BASEBALL

EXPOS SIGN CASTILLA, GUZMAN

The Expos made their first big splash since the announcement they plan to move to Washington, agreeing yesterday to a $6.2 million, two-year contract with third baseman Vinny Castilla and a $16.8 million, four-year deal with shortstop Cristian Guzman.

Castilla, 37, hit .271 with 35 homers and an NL-leading 131 RBI last season for Colorado, the best season for the two-time All-Star since he was with the Rockies in 1990s.

Guzman, a 26-year-old switch-hitter, batted .274 last season with eight homers and 46 RBI. He also led AL shortstops with a .983 fielding percentage.

LIDLE RE-SIGNS WITH PHILLIES

Right-hander Cory Lidle returned to the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing yesterday to a $6.3 million, two-year contract. The 32-year-old Lidle was 5-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts with the Phillies after he was acquired from Cincinnati in August.

Lidle, who started the Reds’ season opener, finished 12-12 overall with a 4.90 ERA. His three shutouts were tied for the most in the major leagues. Lidle will earn $3 million in 2005 and $3.3 million in 2006, plus performance bonuses.

FOOTBALL

ABC APOLOGIZES FOR ‘MNF’ INTRO

ABC apologized yesterday for a steamy intro to “Monday Night Football” after receiving complaints from viewers and the NFL. The spot featured a nude Nicollette Sheridan jumping into the arms of the Eagles’ Terrell Owens.

Before the Philadelphia-Dallas game, ABC showed Owens and Sheridan in an empty locker room in an attempt to spoof the network hit “Desperate Housewives.” Sheridan, who stars in the show, was wearing only a towel and provocatively asked Owens to skip the game for her. After she dropped her towel, he agreed to be late for the contest and hugged her.

The NFL called the intro “inappropriate and unsuitable for our ‘Monday Night Football’ audience.”

BOXING

HOLYFIELD SUSPENDED BY NEW YORK COMMISSION

Evander Holyfield was suspended indefinitely by New York boxing officials in the wake of his loss Saturday night to journeyman Larry Donald.

The suspension means the 42-year-old former four-time heavyweight champion will have to seek medical clearance if he wants to fight again. After losing a lopsided decision to Donald, Holyfield said he still plans to fight. Holyfield won only one round on one scorecard and two on the other two.

Holyfield has won only two of his last nine fights and took a beating a year ago from James Toney. Donald didn’t hurt him, but Holyfield landed only 78 punches of his own over 12 rounds, according to statistics compiled by Compubox. Holyfield has said that the New York State Athletic Commission was involved in a “conspiracy” to get him out of boxing, and that he would contest the ban.

– Associated Press