AP National Sports

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer NORTH PLAINS, Ore. (AP) — Four months after suggesting those who defected to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series were sellouts, Brooks Koepka explained Tuesday that he simply changed his mind. Koepka signed with LIV Golf last week for its first event on American soil, which starts Thursday at

By The Associated Press Mets ace Max Scherzer will make a minor league rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday. The outing against the Hartford Yard Goats was pushed back a day, but New York manager Buck Showalter says there’s been no setback in Scherzer’s recovery from a strained oblique. Scherzer will be pitching on

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Serena Williams began — and ended — her comeback at Wimbledon after 364 days out of singles competition looking very much like someone who hadn’t competed in just that long. She missed shots, shook her head, rolled her eyes. In between, there were moments where

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Deshaun Watson’s hearing will continue on Wednesday after his legal team and the NFL presented their arguments in front of a retired judge in Delaware on the opening day, a person who was in attendance told The Associated Press. Former U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson, who was jointly

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Walker Kessler will bring a 7-foot-1 presence and prolific shot-blocking ability to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-wolves introduced Kessler and fellow draft picks Wendell Moore Jr. and Josh Minott on Tuesday. Kessler flourished as a rim protector last season at Auburn. But Minnesota didn’t just draft

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Serena Williams began — and ended — her comeback at Wimbledon after 364 days out of singles competition looking very much like someone who hadn’t competed in just that long. She missed shots, shook her head, rolled her eyes. In between, there were moments where

By The Associated Press Mexico will play a pair of World Cup warmups in September but is likely to be missing its European-based players because the matches are not on FIFA international fixture dates. No. 12 Mexico will play 21st-ranked Peru on Sept. 24 at Pasadena, California, and No. 17 Colombia three days later at

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Atlanta Braves closer Kenley Jansen has been put on the 15-day injured list because of an irregular heartbeat. It’s the latest heart-related issue in the veteran right-hander’s career. The move was made retroactive to Monday when Jansen felt discomfort, manager Brian Snitker said. In November 2018, Jansen underwent a cardiac ablation, a

By JAKE SEINER AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Mets ace Max Scherzer had his minor league rehab start with Double-A Binghamton pushed back a day. New York manager Buck Showalter says there has been no setback in his recovery from a strained oblique. Scherzer will be pitching Wednesday on seven days of rest.

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Nick Kyrgios capped his first-round victory at Wimbledon by spitting in the direction of a spectator he said was hassling him. It is part of a recent series of episodes that show that the harassment players have dealt with online for years is now becoming

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills and Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula is “progressing well” while rehabilitating from a health issue. The Pegula family released a statement saying she is resting and they are grateful for the medical professionals providing her care. The statement would not say whether Pegula remains

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Boston Celtics assistant Will Hardy has accepted an offer to become the coach of the Utah Jazz. Hardy and the Jazz were in the process of finalizing contract language, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will have surgery Wednesday to repair his broken left thumb and the team hopes the 2021 NL MVP can play again this season. Manager Rob Thomson did not offer a timetable for Harper’s return, only saying he hoped Philadelphia’s franchise player would return this year. Harper’s thumb was

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer Two people with knowledge of the move tell The Associated Press the Washington Commanders have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin. One person confirmed the new deal is worth up to $71 million with roughly $53 million guaranteed and a $28

NEW YORK (AP) — The Houston Astros have placed five-time All-Star Michael Brantley on the injured list with right shoulder discomfort. The team announced the move prior to a game against the New York Mets Tuesday. Brantley left Houston’s 6-3 loss to the New York Yankees Sunday in the eighth inning. The 35-year-old Brantley is

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans as the trio was selected as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago. The Sky stars will join Candace Parker, who was voted in

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Amed Rosario’s clutch two-run single in the eighth inning sent Cleveland to a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. The Guardians snapped a five-game losing streak. Down 2-1 and in danger of dropping four games behind the first-place

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Researchers have diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a Major League Soccer player for the first time. The Boston University CTE Center says former Sporting Kansas City defender Scott Vermillion suffered from the degenerative brain disease that has been linked to repeated blows to the head. Vermillion

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Carlos Vela has re-signed with Los Angeles FC, extending his tenure with the Major League Soccer leaders through the 2023 season. The Mexican striker became the first player in LAFC’s history in August 2017 when the expansion club signed him away from La Liga’s Real

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans as the trio was selected as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10. The Sky stars will join Candace Parker, who was voted in as a