Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez contacted in federal investigation

New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has been contacted by federal investigators regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug.

Rodriguez said Monday he was “aware” of the investigation and plans to cooperate with government officials who are looking into Dr. Anthony Galea. Rodriguez said a date for an interview has not been set.

“I can’t really get into that,” Rodriguez said. “I have to speak to those guys first. I’ve just got to wait for instructions.”

Galea is facing four charges in his country related to the drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calf’s blood and used for healing. His assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having human growth hormone and another drug while crossing the border in September.

Rodriguez said the probe won’t have an effect on him because “this is about someone else.” He declined to comment when asked if he has even been treated by Galea.

“I’m focused on baseball,” Rodriguez said.

PRO BASKETBALL

Spurs release Finley

The San Antonio Spurs waived swingman Michael Finley after nearly five seasons, giving the 15-year veteran a chance to finish the season with more playing time elsewhere.

The Spurs said they honored Finley’s request to be released from his contract, which was in its final year after he exercised a $2.5-million option this season. Finley, who turns 37 this week, will be eligible to sign with a playoff contender.

Finley lost his starting job this season and missed several weeks because of a sprained ankle. He appeared in only 25 games, averaging 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal had surgery on his injured right thumb and seems likely to miss the rest of the regular season.

O’Neal will miss about eight weeks, the team said. He was examined Sunday at the National Hand Center in Baltimore by specialist Dr. Thomas Graham, who performed the surgery Monday morning.

The recovery timeline means O’Neal, who turns 38 on Saturday, may not be ready for the start of the playoffs April 17.

Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce says he is ready to return after missing three games because of a sprained right thumb.

Pierce practiced with the team Monday and said he expected to play Tuesday in Detroit.

SOCCER

U.S. beats Sweden

Second-half substitute Lauren Cheney scored twice to lead the United States over Sweden, 2-0, at Ferreiras, Portugal. The Americans advanced to an Algarve Cup final against Germany.

Germany, the defending world champion, routed China, 5-0, to finish first in its group.

The U.S. (3-0) will be in its eighth straight Algarve final.

Chile canceled two World Cup warmup matches this week because of Saturday’s devastating earthquake.

The South Americans were scheduled to play an unusual doubleheader on Wednesday in Santiago, facing North Korea and Costa Rica.

ETC.

Williams tops Clijsters

Venus Williams defeated Kim Clijsters, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, to win the Billie Jean King Cup in the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Williams was down, 3-4, in the final set when Clijsters hit a volley into the net on break point to level the set. The pair held their serve the rest of the way until Clijsters, down 15-40, hit the break point past the baseline to hand Williams the win and $400,000 of the $1.2-million prize money.

The Chicago Bears have waived former All-Pro tackle Orlando Pace after one season.