Cubs' Zambrano gets six-game ban

May 29, 2009

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano was suspended six games by Major League Baseball for his tirade Wednesday in a game against the Pirates. Zambrano's agent, Barry Praver, said the penalty, which included a fine, will not be appealed. The suspension began yesterday and, barring rainouts, Zambrano will be eligible to pitch Thursday at Atlanta . . . Braves pitcher Tom Glavine, 43, trying to come back from arm surgery, pitched five scoreless innings for Triple A Gwinnett yesterday in a 10-6 International League victory over Indianapolis. Glavine said he could be pitching in the majors as soon as Tuesday against the Cubs . . . Phillies pitcher Brett Myers had an MRI on his right hip and could miss his next start - and potentially more.

Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson defended the men's basketball program, but wouldn't confirm that Chicago Bulls rookie Derrick Rose is the player at the center of alleged major NCAA violations. The NCAA says an unknown person took the SAT for the unnamed player, who then used that test to get into Memphis . . . Kentucky sued Billy Gillispie the day after the Wildcats' former basketball coach filed suit against the school claiming breach of contract. The university's suit was filed in Franklin Circuit Court in Kentucky, which the school contends is the proper venue for any litigation involving the coach's former employment . . . The UMass football team will play at Michigan Sept. 18, 2010.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Sprint Cup car, fired crew chief Tony Eury Jr. after Earnhardt's third consecutive 27th-place or worse finish, in the Coca-Cola 600 last weekend. Lance McGrew was named interim crew chief.

The Boston Cannons made five selections in the Major League Lacrosse draft: attackman Brandon Corp (Colgate, fourth overall); goalie Jordan Burke (Brown, 16th); midfielder Peet Poillon, (Maryland, 20th); midfielder Matt Messina (New York Tech, 30th); and attackman Jake Beebe (Springfield, 40th) . . . UMass goalie Doc Schneider was drafted 13th overall by Toronto.

The Celtics were named the 2009 Professional Sports Team of the Year by the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily . . . NBA great Jerry West has been appointed executive director of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera CC in Pacific Palisades, Calif., to help raise the profile and charitable impact of the PGA event . . . Jockey Calvin Borel will be back on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes if Rachel Alexandra isn't entered. Chip Woolley, who trains the Derby winner, said he'll wait until Rachel Alexandra's co-owner Jess Jackson decides whether to run his Preakness-winning filly in the Belmont before deciding on a rider . . . Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is suing the Securities and Exchange Commission for access to documents detailing the insider trading case against him . . . Running back J.J. Arrington, who signed a four-year deal worth about $10 million in March, was released by the Broncos after failing a physical because of a balky right knee. Arrington figured to be a third-down specialist, a role similar to the one he played last season for the NFC champion Cardinals . . . Cuauhtemoc Blanco's penalty kick with seconds left in second-half stoppage time capped a late rally as the Chicago Fire remained unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over Chivas USA at Carson, Calif. . . . Former Lions defensive back and receiver Terry Barr, 73, a rookie on Detroit's last championship team in 1957, has died after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Obituary, B14.