BASEBALL

DAMON STRUGGLING WITH SHOULDER TENDINITIS Johnny Damon has tendinitis in his throwing shoulder,and the Yankees star will not be available to play the outfield for the United States tonight against Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

The Yankees sent Damon to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum in California on Tuesday, and the speedy leadoff man was cleared to pinch-run for the U.S. squad if needed.Whether Damon can hit will be determined before today’s game, but he will not play in the field.

“I spoke to Johnny yesterday,”Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “He’s not worried. He just needs to get it calmed down, so that’s why he’s not a defensive player for them right now.”

Damon’s sore left shoulder is the same one that hindered him late last year with Boston and weakened an already inferior throwing arm. Cashman said the injury flared up while New York’s biggest acquisition of the off-season was working out with the U.S. team.

“It happened there,” Cashman said. “Right now, he’s okay to stay out there and try and help the U.S. team obviously in a limited way now.”

TENNIS

ANDREEV SHOCKS RODDICK AT PACIFIC LIFE OPEN Russian Igor Andreev shocked an out-of-sorts Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells Masters Series. It was another frustrating day for the third-seeded Roddick, who came into the tournament smarting from four losses this year to players outside the top 50.

Roddick, ranked no. 3 in the world, had plenty of chances, but undermined himself with 45 unforced errors and let his emotions boil over to the point that he had a point deducted for repeated code violations. That came when Roddick slammed his racquet into the court after doublefaulting to drop his serve to love in the sixth game of the third set, setting up Andreev to serve for the match at 5-1.

Andreev, 22 and ranked 26th in the world, had saved nine match points in a 16-14 tiebreak to beat Sweden’s Robin Soderling 3-6, 7-6 (14), 6-4 in the third round of the tournament.

FOOTBALL

MCGINEST SIGNS WITH BROWNS Free agent linebacker Willie McGinest signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns yesterday, reuniting him with coach Romeo Crennel. McGinest reached the deal without visiting any other teams, said Steve Caric, spokesman for McGinest’s agent. McGinest, cut by New England after 12 seasons, will earn $12 million with the Browns, including $6 million in guarantees and bonuses.The two-time Pro Bowler spent seven seasons with Crennel in New England, including four with Crennel as defensive coordinator. He has 78 career sacks, including six last season, and is the NFL’s postseason sacks leader with 16.

SEAHAWKS BRING BACK BERNARD, WARRICK Rocky Bernard, Seattle’s soughtafter defensive tackle, re-signed with the Seahawks yesterday. Bernard agreed to a $13 million, three-year contract with a $5.4 million signing bonus, according an assistant for agent Gary Uberstine.The Seahawks also agreed to bring back punt returner and wide receiver Peter Warrick.Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

– Associated Press