Kobe scores 30,000th point
UNDATED (AP) — Kobe Bryant has become the fifth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points. He’s also the youngest.
The 34-year-old Bryant needed 13 points to reach the plateau before he scored 29 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 103-87 win at New Orleans. Wilt Chamberlain was 35 when he hit the mark, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone were each 36 and Michael Jordan was 38.
Dwight Howard added 18 points for the Lakers, who trailed by a point at halftime before a 13-0 run helped them end a two-game skid.
Hot Stove League continues
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Major League players continue to find new teams or new contracts as the winter meetings continue in Nashville.
The Los Angeles Angels have worked out contracts with a pair of pitchers. Left-hander Sean Burnett has agreed to a two-year contract with the Halos, pending a physical. The 30-year-old Burnett was 1-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 70 games this year for the Washington Nationals.
The Angels also worked out a two-year, $15 million contract with right-hander Joe Blanton, who was 10-13 with a 4.71 ERA in 191 innings for the Phillies and Dodgers last season.
A person familiar with the deal says the Chicago White Sox have reached agreement on a three-year, $12 million deal with infielder Jeff Keppinger. He hit .325 with nine homers and 40 RBIs for Tampa Bay last season
A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Arizona Diamondbacks and infielder Eric Chavez have agreed to terms on a $3 million, one-year contract. The 34-year-old Chavez hit .281 with 16 homers in 278 at-bats for the New York Yankees, playing first and third base and at designated hitter.
The Seattle Mariners are hoping Jason Bay has anything left after he hit .165 with eight homers and 20 RBIs for the Mets last season. A person familiar with the deal tells the AP that Bay has reached a one-year contract with the M’s.
Lefty Randy Choate and the Cardinals have agreed to a three-year pact worth $7.5 million, according to a person familiar with the deal.
And Mets third baseman David Wright has signed his eight-year, $139 million contract extension.
Larkin says keep the cheaters out of Cooperstown
NEW YORK (AP) — Hall of Famer Barry Larkin says there’s no room for steroid users in Cooperstown.
The former Cincinnati Reds shortstop told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday that players who cheat shouldn’t receive baseball’s highest individual honor.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are all up for selection for the first time, and all three have been linked to performance-enhancing drugs.
Roethlisberger on the mend…Suggs optimistic…Lewis returns…Sanchez in, Lindley out
UNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger appears on track to return this weekend against San Diego.
Coach Mike Tomlin was encouraged by Roethlisberger’s performance as he worked out on a limited basis on Wednesday. Tomlin called it a “positive” day for his franchise quarterback but isn’t quite ready to say Roethlisberger is ready to start against the reeling Chargers.
Roethlisberger hasn’t played since spraining his right shoulder and dislocating a rib in a 16-13 overtime win over Kansas City on Nov. 12.
Also in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs says he doesn’t intend to let a torn biceps keep him out of Sunday’s game against Washington. Suggs says he has to see how it holds up throughout the week and it will be a game-time decision.
The injury happened in the fourth quarter of a 23-20 loss to Pittsburgh last Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ray Lewis returned to practice Wednesday as he makes his way back from a torn right triceps. The 37-year-old linebacker was hurt Oct. 14 against Dallas and placed on injured reserve, designated for return.
Rex Ryan is sticking with Mark Sanchez as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback. Sanchez was pulled late in the third quarter, and Greg McElroy came in and led the Jets to the only touchdown of the game on his first NFL drive in a 7-6 victory.
Arizona’s John Skelton will be back at starting quarterback when the Cardinals play the Seahawks Sunday in Seattle. Coach Ken Whisenhunt says his decision to replace rookie Ryan Lindley was based on several factors, including the environment the Cardinals will face in Seattle.
The Minnesota Vikings have placed ailing wide receiver Percy Harvin on injured reserve. The move was announced Wednesday afternoon, after Harvin missed another practice because of severely sprained left ankle that has kept him out of the last three games.
The NFL says Seattle cornerback Brandon Browner has dropped the appeal of his suspension for using performance-enhancing substances and will miss the final four games of the regular season. Browner will be eligible to rejoin the team on Dec. 31 and will be able to play in the postseason should the Seahawks make the playoffs.