Brady Hoke had enough time at Michigan, but not enough wins, interim athletic director Jim Hackett said Tuesday night. Hackett formally announced his decision to fire the Wolverines' head coach shortly after Hoke shared the news with his team Tuesday afternoon. Hoke ends his four-year tenure in Ann Arbor with a 31-20 record. Hackett said the universal respect players and peers held for Hoke made his choice a difficult one."This was not an easy decision," Hackett said. "Everywhere I go there is zero question about Brady's values."

Hoke did not leave through the front doors of Schembechler Hall, the team's practice facility, but released a statement about his departure. It said, in part: "I want to thank all of the sons that played for our teams and appreciate the commitment that our coaches and support staff made to the program every day. I will miss the relationships that I've been fortunate enough to make within this university and community." Players left the team's practice facility teary-eyed after meeting with Hoke. Hackett said he spoke briefly with the team this afternoon, but didn't want to interfere with Hoke's final meeting with his players. He said he intends to talk more with the players about what criteria they feel are important in a new coach at a later date.

The search for Hoke's replacement will begin immediately, according to Hackett. He defined the criteria for candidates as "winning with the shared values of the University of Michigan." Hackett said he has a specific deadline in mind for when he wants to have a new coach in place, but did not share that date publicly. He plans to use an executive search firm that is familiar with Michigan and its athletic department to help make the process run smoothly. He was explicit in saying that having a history at Michigan and being a "Michigan man" was not a prerequisite for getting the job.

"I want to get rid of the word 'Michigan Man,' " said Hackett, who stepped into temporarily run the athletic department one month ago. A former center at Michigan under Bo Schembechler and CEO of office furniture company Steelcase, Hackett plans to be the man who will hire Hoke's replacement. Hoke, who is owed a $3 million buyout, earned the title of a Michigan Man when he told reporters he would've walked to Ann Arbor to accept the Wolverines' job when he was introduced as the head coach four years ago. He served as an assistant at Michigan from 1995 until 2002, when he left to take the head coaching job at Ball State.

With his Michigan tie, Hoke was hired to stabilize the program following the tumultuous tenure of Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez, now the head coach at Arizona, was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year on Tuesday. The Wolverines' underwhelming performance also led to the resignation of former athletic director Dave Brandon, the man who had hired Hoke. Hoke won 11 games and the Sugar Bowl in his first season as Michigan's head coach, but his team's trended steadily downward in the three years that followed. The Wolverines' loss to rival Ohio State last weekend dropped their record to 5-7 and ended their first losing season since 2009. Michigan is just 1-10 in their last 11 games against the Buckeyes and have not won a Big Ten title since 2004.

The NHL has lowered the hammer on the LA Kings, fining the team $100,000 for violating the terms of Slava Voynov’s suspension. According to the league, the Kings allowed Voynov, who is currently facing a felony charge of domestic violence against his wife following an October arrest, to skate with teammates Tuesday during an optional practice. The league stated in a release that, "Such activity is in direct contravention of the terms of the suspension levied Oct. 20, which permit Mr. Voynov to use club facilities and work with team personnel but prohibit his participation in any team-related functions or activities."

Previously, Voynov has skated on his own at the team's El Segundo, California, practice facility while working with associate coach John Stevens. The suspended defenseman's presence on the ice Tuesday caused a firestorm on Twitter, though the Kings reportedly tried justifying the situation by explaining that he took the ice early for what was an "optional" team skate, though reporters on the scene said every member of the team participated.

"It was an optional skate and everybody went," coach Darryl Sutter said, according to lakingsinsider.com. "He was supposed to come out after with the injured guys right after practice. Everybody went today." Apparently, the league was not pleased with this explanation, levying a significant fine against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Last month, the league provided the Kings with some much-needed salary-cap relief and allowed Voynov's cap hit to come off the books. Voynov pleaded not guilty to corporal injury to a spouse with great bodily injury. The 24-year-old Russian is next due in court on Dec. 15 for a preliminary hearing.

