Football
BRUMFIELD RELEASED: Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Scott Brumfield was released Wednesday from Christ Hospital, where he had been recuperating from a spinal cord concussion injury he suffered Nov. 3.
Team spokesman Jack Brennan said Brumfield will continue to receive therapy at the hospital on an outpatient basis.
Brumfield, 26, has been able to take small steps for about 10 yards, while holding onto parallel bars for support during his daily rehabilitation.
Doctors expect him to fully recover.
THOMAS STATUS: Thurman Thomas will probably be sidelined this week against the Indianapolis Colts with a sprained left ankle.
Thomas, quarterback Jim Kelly and receiver Steve Tasker were among nine Buffalo Bills who sat out practice Wednesday.
BRUENER SURGERY: Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Mark Bruener, who injured his left knee in a 24-17 victory Monday at Miami, underwent surgery Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season.
RAMS SIGN BRUCE: A standout in a difficult season for St. Louis, Isaac Bruce signed a four-year, $12.1 million contract extension, a reward for his status as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. The deal makes Bruce the highest-paid player on the Rams.
Baseball
TROMBLEY RE-SIGNS: Mike Trombley, one of the few consistent relievers last year for the Minnesota Twins, re-signed with the team Wednesday for a $775,000, two-year contract.
The 29-year-old right-hander will earn $375,000 in 1997 and $400,000 in 1998.
He started last season with the Salt Lake Buzz before he was called up June 2. He was 5-1 with a 3.01 ERA and six saves for the Twins and earned $162,500.
METS-PHILLIES DEAL: Attempting to rebuild their bullpen for next season, the New York Mets sent first baseman Rico Brogna to Philadelphia and pitcher Jerry DiPoto to Colorado in a pair of separate deals Wednesday.
New York got pitchers Toby Borland and Ricardo Jordan for Brogna and Armando Reynoso for DiPoto. Earlier this week, the Mets acquired Greg McMichael from Atlanta and placed Doug Henry on unconditional release waivers.
SANDBERG'S NEW DEAL: Ryne Sandberg decided to return to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing Wednesday to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with a team option for 1998.
The 37-year-old second baseman, who became a free agent earlier this month, came out of retirement last season and batted .244 with 25 homers and 92 RBIs. He committed just six errors and nearly won his 10th Gold Glove award.
Basketball
NDIAYE REINSTATED: The only player suspended by the NCAA in Dean Smith's 36 years at North Carolina has been reinstated, the school announced Wednesday.
Makhtar Ndiaye, a Michigan transfer who sat out last season, was declared eligible by the NCAA late Tuesday night after missing two exhibition games and regular-season games against Arizona and Richmond.
CAMBY CONDITION: Marcus Camby, who was carried off the court on a stretcher during warmups Tuesday night, has a strained lower back.
The Toronto Raptors rookie was expected to be sidelined a week, but he said Wednesday he might return as early as this weekend.
"I feel a whole lot better today," Camby said as the Raptors prepared to meet the Charlotte Hornets. "The way this thing is going, I'm getting good treatment and I might play Saturday."
Volleyball
UTES ELIMINATED: Despite Brenda Barton's match-high 17 kills, the University of Utah lost to New Mexico, 15-13, 12-15, 15-9, 15-10, to bow out of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament in Las Vegas.
BYU, seeded second, had a late night match against Colorado State.
Jamie Young and Sara Shakula each had 11 kills and Shakula added a match-high 6 blocks for the 20-12 Utes.
"I felt like we played a good match and gave a great effort; we just came up short," said Ute coach Beth Launiere.