IN BRIEF
BASEBALL
MLB has begun to read draft of Mitchell report
Major League Baseball has begun to review a draft of George Mitchell's report on drug use in the sport, one of the final steps before the results of his 20-month investigation are released.
Baseball reviewed a draft Tuesday at the Manhattan office of DLA Piper, the law firm that Mitchell chairs, a baseball official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because Mitchell hasn't authorized any statements.
The report probably will be released Thursday.
Also: Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome and the Chicago Cubs reached a preliminary agreement on a $48 million, four-year contract.
The deal is subject to a physical, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
The 30-year-old slugger has 192 home runs and a .305 batting average in nine seasons with the Chunichi Dragons.
The San Diego Padres agreed to terms with free-agent second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, pending a physical scheduled for Monday.
Iguchi hit .304 in Philadelphia after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline.
Outfielder Craig Monroe and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $3.82 million, one-year contract.
Monroe, 30, split last season with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, who acquired him Aug. 23. He hit a combined .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs.
Pitcher Aaron Cook finalized a new contract with the Colorado Rockies that guarantees him an additional $30 million over three seasons.
Cook, 28, went 8-7 with a 4.12 ERA in 25 starts for the Rockies last season.
HOCKEY
Cheechoo, Roenick to miss time with Sharks
San Jose Sharks forwards Jonathan Cheechoo and Jeremy Roenick went on injured reserve, keeping them out for at least one week.
Cheechoo, the NHL's top goal scorer in the 2005-06 season, injured his groin in Saturday's 7-1 loss to Buffalo.
Roenick, the Sharks' second-leading scorer, is out with a minor knee injury.
Also: The Vancouver Canucks recalled goaltender Drew MacIntyre from Manitoba in the American Hockey League to replace injured Roberto Luongo.
A rib injury prevented Luongo, runner-up for the Hart and Vezina trophies last season, from playing Monday in Los Angeles.
The Carolina Hurricanes reassigned goaltender Daniel Manzato to Las Vegas from Albany in the AHL.
Manzato, 23, went 5-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average with the Wranglers this season before being promoted to Albany on Nov. 24.
MISCELLANEOUS
Smith, Gophers finalize seven-year contract
Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith finalized a contract that will pay him $1.75 million annually.
The seven-year contract was signed about nine months after the former Kentucky coach was hired to rebuild a Gophers program that lost a record 22 games last season.
Also: Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa underwent surgery on his left leg and will be off it for at least 10 weeks.
No timetable has been set for Garbajosa's return, and he will remain on the inactive list indefinitely.
Crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the team said Doug Richert will replace him beginning today.
Pemberton was scheduled to lead the No. 8 Chevrolet that will be co-driven next season by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola.
