Sports briefs

Oregon gives Blount a second chance

Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, who was suspended for the season after punching a Boise State player in the wake of the season opener, has been allowed to rejoin the Ducks.

The university requested Blount's reinstatement, which was approved by Pacific-10 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott on Monday.

Blount will be able to play for the No. 14 Ducks on Saturday night when they host Arizona State. He missed eight games.

Blount issued a statement, saying he was grateful to Oregon coach Chip Kelly for giving him a second chance.

"Now it is up to me to prove to people that their lasting impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise," he said.

Martinez, Wakefield returning to Red Sox

BOSTON — The Red Sox exercised their $7.7 million option on Victor Martinez and declined options on Jason Varitek and Alex Gonzalez on Monday.

Boston also agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract with 43-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, replacing a perpetual $4 million annual club option.

The moves on the options were expected after Boston obtained Martinez from the Cleveland Indians on July 31 and he replaced Varitek as the starting catcher. The club option for Varitek was worth $5 million, but he can stay with the team if he exercises his $3 million player option.

Woods attracts big crowd Down Under

MELBOURNE, Australia — Thousands of fans lined fairways and TV network helicopters circled overhead as Tiger Woods played his first round of golf in Australia in 11 years Tuesday.

Woods joined Australian veteran Craig Parry for a practice round at the Kingston Heath course near Melbourne, site of this week's Australian Masters. The tournament will be Woods' fourth in Australia but his first since the 1998 Presidents Cup.

5 inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame

TORONTO — The Hockey Hall of Fame's class of 2009 has received its rings.

Steve Yzerman, Luc Robitaille, Brian Leetch, Brett Hull and New Jersey Devils executive Lou Lamoriello picked up their jewelry during a morning ceremony at the Hall.

All four players in the group are entering the Hall in their first year of eligibility. They are the first players who played after the NHL's 2004-05 lockout to be enshrined.

—Deseret News staff and wire reports