Martin Brodeur is officially back in the NHL. The St. Louis Blues signed the NHL's all-time winningest goalie to a one-year deal Tuesday. The pro-rated deal is worth $700,000 in base salary. In addition, Brodeur can make the following performance-based bonuses: $10,000 for every point in the standings he earns while the goalie of record; $125,000 for being on an NHL roster on Feb. 1; and $125,000 for being on an NHL roster March 4. In addition, the contract includes playoff bonuses tied to the team winning rounds and Brodeur's own playing time during the run.

Brian Elliott’s knee injury last week prompted the Blues to invite Brodeur to practice with the team for a few days in a feeling-out period for the sides."It feels great," Brodeur told stlouisblues.com. "I really appreciate the opportunity for me to be here the last few days. It definitely worked out real well. I'm excited for this fresh start." Brodeur, 42, never has worn an NHL uniform other than New Jersey’s.

"It's going to feel great, it's going to definitely be different," Brodeur told stlouisblues.com. "Not just for me, but for the fans. I've turned the page, and this is a new beginning that hopefully will come off with something great." The 10-time All-Star is the league's all-time leader in wins (688) and shutouts (124). He also won three Stanley Cup titles and has captured the Vezina Trophy four times. Brodeur was 19-14-6 last season with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage for the Devils, low numbers by his career marks of 2.24 GAA and .912 save percentage. Elliott is week-to-week with the injury.

It is hard to imagine a classier hockey player, on and off the ice, than Jean Beliveau. A supremely skilled center who spent 18 full seasons and parts of two others with Montreal, Beliveau was also a popular ambassador for the sport. He scored 507 goals, won 10 Stanley Cups and was captain for 10 seasons before his retirement in 1971. He then moved seamlessly into an executive position with the club.

Beliveau was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972. He won two league MVP awards and has his name engraved on the Cup 17 times, including for years he was in the Canadiens' front office."No record book can capture, no image can depict, no statue can convey the grandeur of the remarkable Jean Beliveau, whose elegance and skill on the ice earned the admiration of the hockey world while his humility and humanity away from the rink earned the love of fans everywhere," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.

"Mr. Beliveau was a formidable presence and his departure leaves an immeasurable void. As we grieve that he has left us, we cherish what he gave us: A sport elevated forever by his character, his dignity and his class." Canadiens fans who revered Beliveau were given a scare in 2000 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer, but after losing 30 pounds during treatment and enduring "the worst period of my life," he recovered. Soon, he was back in his familiar spot attending nearly every home game with his wife Elise in the seats among the fans. He also survived a stroke in 2012.

When the Canadiens opened Centennial Plaza at the Bell Centre as part of the team's 100th anniversary, their four greatest players were honored with statues: Maurice Richard, Howie Morenz, Guy Lafleur and Beliveau. "Like millions of hockey fans who followed the life and the career of Jean Beliveau, the Canadiens today mourn the passing of a man whose contribution to the development of our sport and our society was unmeasurable," team owner Geoff Molson said in a statement. "Jean Beliveau was a great leader, a gentleman and arguably the greatest ambassador our game has ever known."

Molson said the club will work closely with Beliveau's family "to organize the ceremonies that will take place in the coming days." Beliveau embodied all the attributes of the Montreal dynasty teams of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s: talent, flair, intelligence and success. "Meeting him is not like meeting other stars from the old days," said Beliveau's former linemate Gilles Tremblay. "When people see Bobby Hull, they say: 'Hi Bobby.' When they meet Big Jean, it's always: 'Hi, Mr. Beliveau.' He commands respect."

Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy are becoming free agents following decisions by the Braves not to offer 2015 contracts to the right-handers, both recovering from their second Tommy John surgeries. The Braves failed to offer a contract to right-hander Gus Schlosser. Medlen and Beachy, once considered rising stars in the rotation, did not pitch in 2014 after they had ligament-replacement surgeries during spring training.

