BASEBALL

METS RELEASE CUBAN RIGHT-HANDER SOLER The Mets released right-hander Alay Soler before their exhibition game yesterday against the Cleve land Indians.

Soler defected from Cuba in November 2003 and signed a three year contract for $2.8 million with the Mets in August 2004. He had a one-year contract for 2007 that would have paid him $826,675 in the majors and $620,000 in the minors and will receive 30 days termination pay $101,639.

The 27-year-old was an ace for the Cuban national team, going 10–4 with a 2.01 ERA in 18 games in 2003. While in Cuba, he was a teammate of Chicago White Sox right-hander Jose Contreras.

BASKETBALL

BICKERSTAFF WILL NOT RETURN AS BOBCATS COACH Michael Jordan now gets a chance to hire a coach for his basketball team.

Jordan, part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, said yesterday that Bernie Bickerstaff will not return as coach next season, although he will complete this one. He will be invited to stay with the team and remains an “integral part” of the franchise.

The third-year expansion team is 23–41 and last in the Southeast Division. Bickerstaff, also the general manager, has been credited with assembling a core of skilled players.

TENNIS

SHARAPOVA LOSES TOP RANKING Defending champion Maria Sharapova was knocked out of the Pacific Life Open yesterday, a 4–6, 7–5, 6–1 loss to Vera Zvonareva that will cost her the no. 1 ranking.

Sharapova was beaten in the fourth round and needed to reach the Indian Wells semifinals to remain no. 1. She will be supplanted by Justine Henin when the rankings are released Monday. Henin, who is not at this tournament, won two recent events in the Middle East.