Mets send Justice to A's for Guthrie

NEW YORK -- The David Justice era is over for the New York Mets, who traded him just one week after acquiring him.

Justice was dealt to the Oakland Athletics on Friday for reliever Mark Guthrie and minor league pitcher Tyler Yates, a move that could lead to the Mets entering more serious talks with free agent Juan Gonzalez.

The Mets, who acquired Justice from the New York Yankees on Dec. 7 for third baseman Robin Ventura, will pay $1.2 million of Justice's $7 million salary next season.

"This is a step in the process," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "It's not what we expect to be the final step, it's just the next step."

Justice, 35, struggled this year, going on the disabled list twice with an injured right groin, and hitting just .241 with 18 homers and 51 RBIs.

But the A's are convinced that Justice can return to the form he showed in 2000, when he was among the AL's top hitters with Cleveland and the Yankees.

Guthrie, 36, was 6-2 with one save and a 4.47 ERA this year in 52 1-3 innings.

Judge denies Newton bail on drug charge

DALLAS -- Former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was denied bail Friday on a charge that he intended to distribute 175 pounds of marijuana.

"There is no condition or set of conditions to reasonably assure the safety of the community," U.S. Magistrate Paul Stickney said during Newton's detention hearing.

Stickney noted that Newton's arrest Wednesday south of Dallas came less than six weeks after he was arrested in Louisiana. Newton was arrested Nov. 4 in Louisiana, accused of driving a van with 213 pounds of marijuana in it.

Newton will remain in federal custody.

Lemieux still not close to returning to ice

PITTSBURGH -- Mario Lemieux isn't any closer to returning to the ice than he was a week ago.

Lemieux, the Pittsburgh Penguins owner-player who has appeared in only three games since having arthroscopic hip surgery Oct. 29, planned to re-evaluate his status Friday.

But with his hip still hurting and his doctors telling him to hold off, he has no immediate plans to resume practicing.

"Things are not going well," said Charles Burke, the Penguins' team physician. "He's still having some pain. He's obviously somewhat better, but not better enough for him -- certainly, not better enough to work out and play."

Lemieux has been cleared to exercise, but cannot do anything that would cause further discomfort.

Giants sign Schmidt to four-year contract

SAN FRANCISCO -- Jason Schmidt, the right-hander who went 7-1 after joining San Francisco in a trade with Pittsburgh, agreed to four-year contract with the Giants on Friday.

The four-year contract is worth about $31 million, with a club option for the 2006 season that would increase the deal to about $38 million. Schmidt, 28, had been eligible for free agency.

Schmidt went 13-7 with a 4.07 ERA in 25 starts last season. He was 8-3 with a 3.06 ERA in his last 14 starts, 11 of which were with the Giants.

Schmidt has a 56-54 mark in six major league seasons with Atlanta, Pittsburgh and San Francisco.

Laettner breaks leg, out at least a month

WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards forward Christian Laettner fractured his left leg during the first quarter of Friday night's game against the New York Knicks.

Laettner was kneed in the side of the leg while going for a rebound. The injury will not require surgery, but Laettner will be sidelined for at least a month.

"It comes at a bad time," coach Doug Collins said, "because now we're playing our best basketball."

Laettner is the only player to start all 22 Wizards games this season. He was averaging 8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds entering Friday's game.

-- From wire reports