Sports in brief

SOCCER

Reports: Red Bulls sign Henry

One of the most accomplished and famous footballers in the world, Thierry Henry, has signed a deal to play for the New York Red Bulls, according to reports in the Boston Globe and SI.com. Henry, whose season with Barcelona finished Sunday, will play for the French team at the World Cup in South Africa next month before joining the Red Bulls, according to the reports. Henry, 32, still has a year left on his contract with Barcelona. He holds the mark for most French national team goals with 51 and was a star for Arsenal of the English Premier League before moving to Barcelona . . . Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering ankle ligament damage in the FA Cup final Saturday.

NFL

Sanchez gets in limited practice

Mark Sanchez's road to recovery took another notable step Monday. The second-year quarterback participated in the Jets' first day of voluntary organized team activities in a limited capacity, continuing to push toward his goal of practicing fully in next month's mandatory minicamp. Sanchez, who had surgery on his left knee Feb. 17 to repair the patella ligament, competed in 7-on-7 drills, pat-and-go drills with the receivers, and also did some individual work.

TENNIS

Martina says she's cancer free

Martina Navratilova, the 18-time major singles champion who last month announced she had cancer, said she has no trace of the disease after surgery. "I am in fact cancer free, that was taken out when I had the lumpectomy about six weeks ago," Navratilova, 53, said in a conference call organized by the Tennis Channel. "I just started radiation last week." She said she will have treatment while doing commentary for the Tennis Channel during the French Open. - Bloomberg News NHL

Caps sign center Backstrom

The Washington Capitals signed standout center Nicklas Backstrom, 22, to a 10-year, $67-million deal, a major investment in a player who has rapidly developed into one of the best centers in the NHL . . . Dale Tallon has been hired as general manager of the Florida Panthers. He comes to Florida from the Chicago Blackhawks, where he served as a senior adviser of hockey operations. - AP