+SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 31+

(ADDING AMERICANS)

BASEBALL
--------

Chicago Cubs - Placed pitcher Scott Williamson on the 60-day
disabled list; released infielder Dave Hansen.

Chicago White Sox - Sent catcher Ben Davis outright to Charlotte
of the International League (AAA).

Cleveland Indians - Placed outfielder Juan Gonzalez on the
15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 28, due to a right
hamstring strain; recalled outfielder Grady Sizemore from
Buffalo of the International League (AAA).

Detroit Tigers - Optioned outfielder Marcus Thames to Toledo of
the International League (AAA); assigned outfielder Alexis Gomez
and pitcher Doug Creek to minor league camp. Florida Marlins -
optioned infielder Joe Dillon and catcher Josh Willingham to
Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); announced pitcher
Luke Hagerty cleared waivers and was returned to the Chicago
Cubs.

Kansas City Royals - Sent pitchers Chris George and Dennis
Tankersley outright to Omaha of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).

Minnesota Twins - Released pitcher C.J. Nitkowski; assigned
pitcher Willie Eyre and catcher Chris Heintz to minor league
camp; optioned infielders Augie Ojeda and Terry Tiffee to
Rochester of the International League (AAA).

New York Mets - Signed catcher Mike DiFelice to a minor league
contract; purchased the contracts of infielder Chris Woodward
and Mike Matthews; released outfielder Kerry Robinson; optioned
outfielder Victor Diaz and Aaron Heilman to Norfolk of the
International League (AAA); assigned outfielder Gerald Williams
and catcher Joe Hieptas to minor league camp; placed pitcher
Steve Trachsel on the 60-day disabled list with a herniated disc
in his back.

Seattle Mariners - Claimed outfielder Abraham Nunez off waivers
from the Kansas City Royals.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Acquired infielder Nick Green from the
Atlanta Braves for pitcher Jorge Sosa; announced pitcher Angel
Garcia cleared waivers and was returned to the Minnesota Twins;
claimed outfielder Michael Restovich off waivers from the Twins.

BASKETBALL
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Orlando Magic - Signed guard Andre Barrett to a 10-day contract;
released guard Mark Jones from his 10-day contract.

Houston Comets (WNBA) - Re-signed forward Vanessa Nygaard.

FOOTBALL
--------

Carolina Panthers - Signed free safety Idrees Bashir, who had
been with the Indianapolis Colts.

Buffalo Bills - Signed offensive lineman Bennie Anderson, who
had been with the Baltimore Ravens.

Chicago Bears - Re-signed offensive lineman Steve Edwards to a
one-year contract.

Jacksonvillle Jaguars - Signed free agent cornerback Kenny
Wright, who had been with the Houston Texans.

Oakland Raiders - Signed running back Rob Konrad, who had been
with the Miami Dolphins, and defensive lineman Kenny Smith, who
had been with the New Orleans Saints.

San Francisco 49ers - Claimed safety Arnold Parker off waivers.

Arizona Rattlers (Arena) - Signed receiver-defensive back Ryan
Dennard to the practice squad.

Austin Wranglers (Arena) - Signed receiver-defensive back Greg
Brown from the practice squad; placed offensive specialist
Tacoma Fontaine on injured reserve.

Chicago Rush (Arena) - Activated defensive specialist Tony
Lukins from injured reserve; placed fullback-linebacker Jamie
McGourty on injured reserve.

Colorado Crush (Arena) - Waived receiver-defensive back Herman
Bell from the practice squad.

Georgia Force (Arena) - Re-signed receiver-linebacker Chris
Jackson; activated receiver-defensive back Justin Taplin from
injured reserve.

Grand Rapids Rampage (Arena) - Placed receiver-linebacker David
Saunders on refused to report list.

Las Vegas Gladiators (Arena) - Signed receiver-defensive back
Curtis Fagan to the practice squad.

Nashville Kats (Arena) - Signed lineman Ryan Roth and
quarterback Bill Whittemore from the practice squad; waived
quarterback Tony Zimmerman; signed receiver-linebacker Cosmo
DeMatteo and quarterback Scott Rislov to the practice squad.

GOLF 
----

United States Golf Association - Named Barry Hyde chief
marketing officer.

HOCKEY
------

Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) - Assigned center Dwight Helminen and
defenseman David Liffiton to the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL.

Norfolk Admirals (AHL) - Returned defenseman Vladimir Gusev to
the Greenville Grrrowl of the ECHL.

Rochester Americans (AHL) - Recalled forward Ryan Bennett from 
Adirondack of the United Hockey League.

Reading Royals (ECHL) - Signed left wing Brad Thompson.

OLYMPICS
--------

USA Cycling - Named Gary West track coach.

SOCCER
------

Colorado Rapids - Signed forward Joshua Elbaum and goalkeeper
Michael Cardenas to developmental contracts.

Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) - Acquired forward Landon Donovan in a
transfer deal with Bayer 04 Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga.

COLLEGE
-------

Assumption - Named Kevin Zifcak hockey coach.

Colgate - Named Kevin Bolis running backs coach.

Indiana State - Named Ron Prettyman athletics director.

Northern Colorado - Named Corey Edwards coordinator of athletic
facilities and events.

St. Bonaventure - Extended the contract of men's basketball
coach Anthony Solomon through the 2008-09 season.

Saint Peter's - Named Shawn Tarquinio women's soccer coach.

West Virginia - Signed men's basketball coach John Beilein to a
two-year contract extension through the 2011-12 season.

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