Drug approvals rise in baseball ROGER, OUT

The number of players approved to take attention deficit disorder medications under baseball’s drug policy rose last season, even after the sport tightened its rules in response to criticism from Congress.

According to a report issued Friday, 106 therapeutic-use exemptions for ADD drugs were issued last year, up from the 103 exemptions reported to Congress for 2007.

That 8% of players would require ADD medications dismayed Gary Wadler, a New York physician and advisor to the World Anti-Doping Agency. Wadler said the disorder is diagnosed in 3%-5% of children and a smaller percentage of adults.

“There’s nothing unique that would cause an epidemic of ADD in baseball,” he said.

Rob Manfred, baseball’s executive vice president of labor relations, said he was unaware of any study that indicated the prevalence of ADD among athletes and said baseball might fund one.

Of 3,486 tests administered last year, 19 resulted in a positive test, including five for performance-enhancing substances and 14 for stimulants, according to the report. The tests covered 1,348 players.

-- Bill Shaikin

PRO BASKETBALL

Union plans to file grievance for Miles

The NBA players’ association plans to file a grievance against the Portland Trail Blazers, who have threatened litigation against any NBA club considering signing Darius Miles.

If Miles plays in two more games this season, Portland would be on the hook for $18 million -- the amount remaining on Miles’ contract, which would count against Portland’s salary cap and force the team to pay luxury tax.

“We are shocked at the brazen attempt by the Portland Trail Blazers to try to prevent Darius Miles from continuing his NBA career,” players’ association Director Billy Hunter said in a statement.

Hours before Miles cleared waivers Friday, Portland President Larry Miller sent an e-mail to the other 29 NBA teams warning of legal action if a team were to take Miles simply to adversely affect Portland’s salary cap.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Crabtree leaving Texas Tech for NFL

Michael Crabtree’s father says the Texas Tech receiver is going to the NFL, according to a newspaper report.

His father, also named Michael Crabtree, told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that draft projections in the top 10 were too good to pass up.

Crabtree’s father says a nagging ankle problem in 2008 raised concerns about bigger injuries next season.

Other players who announced Friday they would leave school early for the NFL are: Jeremy Maclin, a two-time All-American receiver at Missouri; Brigham Young wide receiver Austin Collie, who led the nation in total receiving yards; and Alabama running back Glen Coffee.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo found its new coach at the school that wooed its old one, hiring Army offensive coordinator Tim Walsh two weeks after Rich Ellerson left the Mustangs to take over the Black Knights. Walsh played football at UC Riverside in the mid-1970s.

GOLF

Ogilvy stumbles but still has the lead

Geoff Ogilvy three-putted his last two holes, which ended his impressive streak without a bogey but didn’t cost him the lead in the Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua, Hawaii.

Flawless over the first 34 holes, Ogilvy stumbled to a five-under-par 68, giving him a one-shot lead over D.J. Trahan going into the weekend of the PGA Tour opener at 11-under 135.

ETC.

Murray defeats Federer in Qatar

Defending champion Andy Murray beat Roger Federer, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2, to reach the final of the Qatar Open at Doha, his fourth straight win over the former top-ranked player. He will play in today’s final against Andy Roddick, a 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-3 winner over Gael Monfils. . . . Elena Dementieva beat Elena Vesnina, 6-4, 6-1, to win the ASB Classic at Auckland, New Zealand. . . . Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski received an automatic three-game suspension without pay for shoving an official during a game Thursday in Montreal. . . . The Galaxy acquired midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi, 31, from the Columbus Crew for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The Galaxy also announced that Paul Bravo, the team’s director of soccer, has left to become technical director for the Colorado Rapids. . . . The Detroit Shock matched the offer sheet that 6-foot-6 Kara Braxton signed with the Sparks. . . . The pick six pool at Santa Anita could reach $4 million today after the track’s first three-day carryover since last February.