Arlington, Texas ? The Boston Red Sox added some depth a day after they dropped out of first in the AL East, and got rid of shortstop Julio Lugo in one of Wednesday’s deals.

Boston traded Lugo and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Chris Duncan, announcing the swap hours after they acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers.

Lugo, who signed a $36 million, four-year free-agent deal before the 2007 season, was designated for assignment Friday and is owed about $13 million through next season.

General manager Theo Epstein has called Lugo’s contract “a mistake” and “a lesson learned.”

Duncan, the son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, hit .227 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 87 games for St. Louis. The Cardinals had optioned Duncan to Triple-A Memphis after Tuesday night’s game in Houston. The Red Sox sent the 28-year-old outfielder to their top affiliate, Pawtucket.

Lugo, who provides St. Louis with middle infield depth, was batting .284 with one homer and eight RBIs in 37 games, with seven errors.

LaRoche hit .247 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 87 games for the Pirates. He will join the Red Sox, who are off today, for the opener of their next series, Friday night against Baltimore at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox sent Double-A shortstop Argenis Diaz and Class-A right-hander Hunter Strickland to Pittsburgh.

BASEBALL

Mattingly’s son arrested

Evansville, Ind. — The son of former New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly has been arrested on charges of shoving his mother and spitting in her face.

The Evansville Courier & Press reported Wednesday that Taylor Mattingly faces preliminary charges of battery, battery by bodily waste and criminal mischief. Authorities say Mattingly admitted confronting his mother, Kim Mattingly, after she had sent him a text message insulting him, his girlfriend and his father.

GOLF

Cink takes heat in press

Atlanta — Stewart Cink came home to show off his latest trophy and new nickname.

Cink, a former Georgia Tech golfer who lives near Atlanta in Duluth, Wednesday talked about his British Open championship after returning to Atlanta.

The biggest win in Cink’s career was not popular with golf fans who were pulling for 59-year-old Tom Watson.

After spoiling Watson’s fairy-tale ending, Cink was roasted in some local newspapers.

The Scottish Sun called him “Stewart Stink.” The Telegraph referred to him as “the giant ogre in a children’s story,” and “the Shrek of Turnberry.”

NFL

Vick meets union leader

Richmond, Va. — Michael Vick met with NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith earlier this week, after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback finished serving 23 months in federal custody for a dogfighting conviction. George Atallah, assistant executive director for external affairs of the player’s union, says Vick and Smith met one-on-one on Tuesday. Atallah gave no additional details.

PRO BASKETBALL

Rubio to leave Spanish club

Gerona, Spain — Ricky Rubio plans to part ways with Spanish basketball club DKV Joventut even if the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot reach a deal to bring their first-round draft pick to the NBA. Timberwolves president David Kahn was in Spain this week to try and help the fifth overall pick negotiate a buyout of his contract with Joventut.

Clippers’ Griffin ailing

Los Angeles — Clippers forward Blake Griffin is expected to be sidelined between three to four weeks because of a strained right shoulder he suffered during last week’s Las Vegas Summer League, the team announced in a statement Wednesday. Two examinations on Tuesday prompted team doctors to advise that Griffin abstain from competition.

Shaq’s wife recovering

Orlando, Fla. — The wife of basketball standout Shaquille O’Neal is recovering from a minor fender bender. Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Miller says Shaunie O’Neal was a passenger in a town car that was rear-ended by another car at an intersection in Orlando Tuesday.

Pacers waive Tinsley

Indianapolis — The Indiana Pacers have waived point guard Jamaal Tinsley, ending an often strained relationship. The Pacers announced the move Wednesday. A Pacers spokesman said the NBA will process the request today, and if Tinsley clears waivers, he will become a free agent.

Wilcox signs with Pistons

Auburn Hills, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent forward Chris Wilcox to a multiyear contract. The 26-year-old Wilcox has appeared in 448 NBA games since the Los Angeles Clippers drafted him eighth overall in 2002.

Beijing exhibition set

The Denver Nuggets will play an exhibition game against the Indiana Pacers in Beijing, the second time they will meet in Asia. The Oct. 11 matchup at Wukesong Arena, site of the 2008 Olympic basketball competitions, comes three days after the teams play the NBA’s first game in Taipei.

Pacers re-sign McRoberts

Indianapolis — The Indiana Pacers have re-signed free agent forward Josh McRoberts. The Pacers made a qualifying offer to the 6-foot-10 McRoberts last month, making him a restricted free agent.

SOCCER

U.S. women stop Canada

Charleston, S.C. — Christine Nairn’s first international goal in the dying minutes Wednesday night gave the U.S. women a 1-0 victory over Canada and a three-game sweep of their series.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Mason granted extra year

New York — Anthony Mason Jr. was granted a medical hardship by the Big East Conference on Tuesday and will rejoin the Red Storm for a redshirt senior season in 2009-10.