Golf
Watson tabs Floyd to channel the 2008 Ryder Cup victory
LOS ANGELES – Raymond Floyd is returning to the Ryder Cup as an assistant captain for the second time in the last three matches.
United States captain Tom Watson said Tuesday that Floyd would be one of his assistants for the Ryder Cup on Sept. 26-28 at Gleneagles and Scotland. The Americans have not won the cup since 2008, when Floyd was an assistant.
MLB
Nolan Ryan rejoins the Astros as an executive advisor
HOUSTON – Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan rejoined the Houston Astros on Tuesday as an executive adviser.
Ryan worked as a special assistant to the general manager in Houston from 2004 until he became president of the Texas Rangers in 2008. He added chief executive officer to his title with the Rangers in 2011 and remained in that position until he stepped down in October.
Ryan will serve as an adviser to owner Jim Crane, general manager Jeff Luhnow and his son and president of business operations, Reid Ryan.
NFL
Browns blow up the brass with a new CEO and GM
CLEVELAND – The Browns fired their coach after one season. Now they’re sweeping out their front office.
Owner Jimmy Haslam announced Tuesday that chief executive officer Joe Banner will step down in the next two months and general manager Michael Lombardi is leaving the team.
Haslam said assistant GM Ray Farmer was promoted and immediately will take over the team’s football operations and lead the Browns during the draft and free agency.
Haslam said president Alec Scheiner will continue to be in charge of the organization’s business operations.
The shake-up comes one month after the Browns finally hired head coach Mike Pettine after a 25-day search. Banner and Haslam fired coach Rob Chudzinski after a 4-12 season, the team’s sixth in a row with at least 11 losses.
Steelers hire the CSU Rams’ student assistant coach
PITTSBURGH – Former All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter rejoined the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive assistant coach.
Porter joined the Steelers’ staff after receiving his first coaching experience at his alma mater last season as a student assistant on Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain’s staff while taking classes to complete his degree.
NHL
The league suspends Johnson two games for slashing
NEW YORK – Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson was suspended by the NHL for two games without pay Tuesday for slashing the New York Islanders’ Frans Nielsen on Saturday.
It was Colorado’s final game before the Olympic break.
Soccer
Russia and the U.S. move their friendly to Thursday
ATLANTA – A winter storm warning convinced United States soccer officials to postpone the U.S. women’s exhibition game against Russia at the Georgia Dome from Wednesday to Thursday.
The U.S. beat Russia 7-0 on Saturday in an exhibition game in Boca Raton, Fla.
Tennis
USA draws France at home in Fed Cup competition
NEW YORK – The United States will face France at home in Fed Cup competition in an attempt to get back into the World Group.
The International Tennis Federation announced Tuesday the playoff will be held April 19-20 at a venue to be determined.
On Sunday, the U.S. women’s team lost to Italy 3-1 in Fed Cup competition.
Associated Press
