Burnett suspended 6 games, appeals

June 5, 2009

Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett was suspended for six games yesterday for throwing high-and-tight to Texas's Nelson Cruz Tuesday. Burnett appealed the penalty, which had been set to take effect immediately. He can play until a hearing is held. Earlier in that game, Texas's Vicente Padilla twice hit Mark Teixeira with pitches. Both Burnett and Padilla were fined undisclosed amounts by Major League Baseball . . . Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar likely will make his first major league appearance in 20 months tomorrow, when he's expected to be activated from the disabled list and start against the Tigers. Escobar is coming back from shoulder surgery . . . Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba's 11-year-old son and brother-in-law were released by kidnappers a day after being abducted in Venezuela. The two were abducted while driving to the boy's school, Venezuelan authorities said. The kidnappers demanded $466,000 in ransom, but none was paid, according to police.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa sued Twitter, claiming an unauthorized page using his name damaged his reputation and caused emotional distress. The suit claims someone created a false account under La Russa's name and posted updates that gave the impression the comments were La Russa's.

The Avalanche have hired former Olympian, and Boston University star Joe Sacco, 40, as coach, a day after firing Tony Granato. Sacco, a Medford native who played in 738 NHL games with five teams, is being promoted from the team's AHL affiliate in Erie, Pa.

The Cardinals have signed two-time Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson to a five-year, $39 million contract, with $18.5 million guaranteed. The deal puts Wilson under contract through the 2013 season . . . Offensive guard Tyson Clabo signed his restricted free agent contract with the Falcons after starting all 16 games for the first time in his career . . . Left tackle Joe Staley has agreed to a six-year contract extension through 2017 with the 49ers . . . Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth is pleading not guilty to DUI manslaughter charges from a Miami car crash in which a pedestrian died . . . The NFL Players Association settled a lawsuit by retired players for an amount just short of the $28.1 million they were awarded in a judgment last November, according to sources. Also, the NFLPA has agreed to not pursue any further appeal of the judgment. A class action suit was brought on behalf of 2,056 retired players who claimed the union had breached licensing and marketing terms for use of their images.

Pacers guard Mike Dunleavy had minor arthroscopic surgery on his left hip. The team said the operation was not related to Dunleavy's rehabilitation of his right knee, which forced him to miss all but 18 games last season . . . Chris Bosh said he doesn't plan to sign a contract extension with the Raptors and is preparing for free agency at the end of next season.

The Harvard freshman heavyweight and varsity four boats advanced to the finals of the 107th IRA National Championships in Sacramento, Calif. The third-seeded Crimson varsity eight won its heat to go to the semifinals. BU and Northeastern also advanced to the varsity eight semis via second-place finishes . . . Santino Quaranta scored in the 36th minute and Jaime Moreno converted a stoppage-time penalty kick to help D.C. United defeat the New York Red Bulls, 2-0, in MLS action.