Foot injury could end Yao’s career

June 30, 2009

The Houston Rockets already said Yao Ming’s recovery from a broken foot was behind schedule, but the injury might now cost him all of next season or more. “At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career threatening,’’ team physician Tom Clanton told the Houston Chronicle for yesterday’s editions . . . Forward Kyle Korver has decided he will stay with the Utah Jazz at least one more season. Korver had the option of becoming a free agent this summer. Center Mehmet Okur and forward Carlos Boozer can opt out of their remaining season by 5 p.m. today . . . The Milwaukee Bucks have made qualifying offers to Ramon Sessions and Ersan Ilyasova, but will not make an offer to Charlie Villanueva.

Manny Ramírez dropped one spot to seventh place in All-Star voting among National League outfielders with four days remaining in balloting for starters. He played his final minor league rehab game last night for Single A Inland Empire, going 1 for 3 with two strikeouts. He is eligible to return to the Dodgers Friday after serving a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy . . . New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran was in Colorado to get a second opinion on his right knee bone bruise . . . Oakland Athletics lefthander Josh Outman will have surgery on his pitching elbow today. No timetable was given for his return.

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins will return from a four-game break today after being benched in hopes he would clear his head amid a deep slump. Rollins was hitting .211 with a .254 on-base percentage, 6 homers, and 27 RBIs in 68 games this season . . . St. Louis Cardinals infielder Khalil Greene was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season with social anxiety disorder . . . Infielder Josh Barfield was optioned to Triple A Columbus by the Cleveland Indians . . . The Houston Astros waived righthander Brandon Backe after he rejected a Triple A assignment. He was 0-0 with a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings this season . . . Brewers pitching prospect Jeremy Jeffress was suspended for 100 games after his third violation of baseball’s minor league program for a drug of abuse . . . The Portland Sea Dogs beat the New Hampshire Pirates, 8-5, in a game suspended by rain Sunday night.

The Kentucky Athletics Association asked a federal judge in Texas either to dismiss former basketball coach Billy Gillispie’s lawsuit over his firing or to move the case to Kentucky . . . Boston University finished first among Massachusetts schools and 68th nationally in the US Sports Academy Directors Cup standings. Stanford won the Cup, given annually to the best overall athletics program in the nation . . . Arkansas linebacker Khiry Battle has been cut from the team after an arrest for driving under the influence.

The Eagles agreed to a four-year deal with second-round draft choice running back LeSean McCoy, according to his agent . . . The Giants signed third-round draft pick tight end Travis Beckum . . . The Jets claimed guard Mike Fladell off waivers from the Giants.

The Bruins placed wing Peter Schaefer on unconditional waivers, a move that typically signals an intention to buy out a player. But general manager Peter Chiarelli said he has not yet made that decision . . . The Penguins re-signed forward Bill Guerin, 38, for one year for $2 million, a pay cut of $2.5 million.

NASCAR filed court documents that show an independent lab found an illegal substance in the urine sample that led to Jeremy Mayfield’s suspension for a failed drug test. Mayfield has sued to get his indefinite suspension lifted . . . Boston Cannons goalie Mike Levin was named Major League Lacrosse’s defensive player of the week . . . Chip Johnson, of Hingham, was tied for fourth, three shots back, after two rounds of the PGA Club Pros Championship in Albuquerque at 71-67 -138 . . . The Volvo Ocean Race wrapped up Sunday after 37,000 miles sailed. Ericsson 4, skippered by Torben Grael, was the overall winner.