Medlen won a combined 25 games in 2012 and 2013. He excelled as a reliever and starter in 2012, when he was 10-1 with a 1.56 ERA. Beachy had his first surgery early in the 2012 season and struggled in 2013, when he was 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Schlosser had a 7.14 ERA in 15 games last season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-hander Matt Magill. Heisey, who will turn 30 this month, is a .247 career hitter with 50 home runs over parts of five seasons with Cincinnati. He is eligible for salary arbitration and is projected to earn slightly more than $2 million in 2015.

The Reds dealt him several hours in advance of Tuesday night's MLB non-tender deadline. The Dodgers already had a glut of outfielders with Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, and Joc Pederson, and the Heisey acquisition could be a precursor to more moves from Andrew Friedman, Los Angeles' new president of baseball operations.

Magill, 25, has an 0-2 record with a 6.51 ERA in six starts at the major league level, all in 2013. He posted a 7-6 mark with a 5.21 ERA in 12 starts (36 appearances) for Triple-A Albuquerque this past season."We are excited to be adding a player with a power arm who has a chance to help our club next season," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said in a statement.

The 16-year veteran free-agent outfielder is returning to his roots. "You talk about true love,'' Hunter told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.”That's the Twins right there.''

Hunter, after playing five seasons for the Los Angeles Angels and two with the Detroit Tigers, has agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Twins. The Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles were also reportedly in the running for Hunter.

Hunter, 39, played his first full season for the Twins in 1999. He has made five All-Star appearances and won nine Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. He is a career .279 hitter with 331 homers and 1,310 RBIs. Hunter became a star with the Twins before signing a $90 million, five-year contract with the Angels after the 2007 season. He then signed a $26 million, two-year deal with Detroit.

Dish Network subscribers will lose access to CBS-owned stations Thursday night if the companies can't agree on a new contract. In a statement, CBS said after six months of talks, Dish has "not been operating with the same sense of urgency" to make a deal."In the last few weeks, we have granted two extensions, in the hopes that this would give both parties sufficient time to come to a resolution," the network's statement said.

"The second extension, which protected Dish subscribers’ programming over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, was the final one.""We would very much like to avoid going dark," CBS added. "Unless agreements are reached, however, our viewers should be prepared to lose CBS from their Dish systems on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM/ET."

Customers of the satellite-TV service could lose access to CBS outlets in 14 cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Detroit. And it's possible an impasse also could endanger carriage of some CW and independent stations and cable networks including Showtime and CBS Sports Network.

At issue, The Street reports, is how much money Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen is prepared to pay CBS to to carry the network that remains the most watched on television.

CBS has pressed for higher fees to cover higher production costs, but The Street reports this year is different because advertisers are redirecting some marketing money to digital platforms, and away from TV. Still, TV remains a $70 billion ad market, The Street reports, though growth is shrinking.

In a statement, Dish said "only CBS can force a blackout of its channels, Dish is actively working to reach a deal before the contract expires," Dish said. "There is time for the two parties to reach a mutually beneficial deal." USA Today notes CBS went dark for much of August last year for Time Warner Cable customers while the companies tried to work out a new contract; the blackout ended in September 2013 when a new deal set higher fees for CBS and allowed the network to retain streaming rights for live and archived shows.

The National Football League "failed" in its efforts to police domestic abuse by its players but has "learned from those mistakes," a top NFL executive testified to Congress on Tuesday. Troy Vincent, the NFL's executive vice president for football operations, conceded that the case involving Ray Rice was handled poorly.

"The commissioner (Roger Goodell) has acknowledged those mistakes," Vincent told a packed hearing by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee."We failed. This is all part of our evaluation as we look at a new personal conduct policy ... But we learned from those mistakes."

