AP National Sports

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander, a leading candidate for the AL Cy Young Award, has been placed on the injured list with a right calf injury. The team announced the move Tuesday and said that an MRI done on the calf revealed fascial disruption, but no

LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Wall says he considered taking his own life during a time in the last three years when he was dealing with a torn Achilles and the deaths of family members at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 31-year-old guard joined the Los Angeles Clippers this summer and is eager

ALICANTE, Spain (AP) — Remco Evenepoel came into the Spanish Vuelta with the goal of winning a stage. He accomplished that in style and now also sees himself in position to take the general classification title as well. The Belgian rider from team Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl pulled off an impressive time-trial victory in the 10th

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — When you build a powerhouse program, it’s inevitable that others will try to copy your success. That means hiring people who work for you. Georgia coach Kirby Smart will see another familiar face on the opposing sideline Saturday when the reigning national champion Bulldogs open

By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — First-year Florida football coach Billy Napier plans, plots and perfects every minute of each day. He says “preparation is the key to confidence.” If so, the Gators should be feeling like 10-point favorites heading into their season opener against seventh-ranked Utah on Saturday night. But

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer LIV Golf has made it official. British Open champion Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann are now part of the Saudi-funded rival league. They are among six additions announced Tuesday. The others are Marc Leishman, Cameron Tringale, Anirban Lahiri and Harold Varner III. They will be suspended by the PGA

By The Associated Press The PGA Tour season is over and now Saudi-funded LIV Golf returns to the stage. That’s where to find the only players ranked inside the top 50 in the world. With a fresh batch of players, the LIV Golf Invitational goes to the International Golf Club west of Boston. It’s the

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer Google is becoming the first women’s-only basketball global partner with FIBA. The internet company entered a multiyear partnership with the WNBA in 2021 and now is working with basketball’s world governing body, which has nine global partners for both men’s and women’s basketball. The partnership will begin next month

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer ROME (AP) — The Financial Times reports the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles-based fund that includes LeBron James are investing in AC Milan alongside RedBird Capital Partners. RedBird is in the closing stages of a deal to purchase the Italian soccer champion for 1.2 billion euros ($1.2

By ANGELA CHARLTON Associated Press PARIS (AP) — French officials say World Cup winner Paul Pogba has paid 100,000 euros ($100,000) to an organized group including his brother that was trying to extort him into paying 13 million euros. French prosecutors are investigating allegations that Paul Pogba was the target of extortion by his older

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar looks fitter and sharper than he has for several years after being dogged by fitness worries, questions over his lifestyle choices, and dragged down by persistent foot injuries. That’s great news for Brazil ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. Neymar has

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Brazil winger Antony looks set to complete a move to Manchester United for $95 million and join Lisandro Martinez in making a big-money switch from Dutch club Ajax to the English giant in this transfer window. The clubs say they have reached agreement on Antony’s transfer subject to a medical examination,

LONDON (AP) — Argentina defender Cristian Romero has signed a permanent contract to remain with Tottenham until 2027. Romero joined on a season-long loan from Italian team Atalanta in August last year and has established himself as a key member of Tottenham’s defense as well as a popular player among the London club’s fan base.

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Europe captain Luke Donald will have six picks for next year’s Ryder Cup in Italy. That’s three more picks than Padraig Harrington had for Europe’s record 19-9 loss to the United States at Whistling Straits last year. Ryder Cup Europe has announced the qualification process for the 2023 event. Three

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer A 9-0 thrashing by Liverpool and veiled criticism of his club’s strategy in the transfer market was too much for Scott Parker to survive as Bournemouth manager. The former England midfielder has been fired and becomes the first coach in the English Premier League to lose his job in

LONDON (AP) — Argentina defender Cristian Romero has signed a permanent contract to remain with Tottenham until 2027. Romero joined on a season-long loan from Italian team Atalanta in August last year and has established himself as a key member of Tottenham’s defense as well as a popular player among the London club’s fan base.

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer A 9-0 thrashing by Liverpool has proved to be the end for Scott Parker. The former England midfielder has been fired as Bournemouth manager three days after the team’s heavy beating at Anfield in the English Premier League. Parker was hired by Bournemouth in the offseason of 2021 and

BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — A 9-0 thrashing by Liverpool has proved to be the end for Scott Parker. The former England midfielder has been fired as Bournemouth manager three days after the team’s heavy beating at Anfield in the English Premier League. Parker was hired by Bournemouth in the offseason of 2021 and guided the

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Baseball Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brandon Drury hit a two-run homer in the first inning and later added an RBI single, and the San Diego Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 6-5 in a game that included a pair of delays. Josh Bell had an RBI single for San Diego