star center

For the second straight year, the New Jersey Nets opened training camp with rumors of a possible trade for an All-Star.

And for the second straight year, no one was willing to talk about the reports, this time centering around a possible deal with the Orlando Magic to acquire All-Star center Dwight Howard.

All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino was in Philadelphia's starting lineup Wednesday night for Game 6 of the World Series despite a finger injury.

Saku Koivu has left the Montreal Canadiens after 13 seasons to join the Anaheim Ducks. The two-time All-Star center, who turns 35 in November, signed a one-year deal Wednesday.

Koivu was Montreal's captain for nearly 10 years, tying Jean Beliveau for longest-serving in the team's 100-year history.

Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot.

The playing future of the 7-foot-6 Yao is in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out all of next season, and potentially end his career.

Scott Gomez's brief New York tenure ended Tuesday when the star center was traded by the Rangers to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a six-player deal.

The key player coming back to New York is forward Chris Higgins, a Long Island native who is set to become a restricted free agent.

The deal was announced one day before the NHL's free-agent shopping season opens Wednesday.

Carlos Beltran is going on the disabled list, an enormous blow to a struggling New York Mets team already decimated by key injuries.

The All-Star center fielder was placed on the 15-day DL on Monday because of a bone bruise on his right knee -- the same injury that sidelined him for a couple of games in late May.

The Braves have acquired All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates for three prospects, a move to beef up Atlanta's offense in hopes of contending in the NL East.

The 27-year-old McLouth was an All-Star last season and set career highs with a .276 average, 26 homers and 94 RBIs.