Sports

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Sports Writer The showdown between MVP front-runners fizzled Monday when Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid was ruled out against the Nuggets and star Nikola Jokic. Embiid has a sore right calf. He was at the team’s shootaround Monday morning but a trainer wrapped a large ice pack on his right

By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Darin Ruf has been cut by the New York Mets as the team set its opening day roster. Speedy outfielder Tim Locastro won the final bench spot over Ruf, who was acquired from San Francisco at the trade deadline last August. Ruf batted only .152

DENTON, Texas (AP) — North Texas has hired Jason Burton as its women’s basketball coach after he spent the last nine seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce. Burton replaces Jalie Mitchell, who a week earlier announced her departure after eight seasons coaching her alma mater. Mitchell was 111-127, including an 11-20 record this season. Texas A&M Commerce

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was ejected Monday in a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays for an awkward ball exchange that followed a pitch-clock violation. The home plate umpire had just finished calling a ball on Phillies pitcher Craig Kimbrel for taking too long on the mound when

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers released veteran catcher Sandy León from his minor league contract after breaking camp from Arizona. Texas announced the move before an exhibition game at home in Texas on Monday night against Kansas City. León signed with the Rangers just before the start of spring training. The 34-year-old catcher

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Soccer sensation Wrexham AFC is coming to America. Not just on television screens, but on the pitch. The fifth-tier Welsh side has become a fan favorite since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought it and launched a documentary series, “Welcome to Wrexham.” Wrexham

TROY, Ala. (AP) — Jon Sumrall has agreed to a new four-year contract as Troy’s coach after leading the Trojans to a Sun Belt Conference championship and national ranking in his debut season. The school didn’t release details of the deal. The Trojans went 12-2 and won their final 11 games, second only to national

VINELAND, N.J. (AP) — Tiger Woods and Mike Trout have joined forces in a new golf club. Trout is the three-time American League MVP with the Los Angeles Angels and a 10-time All-Star. He has always wanted to create a private club near his roots in southern New Jersey. It’s going to be called Trout

By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Brian Dutcher lays out San Diego State’s mission in plain talk to avoid any confusion. “We’re a defensive-first team,” the sixth-year coach said after the Aztecs muscled past Creighton 57-56 on Sunday and into their first Final Four. “Everybody knows that about us, and

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer North Carolina guard Caleb Love says he will enter his name into the transfer portal after three seasons with the Tar Heels. Love announced his decision with a social media post Monday. The 6-foot-4 Love had big moments during an unexpected run to last year’s national championship game though

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Kylian Mbappé is captaining France to a comfortable start in qualifying for the European Championship. Though Mbappé was kept quiet by Ireland, defender Benjamin Pavard’s 50th-minute shot earned a 1-0 win in Dublin. Forward Dušan Vlahović struck twice late for Serbia in a 2-0 win at

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Wrexham has set up its most high-profile match since being bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney: A preseason friendly against Manchester United in San Diego. The July 25 match has been announced by both teams. It will take place at Snapdragon Stadium and will see United field a

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal says Texas has reached an agreement with Rodney Terry to be the Longhorns’ full-time head basketball coach. The person tells The Associated Press that the university is taking the interim tag off Terry’s title after he led the

DUBLIN (AP) — Kylian Mbappé was kept quiet and France relied on another brilliant finish from recalled defender Benjamin Pavard to win at Ireland 1-0 in European Championship qualifying. Pavard was making his first appearance since France’s opening match of last year’s World Cup. He intercepted a stray pass just outside Ireland’s area and sent

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have acquired veteran infielder Zach McKinstry in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. The Tigers sent minor league right-hander Carlos Guzman to the Cubs for McKinstry, a .208 hitter with 12 homers and 43 RBIs in parts of three big league seasons. The 24-year-old Guzman went 9-6 with a

By GERALD IMRAY AP Sports Writer CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Striker Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal was enough for Algeria to beat Niger 1-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying and book its place at the tournament in Ivory Coast next year. Algeria is the second team to qualify after World Cup semifinalist Morocco.

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have optioned right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk. The move sends one of the game’s top pitching prospects to the minors as opening day approaches. The Orioles also released utilityman Franchy Cordero and outfielder Nomar Mazara. Rodriguez went 6-1 with a 2.20 ERA at Triple-A last season. He’s

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Five years felt like 50 for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They ended their modest NBA playoff drought on Sunday night with a win over Houston. The Cavs are back in the postseason for the first time since 2018, when their run of four straight Finals appearances was

NEW YORK (AP) — Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has avoided a one-game suspension for now after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul. The league’s decision cleared Doncic to play at Indiana on Monday as the fading Mavericks try to stay in the Western Conference playoff race. The Mavs entered the game one spot

PHOENIX (AP) — Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott will be pulling double duty in also serving as the team’s defensive play-caller in Leslie Frazier’s absence in the 2023 season. McDermott’s announcement at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix was not unexpected based on his lengthy defensive background. And it comes one month since the