Sports Log
Basketball
The NBA’s locked-out referees plan to vote on a new proposal from the league this week and could be back on the floor in time for the regular season, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press. The breakthrough comes after yesterday’s meeting between commissioner David Stern and referees union negotiator Lamell McMorris - who both previously had withdrawn from the process. “I think it’s great,’’ said Players Association director Billy Hunter. “We’d welcome them back.’’ The person said the proposal will be recommended for approval to the referees Friday and that it’s “highly likely’’ they’ll be on the court before next Tuesday’s season opener . . . Bobcats starting shooting guard Raja Bell has a partially torn ligament in his left wrist and will decide soon whether to have surgery which would sideline him up to four months.Baseball
Cardinals’ Pujols set for elbow surgery
For the second straight offseason, Albert Pujols will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. The Cardinals said the two-time National League MVP will undergo a debridement procedure - which could be used to shave bone spurs - this morning in Birmingham, Ala., under the direction of Dr. James Andrews. Last October, Pujols, 29, underwent a 25-minute outpatient procedure to relieve nerve irritation in the elbow that led to numbness, tingling in his ring finger and pinkie, weakness in his grip, and pain along the inside of the forearm . . . Rick Peterson was given a two-year contract as the Brewers pitching coach after spending a year out of baseball.Soccer
Watson is Revolution assistant coach
Mark Watson, who played for the Revolution in their inaugural season of 1996, has joined the team as an assistant coach, the team announced yesterday. Watson, who played 78 games as a defender for the Canadian national team, will replace Paul Mariner for the remainder of the season. Mariner left the Revolution after a 0-0 tie with Chicago Saturday to become assistant manager of Plymouth Argyle in England. The Revolution, who are tied with three other teams for the final playoff spot in Major League Soccer, conclude the regular season at Columbus Sunday . . . The Revolution’s game Sunday at Columbus has been changed to 6 p.m., and will be shown on ESPN2.FRANK DELL’APA
Donovan named US Player of Year again
Landon Donovan has won the Honda Player of the Year award as the best player on the US national soccer team for a record-breaking sixth time. Donovan, who received the award and a new car in Los Angeles, has scored a team-leading 42 goals during his 120 games with the US national team . . . The Columbus Crew secured a spot in the CONCACAF quarterfinals with a 1-1 tie against the host Puerto Rico Islanders in Bayamon . . . Israel Lopez’s 62d-minute goal lifted Mexican club Toluca to a 1-1 draw with D.C. United in the CONCACAF Champions League in Mexico City . . . The Boston Breakers agreed to terms with US national team midfielder Leslie Osborne.Tennis
Clijsters advances in Luxembourg
Kim Clijsters won her first match since capturing the US Open, defeating Meghann Shaughnessy, 6-2, 6-2, to reach the second round of the Luxembourg Open. Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki retired when leading Anne Kremer, 7-5, 5-0. She received treatment for her left leg and back . . . Wayne Odesnik rallied past second-seeded Victor Hanescu, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, and Robby Ginepri defeated fourth-seeded Igor Andreev, 6-3, 6-7 (9-11), 7-6 (7-1) at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. On the women’s side, top-seeded Vera Zvonareva ousted Ioana Raluca Olaru, 6-2, 6-2, and defending champion Jelena Jankovic stopped Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 . . . Former No. 1-ranked player Justine Henin said she’ll return to the WTA Tour at the Brisbane International in January.Miscellany
Russian bronze medal gymnast killed
Russian police say gymnast Yury Ryazanov was killed in a head-on collision near his hometown of Vladimir, just days after taking the bronze medal in the all-around at the world championships in London. Police spokesman Oleg Kurochkin said the 22-year-old Ryazanov veered into oncoming traffic . . . Chris Chelios, the 47-year-old defenseman who spent 25 years in the NHL, signed with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL . . . Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin officially signed his six-year, $14.25 million contract . . . Cuban volleyball player Leonardo Leyva, 20, who vanished from his team’s hotel in Puerto Rico, appeared at a US immigration office in San Juan and requested political asylum.
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