Off the wire

BASKETBALL Cavs suspend Bynum

The Andrew Bynum experiment appears over for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team indefinitely suspended the enigmatic center Saturday for “conduct detrimental to the team” and banned him from all team activities. Bynum, who signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Cavs in July, did not travel with the club to Boston for Saturday’s game and, it’s likely he has played his final game for Cleveland. The Cavs will try to trade him. The suspension is not a shock considering he has not played consistently and has appeared uninterested while on the floor. Earlier this season, the 7-footer, who did not play a second last season for Philadelphia because of knee injuries, talked openly about retirement and said his medical issues have been a challenge. “It’s a terrible situation internally with our team,” All-Star guard Kyrie Irving said. “It’s something we have to get over.” When asked after the Cavs’ 103-100 loss to Boston if there was any fallout from the suspension, Cleveland Coach Mike Brown said “No,” shaking his head to make his answer clear.

FOOTBALL Peterson out for finale

The Minnesota Vikings have ruled out running back Adrian Peterson for their final game of the season. The Vikings announced Saturday they downgraded Peterson from doubtful on the original injury report to out against Detroit today, when the Vikings and Lions will play the last game at the Metrodome. Peterson sprained his right foot Dec. 8 at Baltimore and sat out the following week against Philadelphia. He played last Sunday at Cincinnati but was mostly ineffective. Peterson acknowledged afterward the injury affected his performance. He has also been bothered this year by a sore groin. Peterson finished the season with 1,266 yards rushing, the second-lowest total of his seven years in the NFL.

Packers receiver Randall Cobb has been activated from injured reserve and has been listed as questionable for today’s crucial game against the Chicago Bears. Cobb was the team’s allotted player on injured reserve who was designated for return after getting hurt during a 19-17 win Oct. 13 at Baltimore. The play making wideout was added to the injury report Saturday with a knee injury. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) is already returning today and is expected to start against the Bears in the game to decide the NFC North title.Coach Mike McCarthy said he gave Cobb more work in practice Friday to help determine whether he should be activated. Cobb caught 29 passes for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns playing the first five games this season for Green Bay (7-7-1).

HORSE RACING Stakes purse increases

The Belmont Stakes will be worth $1.5 million next year, the first purse increase for the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown since 1998. The Preakness Stakes announced earlier this month its purse would increase to $1.5 million. The Kentucky Derby is worth $2 million. The purse for the Belmont, to be run June 7, will be shared among the first eight finishers. Previously, it was split between the top five finishers on a percentage basis. The winner will earn $800,000. The eighth-place finisher will receive $30,000. The Belmont purse was $1 million.

Comandante extended his winning streak to three with a pace setting victory Saturday in the $100,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York breds at Aqueduct. Cornelio Velasquez guided the 3-year-old gelding to a 4½-length victory over 19-1 shot Moneyinyour Pocket. Comandante, trained by Todd Pletcher, improved to 4 for 14. The time was 1:44.15 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast track. Comandante paid $5.10, $3.80 and $2.30 as the 3-2 second choice. Moneyinyour Pocket returned $9.90 and $3.80, and even-money favorite Awesome Vision was third, paying $2.10.

Unbridled’s Note edged El Commodore by a half-length to win the $100,000 Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Unbridled’s Note ran 6½ furlongs on the downhill turf course in 1:11.89 and paid $5, $3.20 and $2.40 as the 3-2 favorite in the field of seven for the Grade 3 race. It was Unbridled’s Note’s third victory in six tries on the turf at Santa Anita. The victory, worth $60,000, increased the 4-year-old colt’s career earnings to $636,683, with five victories in 16 starts. El Commodore returned $6.80 and $3, while Gallant Son was another 4¼ lengths back in third and paid $3.40 to show.

HOCKEY Bruins’ defender out

Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg will miss the rest of the season because of torn knee ligaments. He was injured in the third period Friday night when he became entangled with Ottawa forward Cory Conacher behind the Bruins’ goal. Seidenberg tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his right knee. General Manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement Saturday the expected recovery issix to eight months. Seidenberg has 1 goal and 9 assists in 34 games this season. During his career, he has also played for Philadelphia, Phoenix, Carolina and Florida.

BASEBALL Puig charged

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was arrested on a reckless driving charge for the second time this year after officers clocked him going 110 mph in a 70 mph zone in Naples, Fla. A news release from the Florida Highway Patrol said a white Mercedes driven by the 23-year-old Cuban defector was pulled over around 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Authorities said Puig was arrested and charged with reckless driving and taken to the Collier County Jail for processing. Puig lives in the Miami area during the off season. In April, when he was still in the minors, Puig was charged with reckless driving and speeding after Chattanooga, Tenn., police clocked him going 97 mph in a 50 mph zone. The charges were dismissed in November after Puig completed community service in Los Angeles.

The San Diego Padres and reliever Joaquin Benoit have completed a $15.5 million, two-year contract that includes a vesting option for 2016. The team announced the move Saturday. The sides agreed to the deal Dec. 18, pending a physical. Benoit, who turns 37 in July, is expected to replace setup man Luke Gregerson, who was traded to Oakland for outfielder Seth Smith. In his first season as the Detroit Tigers’ closer, Benoit had 24 saves in 26 chances this year. But in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, he allowed a tying grand slam by Boston’s David Ortiz that was a turning point in the series.