Ohio State will not have to pay for Jim Tressel’s legal team as the Buckeyes’ coach defends himself against NCAA charges that the knew his players received improper benefits but didn’t report it. Athletic director Gene Smith, attending Big Ten meetings in Chicago with Tressel on Wednesday, confirmed to the AP in a text message [...]

The last time Jake Peavy pitched at U.S. Cellular Field he left in agony, his career jeopardy. Almost a year later, he showed the form that won him the Cy Young Award in 2007. Peavy pitched a three-hitter in his home debut this season, outdueling Justin Masterson and making Adam Dunn’s sacrifice fly in the [...]

Reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton homered and had an infield single Wednesday night in the first game of his minor league rehab assignment that could lead to him rejoining the Texas Rangers early next week. Hamilton didn’t have a homer in his 11 games this season with the Rangers before breaking a bone in his [...]

Bryce Harper won’t be hitting the major leagues this year, no matter how much he tears up minor league pitching. Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that Harper will not be called up to the big club in 2011, even after rosters are expanded in September. “We feel that his development is not [...]

Things are falling nicely into place for Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. He’s training in the Maryland countryside, he’s been made the early 2-1 favorite for the Preakness Stakes and he drew a decent post for Saturday’s race. “It’s great. I couldn’t be happier,” trainer Graham Motion said after his colt landed in the No. [...]