Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EST on Thursday, June 25

June 25 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Thursday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Eight quarterbacks with most shaky future It's hardly a revelation that, to win in the NFL -- with rare exception -- you need a first-rate quarterback. Actually, more than a first-rate QB if you want to do more than just win some games, want to win a championship. (FBN-COLUMN-IRAMILLER/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 851 words) - - NFLPA files complaint over Pats' treatment of CB Butler The NFL Players Association has filed a complaint against the New England Patriots for preventing cornerback Malcolm Butler from participating in offseason workouts. (FBN-NEWS-PATRIOTS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 319 words) - - Manning sends inspirational gift to Indiana family Peyton Manning helps out a grieving family in Indiana with an inspirational gesture, sending them an autographed photo and a handwritten letter as they try to recover from losing a loved one killed by a drunk driver. (FBN-NEWS-BRONCOS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 353 words) - - NFL roundup News and notes from around the league. (FBN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 7:45 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Towns seen as likely top overall pick by T-Wolves NEW YORK - Karl-Anthony Towns out of the University of Kentucky is rated likely to be selected as first overall pick of the NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves when the 30 teams conduct two rounds of picks at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. (NBA-DRAFT/ (PIX), expect by 7:45 PM ET; will be led,, by Larry Fine, 350 words) - - T-Wolves on the clock NEW YORK - The Minnesota Timberwolves will be on the clock with the first overall pick, with the Los Angeles Lakers potentially prepared to deal the No. 2 pick right behind them. (BKN-NEWS-DRAFT/, expect bulletin lede off top pick and running story after every five picks for 7 PM ET event, The Sports Xchange, By Larry Fleischer, 700 words) - - NBA Draft: Trade sidebar NEW YORK - Recapping the marquee trades within the top half of the first round. (BKN-NEWS-DRAFT/, expect by 9 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, By Larry Fleischer, 400 words) - - Grizz acquire Barnes; Ridnour traded again for Lamb The Memphis Grizzlies acquire forward Matt Barnes from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Luke Ridnour. (BKN-GRIZZLIES-BOBCATS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 355 words) - - NBA Notebook News and notes from around the NBA. (BKN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 8 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - - GOLF PGA Tour: Travelers Championship, Cromwell, Conn. Watson, Garcia head field at Travelers World No. 5 Bubba Watson, coming off a missed cut at last week's U.S. Open, headlines the field at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., where defending champion Kevin Streelman and world No. 9 Sergio Garcia are among those in the field for the opening round at the TPC River Highlands. (GOLF-PGA/, expect by 8 PM ET, 300 words) - - U.S. Senior Open Championship, Sacramento, Calif. Montgomerie, Langer set for battle at Del Paso Defending champion Colin Montgomerie, who has finished in the top three in five of 11 major starts on the Champions Tour, and Bernhard Langer head the field at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento for the U.S. Senior Open Championships. (GOLF-SENIORS/, expect by 9 PM ET, 250 words) - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Cardinals activate RHP Lynn The St. Louis Cardinals activate right-hander Lance Lynn from the 15-day disabled list. Lynn, out with a right forearm strain, is scheduled to start tonight's series finale in Miami against the Marlins. (BBO-CARDINALS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, By Andrew Wagner, 126 words) - - Mets' Collins preaches patience, positivity MILWAUKEE - After the New York Mets dropped six consecutive games to fall back to .500 for the first time since April 12, manager Terry Collins speaks with his players before they took on the Milwaukee Brewers in the second of three games at Miller Park. The message was simple: relax. (BBO-METS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, By Andrew Wagner, 332 words) - - Marlins' Cosart not thrilled about bullpen duty MIAMI - The Miami Marlins have finally figured out their rotation -- much to Jarred Cosart's dismay. Cosart, who hasn't pitched in the majors since May 13 due to a case of vertigo, is taken off the disabled list. But Marlins manager Dan Jennings says Dan Haren will start tonight, rookie Justin Nicolino on Friday and Tom Koehler on Saturday. (BBO-MARLINS-ANALYSIS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, By Walter Villa, 268 words) - - Orioles face tough choices with starters returning BOSTON - With right-hander Miguel Gonzalez expected to be activated from the disabled list to start the series finale against the Boston Red Sox, and lefty Wei-Yin Chen set to return Friday night for the series opener against the Cleveland Indians, the Orioles will have to make roster moves to clear spots for both pitchers. (BBO-ORIOLES-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 320 words) - - Brewers' Rodriguez shines despite limited activity MILWAUKEE - Four months after he raised eyebrows by signing a two-year contract to return to the Milwaukee Brewers, right-hander Francisco Rodriguez is quietly emerging as the team's leading All-Star candidate as well as its most valuable asset as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches. (BBO-BREWERS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, By Andrew Wagner, 225 words) - - Rangers LHP Perez on track to return after All-Star break ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rangers' once-beleaguered pitching staff receives more good news as Martin Perez breezes through his latest rehab assignment. The lefty's return to the majors appears on track for after the All-Star break. (BBO-RANGERS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, By Art Garcia, 213 words) - - D-backs' Bradley might stay in minors when rehab ends DENVER - Archie Bradley takes a step forward