Baseball

Beaten Giants fan returns home — A San Francisco Giants fan who suffered brain damage after a beating at Dodger Stadium has returned home after two years in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Bryan Stow’s family said on its website Wednesday that Stow will now live with them in the Santa Cruz area after spending about a year at the Centre for Neuroskills in Bakersfield, a live-in rehab facility. The family said Stow could have used more time at the center, but their insurance will no longer pay for it, so Stow’s parents and home nurses will give him the around-the-clock care he needs. Stow, a paramedic, was beaten in a parking lot after the 2011 opening day game between the Giants and Dodgers in Los Angeles. Two Dodgers fans are awaiting trial on charges in the beating, which sparked outrage and brought stadium security changes around the state and country.

Jeter cleared — New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has been medically cleared to resume full baseball activities and running on his surgically repaired left ankle. The Yankees said Thursday that Jeter was examined by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., and that he is continuing to heal. He received clearance to progress into baseball activities and running. The 13-time All-Star hasn’t played this season after breaking his left ankle in the playoffs last fall and having surgery. Jeter sustained another fracture during his rehabilitation, and isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break in mid-July.

Hockey

Penguins extend Malkin — The Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping hockey’s best one-two punch together through their primes and beyond. A day after signing coach Dan Bylsma to a two-year contract extension, the Penguins and star forward Evgeni Malkin agreed to an eight-year deal that will keep the 2012 NHL MVP and franchise cornerstone Sidney Crosby in the fold well into the next decade. The $76-million deal begins with the 2014-15 season and will carry an average salary cap hit of $9.5 million, a little bit less than the $10.6 million Crosby will average over the first nine years of the 12-year extension he signed last summer.

Basketball

Kidd introduced as Nets’ coach — After playing in the NBA for 19 years, Jason Kidd is nervous about being a rookie coach. Kidd was introduced Thursday as the new coach of the Brooklyn Nets, less than 24 hours after he was hired by the franchise he led to its greatest NBA success. “Yes, I have a lot to learn about coaching,” Kidd said, but when he was playing as a point guard, “I felt like I was an extension of the coach.” Kidd, who succeeds P.J. Carlesimo, said his message to players will be simple: “You’ve got to play hard, you’ve got to play defense and we’re going to grow together.” The move reunites the 40-year-old Kidd with the franchise he led to consecutive NBA Finals in 2002-03, when they played in New Jersey.

Football

Seahawks add QB Jackson — The Seattle Seahawks are bringing back a familiar face to compete for their backup quarterback job. The Seahawks announced Thursday night they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to compete with Brady Quinn for the backup role behind starter Russell Wilson. Jackson won seven games for the Seahawks as their starting quarterback in 2011. He was traded to the Buffalo Bills during training camp last season when it became evident he would not win the starting job over Wilson and Matt Flynn. The Bills released Jackson earlier this week after they added Kevin Kolb in free agency and selected E.J. Manuel in the first round of the NFL draft.

NFL to limit bags at stadiums — Bring yourself to the game. Leave the cooler and backpack at home. The NFL is tightening stadium security starting this preseason, limiting the size and type of bags fans can bring to the game. The restrictions are designed to enhance security while speeding up entry into stadiums. With the exception of medically necessary items, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches will be allowed.

Cycling

Rast wins stage in Switzerland — Gregory Rast won the sixth stage of the Tour de Suisse with a final sprint, and Mathias Frank retained the overall lead on Thursday. BMC Racing’s Frank finished in the main field to keep the yellow jersey and his 23-second lead over Roman Kreuziger of Saxo-Tinkoff.

— From wire reports