Bengals, Levi Jones agree on $40 million extension

Cincinnati Bengals left offensive tackle Levi Jones has reached agreement on a six-year contract extension through the 2012 season. The extension is worth slightly more than $40 million and includes $16.3 million in guarantees.

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ESPN FIRES REYNOLDS

ESPN yesterday fired analyst Harold Reynolds from Baseball Tonight, sources told The Post. The reason was not immediately known.

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Cubs put Derrek Lee back on the disabled list

The Chicago Cubs placed first baseman Derrek Lee on the 15-day disabled list Monday with inflammation in his right wrist, and said there are no plans to shelve the NL batting champion for the rest of the season. Lee, a two-time Gold Glove winner, broke two bones in his right wrist in a collision with Rafael Furcal of the Dodgers on April 19. He was activated from the DL on June 25 but has experienced some pain and weakness in the wrist since his return.

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Cubs activate RHP Prior for Friday's start

The Chicago Cubs activated Mark Prior from the 15-day disabled list and will start the oft-injured righthander in Friday's game against the Washington Nationals. Prior, whose season did not commence until June 18 because of a strained muscle in his right shoulder, is 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA. He was placed on the DL for a second time last week in a move retroactive to July 5 due to a left oblique muscle strain.

The 25-year-old Prior spent the first two months of the 2004 season on the DL with right Achilles tendinitis. He was sidelined at the beginning of 2005 with inflammation in his right elbow, then missed time after it was fractured

The second overall pick in the 2001 draft, Prior was selected to the National League All Star team in 2003, when he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA in 30 starts.

Sosa says he'd return to MLB for right offer

Sammy Sosa is not retired and could hit some more home runs in the major leagues.
At least, that is what he said Wednesday. "I'm not retired. I'm young and happy," said the Dominican to a radio station in Santo Domingo. "I wanted a break, but I'm getting ready to come back for the right offer," said Sosa.

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Prior back on DL

Cubs right-hander Mark Prior went back on the 15-day disabled list Friday, this time with a strained left oblique muscle. He got hurt while taking batting practice last Saturday in Milwaukee. Prior, who began the season on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, came off it June 18 and went 0-4 in four starts with a 7.71 ERA. He was scratched from his start last Sunday.

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Bengals have a 'Tough' decision

In using their 2007 third-round pick to select former Virginia standout Ahmad Brooks in the NFL supplemental draft, the Cincinnati Bengals added a more physical presence at inside linebacker. At 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, Brooks has the size to be physical and can be moved around on third down as a pass-rusher. He has shown glimpses of potentially being a playmaker as an inside linebacker, although the Cavaliers primarily played a 3-4 scheme instead of the base 4-3 defense the Bengals have employed. With a number of talented linebackers, including David Pollack, Odell Thurman, Landon Johnson, Brian Simmons and now Brooks, Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis could switch to more of a hybrid scheme or even convert to a 3-4. With one year remaining on defensive end Justin Smith's contract, the Bengals couldn't commit to the scheme full-time until 2007, but they can begin the transition this season.

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Prior scratched from start

Cubs right-hander Mark Prior was a late scratch from Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers because of strained muscle on his left side. The injury occurred while Prior was taking batting practice before Saturday night's game. The team said it was too early to determine whether the right-hander would need to be placed on the disabled list for the seventh time in his five-year career.

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Bulls reportedly trade Chandler to Hornets

Tyson Chandler is ready for a fresh start. The Chicago Bulls agreed Wednesday to send the center to the New Orleans Hornets for veteran forward P.J. Brown and swingman J.R. Smith, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday night on its Web site.

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Wallace leaving Pistons to sign with Chicago

Ben Wallace is bringing his rebounds, blocks and steals to the Chicago Bulls. The free-agent center, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, is leaving the Detroit Pistons to sign with the Bulls, a person within the NBA said Monday.

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