SAN FRANCISCO — Seattle Mariners ace Cliff Lee was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with an abdominal strain, an expected move given the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner's health troubles this spring.

BOSTON — LeBron James responded Sunday to USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo's warnings about skipping the world championships, saying he has already proven his commitment to the team.Colangelo said Wednesday any player who sat out this summer without a good reason was jeopardizing his chances of playing in the 2012 Olympics in London, telling The Associated Press there are "no free passes, regardless who it is." Dwyane Wade also has hedged about taking part.

HUMBLE, Texas — Phil Mickelson pulled a special guest out of the gallery at the Houston Open on Sunday to carry his bag for three holes.Dr. Tom Buchholz, a radiation oncologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, is treating Mickelson's wife and mother, Amy and Mary, who were both diagnosed with breast cancer last summer.Mickelson left tournament passes for Buchholz, his family and other hospital staff. Out of contention in the final round, Mickelson asked Buchholz to take the bag from regular caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay on the 14th tee.

MANCHESTER, England — David Haye made a successful first defense of his WBA heavyweight title, knocking down John Ruiz four times Saturday before the American challenger's corner stopped the fight in the ninth round.