NEW YORK -- The lockout of Major League Soccers referees has ended following an agreement on a five-year labour contract. The Professional Referee Organization, which manages game officials for the U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS, and the Professional Soccer Referee Association, announced the agreement Thursday. Replacements had been used for the first two weekends of MLS games. The PSRA was certified by the National Labor Relations Board last May to represent referees, assistant referees and fourth officials working MLS games. The sides bargained since July, and the lockout began a day ahead of MLS openers on March 7. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service entered talks, and a tentative agreement was reached Tuesday night that was ratified by the union membership and approved by PROs executive board. "First contracts sometimes pose difficult challenges as the parties seek to define the parameters of a new formal relationship," FMCS acting director Scot L. Beckenbaugh said in a statement. The agreement runs until Jan. 15, 2019. Lucas Middlebrook, a PRSA lawyer, said the deal includes "substantially better" compensation and "a number of non-economic work rule protections such as a just-cause standard for certain disciplinary matters and standardization of fitness testing. "In addition, the officials now have a contract protecting important quality-of-life items such as travel standards, vacation time and advance notice of match assignments," he said in an email. Philadelphia 76ers Gear . The Canucks figured to be active prior to Wednesdays trade deadline, getting a jump on things the previous day when they dealt goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers for netminder Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias. Philadelphia 76ers Store . -- A deflected pass that landed in DeSean Jacksons hands. https://www.cheap76ers.com/ . Infante hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had an RBI single in a four-run fifth against former teammate Justin Verlander, helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers 11-8 Monday night. Custom Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys .com) - The New York Jets have named Mike Maccagnan their new general manager. Stitched 76ers Jerseys . LeBron James leads the Miami Heat in a quest for three consecutive championship titles, while Tim Duncan looks to add his fifth ring with the San Antonio Spurs when the series tips off with Game 1: Miami @ San Antonio on Thursday, June 5 at 9 p.BALTIMORE -- The Orioles activated first baseman Chris Davis from the 15-day disabled list Sunday, a move that would have generated more enthusiasm in the Baltimore clubhouse if catcher Matt Wieters didnt take his place on the DL with a right elbow strain. After spending the minimum time on the disabled list with a strained muscle near his left ribcage, Davis was in the starting lineup for Sundays game against the Houston Astros. Wieters had an MRI on his elbow Monday and visited Dr. James Andrews, who prescribed he rest his arm. Wieters served as designated hitter this week, but the Orioles decided it would be a good idea to shut him down for a while. "I think to get the best opportunity for this to heal properly we need to let it quiet down completely," manager Buck Showalter said. "Youre getting treatment all day then its, Hold on a second to take some swings in the cage. I got to get ready for the game." Showalter added: "Originally, they felt the best case scenario was a two- or three-week period where he wasnt throwing. I think this gives us the best opportunity for this thing to manage itself." Wieters is batting .308 with five homers and 18 RBIs, but he has thrown out only one of 12 would-be base stealers. "Its not like some acute pain. Its just that he knows its not like it should be to catch at the major league levvel," Showalter said.dddddddddddd "A lot of catchers would die to be able to make the throws Matt has made so far this year." Davis led the majors last year with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs. This season he has two homers and 13 RBIs in 22 games. He went on the DL on April 27, retroactive to April 26, after being pulled from a game against Kansas City. His rehabilitation assignment lasted only one game -- a 1 for 4 outing Saturday night for Class A Bowie. "Hes doing some things now he wasnt able to do that three or four day period he was trying to play through it," Showalter said. "That was good to hear from him." Steve Pearce performed well at first base and at the plate, but Davis lobbied to return Sunday and got his wish. "Steve Pearce is no stranger to success," Davis said. "Hes been big for us the last couple of years and hes done a great job. But Im tired of seeing him hit home runs." Astros manager Bo Porter was hoping Davis might remain on the DL at least another day, through the end the three-game series that concluded Sunday. "I thought he was going to stay down in Bowie," Porter joked. "We might just walk him four times. No, hes a good player. But you make quality pitches you have a good chance of getting him out. Im sure theyre excited to have him back." ' ' '