Sports briefs for October 21, 2003

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003 | 11:12 a.m.

Goaltender Curtis Joseph and the Detroit Red Wings agree that a trip to the minors is in his best interest.

Joseph, a longtime NHL standout who has been on the trading block since Detroit reacquired Dominik Hasek, was assigned Monday to Grand Rapids of the AHL. He will start for the Griffins on Friday when they host the Utah Grizzlies. Joseph was a former member of the Las Vegas Thunder.

"They really left it up to me and there were three different possible scenarios," Joseph said. "I could have played this weekend for the team, or maybe drive down on Friday, and Grand Rapids is at home -- it's two hours from my house, get a game in there and then play next week."

The Red Wings found themselves with one too many goaltenders when Hasek came out of retirement in July. So far, Detroit has not had success in trading Joseph, who has two years and $16 million left on his contract.

Giants release 3 vets

The San Francisco Giants declined their options on first baseman J.T. Snow and infielder Eric Young on Monday, and reliever Felix Rodriguez exercised his player option. Snow had a $6.5 million option and will receive a $750,000 buyout. Young had a $3 million option and he will receive a $1 million buyout. Snow, a six-time Gold Glove winner, spent seven seasons with the Giants.

Clarett hearing put off

Maurice Clarett's preliminary hearing on allegations he lied on a theft report was postponed so a judge could decide whether to bar information from a separate NCAA probe of the suspended Ohio State running back. The misdemeanor falsification charge probably will be dropped if the judge doesn't allow the evidence from the NCAA investigation, prosecutors said.

Brack going to Indy

Kenny Brack was in satisfactory condition as doctors prepared to transfer him to Indianapolis to begin rehabilitation. Brack underwent two operations last week at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas after a crash on Oct. 12.

Ferrero withdraws

Top-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero withdrew from the Swiss Indoors, citing a sore foot and groin. The Spaniard pulled out the day before the start of the $1.2 million tournament.