in his recovery from right shoulder tendinitis. Whether the rehab immediately leads the right-hander back to the Arizona Diamondbacks remains uncertain. (BBO-DIAMONDBACKS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, By Jack Etkin, 277 words) - - Today's MLB schedule at a glance - - American League Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 1:08 PM ET Baltimore at Boston, 1:35 PM ET (PIX) Oakland at Texas, 2:05 PM ET (PIX) New York Yankees at Houston, 8:10 PM ET (PIX) - - National League New York Mets at Milwaukee, 2:10 PM ET (PIX) Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 PM ET (PIX) Arizona at Colorado, 3:10 PM ET (PIX) San Diego at San Francisco, 3:45 PM ET (PIX) Atlanta at Washington, 4:05 PM ET (PIX) Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 7:05 PM ET St. Louis at Miami, 7:10 PM ET (PIX) - - MLB Roundup Running capsule recaps of all the games on the MLB schedule. (MLB-ROUNDUP/, expect first version ASAP after conclusion of the first game of the day, The Sports Xchange, 500 words) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE McDavid heads deepest draft class in years There is plenty of buzz heading into this week's NHL Draft where Canadian Connor McDavid, a dynamic center who has been anointed a generational player, is set to be taken first overall by the Edmonton Oilers. (NHL-DRAFT/, moved, 358 words) - - Blackhawks get NHL's 2015-16 season underway Oct. 7 The NHL's 2015-16 regular season will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 7, with a four-game slate, highlighted by the Chicago Blackhawks raising their third championship banner in the past six seasons. (HKN-NEWS-BLACKHAWKS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 442 words) - - Senators' Stone, Zibanejad sign contract extensions The Ottawa Senators agree to terms with forwards Mark Stone and Mika Zibanejad on contract extensions. (HKN-NEWS-SENATORS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 122 words) - - - - SOCCER FIFA investigation Source: Swiss authorities examine FIFA grants in probe LONDON - Swiss authorities are examining development grants made by FIFA around the world as part of their investigation into the sport's global governing body and its award of World Cup hosting rights for Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, a source familiar with the probe said. (SOCCER FIFA/SWISS PROBE, moved, by Mark Hosenball, 780 words) - - - - AUTO RACING Column: Do road courses belong in NASCAR? With the Sprint Cup series headed to Sonoma, Calif. this week, Jonathan Ingram takes a look at the place of road courses in today's NASCAR. (CAR-COLUMN-INGRAM/, expect by 4 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, By Jonathan Ingram, 265 words) - - IndyCar preview: Carpenter focused on getting car handling better FONTANA, Calif. - Ed Carpenter only drives on IndyCar's oval tracks, and his results this season haven't been on par with past performances or current expectations. But the three-time race winner feels ready to finally deliver a strong effort this weekend as the series returns to Auto Club Speedway, site of Saturday's MAVTV 500. (CAR-INDYCAR-PREVIEW/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 577 words) - - Sonoma record-holder Gordon goes for one more win in backyard Jeff Gordon -- born in nearby Vallejo, Calif. -- boasts more than double the wins of any other driver at Sonoma Raceway. He has visited Victory Lane at the West Coast road course five times. The next best total? Two. (CAR-SPRINTCUP-PREVIEW/, moved, NASCAR Wire Service, distributed by The Sports Xchange, By Reid Spencer, 544 words) - - - - TENNIS FEATURE: Well-heeled Wimbledon needs a touch of McEnroe attitude LONDON - Watching a grey-haired, smart-suited 56-year-old John McEnroe speak with mature insight about all-things tennis it seems odd to think that many feel that what the sport needs is a dose of the "superbrat" attitude of the brash New Yorker's youth. (TENNIS-WIMBLEDON/BORING (FEATURE), moved, by Mitch Phillips, 686 words) - - Former champion Wozniacki through to Eastbourne semis LONDON - Former champion Caroline Wozniacki reaches the semifinals of the Eastbourne grasscourt tournament with a 7-5 6-1 defeat of Germany's Andrea Petkovic. (TENNIS-WOMEN/EASTBOURNE, moved, 191 words) - - - - TRACK & FIELD Rupps defends 10,000 meters title amid doping allegations EUGENE, Ore. - Olympic 10,000 meters silver medalist Galen Rupp defends his national title at the U.S. world championship trials amid allegations he and his coach Alberto Salazar broke anti-doping rules. American record holder Tyson Gay also begins his bid to the join U.S. team in the 100 meters. (ATHLETICS-US/ (PIX), expect first copy by 12 AM ET, by Gene Cherry, 500 words) - - Bolt withdraws from Jamaican trials 100m KINGSTON - Mystery surrounds the fitness of Usain Bolt after he withdrew from the 100 meters at Jamaica's national trials on Thursday and his management team failed to provide any explanation for his absence.(ATHLETICS-JAMAICA/ (UPDATE 2), moved; may be led, by Kayon Raynor, 338 words) - - New circuit planned to boost track and field in U.S. EUGENE, Ore. - The United States will launch a new domestic athletics circuit next year in a bid to increase interest in the sport, organizers tell Reuters. (ATHLETICS-US/LEAGUE, moved, 217 words) - - - - OLYMPICS China probes deputy minister on Olympic panel for discipline breach BEIJING - A deputy sports minister who sits on China's Olympic committee is being investigated for suspected "serious breaches of discipline and the law", the ruling Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog says, using a term often employed to denote corruption. (CHINA CORRUPTION/SPORTS (UPDATE 2), moved, by Michael Martina, 400 words) See also: China's former Olympic champion Liu announces divorce (ATHLETICS-CHINA-LIU) - - - - DOPING Track and cycling back on the defensive MADRID - The specter of doping again looms over track and cycling with a top running coach, a world champion steeplechaser from Spain and a Tour de France-winning cyclist on the defensive. American running guru Alberto Salazar, whose British charge Mo Farah is a double Olympic champion, is being investigated by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, a source tells Reuters. (SPORT-DOPING/, moved, by Iain Rogers, 628 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)