Off Topic » The 31-year-old was acquired from Seattle

NEW YORK -- Infielder Brendan Ryan has agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract to remain with the New York Yankees in a deal that includes team and player options for 2016. The 31-year-old was acquired from Seattle on Sept. 10, a day before the Yankees said captain Derek Jeter would be sidelined for the rest of the season. Ryan hit .220 with one homer in 17 games and finished the season with a .197 average, four homers and 22 RBIs. He has a .237 average in seven seasons with St. Louis (2007-10), Seattle (2011-13) and the Yankees (2013). Ryan gets $2 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Yankees have a $2 million option for 2016. If the team declines the option, Ryan would have a $1 million player option. Cheap Adidas Lightning Jerseys . -- The taxing preseason, which included two games in China, is finally over. Cheap Lightning Jerseys . -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore has undergone surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. http://www.cheaplightningjerseys.com/.J. -- Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils took a lot of grief considering his scored the first of his career-best three goals just 12 seconds into a crucial game against the Florida Panthers. Cheap Lightning Jerseys Authentic . They showered him with "MVP! MVP!" chants. In many ways, it seemed like hed never been gone. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . You can watch coverage on TSN, TSN2 and CTV beginning today at 3pm et/Noon pt. The championships will feature approximately 250 of Canadas best figure skaters in senior, junior and novice as they vie for spots on the national team, international assignments and will act as the final step in the 2014 Olympic qualification process.VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The court fight over NFL concussions should heat up soon as a judge in Philadelphia weighs the fairness of the proposed $765 million settlement. Lead players lawyer Sol Weiss expects the courts financial expert to advise the judge "shortly" on his view of the class-action plan. Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody has voiced concerns that the fund wont cover 20,000 retirees for 65 years. And critics believe the NFL is getting off lightly, given its $9 billion in annual revenues. "When you look at it objectively, it didnt matter how much money the NFL had, it was, Is there enough money to take care of (people)?" Weiss said Friday at a seminar at the Villanova University School of Law outside Philadelphia. The proposed settlement would pay as much as $5 million for men with the most serious neurological injuries, such as Lou Gehrigs disease. The awards would depend on a retirees age and diagnosis. Those with serious dementia would get $3 million, while an 80-year-old with early dementia would get $25,000. All plaintiffs would get cognitive testing, and follow-up care if needed. "Even if only 10 per cent of retired NFL football players eventually receive a qualifying diagnosis ... it is difficult to see how the monetary award fund would have the funds available over its lifespan to pay all claimants at these significant award levels," Brody wrote in January, when she asked for more actuarial details and appointed New York financier Perry Golkin to advise her. Weeiss remains confident the fund is sufficient, and that most players will sign on rather than spend years fighting the NFL in court.dddddddddddd The surprise settlement emerged in August, after several months of closed-door meetings with a mediator. "There were a lot of talks; they went on for a long period of time ... and the NFLs tough," Weiss said Friday. "We did get to a point where there was enough money on the table to take care of the sick players and their families, and thats the time we make the deal." Brody was expected to hold a fairness hearing in the coming months, when objectors can challenge the plan, and decide whether to opt out. "Those players and their lawyers who think its not enough money will get an opportunity to be heard," Weiss said Friday. Brody could approve the settlement, reject it, or perhaps suggest the two sides negotiate anew. However, the plaintiffs lawyers consider time of the essence, especially for families dealing with the dementia, depression and even violence associated with traumatic brain injuries. "These are profoundly injured people. Some of them are dead, and their families deserve compensation," said Weiss, whose lead plaintiff, former Atlanta Falcon safety Ray Easterling, committed suicide in 2012, a year after filing suit. "They forget things. They have a lot of anger issues. They cant hold a job. They really cant have a meaningful relations," Weiss said. "Their lives are upside down." ' ' '