Galaxy’s Landon Donovan won’t go to Europe on loan
Galaxy forward/midfielder Landon Donovan said Tuesday that he will not be going on loan to a team in Europe in January but instead will rest and recuperate for the 2011 Major League Soccer season that starts March 15.
At the same time, the Galaxy said that it expects midfielder David Beckham to report to preseason training at the end of January and not to be going on loan, as Beckham had suggested Sunday night that he might try to do.
“We are not aware that David is looking to be loaned to any team and we are fully expecting he reports with the rest of his Galaxy teammates in late January for the upcoming season,” the Galaxy said in a statement released Monday.
On Tuesday, the club took the same line with Donovan.
“We think in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his postseason break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels,” said Bruce Arena, the Galaxy’s coach and general manager.
— Grahame L. Jones
HORSE RACING
The future of the Preakness at Pimlico is in doubt after a vote by Maryland’s racing commission.
The board voted to reject a proposal by the owners of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park to conduct live racing next year, meaning there won’t be horse racing at either track next year unless an agreement is reached.
That would leave the future of the Triple Crown’s second leg in doubt at the track where it has been run since 1873.
ETC.
Mississippi State sophomore Renardo Sidney’s return to the basketball court has hit a snag.
The 6-foot-10 forward has been suspended for one game for “conduct detrimental to the team,” school spokesman Gregg Ellis said.
Sidney, who played at Los Angeles Fairfax High, has played in only one game this season, a loss Saturday to Virginia Tech, because of an NCAA suspension. The NCAA ruled in March that Sidney received preferential treatment and improper benefits because of his ability, and that he also violated ethics rules by providing false or misleading statements.
Sidney was forced to repay $11,800 in improper benefits and to sit out the remainder of the 2009-10 season, plus the first nine games this season.
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Tiger Woods had a cortisone shot in his right ankle a week and a half ago to relieve lingering soreness. By Tuesday, he was back to work hitting balls and filming a commercial.
Mark Steinberg, his agent at IMG, said Woods had intended all along to have the shot after the Chevron World Challenge, which ended Dec. 5. Woods has nearly two months off before his next tournament at Torrey Pines.
Steinberg spoke in response to Internet chatter that Woods had torn his Achilles’ while skiing. He said Woods has not skied in more than three years.
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Right-hander Rich Harden and the Oakland Athletics finalized a $1.5-million, one-year contract after he passed a physical. Harden went 5-5 with a 5.58 earned-run average for Texas last season. … The Seattle Mariners traded catcher Rob Johnson to the San Diego Padres for a player to be named or cash considerations. … The Milwaukee Brewers and infielder Craig Counsell have agreed to a $1.4-million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
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According to a source closely involved with the show, ESPN 710 radio’s LA Sports Live show hosted by Andrew Siciliano and Lakers radio color commentator Mychal Thompson has been canceled. The radio show runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Siciliano also hosts DirecTV’s NFL Red Zone Sunday show.
— Diane Pucin
