In Brief

BASEBALL

Yankees' Rodriguez fine after
treatment on knee, shoulder

The New York Yankees said All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez is fine after having special treatment on his right knee and left shoulder in Germany earlier this month.

The 36-year-old Rodriguez had plasma-rich platelet injections following a recommendation from Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that the team gave its permission after vetting the process.

The New York Post first reported Rodriguez's treatment.

Cashman said the therapy is in "complete compliance" with World Anti-Doping Agency and Major League Baseball regulations. He also said the treatment is performed in the United States. The Yankees said Rodriguez went to the doctor in Germany because he's at the top of this field.

Also: The Oakland Athletics traded All-Star closer Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Josh Reddick and prospects Miles Head and Raul Alcantara.

In the deal, new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine found a reliable ninth-inning guy in Bailey to replace the departed Jonathan Papelbon, who signed a $50 million, four-year contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in November.

Bailey, the 2009 American League Rookie of the Year who made the All-Star team that season and again in 2010, had been the subject of trade talk this offseason.

The Washington Nationals signed free-agent utility player Mark DeRosa to a one-year contact. The 36-year-old Rosa has a .272 average with six clubs over 14 major league seasons.

COLLEGES

Big Ten, Pac-12 to partner up
in interconference alignment

Realizing bigger isn't necessarily better, the Big Ten and Pac-12 were looking for ways to get the benefits of conference expansion without adding members.

The rich and powerful leagues announced a plan to start regularly competing against one another in the hope that together they can increase their national exposure.

While the partnership is for all sports, the most noticeable changes will be seen in football.

The two 12-team leagues are aiming to create a 12-game interconference schedule by the 2017 season that would have each school play an opponent from the other conference every season.

That could mean a steady diet of matchups between heavyweight programs such as Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin from the Big Ten against Pac-12 powers such as Southern California and Oregon -- and less games against lower-level Division I programs.

Missouri and Texas A&M will play their first Southeastern Conference football games at home on Sept. 8, and Alabama will visit Louisiana State in a rematch of the Bowl Championship Series national championship on Nov. 3.

The SEC released its first 14-team schedule with new members Missouri and Texas A&M as part of the conference. Missouri will play the 2012 season in the SEC East and hosts Georgia on Sept. 8, while Texas A&M will be in the West and hosts Florida.

Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak said he is not heading to Penn State as coach. Munchak said he's flattered to be mentioned for the job at his alma mater but insists he loves what he's doing with the Titans.

MISCELLANEOUS

U.S. suffers 4-1 loss to Finland
in world junior hockey tourney

Joel Armia had two goals and an assist to lead Finland to a 4-1 win over the United States in a Pool B preliminary-round game at the world junior hockey championships in Edmonton, Alberta.

Brandon Saad had the American's lone goal, coming in the third period.

The Americans are considered one of the tournament favorites. But the U.S. and Finland are both 1-1 in pool play, while Canada improved to 2-0 with a 5-0 win over the Czech Republic.

Mark Scheifele scored two goals to lead Canada.

Also: Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins participated in light exercise but remains sidelined indefinitely with concussionlike symptoms.

Crosby hasn't played since Dec. 5 and hasn't practiced in three weeks after getting jostled in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. Coach Dan Bylsma said Crosby is dealing with lingering symptoms and isn't sure when he'll return.

Crosby was sidelined for nearly 11 months after sustaining head shots in consecutive games in January.

Four-time U.S. Olympic women's hockey player Angela Ruggiero announced her retirement.

The 31-year-old Ruggiero made her announcement after 16 years with the U.S. women's national team.

James Blake withdrew from the Australian Open. No reason was given for the American's decision.

The Australian Open begins Jan. 16.