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Sports Shorts

NFL: Saints add Vilma to active roster

The Saints have moved linebacker Jonathan Vilma from their physically unable to perform list to the active roster, meaning he could play for the first time this season today at Tampa Bay.

Vilma is coming back from left knee surgery and is appealing his season-long suspension in the NFL’s bounty probe of the Saints. His appeal hearing, and those of three other players facing suspensions of various lengths, has been scheduled for Oct. 30 with former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue as arbitrator.

MlB: Marlins send Bell to Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks have acquired reliever Heath Bell and infielder Cliff Pennington in a pair of trades that sent outfielder Chris Young to the Athletics.

Arizona obtained Pennington and minor leaguer Yordy Cabrera from Oakland for Young and cash, then sent Cabrera to the Marlins for Bell and cash. Arizona also exercised a $6.5 million option on closer J.J. Putz.

GOLF: Els bows out due to ankle sprain

British Open champion Ernie Els has pulled out of this week’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf this week in Bermuda because of a minor ankle injury. He will be replaced in the four-man field of the year’s champions by Padraig Harrington.

PGA champion Rory McIlroy is skipping because he is playing a European Tour event in China, and he was replaced by Keegan Bradley.

In St. Simons Island, Ga., Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III made a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at the McGladrey Classic for a 4-under 66, giving him a share of the lead with Jim Furyk (66).

In Perth, Australia, American Bo Van Pelt shot a 5-under 67 to take a one-shot lead over compatriot Jason Dufner after the third round of the Perth International.

In Incheon, South Korea, Suzann Pettersen shot a 4-under 68 to extend her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship.

ETC.: LeBron sits out with “soreness”

NBA MVP LeBron James sat out with “general soreness,” according to coach Erik Spoelstra, as the Heat rallied for a 104-101 preseason win against the Spurs in Miami.

Lionel Messi scored his first hat trick of the season and Cesc Fabregas set up three goals as Barcelona survived Javier Mascherano’s ejection and won 5-4 at Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish league.

Chelsea maintained its flying start to the Premier League by beating host Tottenham 4-2 to preserve its four-point lead, while Manchester City needed a last-gasp winner for a 2-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion.

In Luxembourg, Venus Williams reached her first final in almost 2 1/2 years at the Luxembourg Open after defeating Andrea Petkovic of Germany 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the defending Nationwide Series champion, lucked into his sixth win of the season when leader Kyle Busch ran out gas heading into the final turn at Kansas Speedway.

In Bridgeview, Ill., Abby Wambach scored in the first half, but the U.S. women’s soccer had to settle for a 1-1 tie with Germany in its first game without former coach Pia Sundhage.

Olympic swimming star Missy Franklin has verbally committed to attend the University of California.