Representatives of the four major U.S. sports were on hand at the hearing on domestic abuse although none of the commissioners were present and only one of the top players' union officials, Michele Roberts of the National Basketball Association. Domestic abuse has been a flashpoint issue ever since the NFL's handling of the Rice case, in which Goodell suspended the former Baltimore Ravens running back for two games for knocking out his fiancée, who later became his wife.

Only when graphic video emerged showing him knocking out his then-fiancée did the Ravens release him and the NFL suspend him indefinitely. Repealing the NFL's tax-exempt status and favorable anti-trust position was discussed by the senators should the league fail to implement an effective domestic abuse policy."When young people see athletes committing acts of violence, and when those acts are excused, glossed over, and given pathetically weak punishments, they learn that domestic violence is not taken seriously," said Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, said he knew of six NBA players who were charged with domestic violence recently but not sanctioned by the league because there were no convictions."The Commissioner (Adam Silver) has acknowledged that we need to do more in this issue in terms of discipline going forward," said Kathleen Behrens, the NBA's executive vice president for social responsibility."Mostly in terms of due process and not really relying on the criminal justice system," she added.

Vincent, who played in the NFL for 15 years, broke down when discussing his childhood."Domestic violence was a way of life in my home growing up," he said. "My brother and I watched helplessly numerous times as my mother was beaten and knocked unconscious while we dialed 911."

"We saw how she struggled to seek help and find the courage to say 'no more.'

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RED WINGS over CANUCKS 5 to 3

RANGERS over FLYERS 5 to 2

SABRES over CANADIENS 4 to 3

MAPLE LEAFS over CAPITALS 6 to 2

LIGHTNING over SENATORS 4 to 1

ISLANDERS over DEVILS 3 to 1

PENGUINS over HURRICANES 3 to 2

PREDATORS over BLUE JACKETS 2 to 1

BLUES over WILD 3 to 2

AVALANCHE over STARS 5 to 2

BLACKHAWKS over KINGS 4 to 1

FLAMES over COYOTES 3 to 0

SHARKS over DUCKS 6 to 4

RANGERS over FLYERS 3 to 0

BLACKHAWKS over DUCKS 4 to 1

CAPITALS over ISLANDERS 5 to 2

BRUINS over JETS 2 to 1

SABRES over CANADIENS 2 to 1

RED WINGS over DEVILS 5 to 4

HURRICANES over PENGUINS 4 to 2

CANUCKS over BLUE JACKETS 5 to 0

PANTHERS over SENATORS 3 to 2

BLUES over OILERS 4 to 3

WILD over STARS 5 to 4

COLTS over REDSKINS 49 to 27

TEXANS over TITANS 45 to 21

BILLS over BROWNS 26 to 10

CHARGERS over RAVENS 34 to 33

JAGUARS over GIANTS 25 to 24

BENGALS over BUCCANEERS 14 to 13

RAMS over RAIDERS 52 to 0

SAINTS over STEELERS 35 to 32

VIKINGS over PANTHERS 31 to 13

FALCONS over CARDINALS 29 to 18

PACKERS over PATRIOTS 26 to 21

BRONCOS over CHIEFS 29 to 16

SPURS over CELTICS 111 to 89

BULLS over NETS 102 to 84

WARRIORS over PISTONS 104 to 93

GRIZZLIES over KINGS 97 to 85

HEAT over KNICKS 86 to 79

MAGIC over SUNS 93 to 90

TRAIL BLAZERS over TIMBERWOLVES 107 to 93

LAKERS over RAPTORS 129 to 122

MAVERICKS over 76ERS 110 to 103

WIZARDS over PELICANS 83 to 80

HAWKS over HORNETS 105 to 75

CAVALIERS over PACERS 109 to 97

CLIPPERS over JAZZ 112 to 96

ROCKETS over BUCKS 117 to 103

Raptors’ guard DeMar DeRozan is going to be out an indefinite period with a torn tendon in his left groin. The durable All-Star was injured during the third quarter of Friday night's 106-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks He was diagnosed with the injury Saturday.DeRozan remained on the court for several minutes before being helped to the dressing room. He originally was diagnosed as having a strain.

