Former Sox catcher Bard clears waivers

San Diego Padres catcher Josh Bard and lefthander Shawn Estes cleared outright waivers yesterday and chose to become free agents. Bard, who was obtained along with reliever Cla Meredith from the Red Sox for catcher Doug Mirabelli in 2006, was limited to 57 games because of injuries. He hit .202 with one homer and 16 RBIs this season. The Padres also announced they are pursuing a grievance against shortstop Khalil Greene for breaking his left hand when he punched a storage chest in frustration. The team is trying to recoup a prorated portion of Greene's $4.5 million salary. He missed the final 52 games . . . Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks had surgery to repair a cartilage tear in his left knee and is expected to be ready for spring training . . . Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was among 10 people arrested during a brawl with police at a weekend wedding reception in a Galveston hotel bar.

The Washington Capitals sent forward Chris Bourque and 2007 first-round draft pick Karl Alzner to Hershey of the American Hockey League. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said Bourque, the son of former Bruin and Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, may not be down for long. "Right now, there's just no room. If you look at our roster, where was he going to fit in at this stage? We know we have a bona fide guy who can be called up and eventually knock somebody out of a job. It just wasn't going to be right now at the start of the year," Boudreau said . . . Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker is expected to be sidelined for six weeks after surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand . . . Maple Leafs left wing Ryan Hollweg received an automatic two-game suspension after collecting his third boarding or checking from behind major in a 41-game span. The third penalty, a boarding major and game misconduct, came in last Wednesday's 7-3 exhibition loss at St. Louis. Hollweg will miss Toronto's season opener Thursday at Detroit and Saturday's home opener against Montreal.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter will propose new World Cup bidding rules that would dash the hopes of the United States to host the 2018 tournament. Blatter said he wants to avoid the World Cup staying in the Americas after Brazil stages it in 2014. He said there were enough strong candidates to organize the world's biggest sports event in 2018 that some countries, particularly the US and Mexico, should be spilled over into the 2022 bidding process. It is expected that a European site will be selected for 2018. "You know there is a wish and a will that every third World Cup shall come back to Europe," Blatter said . . . David Beckham will miss the Los Angeles Galaxy's final road game of the season Oct. 18 at Houston because of a mandatory one-game suspension for earning his fifth yellow card. He won't be available for Sunday's home game against Colorado after being called to England's national team for two World Cup qualifiers, so Beckham will have to serve his suspension against the Dynamo.

 

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