Dodgers sign lefty Kershaw to 2-year deal
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw has avoided arbitration with a two-contract extension from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Terms of the deal for Kershaw, 23, were not disclosed, but MLB.com reported it was for $19 million.
The left-hander led the NL in wins (21), strikeouts (248) and earned run average (2.28) over 33 starts last season.
He also collected a Gold Glove award for as the National League's best-fielding pitcher.
The seventh-overall pick by the Dodgers in the 2006 MLB draft, Kershaw has racked up a 47-28 record with a 2.88 ERA in 118 games (116 starts) over his four years in the majors.
He is 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA In five post-season appearances for the Dodgers.
Billups hurts knee, out for season
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups has torn a knee ligament and will be out the rest of the season, the team said Tuesday.
Billups, who was averaging 14.9 points, 4.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds this season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Monday in a game against Orlando.
The 35-year-old guard collapsed to the floor while attempting a crossover move with 5:48 left in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' overtime victory.
Team officials said the ligament tear was found during a magnetic resonance imaging exam Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic.
He was sent back to Los Angeles for further examination.
Owen Nolan officially retires from hockey
SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Former San Jose Sharks standout forward Owen Nolan announced Tuesday he has officially retired from hockey at age 40.
Nolan was the Sharks' captain and the face of the franchise during his years there from 1996-2003, notching four of his five All-Star appearances while with San Jose.
"When your body won't do what your mind and your heart is willing to do, it's time to move on," said an emotional Nolan told reporters at HP Pavilion in San Jose. "I've enjoyed every minute of it."
The right winger is second in club history with 206 goals, and holds down the Sharks' third spot in all-time assists (245), points (451) and games played (568).
The one-time Quebec Nordiques top draft choice also played with Colorado, Phoenix, Calgary and Minnesota.
He spent the 2010-11 season in the Swiss National League A and was cut from the Vancouver Canucks after a tryout last fall.
Nolan finished with 422 goals and 463 assists in 1,200 career games.
Saints tap Spagnuolo to lead defense
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Steve Spagnuolo, just fired as the St. Louis Rams' head coach, was officially named defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints Tuesday.
Spagnuolo was let go by the Rams Jan. 2 after they finished with a 2-14 record, including seven straight losses to end the season.
In three seasons at the helm in St. Louis, he compiled a 10-38 record.
In New Orleans, Spagnuolo replaces Gregg Williams, who quit Jan. 16 to join the Rams as defensive coordinator under new head Coach Jeff Fisher.
Spagnuolo formerly was defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, helping guide them to a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots following the 2007 season.
