BASEBALL

EPSTEIN REJOINS RED SOX Theo Epstein is rejoining the Boston Red Sox, 2 1/2 months after he turned down a three-year, $4.5 million offer to remain as general manager. Epstein and Red Sox management issued a joint statement yesterday saying he will return to the organization full-time, but they did not say in what capacity he would rejoin the team. His return had been rumored almost since the day he slipped out of Fenway Park wearing a borrowed gorilla costume to avoid the press.

“As you know, we have spoken frequently during the last 10 weeks.We have engaged in healthy, spirited debates about what it will take over the long-term for the Red Sox to remain a great organization and, in fact, become a more effective organization in philosophy, approaches and ideals,” the statement said.

The statement came from Epstein, principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner, president Larry Lucchino, and Epstein. It promised more details next week on what exactly Epstein’s role will be.

Also yesterday, right-hander Bronson Arroyo and the Red Sox agreed to a threeyear contract worth about $12 million, avoiding arbitration. Arroyo went 14-10 with a 4.51 ERA last season, pitching 205 1 /3 innings.

OWNERS APPROVE SALE OF REDS Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of baseball’s oldest franchise, the Cincinnati Reds, yesterday to a group headed by produce mogul Robert Castellini. Carl Lindner, the 86-year-old Cincinnati financier who owned the franchise, will remain a minority partner.

Terms weren’t announced, but Castellini’s group is said to be acquiring about 70% ownership of a franchise worth an estimated $270 million.

BASKETBALL

NETS’ MCINNIS UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY Nets backup guard Jeff McInnis underwent successful arthroscopic surgery yesterday to remove torn cartilage from his left knee. The team said McInnis would start his rehabilitation immediately. There was no timetable for his return. McInnis was injured in the second quarter of the Nets’ loss at Dallas on Saturday night. An MRI on Sunday revealed the tear. In 28 games with one start this season, McInnis has averaged 5.3 points and 1.9 assists in 17 minutes per game.

FOOTBALL

RAMS MAKE LINEHAN NEW HEAD COACH The St. Louis Rams hired Miami offensive coordinator Scott Linehan yesterday, the sixth first-time NFL head coach to land a job in the last two weeks. Linehan, 42, impressed the Rams in two interviews after helping the Dolphins finish 9-7, and had been one of three finalists along with Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. He’ll replace Mike Martz, who was fired one day after the Rams finished a 6-10 season.

LOFTON INTERVIEWS FOR VACANT BILLS JOB Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton interviewed for the Buffalo Bills coaching job yesterday. The former Bills player and current San Diego Chargers receivers coach is the fourth – and possibly final – candidate to meet with the Bills in their search to replace Mike Mularkey, who resigned last week. Lofton spent four of his 16 NFL seasons – from 1989-92 – playing for the Bills. He also interviewed for the Oakland Raiders’ coaching vacancy.

REDSKINS HIRE SAUNDERS TO HELP OFFENSE The Washington Redskins hired offensive coordinator Al Saunders away from the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday. Saunders’s new title has yet to be determined, but he will join head coach Joe Gibbs, assistant head coach Joe Bugel, and offensive coordinator Don Breaux as the brain trust that will try to improve an offense that produced only 120 yards in one playoff game and scored only 10 points in the other.

FIGURE SKATING

SLUTSKAYA WINS RECORD SEVENTH EUROPEAN TITLE Irina Slutskaya won her seventh European figure skating title yesterday in Lyon, France, breaking the record she shared with Katarina Witt and Sonja Henie.

Slutskaya did five triples in her routine to flamenco music. She put her hand to the ice on a triple flip but still won the free skate easily, finishing more than 15 points ahead of fellow Russian Elena Sokolova. Slutskaya finished with an overall score of 193.24 points. Sokolova did six triples and finished with 177.81 points. Italy’s Carolina Kostner, who will carry the Italian flag in the opening ceremonies of the Torino Games next month, won the bronze medal.

– Associated Press