DeRozan is averaging a team-high 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and a team-best 33.6 minutes in 16 games this season for the Raptors, who are off to their best start at 13-3.A steady presence in the lineup, the 25-year-old DeRozan has missed just 11 games over five seasons before this injury.

Source: ESPN

Coach Gregg Popovich returned to the sideline Sunday in Boston after missing two games due to an undisclosed minor medical procedure.Meeting with reporters before Sunday's 111-89 against The Boston Celtics, Popovich was asked if he was happy to be back coaching.

"Sure. I don't know what else I would do," he said. "It's winter, you know, plants don't grow. I'm having a fight about books right now because I've decided that, at my age, there's so many things you want to read, that you can't do it. So do you just give up and read nothing, or do you go into high gear and read everything that you can find? I just thought I'd throw that out there."When a reporter joked that Popovich was getting pretty deep after missing just two games, the 65-year-old coach added, "That's what your mind does. You start thinking about weird things. ... I have some more if you want to hear them. All kind of things went through my head."

Popovich was asked if it was odd to watch his team on television."Oh, definitely. You rarely get to do that," he said. "You realize that it's probably harder for the people that watch than the people that are in the battle. Your family, [general managers] and their staff -- you watch it and you don't have any control over anything. You just live and die with every play and every call, that sort of thing. So it's much easier sitting on the bench and being in the middle of the fight."

Source: ESPN

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired utility man Sean Rodriguez from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday for a player to be named later and cash. Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Rays last week. To make room for Rodriguez on their 40-man roster, the Pirates designated first baseman Gaby Sanchez for assignment. The 29-year-old Rodriguez, who is eligible for salary arbitration, hit .211 in 237 at-bats and set career bests with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs for the Rays last season.

He saw time at all four infield positions and the outfield for Tampa Bay last season."Maybe change is what's needed for me at this point in my career," Rodriguez told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I don't think I've reached my potential yet. I know I can do more."Sanchez, 31, hit 229 with 7 home runs and 33 RBIs, splitting time at first base with Ike Davis, who was traded to the Oakland A’s earlier this off season.

Source: ESPN

Carolina’s running back DeAngelo Williams suffered what coach Ron Rivera said is a fractured bone in his hand during Sunday's 31-13 loss to Minnesota. Rivera said on Monday that Williams could play in Week 14 at New Orleans if the swelling subsides. Jonathan Stewart, who had 85 yards on 12 carries against Minnesota, likely will move into the starting lineup.

Williams is Carolina's all-time leading rusher with 6,846 yards and 46 touchdowns. He has been limited to 219 yards this season, playing in only six of the 12 games because of hamstring and ankle injuries. He had seven carries for 21 yards against Minnesota, all in the first half. Williams, 31, has one year left on an original five-year, $43 million deal that was restructured last season to reduce his salary-cap hits to $5 million in 2013 and $6 million this season.

Source: ESPN

The five Rams players who entered the field before Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders in St. Louis with their hands in the air in "don't shoot" poses will not be fined for their actions, NFL and team sources tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

The players had used the team's pregame introductions to offer a show of support for nearby Ferguson. As the Rams' offense was introduced, tight end Jared Cook and receivers Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens Tavon Austin stopped near the tunnel and raised their hands in a nod to the fatal shooting of black teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. Some witnesses said Brown had his hands up before being shot. Wilson, who is white, testified to the grand jury that Brown had hit him and reached for his gun. The St. Louis Police Officers Association called for the players involved to be disciplined and for the Rams and the NFL to deliver a "very public apology," its statement read in part."I know that there are those that will say that these players are simply exercising their First Amendment rights," SLPOA business manager Jeff Roorda said in the statement. "Well, I've got news for people who think that way: Cops have First Amendment rights too, and we plan to exercise ours. I'd remind the NFL and their players that it is not the violent thugs burning down buildings that buy their advertiser's products. It's cops and the good people of St. Louis and other NFL towns that do. Somebody needs to throw a flag on this play. If it's not the NFL and the Rams, then it'll be cops and their supporters."

