BASEBALL

MARLINS CUT TIES WITH LEITER

Pitcher Al Leiter was designated for assignment yesterday by the Florida Marlins, perhaps signaling the end of a 19-year career for the left-hander who helped the Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays win World Series titles. Leiter agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract with Florida in the off-season, but struggled with his control in his second stint with the Marlins and was 3-7 with a 6.64 ERA in 16 starts. The Marlins have 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers. Leiter, 39, had spent the last seven years with the Mets, going 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA last season. He’s 158-127 with a 3.76 ERA in a career that began in 1987 with the Yankees.

HOCKEY

ROBINSON TO RETURN AS DEVILS COACH

Larry Robinson, who led the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup title in 2000 but was fired less than two years later, returned yesterday as coach of the team. Robinson replaces Pat Burns, who has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in a little more than a year.

Since August 2002, Robinson served as a special assignment coach with the Devils and worked with players at the franchise’s minor league affiliate in Albany. A Hall of Fame defenseman who also took the Devils to the Cup finals in 2001, Robinson got his first NHL coaching job as an assistant with the Devils in 1993, and he was on staff when the Devils won their first Cup in 1995. Later that year, he was hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, where he spent four seasons. Robinson holds a career coaching record of 195-210-64, including 73-49-19 with the Devils.

BASKETBALL

BROWN HEADED TO LAKERS

Kwame Brown is headed to the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent said yesterday. Arn Tellem confirmed a published report that Brown, the first overall selection in the 2001 NBA draft, will be involved in a trade between the Lakers and Washington Wizards. The deal can’t be completed until July 22, the date when an NBA moratorium is lifted and teams can announce free agent signings or sign-and-trade transactions. It’s believed the 6-foot-11 Brown will join the Lakers in exchange for swingman Caron Butler and guard Chucky Atkins.

MOBLEY AGREES TO DEAL WITH CLIPPERS

Cuttino Mobley, one of the NBA’s most accurate outside shooters, will play for the Los Angeles Clippers next season, his agent, Andy Miller, said yesterday. Miller wouldn’t divulge terms, but it’s believed the parties agreed to a five-year deal worth around $42 million.

GOLF

WIE INCHES CLOSER TO MASTERS INVITATION

Michelle Wie is three wins away from an invitation to the Masters. The 15-year-old from Hawaii birdied three of the final five holes and beat Jim Renner 3 and 1 in her second match of the day yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur Public Links. Wie, the first female to qualify for a men’s USGA championship, earlier won 6 and 5 over C.D. Hockersmith. Wie would have to win two matches for a second straight day to reach the final.

HORSE RACING

NYRA UNDERGOES MANAGEMENT SHAKEUP

The New York Racing Authority underwent a management shakeup yesterday, dismissing racing secretary Mike Lakow and chief veterinarian Celeste Kunz. Charles Hayward, who became NYRA’s president and chief executive officer last November, also dismissed vice president of human resources and labor relations Ralph Chetcuti; racing steward David Hicks announced his retirement.

Lakow has been NYRA’s racing secretary and handicapper for 10 years, and was replaced by P.J. Campo, who was his top assistant. Dr. Kunz, who took over for Dr. Neil Cleary as NYRA’s chief examining veterinarian in January 2003,was replaced by Dr. Anthony Verderosa, a NYRA vet for eight years. Chetcuti’s position was not immediately filled. Hicks’s position will be filled on an interim basis by current association officials.

– Associated Press