Baseball
ISRINGHAUSEN UPDATE: In addition to the growth "the size of a golf ball" on a lung, Jason Isringhausen's doctors found a second irregularity on the New York Mets pitcher's trachea, the New York Post reported today.The New York Times also said today that tissue was examined Wednesday from the previously reported irregular mass in the lung, a precursor to actual tissue removal and a biopsy to determine whether the spot is benign.
Isringhausen, 24, has undergone three days of extensive testing at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. The pitcher's agent, Craig Fenech, told The Star-Ledger of Newark N.J., that doctors indicated they could have a definitive diagnosis as early as today and almost certainly by Friday.
IRABU DEAL A GO: Hideki Irabu was given permission by the Japanese commissioner's office to begin contract negotiations with the New York Yankees, who acquired the pitcher's rights last week from San Diego.
New York agreed to send the Padres $3 million, injured outfielder Ruben Rivera and pitcher Rafael Medina in return for three minor leaguers. The deal was approved Monday by the major league executive council.
The trade is conditioned on the Yankees signing the 27-year-old right-hander. If the Yankees do not sign Irabu by May 31, the trade would be off and the pitcher's rights would revert to the Padres.
SPURS AX MAD MAX: The San Antonio Spurs exercised an option Wednesday not to extend a contract to guard Vernon Maxwell for next season. Maxwell, 31, who becomes a free agent, averaged 12.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 72 games this season.
Boxing
TYSON MARRIED AGAIN? Mike Tyson may be a married man, again. The former heavyweight champion wed longtime girlfriend Monica Turner at her Bethesda, Md., home several days ago, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing unidentified sources close to the couple.
Tyson's Muslim mentor, Muhammed Siddeeq, reportedly performed the small, private ceremony. Tyson's co-manager, Rory Holloway, and Siddeeq refused to comment to the paper.
Turner, who visited Tyson regularly during his three-year imprisonment in Indiana for rape, is a pediatric resident at Georgetown University Medical Center. She and Tyson are the parents of a 1-year-old daughter.
Tyson's stormy first marriage was a one-year union to actress Robin Givens.
BOWE RETIRES: Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe retired, ending a sometimes bizarre career that included an aborted stint in the Marines.
Bowe, 29, the last undisputed heavyweight champ, will become a goodwill ambassador for HBO's boxing community service program, traveling around the country for the cable network. He was 40-1 with 32 knockouts.
Hockey
TREMBLAY RESIGNS: Mario Tremblay resigned as coach of the Montreal Canadiens, citing attacks by the intensely critical Montreal media.
Montreal dropped a first-round playoff series to New Jersey 4-1 after a 31-36-15 regular season. Tremblay was 40-27-10 in 1995-96 after replacing Jacques Demers five games into the season.
U.S. BEATS ITALY: Marty McInnis and Paul Ranheim scored third-period goals as the United States beat Italy 4-2 to gain a probable berth in the medal round of the World Hockey Championships.
Chris Tancill and Donald Brashear also scored for the United States, 3-0 in Pool B play. Also in Pool B, Mark Recchi and Jarome Iginla scored third-period goal as Canada tied Latvia 3-3. Canada is 1-1-1.
Horse racing
KENTUCKY DERBY: Captain Bodgit and Pulpit, who have proven themselves through deeds not words, are in the Kentucky Derby. So is Deeds Not Words, who has proven little.
A field of 13 3-year-olds was entered for Saturday's Triple Crown race, and although he was beaten by Captain Bodgit, Pulpit was made the early 2-1 favorite. Deeds Not Words was a late entry for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, keeping alive his 17-year Derby streak.
In post position order, the field was: Crypto Star, Pat Day; Phantom on Tour, Jerry Bailey; Concerto, Carlos Marquez; Captain Bodgit, Alex Solis; Silver Charm, Gary Stevens; Celtic Warrior, Francisco Torres; Pulpit, Shane Sellers; Hello, Mike Smith; Jack Flash, Craig Perret; Shammy Davis, Willie Martinez; Deeds Not Words, Corey Nakatani; Crimson Classic, Robby Albarado, and Free House, David Flores.