New York ? Suspended Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was released without bail Thursday and ordered to stay away from his girlfriend’s father, whom he is accused of attacking outside a family lounge at Citi Field.

Rodriguez was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after New York’s 6-2 loss to Colorado on Wednesday night. The team put him on the restricted list without pay for two days, costing him more than $125,000.

The 28-year-old reliever is accused of grabbing 53-year-old Carlos Pena, hauling him into a nearby tunnel, hitting him in the face and banging his head against the wall. Pena went to a hospital with a scrape and swelling above his right eyebrow.

Rodriguez did not enter a plea. Held overnight at Citi Field, he wore jeans, a white dress shirt and sneakers in a Queens courthouse. He did not speak, but nodded as the judge spoke to him.

baseball

MLB owners approve Rangers sale

Minneapolis — Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg have no more courtrooms to enter, no more briefs to file, no more bidding wars to win.

At long last, their pursuit of the Texas Rangers is over, and both are breathing big sighs of relief.

Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Rangers to an investment group led by Ryan and Greenberg on Thursday, marking the end of a months-long struggle to take control of the club. Ryan will remain team president while Greenberg becomes the managing partner and CEO of a group that also includes pipeline billionaire Ray Davis and XTO Energy founder Bob Simpson.

Clemens loses defamation appeal

Houston — A federal appeals court Thursday refused to reinstate a defamation lawsuit disgraced former pitcher Roger Clemens filed against his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee, who claims he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone more than a dozen times.

In a 2-1 ruling, a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a Houston federal district judge’s dismissal last year of most of Clemens’ claims against McNamee.

Atlanta’s Jones done for season

Atlanta — Chipper Jones may have played his last game in the major leagues after tearing up his left knee while fielding a grounder.

The Atlanta Braves said Thursday that the 38-year-old third baseman tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will need surgery. The estimated recovery time is six months, short enough to be ready for the next opening day — if Jones decides to return in 2011.

Cueto’s penalty: Seven games

New York — Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto has been suspended for seven games for his actions during a brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals, and both managers were suspended for two games.

auto racing

NASCAR’s Roush out of hospital

Rochester, Minn. — NASCAR team owner Jack Roush has been released from a Minnesota hospital two weeks after he suffered facial injuries in a Wisconsin plane crash. It’s unclear when Roush will return to the track.

olympics

Anthony, Paul commit to ’12 games

New York — Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul said Thursday that they plan to play for the U.S. basketball team in the 2012 Olympics in London. The U.S. would qualify by winning the world championships in Turkey.

nba

Sixers hire Thorn as president

Philadelphia — The Philadelphia 76ers have hired Rod Thorn as team president. Thorn was president and general manager of the Nets for 10 years before leaving in early July.

college basketball

UTEP guard kicked off team

El Paso, Texas — Texas-El Paso senior guard Myron Strong has been kicked off the basketball team for violating school and athletic department policies.

UTEP made the announcement Thursday and provided no additional details.

Board backs academic proposal

Indianapolis — The NCAA’s board of directors Thursday agreed to back a new proposal requiring incoming freshmen to have their academic records assessed by university officials.

Those in need of additional classwork would have to take at least six credit hours during summer school, earning at least three credits, to become eligible in the fall.

In addition, school officials would have to reassess the academic records of players at the end of each school year and determine whether additional summer classes are needed.

Most incoming Kansas University basketball players regularly take up to six hours of coursework every summer. Most of the returning players also take summer school.