PITTSBURGH — Preseason Big East player of the year Aaron Gray did not practice for Pittsburgh on Thursday because of an illness, and his status for Pitt's game Saturday morning at No. 7 Wisconsin is in doubt.

Gray, a 7-foot center who leads the No. 2 Panthers in scoring and rebounding, was at the Petersen Events Center but did not work out with the team because of cold- and flu-like symptoms, team officials said.

PITTSBURGH — Veteran left wing John LeClair and the Pittsburgh Penguins officially severed ties Thursday afternoon when the team placed the former 50-goal scorer on unconditional waivers.Penguins general manager Ray Shero came to an agreement with LeClair and his agent in which the club will not be responsible for paying the remainder of the 37-year-old's salary and LeClair will be able to seek to play in the league for another club.LeClair was to make $1.5 million for the season.The situation allows each side to save face. The Penguins save money and the stigma of contentiousness with a 16-year veteran who twice played on the U.S. Olympic team. LeClair avoids the embarrassment of a suspension and is free to offer his services to other teams.

HOUSTON — Jeff Bagwell, the face of Houston baseball for a generation with teammate Craig Biggio, will retire after 15 years with the team.Bagwell, 38, leaves the Astros as the team's all-time leader in home runs (449), RBI (1,529), walks (1,401) and extra-base hits (969). He had a lifetime batting average of .297.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — John Daly shot a 69 at Sherwood Country Club Thursday to finish three shots behind leader Henrik Stenson at the Target World Challenge.Daly, who finished 193rd on the PGA money list and will not have full status on the PGA Tour next year for the first time since 1991, received one of two wild-card invitations to Target.