Astros fire manager Bo Porter

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros fired manager Bo Porter on Monday, saying the dismissal had less to do with the team’s 59-79 record than the need for “new direction” and a “united message throughout the entire organization.”

Porter was in his second season with the Astros and was replaced by interim manager Tom Lawless, who worked in Houston’s minor league system. Lawless’ first game in charge is Tuesday night at home against the first-place Los Angeles Angels.

Bench coach Dave Trembley also was let go.

Porter joined the Astros after working as a third-base coach for the Washington Nationals. The Astros went a franchise-worst 51-111 in his first season for their third straight 100-loss season.

Wes Welker returns to practice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Wes Welker returned to practice Monday for the first time since sustaining a concussion in an Aug. 23 preseason game against the Houston Texans.

The Denver slot receiver ran short routes during the 20-minute viewing period open to the media.

Welker’s concussion was his third in 10 months. He got hurt on a hard hit from D.J. Swearinger that prompted Peyton Manning to swear at the swaggering safety.

Welker caught 73 passes for 778 yards and a career-high 10 TDs last season despite missing the last 3 1-2 games. He also had 18 grabs for 160 yards and a TD in the playoffs.

Sam not signed to Rams’ practice squad

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Rams signed 10 players to their practice squad. As expected, Michael Sam wasn’t among them.

The Rams added two each at linebacker, offensive line, wide receiver and safety Monday, fortifying needy positions. Sam starred at defensive line for Missouri, but coach Jeff Fisher said the defensive line was the strongest group on the team.

Rookie quarterback Garrett Gilbert and seven others were among the cuts that got the roster to 53 players.

Carl Lewis gets coaching job at Houston

HOUSTON (AP) — Carl Lewis has agreed to become a full-time coach for the track and field program at the University of Houston.

The Olympic great was a volunteer assistant last season. Head coach Leroy Burrell says Monday in a release that Lewis is taking on a full-time role for the 2014-15 campaign, and will coach sprints and jumps for the Cougars.

Burrell says Lewis “brings a wealth of experience and international recognition to the program.”

Lewis won 10 Olympic medals and 10 world championship medals in his career. The six-time All-American won six national titles and nine individual conference titles in two seasons at Houston, where he competed on the same team with Burrell.

Lewis held the world record in the men’s 100-meter dash from 1991 until Burrell broke it in 1994.

Former Ranger Carol Vadnais dies

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NHL defenseman Carol Vadnais, a six-time all-star, has died. He was 68.

The New York Rangers reported on their website that Vadnais, who spent seven seasons with the team, passed away Sunday. A cause of death wasn’t given.

Vadnais made his NHL debut in 1966-67 with his hometown Montreal Canadiens and played 17 NHL seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 1968 with Montreal and 1972 with Boston. He also played for the California Golden Seals and New Jersey Devils.

Vadnais had 169 goals and 587 points in 1,087 games. He appeared in 106 playoff games with 10 goals and 40 assists.

Baylor’s Petty has 2 cracked bones in back

WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty has two cracked small bones in his back.

Petty had an MRI on Monday, a day after taking an early shot to his back and playing only the first half of the 10th-ranked Bears’ season-opening 45-0 win over SMU.

The diagnosis was two cracked transverse processes, small bones that stick out from each side of a vertebra.

Coach Art Briles said during the Big 12 coaches teleconference that the reigning Big 12 offensive player of the year is day to day.

Baylor, which didn’t practice Monday, is home Saturday night against Northwestern State.

Petty was hit in the back on his first series Sunday night. He still threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns, and added a 5-yard TD run for a 31-0 halftime lead.

The quarterback was clearly in discomfort, often clutching at his lower back. He grimaced and was slow getting up after taking a shot going into the end zone on his scoring run, but played two more series after that.

While he was 13-of-23 passing, Petty uncharacteristically missed open receivers on several throws he usually completes. Petty threw for 4,200 yards with 32 touchdowns and three interceptions last season, when he completed 62 percent of his passes.