Volquez out for season and beyond

All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran shagged fly balls yesterday for the first time since going on the disabled list with a bruised right knee, part of another encouraging day for the injury-riddled Mets. Billy Wagner, out all season following elbow ligament replacement surgery, worked another perfect inning in his second minor league rehab appearance, and first baseman Carlos Delgado took batting practice on the field for the first time since hip surgery . . . Astros ace righthander Roy Oswalt will skip his scheduled start today because of lingering back problems . . . Juan Miranda hit a two-run homer as the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees defeated the host Pawtucket Red Sox, 2-1.

Urban Meyer, who has taken the University of Florida to two national football championships in four seasons and the third-best record in the nation during that span (44-9), received a six-year, $24 million contract . . . Three Nevada Supreme Court justices are considering whether to let O.J. Simpson and former golfing buddy C.J. Stewart out of prison while the full court reviews their convictions for a gunpoint hotel room heist. Justice Michael Curry said there is no timetable for the panel to make a ruling.

An arbitrator has awarded forward Jiri Hudler a two-year deal worth $5.75 million - if he returns to play for the Red Wings. Hudler recently signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League, where he will play next season. The agreement maintains Detroit’s rights to Hudler should he return to the NHL . . . Canucks forward Alex Burrows could face charges stemming from an on-ice incident in a Montreal summer hockey league game. According to a report on RDS.ca, an investigation is underway in response to a complaint that states Burrows violently struck the face of University of Southern Maine goaltender Koray Celik, 19, with his stick during a game . . . A bankruptcy judge has moved the local auction of the Phoenix Coyotes from tomorrow to Sept. 10 at the league’s request so local bidders would have more time to finalize offers.

Fedor Emelianenko has signed a multifight deal that will have the world’s No. 1-ranked mixed martial arts heavyweight compete for Strikeforce. Emelianenko will make his debut against an undetermined opponent this fall . . . The Quebec coroner’s office wants Brazilian authorities to share their files from boxer Arturo Gatti’s initial autopsy and the police investigation into his death. Gatti’s death in Brazil July 11 was ruled a suicide last week. Gatti’s friends and relatives rejected that conclusion, and Quebec authorities completed a second autopsy Saturday . . . Arizona Senator John McCain and New York Representative Peter King, both Republicans, are urging President Obama to issue a posthumous pardon for boxer Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion, who was imprisoned in 1913 because of his romantic ties with a white woman . . . The Kansas City Wizard fired head coach Curt Onalfo late last night. The Wizards (5-7-6) are in sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference . . . The Minnesota Timberwolves signed restricted free agent center Ryan Hollins to an offer sheet. The Dallas Mavericks have seven days to match it . . . World No. 2 tennis player Rafael Nadal will return to action at next week Nelson Piquet Jr. said he has been fired from Renault and blamed team principal Flavio Briatore for his failure to achieve significant results in Formula One . . . Amy Anderson shot a 3-under-par 68 in the first round of stroke play at the US WomenRichard Werenski of South Hadley shot 71-69 -140 at Wahconah CC in Dalton to secure a spot in the US Amateur in Oklahoma this month.