MLB
Steroids users in spotlight for Hall of Fame voting
NEW YORK – Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and other tainted stars of the Steroids Era appear likely to get a boost in Hall of Fame balloting, but not enough to enter Cooperstown this year.
Ken Griffey Jr. seems assured of election on the first try Wednesday, possibly with a record vote of close to 100 percent. Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines also were strong candidates to gain the 75 percent needed for baseball’s highest honor.
Following the elimination of about 100 retired baseball writers from the electorate, Bonds and Clemens were on track for a 5-10 percentage point increase.
2 players sue Al-Jazeera over drugs documentary
Two Major League Baseball players have filed defamation lawsuits against Al-Jazeera America over statements made in a documentary about performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals and Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies filed the suits Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Washington. The suits refer to the documentary “The Dark Side: Secrets of Sports Doping,” which Al-Jazeera America broadcast Dec. 27.
The suit alleges that Charles Sly, a pharmacist who appeared in the documentary, made false statements when he said Zimmerman and Howard both took a human growth hormone.
The documentary also suggested that Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning took HGH while recovering from neck surgery.
Each suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
NFL
Steelers RB Williams ‘day to day’ with foot injury
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t ready to rule out running back DeAngelo Williams for Saturday’s wild-card game against Cincinnati.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Williams is “day to day” after injuring his right leg in last weekend’s victory over Cleveland.
The 32-year-old Williams tied for the NFL lead with 11 rushing touchdowns while filling in for Le’Veon Bell, who is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right knee.
If Williams can’t play, the Steelers will rely heavily on Jordan Todman and Fitzgerald Toussaint as they prepare for the AFC North champion Bengals.
Redskins add CB depth ahead of playoff game
WASHINGTON – Cary Williams agreed to sign with the Washington Redskins.
Williams was released by the Seattle Seahawks last month and is expected to be available for Washington’s wild-card game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
Williams, 31, had 46 tackles in 10 games with Seattle this year.
Washington is coping with injuries in its secondary, including two in the regular-season finale Sunday in Dallas.
NHL
Avs bring on Bodnarchuk from the Blue Jackets
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche bolstered their blue line by claiming defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk on waivers Tuesday from Columbus.
The addition of Bodnarchuk comes a day after Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson suffered a lower-body injury in the second period of a win over Los Angeles.
Johnson will be out for the “short term,” head coach Patrick Roy said after practice Tuesday. Asked precisely how short, Roy said it might be five days or up to 12.
Colorado has been without defenseman Brad Stuart since November because of a back ailment.
Bodnarchuk played in 16 games for the Blue Jackets this season, with two assists. He also appeared in 14 games for Lake Erie.
Associated Press
