MLB: Braves hire Gonzalez

Less than 48 hours after Bobby Cox wrapped up his managing career, the Braves yesterday introduced his protege, former Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, as their new skipper. The decision was widely expected since Gonzalez was fired in June.

* Padres right-hander Heath Bell (6-1, 47 saves) was named reliever of the year by MLB. . . . Former Pirates minor league manager Dale Sveum interviewed to succeed John Russell as Pittsburgh’s manager.

SOCCER: Liverpool sale halted

Liverpool’s American owners said a Texas court has granted a temporary restraining order stopping the proposed sale of the club to the owners of the Red Sox.

* Police investigating rioting Tuesday at the Italy-Serbia game in Genoa have detained 17 people, including the alleged ringleader, and UEFA warned that sanctions against Serbia could include disqualification from the European Championship or exclusion from future competitions.

NBA: Arenas faked injury

Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was fined an undisclosed amount yesterday for pretending to have a knee injury so that teammate Nick Young could start Tuesday’s 107-92 preseason victory over the Hawks.

* LeBron James against sat out last night’s Heat exhibition game in New Orleans, saying his right hamstring remained tight from a game a night earlier.

NHL: Hjalmarsson suspended

Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson was suspended for two games for delivering an illegal hit from behind Monday on the Sabres’ Jason Pominville.

* The Flyers are moving up the start time of their home game against the Penguins to 6 p.m. on Saturday to avoid a full conflict with the Phillies’ playoff game across the street. The Giants and Phillies play at 7:57.

ETC.: ‘Woman’ sues LPGA

Lana Lawless, a 57-year-old transgender woman, is suing the LPGA over a requirement which states that all competitors must be “female at birth.”

* Notre Dame star tight end Kyle Rudolph will have season-ending surgery tomorrow to repair a torn hamstring.

* Ronnie Weaver rushed for a career-high 150 yards as Central Florida (4-2, 2-0 C-USA) beat Marshall (1-5, 0-2) 35-14 last night in Huntington, W. Va.