Sports Briefs

Published 2:09 am Thursday, December 19, 2013

Steelers’ linebacker fined for hit on Bengals’ punter

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh linebacker Terence Garvin has been fined $25,000 for his hit on Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber in the Steelers’ victory over the Bengals on Sunday night.

Huber sustained a broken jaw and a cracked vertebrae when Garvin decked him near midfield during Antonio Brown’s 67-yard punt return for a touchdown.

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Garvin was not penalized on the play. Huber lay still on the field for several minutes before walking off under his own power. He was scheduled to have surgery on his jaw Friday and is out for the year.

Garvin said Wednesday the play happened very quickly and didn’t have time to think about it before hitting Huber just below the chin. Garvin added he plans to speak with Huber at some point and is hoping for Huber’s eventual return.

 

Saban signs contract extension with Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama coach Nick Saban and the football team are moving on.

Saban has put to rest the speculation that he would replace Mack Brown at Texas by striking a new deal with Alabama.

For the third-ranked Crimson Tide, the focus is on getting over the loss to Auburn and trying to finish the season strong in the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl against No. 11 Oklahoma.

Saban had said Friday night after agreeing to a new contract reportedly worth about $7 million a year that he planned to retire at Alabama.

He said “there were no talks” between his representatives and Texas and pointed to comments on ESPN that he “never considered going to Texas.”

Brown announced his resignation at Texas on Saturday.

Several Texas regents and a former regent were involved in a meeting with Saban’s agent last January to gauge the coach’s interest in coming to Texas. Saban found the best way to quash that talk: Re-upping with the Tide.

 

Indians trade Stubbs for Rockies’ Outman

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians made another move to remodel their bullpen, adding a pitcher with a name seemingly suited for his role.

Cleveland acquired Josh Outman on Wednesday from the Colorado Rockies in a trade for outfielder Drew Stubbs. The left-handed Outman is the newest member to Cleveland’s revamped bullpen, which has seen All-Star closer Chris Perez released and free agent right-handers Joe Smith and Matt Albers sign elsewhere this offseason.

Outman joined the Indians just as the club was trying to finalize a deal with new closer John Axford.

Outman agreed to terms with the Indians on a one-year, $4.5 million contract earlier this week but had to pass a physical. The Indians could announce Axford’s signing as early as Thursday.

The 29-year-old Outman spent most of last season with the Rockies, going 3-0 with a 4.33 ERA in 61 relief appearances. Outman limited left-handed hitters to a .198 average and had a 3.41 ERA in hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Stubbs, who came to Cleveland in last December’s trade with Cincinnati for Shin-Soo Choo, batted .233 with 10 homers and 17 steals in 146 games for the Indians. The Indians valued Stubbs — especially for his versatility and speed — but Cleveland’s signing of free agent David Murphy to a two-year, $12 million contract made him expendable. Murphy is projected to get most of the playing time in right field next season.

Stubbs fell into a major slump late in the season, batting just .188 after Aug. 12.

 

Padres reach deal with ex-Detroit closer Benoit

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres have agreed with former Detroit Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit on a $15.5 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending Benoit passing a physical.

In his first season as Tigers closer, Benoit had 24 saves in 26 chances. But in Game 2 of the AL championship series, he allowed a tying grand slam by Boston’s David Ortiz that was a turning point in the series.

A starter early in his career, Benoit has been strictly a reliever since 2006 while with the Texas Rangers. He is 44-35 lifetime with a 4.11 ERA and 37 saves.

Benoit, who turns 37 on July 26, is expected to replace setup man Luke Gregerson, who was traded to Oakland for outfielder Seth Smith. He could also be insurance for closer Huston Street, who’s been on the disabled list three times the last two seasons.

Street is entering the final year of a $14 million, two-year deal. The Padres hold a $7 million option for 2015.

 

Pro Football HOF plans to display Prater’s cleat

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Pro Football Hall of Fame will get the right cleat that Matt Prater wore when he kicked the longest field goal in history.

Just not for a while.

Prater says he’ll give his cleats up after the season.

If the Denver Broncos (11-3) and their strong-legged kicker can help it, that package won’t be arriving in Canton, Ohio, until after the Super Bowl in February.

Hall of Fame collections curator Jason Aikens said it’s not unusual for kickers who set records to wait until after the season to give up their cleats because there’s a lot involved in breaking in a new kicking shoe and kickers aren’t fond of changing shoes during a hot streak or following a record-breaking kick.