Morning News Links
MLB
50-year-old pitcher Roger Clemens is planning his second start for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League on September 7th. [Fox 26]
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was ejected in the ninth inning last night for spiking his helmet and nearly hitting the first base umpire. [Yahoo! Sports]
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi says that time is running out for starting pitcher Andy Pettitte to return from his fractured ankle. The team plans to accelerate his rehab once he is throwing off a mound. [NY Post]
Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer cleared waivers. [Fox Sports]
Los Angeles Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten fears that starting pitcher Chad Billingsley is done for the year. The Dodgers placed Billingsley on the 15-day disabled list with elbow pain. [LA Times]
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Huston Street, who is a perfect 21-for-21 in save opportunities this season, could be activated from the disabled list in time for Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. [MLB.com]
NFL
The adviser for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant says that the 23-year-old is 100 percent behind the rules and restrictions that the team has implemented on him. [Dallas Morning News]
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll says that wide receiver Sidney Rice is "ready to go." Rice, who ended last season on the injured reserve due to multiple concussions, has been recovering from offseason surgery on both of his shoulders. [ESPN Seattle]
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith says that he has no intentions of trading holdout running back Maurice Jones-Drew. [Florida Times-Union]
The NFL informed all 32 teams on Wednesday that they will be proceeding with the replacement officials for Week 1 of the regular season. The league is prepared to use the replacements as long as they have to. [NFL.com]
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath says that he is concerned with the New York Jets, because they only seem interested in creating headlines. [USA Today]
When recently-released tight end Chris Cooley was asked if he would be willing to play for the Dallas Cowboys he responded, "I don't think so, but people do a lot of things for money." [Washington Post]
NHL
Veteran NHL forward Jaromir Jagr posts pictures of himself suited up in Dallas Stars gear. The 40-year-old will play in the Western Conference for the first time in his 18-year NHL career. [Twitter]
When it comes to the ongoing CBA negotiations, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman wants you to know that his intentions are to get a fair deal done. [RDS]
Montreal Canadiens forward Rene Bourque will be out of action for 8 to 12 weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery. "He scored 27 goals two years ago," Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said. "I know he had an off year, but I'm not ready to write him off." [NHL.com]
Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth says that he has had multiple offers to play in Europe, but he is waiting to see what happens with the potential NHL lockout first. [Washington Post]
Florida Panther forward Peter Mueller, who has struggled for most of his career with concussions, says that his issues are 100 percent behind him. "I haven't felt this clear since my first year, which is awesome," Mueller said. [Orlando Sun-Sentinel]
Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall says that if the NHL lockout extends beyond a few weeks, he will look into playing in Europe. [Edmonton Sun]
NBA
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an offseason knee surgery that held him out of the Olympics. Wade hit the court the other day a full week before he was expected to. [CBS Sports]
Heat forward LeBron James says that he wishes the NBA had a show like the NFL's "Hard Knocks." [Twitter]
