Update on the latest sports
APMLB-ALL STAR GAME
Major League Baseball confirms that All-Star Game will be played in Denver
DENVER (AP) — The All-Star Game will be played at hitter-friendly Coors Field this year.
Major League Baseball officially announced the new venue Tuesday after pulling the Midsummer Classic from Atlanta over objections to sweeping changes to Georgia’s voting laws. Coors Field last hosted the All-Star Game in 1998.
MLB decided to move the July 13 game from Atlanta in response to Georgia voting rules that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law March 25. Critics have condemned the changes as being too restrictive. Colorado has a Democratic governor in Jared Polis and a Democratic-controlled legislature.
MLB-NATIONALS-MOVES
Nats sideline many players before first game
WASHINGTON (AP) — Starting pitchers Jon Lester and Patrick Corbin, closer Brad Hand and four position players expected in the lineup have been put on the 10-day injured list by the Washington Nationals.
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber, first baseman Josh Bell, second baseman Josh Harrison and catcher Yan Gomes are on the IL, as are backups Alex Avila and Jordy Mercer. The moves all came Tuesday before Washington’s first game of the season at home against the Atlanta Braves. The Nationals’ first four games on the schedule were postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak within the team.
Elsewhere in the major leagues:
MLB-RANGERS-YANKEES TRADE
— Infielder Rougned Odor (ROOG’-nehd oh-DOHR’) was traded from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees for minor league outfielders Antonio Cabello and Josh Stowers. The 27-year-old Odor did not make the Rangers’ opening day roster and was designated for assignment on April 1. He is a left-handed hitter, and the Yankees have a mostly right-handed lineup. He has two guaranteed seasons at $12 million each remaining as part of a $49.5 million, six-year contract.
— The Atlanta Braves have acquired infielder Orlando Arcia from the Milwaukee Brewers for right-handed pitchers Chad Sobotka and Patrick Weigel. Arcia had been the Brewers’ starting shortstop from 2018-20, but was expected to split time between shortstop and third base this year in more of a utility role. This move clears the way for Luis Urías to take over as the Brewers’ everyday shortstop.
— The Tampa Bay Rays have placed center fielder Kevin Kiermaier on the 10-day injured list with a left quadriceps strain. The team announced the move prior to Tuesday night’s game at Boston. The defensive whiz experienced tightness in his leg Monday night before being removed from the lineup during the third inning of an 11-2 loss to the Red Sox.
— Mike Scioscia is taking over as the third manager of the U.S. baseball team in this Olympic qualifying cycle and will try to get the Americans to the tournament in Japan this summer. USA Baseball hired the former Los Angeles Angels manager. He will lead a team of minor leaguers into the second-chance qualifying event, the Baseball Americas Qualifier, to be played in June in Florida.
UNITED STATES-OLYMPICS
US weighs Beijing Olympics boycott with partners, allies
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department says the Biden administration is considering a possible boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics to protest China’s human rights record.
Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday the U.S. is discussing China strategy, including participation in the Olympics, with a number of partners and allies in order to present a united front. Human rights groups are protesting China’s hosting of the Games, which are set to start in February 2022. They have urged a diplomatic or straight-up boycott of the event to call attention to alleged Chinese abuses against Uyghurs, Tibetans and residents of Hong Kong.
NFL-TEXANS-WATSON-LAWSUITS
Woman alleges she was terrorized by assault from Texans QB
HOUSTON (AP) — The first woman to accuse Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment in a lawsuit has spoken publicly, alleging she was terrorized by her encounter with the NFL player and he needs to be held accountable for his actions.
Ashley Solis said during a news conference Tuesday that she was assaulted when she tried to give Watson a massage in March 2020. The Associated Press usually does not name victims of sexual assault, but Solis has chosen to publicly identify herself. Solis says she’s seeking justice for herself and other victims. Watson has been accused of sexual assault or harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women. Watson’s attorney has called the allegations “meritless.”
NFL-LIONS-DUNBAR
Lions sign cornerback Dunbar
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have signed cornerback Quinton Dunbar. Detroit made the move Tuesday, adding desperately needed help in its secondary.
Dunbar had armed robbery charges dropped against him last year in a case that also involved New York Giants defensive back DeAndre Baker, who also was cleared. Dunbar has at least one interception in each of his six NFL seasons. He has 10 career interceptions and 171 tackles over five seasons with Washington and one year in Seattle. Dunbar started six games for the Seahawks last season and had one interception and 30 tackles before having season-ending knee surgery.
In other NFL news:
—The first woman to accuse Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment in a lawsuit has spoken publicly, alleging she was terrorized by her encounter with the NFL player and he needs to be held accountable for his actions. Ashley Solis said during a news conference Tuesday that she was assaulted when she tried to give Watson a massage in March 2020. The Associated Press usually does not name victims of sexual assault, but Solis has chosen to publicly identify herself. Solis says she’s seeking justice for herself and other victims. Watson has been accused of sexual assault or harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women. Watson’s attorney has called the allegations “meritless.”
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL-UCONN-MAKURAT
UConn guard Anna Makurat to transfer from Huskies
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — UConn guard Anna Makurat has decided to transfer.
The sophomore from Poland played 48 games during her two seasons with the Huskies, averaging 6.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and three assists per game. She was a member of the 2020 American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team but played in only 16 games as a sophomore. She missed 13 games after being diagnosed in January with a stress fracture in her right leg.
UConn finished the season 28-2, losing to Arizona in the Final Four. The Huskies have no seniors in the program and have another highly ranked recruiting class coming to Storrs.
