Cowboys' Bryant to have finger examined
IRVING, Texas, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Dallas Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant has a potentially serious finger injury and will be examined by a specialist, the team said Monday.
His availability for the rest of season is now in question with the injury, which he sustained during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 20-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Cowboys said Bryant -- who leads the team with 75 catches, 1,028 receiving yards and nine touchdowns -- is to visit a hand specialist to determine if surgery is required.
If so, he is likely to miss the rest of the season as the Cowboys (7-6) battle to catch the New York Giants (8-5) for the NFC East championship or land a wild card spot.
His status for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh is undetermined.
Rays send Shields, Davis to Kansas City
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Rays have traded all-time wins leader James Shields and pitcher Wade Davis to the Kansas City Royals for four minor-league prospects.
Shields, Davis and a player to be named later went to the Royals late Sunday in exchange for outfield prospect Wil Myers, pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery and third baseman Patrick Leonard.
Shields, soon to be 31, has compiled an 87-73 mark over seven seasons in Tampa. He is also the Rays' all-time leader in starts (217), innings pitched (1,454 2/3), strikeouts (1,250), complete games (19) and shutouts (eight).
Last season was a good one for the right-hander. He finished with a 15-10 record and an ERA of 3.52.
Davis was converted from a starter to a reliever last season and posted a 3-0 record with a 2.43 ERA in 54 appearances, but is expected to again be used a starter for the Royals.
Myers, 22, batted .303 with 24 home runs and 79 RBI in 99 games this past season for Kansas City's Class AAA affiliate in Omaha.
Reds, Ludwick agree on two-year deal
CINCINNATI, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Outfielder Ryan Ludwick has signed a two-year contract to remain with the Cincinnati Reds, the team announced Monday.
Terms of the deal weren't revealed but CBSSports.com reported it was worth a total of $15 million.
Ludwick in October turned down a $5 million mutual option for 2013, becoming a free agent.
The veteran played a key role the Reds' run to the National League Central crown this past season, smacking 26 homers with 80 RBI while batting .275 over 125 games.
"We know he had other offers, and we're glad we were able to reach an agreement to bring Ryan back for at least two more years," Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty said.
The 10-year veteran has also played for Texas, Cleveland, St. Louis, San Diego and Pittsburgh.
Reports: Monken new So. Miss. grid coach
HATTIESBURG, Miss., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Todd Monken is the new Southern Mississippi football coach, the Hattiesburg (Miss.) American and The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman reported Monday.
The newspapers, citing sources, said Monken -- now Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator -- will take over as the new head coach of the Golden Eagles.
He will replace Ellis Johnson, who was fired after USM went 0-12 this past season in his only season as head coach.
Monken would become the third Oklahoma State offensive coordinator to be named head coach at the school, following in the footsteps of Jeff Bower and Larry Fedora.
