*NFL: A Fresno (Calif.) County judge sentenced Bengals defensive lineman Jason Shirley to 30 days in a work program after a jury found him guilty of drunken driving and hit and run. Shirley could face a suspension by Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the NFL’s player conduct policy. … Coach Rod Marinelli said the Lions will start Daunte Culpepper against the Panthers on Sunday. The team also released quarterback Drew Henson. … Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) is unsure if he will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. … Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams (knee) was officially activated Wednesday from the physically unable to perform list in the first step toward returning to the field. … Bills safety Donte Whitner returned to practice Wednesday, 10 days after separating his right shoulder, and might play against the Browns on Monday. … Veteran running back Michael Bennett signed with the Chargers after being released by the Buccaneers.
*NHL: Former Blackhawks general manager Bob Murray has been hired as GM of the Ducks after Brian Burke declined a contract extension. … Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu was suspended for two games without pay by the NHL for catching the Canadiens’ Maxim Lapierre with an elbow on Tuesday. … Rangers center Scott Gomez missed Wednesday’s game against his former Devils teammates because of a leg injury. Gomez is day-to-day. … The Blue Jackets activated goaltender Pascal Leclaire off injured reserve after he missed seven games with an ankle injury.
*BASEBALL: The Athletics have completed their trade for star outfielder Matt Holliday from the Rockies for right-handed reliever Huston Street, lefty starter Greg Smith and promising outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. … Rays center fielder B.J. Upton had surgery on his left shoulder this week and the team expects him to be ready by Opening Day. … Left-handed reliever Damaso Marte and the Yankees agreed to a $12 million, three-year contract that includes a club option for 2012. … Retired major-leaguer Vinny Castilla will coach Mexico at the World Baseball Classic. … A’s bench coach Don Wakamatsu interviewed for the vacant Mariners managerial job.
*COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Carlton Fay scored 17 points and Bryan Mullins added 16 to lead Southern Illinois (2-0) to an 80-73 win over Massachusetts to win the Carbondale regional of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament. … Manny Harris had 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as Michigan (2-0) beat Northeastern 76-56 to win the Ann Arbor regional.
*ALSO: Roger Federer kept his hopes alive for a fifth Masters Cup title by beating Radek Stepanek 7-6 (4), 6-4 in Shanghai. … American Peter Marshall broke the short-course record in the 50-meter backstroke at a World Cup meet in Stockholm. Marshall won the event in 23.05 seconds, beating Australian Robert Hurley’s mark of 23.24. … The Big East named John Marinatto to succeed Mike Tranghese as the conference’s commissioner, effective July 1, 2009. … Chivas USA’s Sasha Victorine will miss the start of the 2009 MLS season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee.
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EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
