Sports in brief

GOLF

Mickelson won't play 'that wedge'

Phil Mickelson won't be using the Ping Eye2 wedge that led fellow player Scott McCarron to accuse him of "cheating," even though he hopes others will use the controversial club to keep attention on what he calls a ridiculous rule. "I won't be playing that wedge. My point has been made," Mickelson said yesterday on the eve of his two-time title defense in the Northern Trust Open at Riviera in Los Angeles. The Ping wedge has grooves that no longer conform under a new USGA regulation, adopted by the PGA Tour. Any Ping wedge made before April 1, 1990, is approved for play under a legal settlement from two decades ago.

NHLColumbus fires Hitchcock

The struggling Columbus Blue Jackets have fired Ken Hitchcock a year after the club made the postseason for the first time in history. Assistant coach Claude Noel will be the interim coach.

BASEBALL

$80M pact for Tigers' Verlander?

A person familiar with the negations says the Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander have agreed to a five-year, $80-million contract. Verlander won a career-high 19 games with a career-best 3.45 ERA last season. He is 65-43 with a 3.92 ERA in four seasons with the Tigers. - AP

Prime-time games on Fox schedule

Fox announced its 2010 baseball schedule, featuring eight appearances each for the Yankees and Mets, beginning with the Yankees facing the Rays April 10. The schedule also includes two prime-time windows - beginning at 7 p.m. - during interleague play May 22 and June 26. The May 22 slate includes the Yankees against the Mets, and June 26 the Yankees will visit the Dodgers.