Sports FanFare 8/15/02

Baseball

Milton Bradley underwent an appendectomy and was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Indians on Wednesday.

Astros shortstop Julio Lugo will be sidelined for the rest of the season following surgery to repair a broken left forearm.

Basketball

The Kings signed free-agent forward Keon Clark, adding another big man to square off against Shaquille O'Neal.

Free agent Rodney Rogers signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Nets in a move that will put him on the court with former teammates Jason Kidd and Dikembe Mutumbo.

Following a prolonged search delayed by the withdrawal of four candidates, the Nuggets will hire assistant Jeff Bzdelik as their new coach next week, a team source said.

Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, hampered by an arthritic big toe through much of last season, could reportedly undergo surgery in the next two weeks and might miss several games this season.

Football

Former Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was sentenced to 30 months in prison after being caught with 175 pounds of marijuana in December.

Acting on behalf of unsigned first-round draft choices Ryan Sims and Bryant McKinnie, the NFL Players Association has filed a request for an inquiry into what it feels could be collusion by the Chiefs and Vikings.

The 49ers agreed to a one year $650,000 contract with free agent safety Chad Cota.

Hockey

Rangers defenseman Tom Poti was awarded a one-year contract worth $1.8 million by an arbitrator.

Soccer

The United States broke into the top 10 of the FIFA world rankings for the first time, tying Italy for ninth in the August ratings.

Swimming

World record-holder Michael Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly in a meet-record time of 1 minute, 54.86 seconds at the U.S. national swimming championships.

Tennis

Andy Roddick overpowered Justin Gimelstob 6-2, 6-2 to reach the third round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

Jennifer Capriati defeated qualifier Sarah Taylor 6-4, 6-1 in the first round of the Rogers AT&T Cup. Third-seeded Jelena Dokic defeated Martina Sucha 6-3, 6-4 and fourth-seeded Kim Clijsters defeated Nicole Pratt 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

-- From wire reports