SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Slugger Albert Pujols says the St. Louis Cardinals are interested in extending his contract during the winter.
Pujols told a Dominican radio station late Wednesday that he is in no rush to make a decision. He still has a year left on his contract for 2010 and a club option for 2011.
Pujols signed a seven-year contract in 2003 worth $100 million but says money is not a priority for his next contract. He says he prefers to play for a competitive team that can advance to the postseason.
He hit .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBIs this season. He is in the running to be named the National League’s MVP.
• Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is expected to be ready for spring training after surgery on his injured right leg to clean scar tissue from the torn hamstring tendon behind the knee.
• Former Washington manager Manny Acta has been interviewed by the Cleveland Indians for their managerial opening. He will interview with Houston today for their manager’s job.
Johnson wins pole at Lowe’s
CONCORD, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion and points leader, looked the part, earning the pole at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with a blistering lap of 192.376 mph.
Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet had the best grip in the rain-delayed qualifying in unseasonably cool conditions.
Mark Martin, sitting second in points, will start second after a lap of 191.816 mph. Kasey Kahne qualified third, followed by Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart.
“We’ve still got 500 miles to run,” Johnson said. “I think if we can lead a lot of laps, win the race, something along those lines will send a statement.”
Italian soccer team wants compensation
MILAN — AC Milan wants compensation from the U.S. Soccer Federation after defender Oguchi Onyewu was injured in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday against Costa Rica.
“I’m very angry because once again the national teams take players and we lose out due to injuries,” AC Milan chief executive officer Adriano Galliani said.
Onyewu tore the patellar tendon in his left knee late in Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in Washington. The injury usually requires a recovery time of three to four months.
USSF president Sunil Gulati declined comment on Galliani’s remarks.
Footnotes.
Nuggets and Avalanche owner Stan Kroenke increased his stake in Premier League club Arsenal, edging closer to a full takeover. Kroenke bought 90 more shares for $1.2 million, increasing his holding from 28.7 to 28.9 percent. That’s just short of the 29.9 percent threshold that would trigger a mandatory offer for the remaining shares.
• The British government will open the country’s first anti-doping program in December. UK Anti- Doping will be responsible for enforcing the compliance of sports’ governing bodies with the World Anti-Doping Code. The Associated Press
