Sports briefs 4/22/06

Baseball

• Reliever Rafael Betancourt was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday by the Cleveland Indians, who now have four pitchers out with injuries.

Betancourt strained his upper back in Wednesday's loss to Baltimore. The right-hander had a 6.43 ERA in a team-high eight relief appearances.

Betancourt joins starter C.C. Sabathia and relievers Matt Miller and Fernando Cabrera on the DL.

Right-hander Brian Slocum was called up to replace Betancourt. Slocum, 25, recorded a 1.93 ERA and a save in five relief appearances at Class AAA Buffalo.

Basketball

• A New Jersey appeals court ruled Friday that former NBA star Jayson Williams can be retried on a reckless man-slaughter charge in the shooting death of a limousine driver at the athlete's mansion.

The retired New Jersey Nets star had sought to avoid a second trial, contending it would be double jeopardy.

Williams, 38, has been free on bail since his April 2004 conviction on four charges stemming from an attempt to cover up the 2002 shooting. The jury acquitted Williams of the most serious offense, aggravated manslaughter, but deadlocked on a charge of reckless manslaughter.

Williams spokeswoman Judy Smith said the athlete will appeal the ruling.

Colleges

• Creighton University basketball guard Nate Funk will return to play for the Bluejays next season after being granted a medical hardship waiver, the university said Friday.

Funk's season ended early when he was told in early January he would have to undergo surgery on an injured shoulder.

Funk, of Sioux City, Iowa, averaged 17.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in the six games he played last season.

During the 2004-05 season, Funk was named first team all-MVC.

Horse racing

• John Velazquez will miss the Kentucky Derby with a broken shoulder blade and cracked ribs, and could be for as long as five months.Velazquez, who suffered the injuries during a spill at Keeneland, was set to ride Bluegrass Cat in the Derby in two weeks.

Velazquez, one of the nation's top jockeys who rides regularly for trainer Todd Pletcher, was injured Thursday after riding Up an Octave to victory in the Forerunner Stakes. The colt collapsed and rolled over the rider shortly after crossing the finish line. Up an Octave was euthanized.

-- The Associated Press