Jeff Bagwell has shoulder surgery
HOUSTON, June 7 (UPI) -- Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell underwent surgery Tuesday on his ailing right shoulder and won't resume playing for at least three months.
Bagwell, 37, has been suffering from a degenerative arthritic condition in the shoulder for several years. Several bone chips were removed during the procedure performed by Dr. Richard Hawkins.
Team officials said Bagwell's recovery is expected to take about three months, after which he has been told he can resume baseball-related activities.
Bagwell has 449 career home runs, ranking him 28th in major league history.
This season, his 15th in the majors, he was batting .250 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 24 games. Bagwell has a .297 lifetime average with 2,311 hits, 1,525 RBI and 202 stolen bases.
He leads the Astros' franchise in home runs, total bases, RBI, walks and extra-base hits.
NFL suspends Onterrio Smith for 2005
NEW YORK, June 7 (UPI) -- The National Football League suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith Tuesday for the 2005 season for a violation of its substance abuse policy.
Smith, 24, served a served a four-game suspension last season and was involved in several incidents when he came to the NFL in 2003. He had been dismissed from the University of Oregon, where marijuana use ended his collegiate career.
He was detained on May 1 after being caught at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport airport with several vials of dried urine and a device called the Whizzinator, manufactured to beat drug tests.
In his absence, the Vikings will turn to Michael Bennett, Moe Williams and Melwelde Moore to carry the load at running back. Last season, Smith rushed for 544 yards an two touchdowns. He added 36 receptions for 394 yards and two scores.
Rays make Justin Upton top overall pick
NEW YORK, June 7 (UPI) -- Shortstop Justin Upton from Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Va., was the top overall choice Tuesday in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft.
The 17-year-old Upton is the younger brother of Tampa Bay prospect B.J. Upton, who was the second overall pick by the Devil Rays in 2002.
B.J. Upton currently is playing for Triple-A Durham. Justin Upton was this year's Gatorade High School Player of the Year, when he hit 11 home runs and drove in 32 runs in only 54 official plate appearances. He also stole seven bases. It marks the second straight year Arizona has chosen a shortstop with its top pick.
Last week, the Diamondbacks signed shortstop Stephen Drew, who was the 15th overall selection out of Florida State in 2004. Drew's brother, J.D., is an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Redskins sign Kevin Dyson
ASHBURN, Va., June 7 (UPI) -- Free agent wide receiver Kevin Dyson has agreed to contract terms with the Washington Redskins.
No contract details were disclosed on the deal, which marks the fourth career stop for the seven-year veteran, who has also played for Tennessee, Carolina and San Diego.
Dyson, who was cut by the Chargers prior to the start of the 2004 season, is the third receiver joining Washington this off-season. Santana Moss was obtained in a trade with the New York Jets for Laveranues Coles and Washington signed David Patten.
Dyson was a first-round draft pick by the Titans in 1998 out of Utah, where he is the school's all-time leading receiver. In his NFL career, the 6-2, 212-pounder has 178 receptions for 2,325 yards and 18 touchdowns.
The Washington receiving corps includes holdovers Darnerien McCants, Taylor Jacobs, Antonio Brown and James Thrash. Dyson fills the roster spot created by last week's release of kick return specialist Chad Morton.
Brett Favre eager for 2005 season
GREEN BAY, Wis., June 7 (UPI) -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre says he is looking forward to his 15th NFL season.
He has been excused from the team's current mini-camp by Coach Mike Sherman to remain at his home in Mississippi to continue his own off-season workout program and to monitor his wife, Deanna, who has been battling breast cancer the last several months.
There has been speculation this off-season that the 35-year-old Favre was pondering retirement. He says his competitive juices have been rejuvenated in the past few months.
"I want to be refreshed and ready to play. I'm eager to get back out there," he said on the team's Web site. "My main objective ... is to win. I've achieved everything there is to achieve in this game, and I think I've been fortunate to do that. Not many guys can say that."
The three-time MVP has started a record 225 straight games, and is in the top five in four major passing categories.
