitcher Bryan Bullington for assignment, a move that may end the former No. 1 draft pick's tenure with the organization without him winning a game in the majors. The Pirates have 10 days to trade the righthander, release him, or keep him at Triple A Indianapolis if he clears waivers.

Michael Beasley slightly cracked his sternum in a collision with a teammate earlier this week, yet still could be with the Miami Heat when the team opens summer league play Monday. Daequan Cook won't be so lucky. The Heat announced Cook has separated his left, non-shooting shoulder, so he won't be available for the five-games-in-five-days summer league schedule. Cook will be sidelined 2-4 weeks, a significant blow because the Heat hoped the second-year guard could use a strong summer showing as a springboard into the 2008-09 season . . . Chris Duhon verbally agreed to a deal with the New York Knicks, the point guard told The Sporting News. The former Duke player averaged 6.9 points in four seasons for Chicago.

Former University of Kentucky receiver Keenan Burton says he's reached a three-year deal with the St. Louis Rams. He believes the contract to be worth more than $1 million. Burton was selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the NFL draft in April . . . University of Louisville wide receiver JaJuan Spillman has been released from jail a day after his second arrest in 18 months. Spillman, 21, was charged with driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon, and having no insurance . . . Ethiopia's Terefe Maregu won the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. Maregu covered the 6.2 miles in 28 minutes 30 seconds and was four seconds ahead of Peter Kamais of Kenya. Nataliya Berkut of Ukraine won the women's race in 32:23, followed by Ashu Kasim of Ethiopia (32:36) . . . Unbeaten Joe Calzaghe has relinquished his World Boxing Council super-middleweight title to set up a potential fight against Roy Jones Jr. for the light heavyweight belt.