A figure in the investigation into use of banned performance-enhancing substances by Major League Baseball players was sentenced to less than 2½ years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute testosterone. Jorge Velazquez told U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga Tuesday that he is sorry for what happened. The Miami Herald reports the judge agreed to let him surrender to authorities on Jan. 12. Velazquez admitted being a drug supplier for Anthony Bosch, who ran the now-closed Biogenesis of America clinic in Coral Gables. Bosch and four others have also pleaded guilty in the case, which resulted in suspensions of 14 professional baseball players including Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.
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Royals outfielder Alex Gordon has had surgery on his right wrist, and the four-time Gold Glove winner should be ready for the season opener against the White Sox on April 6. The surgery, an extensor retinaculum repair, was performed by Dr. Bruce Toby at the University of Kansas Hospital on Tuesday. It is not yet clear when Gordon will be able to start in spring training. Royals trainer Nick Kenney says in a statement that Gordon reached out to the team about some wrist discomfort last week. Gordon traveled to Kansas City and underwent testing, and the surgery was scheduled immediately so that he would be ready for the upcoming season. Gordon dealt with pain in the same wrist midway through last season but did not miss significant playing time. He aggravated the injury during his winter training sessions.
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Redskins’ coach Jay Gruden vowed there would be changes after a 4-12 season, and the first occurred Wednesday, when the team announced a mutual decision to part ways with embattled defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. Haslett, who had one year left on his contract, finished his fifth season in Washington and first under Gruden. But he had become a lightning rod of the fans' frustration. "Jay and Jim had been talking the last few days. This morning when they were talking they decided it was the best way for both sides," Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said. "I appreciate Coach Haslett's work and what he has done for the Redskins, but I think it was the right decision." Under Haslett, the Redskins' defense has finished a collective 29th in the NFL in total yards and 30th in points per game. This season, the banged-up unit ranked 20th in total yards and 29th in points allowed. Washington suffered injuries to key starters: cornerback DeAngelo Hall, linebacker Brian Orakpo and nose tackle Barry Cofield. A number of other backups also were hurt, including nickel cornerback Tracy Porter, and defense lineman Jason Hatcher, signed in free agency, did not provide the boost needed and eventually wore down from knee injuries. One source of frustration in recent years for Haslett was an inequity in where money was spent on the roster. This past season, for example, the Redskins spent a total of $59,798,367 on 28 offensive players compared to $53,228,545 on 36 defensive players.
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Ravens’ Security Director is accused of groping a woman and pressing up against her at the team's stadium after a December game, according to police and court documents. Charging documents filed in Baltimore City District Court said 48-year-old Darren Sanders is also accused of kissing the 34-year-old woman's neck and attempting to force her to grab his genitals. Ravens senior vice president Kevin Byrne said Wednesday that Sanders has been placed on paid leave, per the NFL's personal conduct policy. He isn't with the team and won't travel to Pittsburgh for the Ravens' playoff game Saturday night.
Sanders' lawyers say he denies the allegations. He had a role in the domestic violence case involving former Ravens running back Ray Rice, who is pursuing a grievance against the team over his release for hitting his then-fiancee in a casino elevator in Atlantic City. Sanders launched the team's investigation of the incident, and Rice's grievance centers on how much the Ravens knew about the situation while the team decided how to punish the player. Rice is seeking to recoup back pay beyond his initial two-game suspension. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press the grievance hearing will be held Jan. 15 and 16. The person spoke to the AP on Wednesday night on condition of anonymity because the dates haven't been announced.
The woman worked in security at M&T Bank Stadium and was asked to escort Sanders to his vehicle outside the stadium the same day the Ravens beat the Jaguars on Dec. 14, court and police documents said. Police were called and interviewed the woman several hours after the game ended. A police incident report said the woman said Sanders made several comments to her while they walked together, that he'd seen here around and she "looked very pretty." The woman said he then grabbed her breasts and touched her buttocks, the report said. "He hit and/or groped her buttocks more than once as they walked down the third level hallway," the woman told Baltimore police Sgt. Kerry Snead, who outlined the accusations in court documents. The documents said after the grabbing and other advances, the woman told Sanders to get away from her and walked away, then told several co-workers what had happened. A witness also saw part of their interaction, the documents said. A hearing is set for Feb. 9.
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CAPITALS over BLACKHAWKS 3 to 2
KINGS over CANUCKS 3 to 2
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CANADIENS over PANTHERS 2 to 1
PREDATORS over BLUES 3 to 2
OILERS over KINGS 3 to 2
CANUCKS over SHARKS 3 to 1
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ISLANDERS over JETS 5 to 2
LIGHTNING over SABRES 5 to 1
RANGERS over PANTHERS 5 to 2
MAPLE LEAFS over BRUINS 4 to 3
PENGUINS over HURRICANES 2 to 1
BLUE JACKETS over WILD 3 to 1
RED WINGS over DEVILS 3 to 1
STARS over COYOTES 6 to 0
SHARKS over DUCKS 3 to 0
AVALANCHE over FLYERS 4 to 3
FLAMES over OILERS 4 to 3
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PANTHERS over MAPLE LEAFS 6 to 4
DUCKS over CANUCKS 2 to 1
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BRUINS over RED WINGS 5 to 2
CANADIENS over HURRICANES 3 to 1
DEVILS over PENGUINS 3 to 1
ISLANDERS over CAPITALS 4 to 3
SENATORS over SABRES 5 to 2
LIGHTNING over MAPLE LEAFS 3 to 2
AVALANCHE over BLUES 3 to 0
WILD over JETS 3 to 2
STARS over RANGERS 3 to 2
BLACKHAWKS over PREDATORS 5 to 4
COYOTES over FLYERS 4 to 2
FLAMES over KINGS 2 to 1
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BLUE Jackets over BRUINS 6 to 2
SABRES over ISLANDERS 4 to 3
RED WINGS over SENATORS 3 to 2
LIGHTNING over HURRICANES 2 to 1
RANGERS over DEVILS 3 to 1
JETS over WILD 4 to 3
CAPITALS over PENGUINS 3 to 0
PREDATORS over FLYERS 4 to 1
STARS over BLUES 4 to 3
COYOTES over DUCKS 2 to 1
BLACKHAWKS over AVALANCHE 5 to 2
FLAMES over OILERS 4 to 1
KINGS over SHARKS 3 to 1
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