Giants set to sign Mark DeRosa
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa on a two-year contract, adding a key bat to the middle of their order.
Giants spokesman Jim Moorehead said the 12-year veteran passed a physical Monday and the team planned to formally announce his deal today.
One of general manager Brian Sabean's top priorities this offseason was upgrading the Giants' offense — and acquiring DeRosa is a significant step in that direction.
San Francisco also is working to finalize a contract to bring back infielder Juan Uribe.
DeRosa, who turns 35 in February, has been on the Giants' radar for a while. He can play on either corner in the infield or outfield, giving San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy greater flexibility with his lineup. He likely will play third, moving slugger Pablo Sandoval to first and giving the Giants more power and offensive punch at that position.
Texas Tech suspends Leach for bowl
LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech suspended Mike Leach on Monday while the school investigated complaints from receiver Adam James and his family about how the coach treated the player after a concussion.
James is the son of former NFL player and current television analyst Craig James.
The school said in a release that defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will be the interim coach and lead the team in the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2 against Michigan State.
Texas Tech officials declined to identify the player, but James' family released a statement to The Associated Press identifying Adam as the player involved.
"Mr. and Mrs. James took the step with great regret and after consideration and prayer to convey to the Texas Tech Administration that their son had been subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health," the statement said.
"Over the past year, there has been a greatly enhanced recognition of the dangers of concussions and the potential for long term physical damage to players. At virtually every level of football coaching, cases where children and young men have sustained concussions have generated serious discussion of the importance of correct treatment and diagnosis."
A person familiar with James' case said James suffered a concussion during a Dec. 16 practice. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.
Leach does not acknowledge player injuries to the media nor does he allow his players to do so.
McNeill will remain in charge of the team until the investigation is complete.
He declined to answer questions about the incident after Monday night's practice in San Antonio. Players were not made available to the media.
"Mike's my friend, we've been friends for a long time, and I don't think right now is the right time to go into that," McNeill said.
He said Leach arrived with the team in San Antonio and that Adam James also was with the team but not practicing.
Vonn crashes, suffers arm injury
LIENZ, Austria — Overall champion Lindsey Vonn injured her left arm in a crash Monday in the opening run of the World Cup giant slalom, and Kathrin Hoelzl of Germany won the race.
Hoelzl led after the first run and posted a combined time of 2 minutes, 16.61 seconds to edge Manuela Moelgg of Italy by 0.05 seconds. Taina Barioz of France was third.
Vonn initially thought she had broken her arm after losing her balance and falling backward. An X-ray and MRI exam revealed no break, only a bone bruise.
"It's not a classic broken wrist, but a swelling," said Dr. Eduard Sporer of the Lienz district hospital, who added Vonn might be able to race in today's slalom.
Vonn's husband Thomas said she will test her wrist today to see if she can compete.
D.C. United hires Onalfo
WASHINGTON — Curt Onalfo will be the new coach of D.C. United. The club said Monday it hired Onalfo as the replacement for Tom Soehn, whose contract expires this week. Onalfo is a former U.S. national team player. He also played two seasons for D.C. United before retiring in 1999. He then stayed with the team for three seasons as an assistant coach and director of youth development.
—Associated Press