LB Jason Taylor rejoins Miami Dolphins after 1 season with Washington

MIAMI — Jason Taylor’s newest dance step has him back where he started.

Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner to begin rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus

CLEVELAND — Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner, who’s been out with right shoulder soreness, will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Columbus.

Hamilton homers in return from injury, Rangers down Mariners 7-1

ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton returned from the disabled list by hitting the go-ahead homer in a six-run seventh inning and the Texas Rangers won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating the Seattle Mariners 7-1 Tuesday night.

Bruins’ Savard OK after suffering leg injury against Hurricanes in Game 6 of playoff series

RALEIGH, N.C. — Boston Bruins center Marc Savard should be ready to play against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series despite injuring his leg Tuesday night.

Bruins’ Savard leaves with apparent leg injury in third period of Game 6 against Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. — Boston Bruins center Marc Savard apparently injured his right leg and left in the third period of Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Cardinals RF Ryan Ludwick strains right hamstring, leaves game

PITTSBURGH — St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Ryan Ludwick strained his right hamstring while trying to run down a fly ball in the second inning Tuesday night in Pittsburgh and left the game.

Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano will likely make rehab start this weekend

CHICAGO — Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano will likely test his strained left hamstring in a rehab start this weekend, and is on track to return from the disabled list on May 22.

Marlins RHP Scott Proctor has reconstructive elbow surgery, out for about a year

MILWAUKEE — Florida Marlins reliever Scott Proctor is expected to be out for a year after having reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.

Stanley Cup playoffs packing more of a powerful and painful punch

NEW YORK — Fighting in hockey has reared its ugly head again, this time in the playoffs in the form of a pair of badly battered faces.

White Sox OF Quentin a late scratch from with heel injury

CLEVELAND — White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin was a late scratch Tuesday night because of a heel problem that is expected to keep him out of the starting lineup for two games.

Penguins’ Gonchar practices, may play in Game 7 vs. Capitals

CANONSBURG, Pa. — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar has practiced for the first time since injuring his right knee during a collision with Alex Ovechkin and hopes to play in Wednesday’s Game 7 against Washington.

FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala out 4-6 weeks with injury to left knee

FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala will miss the next four to six weeks with a knee injury.

Indy 500 rookie Conway released from hospital a day after hitting wall during practice

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis 500 rookie Mike Conway has been released from the hospital a day after sustaining a mild concussion when he crashed during practice for the May 24 race.

Aaron Brooks scores 34 points and Yao-less Rockets rout Lakers 99-87 to even series 2-2

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets never doubted they could still beat the Los Angeles Lakers without Yao Ming. The Lakers better believe it, too. Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 34 points, Shane Battier sank five 3-pointers and added 23, and the Rockets beat the Lakers 99-87 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

Coach Julien: Bruins D Ward may have broken orbital bone from punch in Game 5

BOSTON — Boston Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward left Sunday night’s playoff game with what team doctors fear is a broken orbital bone after he was punched by Carolina’s Scott Walker.

Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia leaves game with strained groin

BOSTON — Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has left Sunday night’s game against Tampa Bay after straining his right groin on a swing.

Josh Hamilton goes 1 for 2, plays 6 innings in rehab assignment with Oklahoma City

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton has played six innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Smith says Falcons first-round draft pick Jerry has mild knee sprain, misses practice

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith says first-round draft pick Peria Jerry has a mild right knee sprain.

Padres’ Eckstein leaves game against Astros with bruised left rib

HOUSTON — San Diego Padres second baseman David Eckstein left Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros in the fifth inning with a bruised left rib.

Cubs send reliever Chad Fox to disabled list after chronic right elbow troubles resurface

MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs have placed reliever Chad Fox on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation and recalled right-hander Jose Ascanio from Triple-A Iowa.

Houston Rockets star center Yao Ming out for rest of playoffs with sprained left ankle

HOUSTON — Yao Ming will miss the rest of the playoffs because of a broken left foot.

Evgeni Malkin scores 3:28 into overtime as Penguins beat Capitals 4-3 and take 3-2 series lead

WASHINGTON — When it comes to the Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins excel at playing from behind. They’ve done it so well they finally have the lead. The Penguins overcame a third-period deficit, survived Alex Ovechkin’s tying goal late in regulation, then won the game on Evgeni Malkin’s power-play tally 3:28 into overtime Saturday night for a 4-3 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Evgeni Malkin scores 3:28 into overtime as Penguins beat Capitals 4-3 and take 3-2 series lead

WASHINGTON — When it comes to the Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins excel at playing from behind. They’ve done it so well they finally have the lead. The Penguins overcame a third-period deficit, survived Alex Ovechkin’s tying goal late in regulation, then won the game on Evgeni Malkin’s power-play tally 3:28 into overtime Saturday night for a 4-3 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Rockets try to even series against Lakers after losing Yao for rest of playoffs

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are down 2-1 in their Western Conference semifinal against the Los Angeles Lakers and they’ll be down their best player for the rest of the series.

Rockets’ Yao Ming out for rest of playoffs with sprained left ankle

HOUSTON — Yao Ming will miss the rest of the playoffs because of a broken left foot.

Georgia suspends 2 players who violated team rules, another out with lingering injury

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia has suspended two football players, including tight end Bruce Figgins for six games, for violating team rules.

Penguins injured D Sergei Gonchar out for Game 5; Ovechkin not punished for knee-to-knee hit

WASHINGTON — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who endured a knee-to-knee hit from Alex Ovechkin the night before, was scratched from Saturday’s Game 5 against the Washington Capitals.

Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez placed on 15-day disabled list after dislocating left shoulder

MILWAUKEE — The injury-riddled Chicago Cubs placed third baseman Aramis Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a dislocated left shoulder and said first baseman Derrek Lee will have tests done on Monday on his neck.

Mets catcher Ramon Castro leaves game against Pittsburgh with tight quad

NEW YORK — Mets catcher Ramon Castro left Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates because of a tight right quadriceps.

Red Wings’ Kopecky might need surgery after Game 4 fight with Ducks’ Beauchemin

DETROIT — Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says forward Tomas Kopecky (TAHM’-uhz koh-PEHT’-skee) might need surgery after fighting in the Western Conference semifinals.