AP National Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners acquired infielder/outfielder Nick Solak from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash. Solak was designated for assignment by the Reds. Seattle had an open spot on its 40-man roster and assigned Solak to Triple-A Tacoma. Before this season, Solak, 28, spent his entire career with Texas. He appeared in

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NBA has levied fines for Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert and coach Chris Finch for their public criticisms of the officiating after their previous game. Gobert was fined $25,000 and Finch was fined $15,000. Finch and Gobert sounded off after Minnesota’s 107-100 loss at Phoenix earlier this week. The Timberwolves were

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer DALLAS (AP) — The NCAA has an entirely female crew working the national semifinals and championship game at the women’s Final Four this weekend. It’s the first time that’s ever happened, according to the organization. The NCAA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX this year, which makes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Brandon Naurato was promoted from interim to full-time head coach of Michigan’s hockey team Friday. Naurato has led the Big Ten Tournament champion Wolverines to the Frozen Four — in which they play Quinnipiac on April 6 — after being named interim coach in August. The university said Naurato’s five-year

By TIM PRICE Associated Press SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Patrick Rodgers took a step toward his first PGA Tour victory — and his first Masters appearance — on Friday, shooting a 5-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead midway through the second round of the weather-delayed Valero Texas Open. Rodgers, who finished his opening-round 66

SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Brockington, a former All-Pro fullback who ranks fourth on the Green Bay Packers’ career rushing list, has died. He was 74. The Packers announced that Brockington died Friday in San Diego. Brockington played for the Packers from 1971-77 and rushed for 5,024 yards during that stretch. He was the first

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — For UConn players Adama Sanogo, Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra a traditional pregame meal before Saturday night’s national semifinal against Miami won’t be possible. The three are Muslims who observe Ramadan and adhere to a strict fast from dawn until sunset daily until April 20. With

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The LIV Golf-Orlando had two groups that were all former Masters champion. The leader after one round is Sebastian Munoz. He’s not eligible for the Masters. The Colombian opened with an eagle and sailed to a 62. That gives him a two-shot lead over 50-year-old Englishman Richard Bland. Brooks Koepka and

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Toronto coach Nick Nurse will take time in the offseason to consider if he wants to return to the Raptors for a sixth season or pursue other options. Nurse’s name has been linked to other coaching jobs and there have reports Toronto could be ready to

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State women’s basketball has hired Bowling Green State University’s Robyn Fralick as head coach. The school announced the hire on Friday. Fralick had spent the past five seasons coaching the Falcons to an 88-73 record and three postseason appearances. Bowling Green finished this season 31-7, matching the school and

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer HOUSTON (AP) — The saying goes that defense wins championships. But it’s largely been top-tier offenses winning the NCAA championship in March Madness. This weekend’s Final Four in Houston features two highly rated offenses in Connecticut and Miami. It also features a defensive-heavy approach in San Diego State. According

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick is entering the NBA draft after one season with the Jayhawks. The 6-foot-8 guard announced his decision in a social media post. Dick started all 36 games for the Jayhawks and averaged 14.1 points while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. He made 83 3-pointers, a

NEW YORK (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Israel Mateo was suspended for 55 games under the minor league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone. The 21-year-old right-hander is on the roster of the rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays. He was 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA over 10 appearances for

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is joining UCLA’s football coaching staff as director of leadership. The school says that Niumatalolo will serve as an advisor to the Bruins’ football staff and players. Niumatalolo led Navy for 15 years and was the winningest coach in school history at 109-83. The Midshipmen finished

MARSEILLES, France (AP) — Marseille has missed the chance to put pressure on French league leader Paris Saint-Germain after being held at home by in-form Montpellier to 1-1. Matteo Guendouzi’s first-half penalty was all Marseille had to show for dominating possession and chances as the visitors stayed unbeaten in the seventh game since coach Michel

By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Mallorca has drawn 0-0 with Osasuna in the Spanish league while playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men. The stalemate leaves Osasuna in ninth place and Mallorca in 11th. Defender José Copete received a direct red card in the 69th minute for fouling Osasuna’s Rubén

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — MLB is looking into an interaction caught on video that appears to show Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon grab a fan by the shirt through the bleacher guardrails. A league spokesperson says MLB is aware of the video, which shows Rendon grabbing the fan’s shirt and exchanging words with

By MARK BERMAN Associated Press MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Daniil Medvedev has beaten fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Miami Open. It came on the day that Wimbledon announced Russians will be allowed back in the event with conditions. The other men’s semifinal is Friday night between

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan center Hunter Dickinson has entered the transfer portal. Wolverines coach Juwan Howard said Friday that Dickinson’s decision was bittersweet. The 7-foot-1, 260-pound Dickinson led the Wolverines with 18.5 points and nine rebounds per game last season as a junior. He entered the NBA draft and withdrew his name two

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Getting a team through to the Final Four is a major boost for mid-major conferences financially, promotionally and for visibility on a national scale. The deeper a team goes in the bracket, the more money goes to their conference. The conferences use the money to upgrade