Brandon McCarthy struck out four in two innings in his first game since a horrific head injury, an impressive return that overshadowed all else in Arizona's 14-6 loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday.

McCarthy, signed to a two-year deal by the Diamondbacks as a free agent, allowed one run and three hits.

On Sept. 5, he was struck by a line drive off the bat of the Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar while pitching for the A's. He sustained an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture.

"I felt my rhythm was good," McCarthy said.

  • Conor Gillaspie, acquired from the Giants on Friday, homered, helping the Chicago White Sox beat Texas 8-4.

    College football

    The NCAA alleges former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro was responsible for providing $170,000 in impermissible benefits to Hurricanes athletes, recruits, coaches and others between 2002-10. Shapiro spent at least $90,000 in an effort to get NFL players Vince Wilfork and Antrel Rolle to sign with a sports agency he was involved with, a source said. Shapiro told Yahoo Sports in 2011 that he estimated his extra-benefit spree as going into the "millions of dollars." He's serving a 20-year

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    prison term for masterminding a $930 million Ponzi scheme.

  • Four Alabama players were dismissed from school after a judicial review. Linebackers D.J. Pettway and Tyler Hayes and safety Eddie Williams are charged with robbery. Also, Williams and H-back Brent Calloway are charged with fraudulent use of a credit card. All four were backups last season.

    NFL

    The league will look into whether questions asked of Colorado tight end Nick Kasa at the combine violated any laws or league policies banning employers from inquiring about a possible employee's sexual orientation.

  • Left tackle Will Beatty agreed to a five-year contract to remain with the New York Giants. A source told Newsday the deal is worth up to $38.75 million, including $19 million guaranteed.

  • Defensive end Chris Kelsay is retiring after 10 seasons in Buffalo. He finished last season on injured reserve.

    Tennis

    Venus Williams eliminated Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Brazil Cup in Florianopolis. Williams squandered three match points at 5-4 of the third set.

  • Mardy Fish plans to play at the hard-court tournament at Indian Wells, which starts March 7. Fish has missed the past six months because of a heart condition.

    Soccer

    David Beckham made his first appearance for Paris Saint-Germain, which advanced to the French Cup quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Marseille. The veteran midfielder entered in the 76th minute and received a yellow card in the 83rd.