In response, Brian McCarthy, the NFL's VP of communications, released a statement Monday: "We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation.""We kind of came collectively together and decided we wanted to do something," Cook said after the Rams’ 52-0 victory. "We haven't been able to go down to Ferguson to do anything because we have been busy. Secondly, it's kind of dangerous down there and none of us want to get caught up in anything."So we wanted to come out and show our respect to the protests and the people who have been doing a heck of a job around the world."

Earlier this week, the Rams spent time lamenting the fact there wasn't much they could do to help with the unrest in Ferguson. But Cook said he plans to go to Ferguson once things settle down."My sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law -- all of them went this past week for Thanksgiving," Cook said. "They came back and reported to me about the things they saw and what was going on around there. Definitely, I will be making a trip to Ferguson."Britt said he and his teammates were not "taking sides" with their display."We wanted to show that we are organized for a great cause and something positive comes out of it," Britt said. "That's what we hope we can make happen. That's our community. We wanted to let the community know that we support the community."

Source: ESPN

The body of missing Ohio State defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge was found by Columbus police on Sunday after a search that started after he went missing on Wednesday. Karageorge, 22, was found dead in a dumpster of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was identified by tattoos at the scene, and a police spokesman said the investigation would continue with both the dumpster and the body of Karageorge being transported to the county morgue.

"At this time, there's a lot of questions that we're still trying to work out," Sgt. Rich Weiner told reporters at the scene. "But he was found inside of the dumpster, the handgun was found inside of the dumpster with him."At this time we are able to confirm through tattoos here at the scene that it is the body of Kosta Karageorge."

A police report says Karageorge's mother told authorities he has had concussions and spells of confusion. She said he texted a message Wednesday citing the concussions and saying he was sorry if he was "an embarrassment."Karageorge was scheduled to be recognized on senior day during Saturday's home game against rival Michigan, but he had gone missing on Wednesday leading up to the 42-28 win by the No. 6 Buckeyes.

"The Ohio State University Department of Athletics was shocked and saddened to learn today of the death of student-athlete Kosta Karageorge, a senior from Columbus," the school said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Karageorge family, and those who knew him, during this most difficult time."Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer took to Twitter to express his condolences.

Source: ESPN

RANGERS over FLYERS 3 to 0

BLACKHAWKS over DUCKS 4 to 1

CAPITALS over ISLANDERS 5 to 2

BRUINS over JETS 2 to 1

SABRES over CANADIENS 2 to 1

RED WINGS over DEVILS 5 to 4

HURRICANES over PENGUINS 4 to 2

CANUCKS over BLUE JACKETS 5 to 0

PANTHERS over SENATORS 3 to 2

BLUES over OILERS 4 to 3

WILD over STARS 5 to 4

BULLS over CELTICS 109 to 102

WARRIORS over HORNETS 106 to 101

HAWKS over PELICANS 100 to 91

BUCKS over PISTONS 104 to 88

MAVERICKS over RAPTORS 106 to 102

CLIPPERS over ROCKETS 102 to 85

THUNDER over KNICKS 105 to 78

PACERS over MAGIC 98 to 83

SPURS over KINGS 112 to 104

NUGGETS over SUNS 122 to 97

GRIZZLIES over TRAIL BLAZERS 112 to 99

TIMBERWOLVES over LAKERS 120 to 119

Kansas City Royals and Jason Frasor have agreed on $1.8 million for the 2016 season.

