Update on the latest sports
APMLB-SCHEDULE
Dodgers can clinch playoff spot
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers can clinch their ninth consecutive playoff appearance with a win at home over last-place Arizona and losses by two of the following teams: Cincinnati, St. Louis, San Diego. The defending World Series champions are 2 1/2 games behind first-place San Francisco in the NL West.
Among the other games on the schedule:
— The Giants try for their ninth straight win as Anthony DeSclafini faces Jake Arrieta and the struggling Padres. The Giants became the first team to secure a 2021 postseason berth by beating San Diego 9-1 last night.
— Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who was pushed back because of left hamstring tightness, is set to start on six days’ rest at Baltimore. Cole will have a new shortstop behind him, too, after New York moved error-prone Gleyber Torres to second base Monday. Manager Aaron Boone says Torres will spend the rest of the season at second.
— Closing in on the NL Central title, Milwaukee tries to extend its run of dominant pitching when Freddy Peralta starts the opener of a three-game series in Detroit. Eric Lauer held Cleveland hitless into the sixth inning Sunday in an 11-1 victory — a day after Brewers ace Corbin Burnes and closer Josh Hader combined on the record ninth no-hitter in the majors this season.
— Houston Astros right-hander Zack Greinke makes his first start since testing positive for COVID-19 last month. Greinke is scheduled to pitch at Texas, the same team he lost to on the road in his last start 16 days ago. Greinke had also lost his previous start against Kansas City, marking the only time in his 27 starts this season he has dropped consecutive games.
— Cleveland ace Shane Bieber, who’s been out with a strained right shoulder, is slated to throw 40-45 pitches on a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined since June 13.
MLB-BREWERS-BRAUN RETIRES
Slugger Ryan Braun retires after 14-year career with Brewers
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Braun has announced his retirement. Braun is the Milwaukee Brewers’ home run leader whose production was slowed by injuries during the second half of his 14-year career.
Braun hasn’t played all season and said during spring training that he was leaning toward retirement. The 2011 NL MVP made it official Tuesday in a video the Brewers posted on Twitter.
Braun had 352 homers and last played in 2020. He was one of baseball’s best hitters from 2007-12, but was never the same after he was suspended midway through the 2013 season for using performance-enhancing drugs.
MLB-2023 ALL-STAR GAME
Seattle to host All-Star Game
NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that the Seattle Mariners will host baseball’s 2023 All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park.
The team announced a news conference for Thursday at Seattle’s Space Needle with baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the subject was not announced, said the subject was the 2023 All-Star Game.
Seattle will host the All-Stars for the third time. The ballpark was the site of the American League’s 4-1 victory in 2001. The 1979 All-Star Game was at the old Kingdome.
MLB-ROYALS-FRONT OFFICE
Royals promote Moore to president, Picollo to GM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are promoting general manager Dayton Moore to club president. The team is also elevating longtime assistant GM J.J. Picollo to GM.
The 54-year-old Moore presided over one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history, leading them to consecutive World Series and the 2015 title. Picollo has long been considered Moore’s heir apparent in Kansas City. The team is showing signs of another rebirth after a long rebuild.
NFL-VIRUS OUTBREAK-SAINTS
Saints staffers, one player, test positive
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two people familiar with the situation say six unidentified members of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff, one player and another employee have tested positive for COVID-19. The people spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the team and NFL have not announced the test results. The people say the entire coaching staff had been vaccinated.
It is unclear how long those who tested positive will be isolated from the team before returning to the field or meetings. The club is under NFL “enhanced mitigation protocols,” with daily testing and mandatory masking inside facilities.
NFL-49ERS-MOSTERT
49ers RB Raheem Mostert to undergo season-ending surgery
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert will undergo season-ending surgery on his knee after getting injured in the season opener.
Coach Kyle Shanahan had said Mostert was expected to miss eight weeks because of chipped cartilage in his knee, but Mostert announced on his Twitter account that he will miss the rest of the season.
Mostert said he was “gutted” by the news, but after consulting with multiple doctors felt this was the best decision for his long-term future.
NBA-PACERS-SUMNER INJURED
Pacers lose backup PG Edmond Sumner to torn Achilles tendon
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers point guard Edmond Sumner will be out indefinitely after having surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. Team officials say he suffered the injury during an offseason workout and that he underwent surgery Monday.
Sumner was expected to play a bigger role this season following the trade of Aaron Holiday to Washington. Sumner averaged 7.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.6 steals per game last season, all career highs.
NBA-OBIT-GENE LITTLES
Former Hornets coach Gene Littles dead at 78
HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — Former Charlotte Hornets coach and High Point University star Gene Littles has died.
Littles was the all-time leading scorer in High Point men’s basketball history. A news release from the North Carolina school says Littles died on Sept. 9 but did not give a cause of death.
He was a three-time NAIA All-American between 1965 and 1969. He also leads High Point’s program in field goals and free throws made.
Littles played in the American Basketball Association before turning to coaching, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers as an interim coach before going to the Hornets.
Gene Littles was 78.
GOLF-PGA TOUR-PLAYER AWARD
Cantlay wins PGA Tour player of the year award over Rahm
UNDATED (AP) — Patrick Cantlay is the players’ choice as PGA Tour player of the year. It’s another big step for the 29-year-old from California.
Cantlay was the No. 1 amateur in the world who once shot 60 on the PGA Tour while in college. Then he was out for three years with a back injury that nearly ended his career. And now he has the Jack Nicklaus Award after a vote of the players.
The PGA Tour does not release vote totals or even say how many players voted. Cantlay presumably won the award in a tight race with Jon Rahm.
NHL-DEVILS MOVES
Jimmy Vesey among 3 vets signed by Devils to tryout deals
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Former New York Rangers forward Jim Vesey is among three players the New Jersey Devils have signed to tryout contracts.
The Devils also announced the signing of center Mark Jankowski and defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon. They will join the team when all players report to the NHL camp next week.
Vesey skated in 50 games last season with Toronto and Vancouver, collecting five goals and five assists. Since his debut with the Rangers five years ago, the 28-year-old has 64 goals and 56 assists in 354 regular-season games.
