Bengals sign DT Myers, re-sign LB Johnson

The Cincinnati Bengals on Friday signed free agent defensive tackle Michael Myers to a two-year contract.

The Bengals also re-signed linebacker Landon Johnson, a restricted free agent. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed.

Myers, 31, appeared in 32 games with Denver the last two seasons. Last season, the 6-2, 300-pounder led Denver's line last season with 80 tackles to go with two sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

A starter at weakside linebacker, Johnson led the Bengals with 132 tackles last season. He has registered 289 tackles, 18 sacks and two interceptions since being drafted in the third round in 2004.

Cubs to move Soriano back to LF

Alfonso Soriano is expected to rejoin the Chicago Cubs' lineup Monday and when he does, he'll be switched from center field back to left field, where he played last season with the Washington Nationals.

Soriano was out of the lineup Saturday for a fifth straight game after straining his left hamstring last Monday. After running in the outfield, he said he was ready to play but was advised by trainer Mark O'Neal to give the injury two more days to heal.

Manager Lou Piniella said putting Soriano in left would take some of the strain off the hamstring. Soriano, who signed an eight-year, $136 million contract in the offseason, said he was all for the move.

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Santo misses game with irregular heartbeat

Cubs broadcaster and former All-Star Ron Santo remained hospitalized Sunday while underdoing tests for an irregular heartbeat. The 67-year-old Santo was admitted to the hospital Saturday night and his return to the radio booth is undetermined.

Santo was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when he was 18, and both legs were amputated below the knee in recent years. He had a heart bypass in 2000 and was diagnosed with bladder tumors four years ago.

Santo was a nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner at third base for the Cubs.

Soriano strains hamstring

Chicago Cubs center fielder Alfonso Soriano left Monday night's game against the San Diego Padres with a strained left hamstring after attempting a diving catch in the fifth inning.

The Cubs were leading 3-0 when, with a runner on third and one out, Clay Hensley lofted a fly to shallow center. Soriano raced in, dove and rolled over as he trapped the ball.

Soriano then got up and slipped while attempting a throw. Trainer Mark O'Neal tended to him, and Soriano walked off under his own power. He is day to day.

Henry gone for first half of season

True to his tough words, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handed out two of the toughest suspensions ever for off-field misbehavior Tuesday as the billboard for his new player conduct policy when he suspended Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry without pay for the first eight games of the 2007 season and Titans cornerback Pacman Jones for the entire season.


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Zambrano extends contract deadline

Pitcher Carlos Zambrano extended his deadline to reach a contract extension with the Chicago Cubs beyond opening day, a sign the sides are nearing agreement.

Zambrano and the Cubs are thought to be discussing a five-year deal worth about $80 million. He had said he didn't want to negotiate past Monday's opener against the Reds.

"Our discussions have progressed to a point where we are extending the deadline for an indefinite period of time," Zambrano's agent, Barry Praver, said Sunday.

At $80 million, Zambrano would be getting the largest deal for a pitcher who wasn't eligible for free agency. The current high is held by Pedro Martinez, who received $75 million, six-year contract from the Boston Red Sox that ran from 1998-2003. Last August, Roy Oswalt agreed to a $73 million, five-year extension with the Houston Astros.

Zambrano and the Cubs agreed in February to a $12.4 million, one-year contract. He currently is eligible to become a free agent after the season.

Tribune plans to sell Chicago Cubs after '07 season

Tribune Co. said it plans to sell the Chicago Cubs at the end of the 2007 baseball season, putting one of its most valuable assets on the block as it simultaneously announced Monday that real estate magnate Sam Zell was acquiring the media conglomerate. Analysts have estimated that the Cubs could fetch $600 million or more. Tribune bought the team in 1981 for $20.5 million.

"The Cubs have been an important part of Tribune for more than 25 years and are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports," said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune chairman, president and chief executive officer. "In our last season of ownership, the team has one mission, and that is to win for our great fans."

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Cubs demote Mark Prior to minors

Mark Prior was sent to the minors Wednesday where the Chicago Cubs hope he can regain the form that made him an 18-game winner and All-Star selection four years ago.

Prior, whose career has been slowed by an assortment of injuries, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa right after his final spring training start.

"It wasn't easy. But at the same time, this is good for his career," new Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. Prior had left the Cubs' clubhouse and wasn't available for comment after pitching just three innings in Chicago's 4-4 tie with the Colorado Rockies. "He handled it OK. He wasn't happy. He wasn't pleased. But you don't expect that," Piniella added.

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Wood will be sidelined for opener

Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood will not be ready by Opening Day and was to be examined Monday after feeling discomfort in his right shoulder, while Mark Prior's fate will likely be determined Wednesday.

"For the most part, he'd been doing what everybody else did," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Monday of Wood. "He had a couple setbacks, but truthfully, one wasn't throwing-related. We felt that by bringing him along slowly and not pushing him, that it was a reasonable expectation that he'd be ready by Opening Day."

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Cedeno will make Cubs roster

Ronny Cedeno struggled last year after being handed the starting shortstop job in the off-season and was considered a long shot to make the Chicago Cubs when camp opened in mid-February.

But after working with former shortstop Alan Trammell, Cedeno's fielding has improved this spring and he's considered a cinch to make the final roster next week.