BASEBALL

BELTRAN MULLS SURGERY

Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran had tests yesterday at a hospital in New York and is deciding whether to have surgery to repair a facial fracture. The tests also showed Beltran has a concussion. An MRI of his brain and an extensive evaluation were normal. He was hurt in a head-to-head collision with right fielder Mike Cameron last Thursday in San Diego. Beltran is day to day, but if he opts for surgery he probably will go on the 15-day disabled list.

Cameron remains in a San Diego hospital, but is doing well and could be released today, the team said. He had facial surgery last Friday and a follow-up CT scan yesterday. He was placed on the DL last week and is out indefinitely.

FOOTBALL

EAGLES STRUGGLE IN PRESEASON OPENER

The Philadelphia Eagles let the Pittsburgh Steelers score the first two times they touched the ball last night in Pittsburgh’s 38-31 exhibition victory. The Steelers scored on an interception return – of Donovan McNabb’s first pass of the preseason – a punt return, and a kickoff return, a trifecta of return touchdowns no NFL team has accomplished in a game that counted.

Before the game, Steelers receiver Hines Ward ended his 15-day holdout and reported to the team – without the new contract he had been demanding.

DOLPHINS GIVE BROWN $34 MILLION

Following a three-week holdout, first-round draft pick Ronnie Brown finally joined the Miami Dolphins. Brown took the field for his first training camp practice yesterday after signing a five-year, $34 million contract that included about $20 million guaranteed.

HOCKEY

LECLAIR SIGNS WITH PENGUINS

John LeClair, let go by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first wave of NHL salary dumping last month, signed a two-year contract yesterday with Pittsburgh – the Penguins’ fifth major player addition this month.

BASKETBALL

PACERS WAIVE RETIRED MILLER

In yet another use of the NBA’s new amnesty rule, the Indiana Pacers waived the retired Reggie Miller yesterday, relieving them of a $6 million luxury tax liability for his contract that still has one year remaining. Miller, 39, retired after the season in May, but the Pacers are still obligated to pay him for next season.

TENNIS

FEDERER, RODDICK ADVANCE IN CINCINNATI

Roger Federer and Andy Roddick moved on at the Cincinnati Masters, while Andre Agassi dropped out and headed home with a lot on his mind. Federer worked off the rust from a five-week layoff caused by a sore foot with a 7-6 (3), 7-5 win over James Blake, and Roddick compensated for an undependable serve during a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jurgen Melzer.

Agassi, the 35-year-old defending champion, withdrew after a chronic back problem flared up. He hopes that a couple of weeks of rest and perhaps another cortisone shot will soothe an inflamed nerve and allow him to play in the U.S. Open.

– Associated Press