Off the wire

FOOTBALL Ravens release Leach

Vonta Leach was released Tuesday by the Baltimore Ravens, who failed to agree on a restructured contract with the All-Pro fullback. Leach was an integral part of a running game that helped the Ravens become champions last season. Paving the way for standout halfback Ray Rice, Leach made the Pro Bowl in each of his two seasons with Baltimore and was a key figure in the locker room. “He played a significant role in helping us get to the AFC Championship game in 2011 and win the Super Bowl last season,” General Manager Ozzie Newsome said. “He added to our toughness and will to win. Plus, he provided leadership.” After negotiations reached a standstill, both sides agreed it would be best to terminate Leach’s contract. But Newsome left open the possibility that Leach could return if he fails to find an adequate suitor in the free-agent market. Leach ran 21 times for 67 yards and one touchdown while with the Ravens. He also had 36 catches for212 yards. The 6-foot, 260-pounder also played for the Houston Texans (2006-2010), New Orleans Saints (2006) and Green Bay Packers (2004-2006).

Tim Tebow is joining the New England Patriots. The high-profile quarterback, who spent one season mostly on the sidelines with the New York Jets, officially signed on Tuesday morning as the Patriots opened up a three-day minicamp. The team made the announcement prior to coach Bill Belichick’s first interview session with the media on the field. Tebow was waived by the Jets on April 29, one year after throwing a touchdown pass to win a playoff game in overtime for the Denver Broncos. The transaction was first reported Monday by ESPN. According to the report, Tebow will play the role of quarterback, though he could be used at other spots if hemakes the team. The Patriots have Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) at that position already, but they released quarterback Mike Kafka on Monday. The 2007 winner of the Heisman Trophy while at Florida, Tebow was a 2010 firstround draft pick of the Broncos. He has 17 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing scores in his NFL career.

Donte Stallworth has recovered from serious burn injuries suffered in a hot air balloon crash and is practicing with the Washington Redskins. Stallworth took part in Tuesday’s minicamp as a tryout player, but Coach Mike Shanahan said he hopes to sign the veteran receiver this week. Stallworth and his then-girlfriend were riding in a hot air balloon in March when the balloon clipped a power line. Stallworth said parts of his body were literally on fire. Stallworth spent 2011 with the Redskins and played in one game with the New England Patriots last year before an ankle injury ended his season.

New Houston safety Ed Reed is still rehabbing after hip surgery and isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to play for the Texans in the season opener on Sept. 9. Reed was in Houston for the start of a three-day minicamp on Tuesday, but he didn’t work with the team. He had hip surgery April 30 for a partly torn labrum. He believes the injury occurred when New England quarterback Tom Brady kicked him in the AFC championship game. Reed played in the Super Bowl and didn’t find out he needed surgery until after he joined the Texans from the Ravens. The nine-time Pro Bowler says he hasn’t had any setbacks, and he’ll have a better idea of when he might play at training camp in late July.

SOCCER U.S. tops Panama

Jozy Altidore continued his scoring blitz with a goal in his third straight match, Eddie Johnson thrilled his home club fans with a goal in the 53rd minute, and the United States took over first place in its World Cup qualifying group with a 2-0 victory over Panama on Tuesday. Altidore scored in the 36th minute on a perfect cross from Fabian Johnson, moments after a potential penalty kick for the Americans was denied. Eddie Johnson then gave the U.S. some cushion when he collected Geoff Cameron’s pass over the top of Panama’s defense and slid a left-footed shot past Jaime Penedo less than 10 minutes into the second half. The U.S. holds a two-point lead over Costa Rica and Mexico in the qualifying group in the 10-game final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region. They will host Honduras next Tuesday night in Sandy, Utah.TENNIS Cornet advances

Third-seeded Alize Cornet beat Pauline Parmentier 6-3, 6-4 in an all-French first-round match at the rain-drenched Nurnberger Versicherungscup on Tuesday at Nuremberg, Germany. Rain interrupted the inaugural WTA event for the second straight day. Fifth-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic defeated Sesil Karatantcheva of Kazakhstan 6-2, 7-6 (9). Two other seeded players also advanced before the rain set in. No. 6. Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain beat Mariana Duque-Marino of Colombia 7-5, 6-3, and No. 8 Annika Beck of Germany topped Nina Bratchikova of Russia 6-2, 6-2.

BASEBALL Sandoval on DL

The San Francisco Giants have put third baseman Pablo Sandoval on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left foot. The reigning World Series MVP was sidelined before the Giants played Pittsburgh on Tuesdaynight. Infielder Nick Noonan was recalled from Class AAA Fresno to take Sandoval’s roster spot. Noonan had just been optioned to Fresno on Saturday after spending the entire season with the Giants. Sandoval is hitting .289 with eight home runs in 57 games this season. He helped the Giants sweep the Detroit Tigers last October to win their second World Series in three years by hitting three home runs in Game 1. Noonan hit .203 with one double in 59 at-bats for San Francisco. In one game with Fresno, he went 3 for 5 with a double and two RBI.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have put left-hander Wandy Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list because of tightness in his forearm, clearing the way prized pitcher Gerrit Cole to make his major league debut. The Pirates selected Cole’s contract from Class AAA Indianapolis. The right-hander was set to start Tuesday night against San Francisco. Rodriguez left his previous start in the first inning last Wednesday at Atlanta with the injury.

MOTOR SPORTS Team Penske fined

IndyCar has fined Team Penske $35,000 and docked it 15 entrant points because the underwing on Helio Castroneves’ race-winning car at Texas didn’t meet specifications. Series officials said a post-race inspection found that the car didn’t comply with a rule requiring the “exit of the underwing height” to be 7.6 inches. Team Penske said it found the height was instead 7.575 inches “because we neglected to tighten” braces positioning the rear of the diffuser. Penske Racing President Tim Cindric said the mistake didn’t provide Castroneves any advantage in the race, which ended with the team’s first victory of the season. Castroneves led the final 132 laps and finished 4.7 seconds ahead of Ryan Hunter-Reay.