ATLANTA-- Pitcher Tom Glavine has ended his playing career and rejoined the Atlanta Braves as a special assistant, the team said on Thursday.

The 43-year-old, twice a National League Cy Young Award winner and 10-time All-Star, had 305 career wins, the fourth most by a Major League left-hander.

He was released in June by the Braves who were not sure he had recovered from surgery on his shoulder and elbow in 2008.

Glavine will help Braves president John Schuerholz with various projects and work on TV and radio broadcasts, the Braves said on their website (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com).

He made his Major League debut in 1987 and played 22 seasons with the Braves and New York Mets, compiling a 305-203 record.

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Braves appear interested in adding Johnny Damon to the top of their lineup.

The Braves have made an offer to the free-agent outfielder, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because no agreement had been reached.

Atlanta's offer is believed to be for one year and include deferred money. Damon's agent, Scott Boras, has said he is seeking at least a two-year deal.

The 36-year-old Damon hit .286 with 24 homers for the New York Yankees last season and likely would bat leadoff for the Braves.

Atlanta added another former Yankees outfielder in December when it acquired Melky Cabrera in a five-player deal that sent right-hander Javier Vazquez to the World Series champions.

Nate McLouth is set as Atlanta's starter in center field, and is the probable leadoff hitter if the team does not add Damon or another outfielder. Matt Diaz is expected to get most of the playing time at one corner outfield spot.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said last week he envisions Cabrera playing all three outfield spots and possibly sharing a position with Diaz.

Cox said the team is prepared to give 20-year-old outfield prospect Jason Heyward a chance to win a starting job in right field. Heyward made only a brief appearance at Triple-A last season and has fewer than 200 at-bats above Class A.

"Well, there's no reason not to give him a crack at making it," Cox said. "If he is too young, that's fine, too. He can spend some time in Triple-A. But if we think he's ready and he can help us, then let's go."

Heyward (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) has the power potential the Braves need in their outfield. He was voted baseball's top prospect by Baseball America after hitting .323 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs at three minor league stops in 2009.

"If he makes the team, he's playing—lefties, righties, everybody," Cox said.

The Braves' willingness to give Heyward an opportunity could keep them from engaging in a bidding war for Damon. According to reports, Detroit and Tampa Bay also have interest.

PARIS-- Russian Elena Dementieva lamented the absence of world number one Serena Williams after moving smoothly into the quarter-finals of the Paris Indoor Open on Wednesday.

"It's very disappointing for the tournament because she is a great player," Dementieva said after defeating 18-year-old compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-4.

"We have had some great matches. I always like to play against her. It is a great experience. But you saw her in Australia with all that taping on her leg and she still produced a great win.

"So it is not surprising that she isn't here -- especially as she is always playing to win a tournament and pushing herself."

Williams defeated Justine Henin in the first grand slam of the year despite heavy strapping on her right thigh and left knee.

"I wasn't at 100 per cent today. I was a bit up and down but it is good to get a win," Dementieva added.

The 28-year-old, who reached the final last year, is the top seed in Paris following Williams's withdrawal.

Dimentieva will face the winner of Thursday's second round match between German Andrea Petkovic and France's Aravane Rezai,

LONDON-- Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to one point on Wednesday when they lost 2-1 at Everton with Louis Saha continuing his scoring jinx over them.

Second-placed Manchester United drew 1-1 at Aston Villa while Arsenal stayed in the hunt after beating Liverpool 1-0.

Saha, who scored against Chelsea in the FA Cup final last season and in the 3-3 draw against them in December, cancelled out Florent Malouda's 17th minute opener for Chelsea with a header in the 33rd.

He then had a penalty saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech on the stroke of halftime before scoring the winner after 75 minutes when he chested the ball down, turned and fired home.

That sent Chelsea to their first defeat in 11 matches and gave Everton manager David Moyes his first victory over the London side on the night he celebrated his 300th Premier League game.

Chelsea remain top with 58 points, but are just one point ahead of Manchester United, who drew at Villa despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men after Nani was sent off for a ragged two-footed challenge on Stilian Petrov.

Nani will now be suspended from the League Cup final against Villa at Wembley Stadium on Feb. 28.

Arsenal ended a run of four league and cup matches without a win beating Liverpool 1-0 at the Emirates where Abou Diaby headed the only goal 18 minutes from time.

They are third on 52 points and Liverpool are fourth on 44.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to rule his team out of contention for the title when he told Sky Sports News: "It was a massive win for us after the last two disappointments against Manchester United and Chelsea.

"We showed great solidarity against a very well organised team. It was a very tight game but we scored a very good goal and are still in the title race -- why not ?" he said.

On balance it turned out to be a better night for Manchester United than they might have expected after going behind against Villa when Carlos Cuellar headed home after 19 minutes.

United equalised four minutes later when Nani's cross from the right was volleyed back across goal by Ryan Giggs. The ball hit the right knee of James Collins and flew past Brad Friedel to give United their 10th own goal of the season.

United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports: "We should have won the game, we were the better team -- and with 10 men for a very long time, we still tried to get a result. The players were brilliant."

Tottenham Hotspur lost 1-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. David Jones scored the only goal after 27 minutes as Wolves moved out of the relegation zone while Spurs stayed sixth on 43 points.

West Ham United also moved out of the bottom three following their 2-0 win over Birmingham City whose former owners David Sullivan and David Gold celebrated their first win since taking control at Upton Park.

Hull City lost 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers, slipping from 15th to 17th, just a point above the relegation zone.