Gamboa’s assailant fails drug test

Chicago — A man on probation for running onto the field at a Chicago White Sox game with his son and attacking a Kansas City Royals coach has tested positive for drug use, court records show, and prosecutors said they would ask a judge to send him to prison.

Prosecutors said the reported drug use would violate the probation terms for William Ligue Jr. Ligue, 35, was sentenced in August to 21/2 years of probation for two counts of aggravated battery in the September 2002 attack.

He and his 15-year-old son beat Tom Gamboa at U.S. Cellular Field as Gamboa coached first base for the visiting Kansas City Royals.

Ligue tested positive for marijuana three times in December, according to a report from the Cook County Adult Probation Department.

Cook County State’s Attorney spokesman Tom Stanton said prosecutors would ask that Ligue be forced to serve at least some prison time for the apparent violation.

Prosecutors had originally asked a county judge to sentence Ligue to up to five years in prison. Ligue’s son was sentenced to five years’ probation.

Mussina likely to start for Yankees in opener

Tampa, Fla. — Mike Mussina probably will start the New York Yankees’ season opener against Tampa Bay March 30 in Tokyo. Mussina went 17-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 31 starts for the AL champions last season.

The Yankees have a revamped rotation after the departure of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and David Wells during the offseason.

Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez, both acquired in trades, should receive serious consideration to start the second game in Japan. Jose Contreras and Jon Lieber round out the rotation.

Angels sign reliever to one-year contract

Tempe, Ariz. — Reliever Francisco Rodriguez agreed Friday to a $375,000, one-year contract with Anaheim. The 22-year-old right-hander, a key to the Angels’ first World Series championship after he was called up late in 2002, went 8-3 as a rookie last season with two saves and a 3.03 ERA in 59 games.

Catcher Wil Nieves also agreed to a one-year contract.

Cardinals, Pujols finalize $100 million deal

Jupiter, Fla. — Albert Pujols would have been eligible for free agency after the 2006 season. To keep him, the Cardinals gave Pujols a $100 million, seven-year contract Friday.

Pujols, 24, had been scheduled for an arbitration hearing Friday. He hit a major-league-best .359 last season with 43 homers and 124 RBIs. He topped the majors with 51 doubles.