Raiders’ Cable won’t discuss reported fight

Oakland Raiders Coach Tom Cable declined to comment Monday about reports he punched defensive assistant Randy Hanson in the jaw and caused injuries that required treatment at a hospital this month.

According to AOL Fanhouse, Cable hit Hanson on Aug. 5 for unknown reasons. A report filed with the Napa (Calif.) Police Department describes an unnamed 41-year-old assistant coach being treated at the Queen of the Valley Hospital for a jaw injury, which the victim alleges was caused by an unidentified member of the Raiders’ coaching staff.

Cable, who replaced Lane Kiffin as Oakland’s head coach four games into the 2008 season, repeatedly sidestepped questions about the incident and declined to discuss his involvement.

“It’s an internal issue that we are dealing with, and that’s all I’m going to say,� said Cable, who repeated the phrase when questioned if he was involved. “I’m not going to comment on that.�

Cable spoke for less than 60 seconds regarding the incident. He answered four questions before reporters were cut off by a member of the Raiders’ public relations department.

Hanson was working with the defensive backs but hasn’t been seen at the team’s training camp facilities since shortly after the fight supposedly took place.

Asked if Hanson was still employed by the team, Cable again declined to comment.

--

St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger has broken the pinkie on his throwing hand and could be out for at least two weeks.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Bulger would not play in Friday’s exhibition against Atlanta and was doubtful for the Aug. 27 game at Cincinnati.

Bulger, 32, jammed the finger taking a snap during Monday’s practice and an X-ray revealed a small fracture.

Kyle Boller is expected to start for the Rams while Bulger is out.

--

New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis was suspended without pay for the team’s regular-season opener and fined $100,000 by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

BASEBALL

Wright expects to return this season

David Wright, the New York Mets’ All-Star third baseman, was back at Citi Field on Monday, two days after he was hit flush on the helmet by a 94-mph fastball from San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain, and said he expected to play again this season.

Wright was diagnosed with a concussion and spent Saturday night in a hospital before being released Sunday. He was put on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career.

--

Atlanta Braves center fielder Nate McLouth was put on the disabled list because of a sore left hamstring. The Braves purchased the contract of outfielder Reid Gorecki from triple-A Gwinnett. . . . The Detroit Tigers bolstered their offense for a pennant drive by obtaining first baseman Aubrey Huff from the Baltimore Orioles for a minor leaguer.

PRO BASKETBALL

Griffin’s recovery ahead of schedule

After straining his right shoulder last month during the NBA’s Summer League, Clippers forward Blake Griffin has practiced shooting while abstaining from any contact drills, Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

“Everything is moving forward probably even ahead of schedule,� Dunleavy said at the Clippers’ training facility in Playa Vista.

Griffin, whom the Clippers selected from Oklahoma as the No. 1 in this year’s draft, suffered the injury in the third game of Summer League. Doctors estimated on July 22 that he would be sidelined three to four weeks.

Griffin averaged 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in five games this summer.

-- Mark Medina

ETC.

Locals named baseball all-stars

Rob Rasmussen of UCLA and Gary Brown of Cal State Fullerton have been chosen year-end all-star selections in the Cape Cod League.

Rasmussen, a left-handed pitcher who will be a junior for the Bruins next season, had a 4-0 record, 1.80 earned-run average and 42 strikeouts in 35 innings. Brown, an outfielder who will be a junior, batted .310. Both played for the Orleans Firebirds.

--

Chivas USA has acquired 22-year-old forward Jesus Padilla, a product of Chivas de Guadalajara’s youth system who has made 24 appearances for Chivas’ first team, the club announced.