Detroit Lions

Basketball Detroit Pistons -- Signed C Jeff Ruland.Phoenix Suns -- Activated C Oliver Miller. Placed C Tim Kempton (tendinitis in Achilles' tendon) on the injured list.Portland Trail Blazers -- Placed G Clyde Drexler (sore right knee) on the injured list.CollegesColgate -- Named Edward Sweeney football coach.Tennessee-Martin -- Announced that defensive coordinator Larry Shanks and passing-game coordinator Morgan Hout will not be retained.FootballNFL Properties -- Named Brian Hughes vice president for corporate sponsorships.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, one of the NHL's worst teams last season, has new ownership that believes it can achieve the type of quick turnaround that the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers pulled off. So to head up this endeavor, word is that the Lightning will name ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose as the coach today. The last and only time that Melrose coached in the NHL was from 1992 to 1995 (2 1/2 seasons), and the Kings did go to the Stanley Cup Finals once, losing to the Montreal Canadiens.

BaseballChicago Cubs -- Named Connie Kowal director of minor-league business operations.Florida Marlins -- Named Rene Lachemann manager and signed him to a three-year contract. Named Marcel Lachemann pitching coach.BasketballPortland Trail Blazers -- Traded G Robert Pack to the Denver Nuggets for a 1993 second-round draft choice.CollegesDrew -- Named Jack Kelly men's assistant basketball coach.Marquette -- Extended the contract of men's basketball coach Kevin O'Neill, through the 1996-97 season.

Basketball Phoenix Suns -- Activated All-Star G Kevin Johnson. Waived F Alex Stivrins.Colleges Auburn -- Named Rick Trickett offensive line coach, a position he has held for four years at Mississippi State.Football Cleveland Browns -- Placed FB Tommy Vardell on IR. Activated WR Keenan McCardell and LB Ken Swilling from the practice squad. Waived CB Latin Berry.Detroit Lions -- Placed LB Toby Caston (knee) on IR. Signed LB John Derby from the practice squad.Kansas City Chiefs -- Activated DE Darren Mickell.

BaseballCincinnati Reds -- Placed OF Glenn Braggs (left shoulder separation) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 20. Designated C Rick Wrona for assignment. Recalled IF Jeff Branson from Triple-A Nashville. Purchased the contract of C Troy Afenir from Nashville.Texas Rangers -- Placed P Brian Bohanon (inflammation in his left bicep) on the 15-day DL. Recalled P Roger Pavlik from Triple-A Oklahoma City.BasketballJacksonville Hooters (USBL) -- Signed G Otis Smith and C Artis Gilmore.FootballCincinnati Bengals -- Signed WR Milt Stegall, WR Larry Pitts, WR Mark Benson, DE Kimble Wright, LB Pete Harris and S Marcus Shipp.

BASEBALL (NL) * Chicago Cubs -- Placed Mike Harkey (pitcher) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 27. Recalled Bob Scanlan (pitcher) from Iowa of the American Association.* San Francisco Giants -- Rescinded the decision to option Trevor Wilson (pitcher) to Phoenix of the Pacific Coast League. Announced that Kevin Mitchell withdrew his appeal of a two-game suspension and fine for his part in an altercation against San Diego on April 10.BASKETBALL (NBA) * Washington Bullets -- Signed Greg Foster (center)

BaseballBaltimore Orioles -- Optioned P Dennis Rasmussen, P Anthony Telford and C Mark Parent to Triple-A Rochester.Chicago White Sox -- Traded OF Sammy Sosa and P Ken Patterson to the Chicago Cubs for OF George Bell and cash. Announced P Wayne Edwards refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Vancouver to become a free agent.Houston Astros -- Optioned P Willie Blair, P Bob Mallicoat, C Eddie Tucker and IF Eric Yelding to Triple-A Tucson.New York Mets -- Traded P Terry Bross to the San Diego Padres for 3B Craig Bullock.

BaseballCalifornia Angels -- Placed P Victor Silverio and P Julian Vasquez on the 60-day emergency disabled list. Placed P Scott Lewis on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. Purchased the minor-league contracts of OF Jerome Walton and P Gene Nelson. Transferred the contract of P Pete Janicki from the Cedar Rapids of the Midwest League to Palm Springs of the California League.Chicago Cubs -- Announced the retirement of P Dave Smith.Cleveland Indians -- Signed 2B Carlos Baerga to a four-year contract extension through 1998.

BaseballChicago Cubs -- Purchased the contract of P Dave Otto from Triple-A Iowa. Placed P Blaise Ilsley on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 27.Minnesota Twins -- Placed OF Rich Baker on the 15-day DL; recalled P Brett Merriman from Triple-A Salt Lake City.New York Mets -- Placed P Dwight Gooden on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 22. Purchased the contract of P Roger Mason from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Placed P Mike Maddux on the 15-day DL. Recalled P Frank Seminara from Triple-A Norfolk.

Unless you count Mario Williams , a defensive end who can also play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, there won't be any marquee lineback ers available in free agency this offseason . But there are a handful of solid start ers -- including a pair of Ravens -- scheduled to be available in a deep class of free agent lineback ers. Jarret Johnson, who has spent nine years with the Ravens, is among the top outside linebackers this...