Frasor gets $1.25 million next season under Friday's deal, down from $1.75 million this year. The 2016 option is for $2 million with a $550,000 buyout.

He can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses based on games pitched: $75,000 each for 35, 40, 45 and 50, and $100,000 apiece for 55 and 60.

The 37-year-old right-hander was acquired from Texas in July and went 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 23 games for Kansas City and 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 61 games overall. He was a veteran presence for a young clubhouse as the Royals made the postseason for the first time since 1985 and lost to San Francisco in a seven-game World Series.

Frasor was 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in the playoffs, earning victories in the Royals' wild-card win over the A's and in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against Baltimore.

Source: ESPN

The Oakland Athletics has traded Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays for four players, Brett Lawrie, Kendall Graveman, Sean Nolin, and Franklin Barreto.

Donaldson told the San Francisco Chronicle that he was playing video games when his agent texted him about the trade.

"I'm so shocked," Donaldson told the newspaper. "I just got off the phone with Billy Beane, and I guess they got an offer that they couldn't resist. I'm definitely a little emotional about it. Oakland is my home. At the end of the day, it's a business, as much as it hurts emotionally. The guys in that clubhouse are my brothers."Beane considers both pitchers ready for the majors.

"They had been pretty persistent, and we were pretty adamant that wasn't something we were willing to talk about," Beane said of dealing Donaldson. "We wouldn't have done the deal unless it addressed now and the future, and they were able to do that. This deal in our minds addresses a little bit of everything. It got pretty serious the last 48 hours. They were reluctant to give up all four players, and we weren't going to do it without those four players in the deal."

Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos sweetened the deal, offering Lawrie as a replacement for Donaldson."I have a pretty good relationship with Billy," Anthopoulos said. "At some point, someone makes it really compelling."

Source: ESPN

A groin injury has caused Lance Briggs to be put on injured reserve by the Chicago Bears and it’s not likely that he will return to the team.

A 12-year veteran, Briggs suffered a groin injury in the second quarter of the team's Nov. 23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the ailment kept the linebacker out of Thursday's loss to the Detroit Lions.

During the team's pregame show on WBBM, Bears general manager said Briggs would be "out for an extended period of time."

A seven-year Pro Bowler with a contract set to expire at the end of the season, Briggs, 34, isn't expecting the Bears to put an offer on the table prior to him hitting free agency.

Briggs said, "It's the last year of my deal. It's not like I'm going to magically show up after this year, and they're going to open the gates up for you, I've talked to my buddy [former Bears defensive end] Alex Brown. Those gates are closing, you're a free agent. I know the reality of it, and I'm proud of all the years I've had here. It's been great."

Prior to sitting out Thursday's game, Briggs missed three other games this season due to a rib injury.Briggs currently earns $4.75 million in base salary from a three-year extension he signed in 2012, but likely won't be able to command such a salary to return to the Bears in 2015. Briggs said "I don't know" when asked whether he thinks 2014 will be his last season in the NFL.

Source: ESPN

Baltimore’s Ray Rice has won his appeal and is able to sign with any NFL team, he has been reinstated. He has stated, "I would like to thank Judge Barbara Jones, the NFL Players Association, my attorneys, agents, advisors, family, friends and fans -- but most importantly, my wife Janay, I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions, I am thankful that there was a proper appeals process in place to address this issue. I will continue working hard to improve myself and be the best husband, father and friend, while giving back to my community and helping others to learn from my mistakes."

Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, who heard Rice's appeal earlier this month, concluded in her decision that Rice did not lie to or mislead NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "In this arbitration, the NFL argues that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time. Because, after careful consideration of all of the evidence, I am not persuaded that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview, I find that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated," Jones' decision stated.

"I find that the NFLPA carried its burden of showing that Rice did not mislead the Commissioner at the June 16th meeting, and therefore, that the imposition of a second suspension based on the same incident and the same known facts about the incident, was arbitrary," Jones also wrote.

Source: ESPN