Sports

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have bolstered their defense again, agreeing to a contract with Gold Glove-winning catcher Tucker Barnhart. A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal to the AP on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. There was no immediate word on

By The Associated Press The Cincinnati Bengals will look to extend their winning streak to seven when they visit the New England Patriots. New England has lost three of its past four games and enters the week eighth in the AFC. The Patriots have won three straight meetings with the Bengals and eight of the

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is questionable for Saturday’s game against the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills because of a ring finger injury. Johnson was limited in practice on Thursday after being a full participant the previous day. Assuming he plays, Johnson has another tough assignment facing Stefon Diggs after going

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Three-time Olympic weightlifting champion Lyu Xiaojun of China has tested positive in a doping case. The International Testing Agency says Lyu tested positive for the endurance boosting hormone EPO on Oct. 30 while he was training. The substance which helps produce more red blood cells is banned in sports. The Chinese

PARIS (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps will meet with French soccer federation president Noël Le Graët next week to discuss a new contract. Deschamps has been in charge for 10 years. He has led Les Bleus to three major finals and won the 2018 World Cup. France lost a thrilling World Cup final to

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy (AP) — Lucas Braathen has established a commanding lead in the opening run of the World Cup night slalom on the Canalone Miramonti course. Braathen stands 0.42 seconds ahead of Loic Meillard and 0.50 ahead of Linus Strasser. Braathen won the opening slalom of the season 11 days ago in Val

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA is taking “appropriate internal action” to address breaches of World Cup protocol by a celebrity chef who held the gold trophy on the field, soccer’s governing body said Thursday. The chef, who is known as Salt Bae and is regularly seen with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, mingled with Argentina players and

CINCINNATI (AP) — Wil Myers has signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds, joining his third big league club after spending the previous eight seasons with San Diego. The Reds announced the deal. It includes a mutual option for the 2024 season. The 32-year-old Myers has started major league games at first base, third

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Gonzaga is being discussed as a potential target for bigger conferences that never would have looked toward the small school in Spokane, Washington. The courtship opens up the possibility of a future somewhere other than the West Coast Conference, where Gonzaga has been a member

By The Associated Press The Denver Broncos will visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday as two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL meet for a nationally televised Christmas Day game. Quarterback Russell Wilson will return for the Broncos after being held out of their 24-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals as a

By ED WHITE Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — Under court order, Michigan State University has released records related to multimillion-dollar donations by two wealthy alumni. Mortgage executive Mat Ishbia pledged $14 million to MSU a year ago, on top of a $32 million gift announced earlier in 2021. The documents don’t reveal much that’s new.

By The Associated Press The weather will be frightful for the Saints and Browns. Their playoff chances are already there. With a forecast for temperatures in single digits and wind gusts up to 50 mph, both teams will lean heavily on their running games. The conditions would figure to hurt New Orleans, which plays in

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer The House has passed a bill that ensures equal compensation for U.S. women competing in international events. It is a piece of legislation that came out of the U.S. women’s soccer team’s battle to be paid as much as the men. The Equal Pay for Team USA Act now

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer JEFFERSON, Ga. (AP) — Devon Gales was paralyzed during a game against Georgia back in 2015. Now, the former Southern University receiver is attending the school he was facing that fateful day. Gales moved to the state after his injury, taken in by a Georgia fan base that helped

By The Associated Press The NHL has postponed two games this week because of severe weather. The Buffalo Sabres’ home game Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning was pushed back to March 9. The league also postponed Detroit’s game at Ottawa on Friday until Feb. 27. Elsewhere, more than 10 college basketball games were postponed

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer DENVER (AP) — Running back Ronnie Hillman, who was part of the Denver Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, has died, his family said in a statement. He was 31. Hillman’s family posted on his Instagram account Wednesday that he was diagnosed in August with a rare form

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is not expected to play Saturday against Dallas because of a sprained right shoulder. Philadelphia will instead start Gardner Minshew. Hurts was injured on a hard tackle in Sunday’s win at Chicago. The Eagles have the best record in the NFL at 13-1 and can clinch the NFC

By RONALD BLUM and JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writers Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa and Trea Turner combined for almost $1 billion in contracts. Xander Bogaerts, Jacob deGrom, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Rodón, Brandon Nimmo and Willson Contreras added up to another billion. And that’s just nine players. Just one lucrative slice of baseball’s December spending spree.