Chicago — Through his wheeling and dealing, Jim Hendry helped the Chicago Cubs reach the playoffs three times as general manager. He also saddled them with big contracts and underachievers to go with a few troublemakers — and now, he’s out of a job.

The Cubs fired Hendry on Friday after nine years amid another disappointing season that will add to their historic championship drought. Assistant GM Randy Bush will serve as interim general manager.

“First and foremost, we just didn’t win enough games,” chairman Tom Ricketts said. “Our team’s performance over the last two years is not where it needs to be.”

Ricketts said it’s time for a “fresh approach in our baseball leadership” and that the search will begin immediately. He said the new general manager will come from the outside, meaning Bush is not in the running, and that he will seek advice from other owners and “industry veterans” on handling the task.

Ricketts also said the new GM will report directly to him, and that whoever gets the job will determine whether manager Mike Quade returns for a second full season.

MLB

Clemens wanted for 2nd trial

Washington — Prosecutors in the Roger Clemens perjury case said Friday they had made an honest mistake in showing jurors inadmissible evidence and that shouldn’t save the baseball star from facing a new trial.

The prosecutors filed arguments disputing Clemens’ position that a second trial would violate his constitutional protection against double jeopardy by making him face the same charges twice.

Tigers’ reliever remains out

Detroit — Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque will be out at least 10 more days because of lingering effects of a concussion sustained last week. Alburquerque was hit in the head by a batting-practice liner on Aug. 12.

Harper likely done for season

Washington — Nationals manager Davey Johnson thinks teenage prospect Bryce Harper probably will miss the rest of the minor-league season. Harper was hurt running to third base Thursday and had to be helped off the field. Harper’s team, Double-A Harrisburg, ends its regular season Sept. 5.

Auto Racing

Biffle wins pole in Michigan

Brooklyn, Mich. — Greg Biffle won his first pole in over three years Friday at Michigan International Speedway for this weekend’s Sprint Cup race, posting a qualifying lap of 190.345 mph in his No. 16 Ford.

It was an important step in the right direction after he finished 31st at Watkins Glen on Monday.

College Administration

Connecticut AD retires

Storrs, Conn. — University of Connecticut athletic director Jeff Hathaway announced Friday that he was retiring, effective immediately, after signing an agreement to leave the school.

Hathaway’s job has been the subject of widespread speculation since the university’s new president, Susan Herbst, initiated an evaluation this summer of the athletic department focusing on academic performance, NCAA compliance and fundraising.

Under terms of a separation agreement signed Friday, Hathaway will remain on UConn’s payroll as a consultant until Sept. 15 to assist in the transition process. The deal requires the school to pay him up to $531,717 through Sept. 15, 2013, plus medical and other benefits.

Senior associate director of athletics Paul McCarthy will take over as director until an interim replacement is named.

NFL

QB Pryor could appeal

Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor could appeal the five-game suspension levied against him by the NFL should he be chosen in next week’s supplemental draft, a decision that would add another layer of complexity to an already unprecedented situation.

Pryor was part of a list distributed by the league of players who are eligible for the draft, but the NFL decided that he won’t be allowed to practice for the team that selects him until Week 6.

DE Umenyiora has surgery

East Rutherford, N.J. — Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday and likely will miss the New York Giants’ season opener on Sept. 11.

NBA

China bans contracted players

Beijing — The Chinese Basketball Association will restrict contracted NBA players from playing for domestic teams in the event the season is canceled, but will still allow free agents, state media reported Friday.

The CBA would bar players under contract such as Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul. They and others had expressed interest in playing in China if the NBA lockout drags on and results in the cancellation of all or part of the 2011-12 season.

Tennis

Clijsters out of U.S. Open

New York — Two-time defending U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters will not go for three in a row this year because of a stomach muscle injury.

Clijsters, who missed Wimbledon with an ankle injury, pulled out of a tournament in Toronto this month with a muscle strain on the left side of her stomach.

The U.S. Open takes place from Aug. 29-Sept. 11 in Queens, N.Y.