PRESS BOX: Saban 'never considered going to Texas'
A day after agreeing to a new long-term contract extension to remain Alabama's coach, Nick Saban told ESPN.com Saturday that he did not think about leaving for Texas.
Saban said he has been fully committed to Alabama, and the speculation that could replace Mack Brown as the Longhorns' coach was not fair.
"The way this sort of got spun, it was a little bit more like, 'OK, he got a new contract at Alabama, so he's going to stay at Alabama instead of going to Texas,' " Saban said. "I never considered going to Texas. That wasn't even a conversation. I knew that if Mack stepped down, there would probably be an opportunity, but it wasn't something I was interested in doing, not at this stage in my career."
The new deal reportedly is worth nearly $7 million per year. Saban, 62, had signed an extension in March that runs through the 2020 season. He is 74-14 in seven years at Alabama.
MLB
The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a two-year contract with free agent third baseman Juan Uribe, multiple media outlets reported Saturday.
Uribe, 34, had a batting line of .278/.331/.438 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 388 at-bats over 132 games this year.
CBS Sports reported earlier that the Dodgers were hoping to re-sign infielder Michael Young and play him regularly at third base because they did believe they could retain Uribe.
---Major-league teams hoping to land Japanese star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka may have to wait another year. The Rakuten Golden Eagles plan to wait until at least after the 2014 season to make the right-hander a free agent, according to the New York Post.
Japanese players are usually not posted for free agency until after their ninth season and Tanaka is entering his eighth season.
NBA
Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Saturday that point guard Rajon Rondo has been cleared by Dr. James Andrews to fully practice.
However, it is not known when he will be able to play. Stevens does not expect him before Jan. 1. Rondo is recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee that he sustained at Atlanta on Jan. 25. Andrews performed the surgery on Feb. 15.
