MLB: Suspensions put on hold
Major League Baseball put the suspensions of the Orioles’ Jay Gibbons and the Royals’ Jose Guillen on hold for 10 days, giving lawyers for players and owners more time to reach an agreement toughening their drug rules. The outfielders were suspended for 15 days each by commissioner Bud Selig on Dec. 6, following media reports linking them to performance-enhancing drugs. The penalties were to start tomorrow.
* The Reds plan to cut 40-year-old lefty reliever Mike Stanton, the former Yankee, who was beaten out by another 40-year-old lefty, Kent Mercker.
NBA: Kobe scores 53 in loss
Rudy Gay led five players in double figures with 28 points as the Grizzlies beat the Lakers 114-111 in L.A. despite 53 points by Kobe Bryant. Bryant scored 50 or more points for the 23rd time and the second this month.
NCAA: Surgery for UConn’s Price
Connecticut guard A.J. Price had surgery on his left knee yesterday, a week after getting injured in the NCAA tournament.
GOLF: Briny in lead
Briny Baird shot a 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead over Peter Lonard and Jay Williamson in the Zurich Classic in Avondale, La.
Baird, winless on the PGA Tour, birdied the final two holes to finish at 8-under 136. Lonard shot a 70, and Williamson had a 69. Defending champion Nick Watney (67) was two strokes back along with Tommy Armour III (68) and Shigeki Maruyama (68).
* Lonnie Nielsen birdied six of his last 10 holes for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead in the Champion Tour’s Ginn Championship in Palm Coast, Fla.
OBIT: Former Giant Rich, 79
Herb Rich, a three-sport star at Vanderbilt and defensive captain of the Giants when they won the NFL title in 1956, died yesterday in Nashville, Tenn. The Newark native was 79.