Phillies’ Chase Utley likely to start season on disabled list

The Philadelphia Phillies’ Chase Utley will probably start the season on the disabled list for the second straight year because of problems with both knees.

The five-time All-Star second baseman left camp to see a specialist, and it’s uncertain when he’ll be ready to play.

Utley was believed to have only an injured right knee, but General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. indicated Monday the left one may be causing more trouble.

Utley hasn’t played in a game this spring because of his condition, which forced him to sit out all of last spring and the first 46 games of the regular season.

::

Less than two years after making the National League All-Star team, left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo was released by the Seattle Mariners.

Kuo had a 17.55 earned-run average in six spring-training appearances over 62/3 innings. He gave up 13 earned runs and yielded five home runs.

Kuo was an All-Star in 2010 with the Dodgers but struggled last season because of a back problem early in the season and sat out a month because of anxiety disorder.

::

The New York Mets’ owners agreed to pay up to $162 million in a settlement with the trustee for Bernard Madoff’s fraud victims, a deal that left open the possibility they might pay much less.

The agreement was announced by Judge Jed Rakoff just as a civil trial was set to begin in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to determine if the team’s owners might owe as much as $386 million because they were among those who made significantly more than their original investment in Madoff’s investment company.

ETC.

Muamba’s condition improves

English soccer player Fabrice Muamba began breathing independently and responding to family members, showing significant signs of recovery in intensive care two days after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game.

The 23-year-old Bolton midfielder collapsed on the field just before halftime at Tottenham on Saturday. Initial efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, and his heart started beating on its own again only later at the hospital.

::

Quarterback David Garrard signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins and said he was told he’ll be given a shot at the starting job.

The Dolphins reached agreement with the former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback after failed courtships with Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn. They also played host to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith for a visit Sunday and might still consider signing him.

For now, Garrard and incumbent Matt Moore are the contenders for the job.

::

A person with knowledge of the negotiations said that wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth agreed to a one-year contract to return to the New England Patriots.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter.