Baseball
FASSERO RELEASED: The Colorado Rockies released left-hander Jeff Fassero on Friday after he and manager Clint Hurdle disagreed about his ability to start against St. Louis this weekend.
"It was over philosophical differences," Hurdle said. "That's all I have to say about it. He had concerns. I had concerns."
Fassero was scheduled to start Sunday, and it would've been his first appearance since Sept. 13. When he found out he was starting, Fassero said he needed to get some work in relief before he made the start.
TAVAREZ SUSPENDED: An appeal did little to help St. Louis reliever Julian Tavarez, who was suspended for eight days Friday for applying a foreign substance to balls while pitching last month.
Tavarez was ejected from a game Aug. 24 against Pittsburgh when umpires inspected his grimy hat. After the game, crew chief Joe West said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa "as much admitted" it was pine tar on Tavarez's cap.
Basketball
MURPHY CANNED: NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, facing a trial on charges of sexually abusing five of his daughters more than 10 years ago, will not broadcast Houston Rockets games this season.
The Rockets have not ruled out Murphy returning as a broadcaster next season if he's cleared of all charges, Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Friday. His trial is set for Nov. 4.
Murphy, who has 14 children by nine women, was on leave from his TV job after the charges initially were made March 29.
Murphy, 55, was indicted July 1 and named in six counts — three of aggravated sexual assault and three of indecency with a child. He remains free on $20,000 bond and has insisted he is innocent, contending the allegations stem from a family dispute over money.
EX-COACH SETTLES: Indiana University agreed to pay $35,000 to former basketball assistant Ron Felling, who was fired by Bob Knight after a postgame confrontation in 1999.
Felling also sued Knight, who settled with him two years ago by paying him $25,000 and admitting he had shoved Felling after he overheard a telephone conversation in which Felling criticized his coaching and behavior.
Football
WILLIAMS MUST PAY: Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams was ordered Friday to repay the team more than $8.6 million for breaching his contract when he suddenly quit before training camp.
Arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled Friday that Williams must repay $8,616,353 in bonus money under the contract he left behind when he shocked the Dolphins and their fans with his sudden retirement. The contract ran through 2007.
JETS SAFETY FINED: New York Jets safety Jon McGraw was fined $7,500 Friday for a helmet-to-helmet hit on San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, who sustained a concussion.
McGraw was called for roughing the passer late in the third quarter of the Jets' 34-28 win on Sunday. He was fined for hitting Brees in the chest and head area with his helmet, NFL spokesman Vince Casey said.
Hockey
NASLUND RETURNS: Canucks captain Markus Naslund changed his mind about playing for a Swedish club during the NHL lockout and will return to Vancouver to train with teammates.
The forward had been set to play for MoDo, and among the teammates he will be joining in Vancouver is Mattias Ohlund.
Ottawa Senators stars Zdeno Chara and Martin Havlat were among seven NHL players to join European clubs Friday. There are 167 NHL players in Europe, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation.