Sports

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NEW YORK (AP) — Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has avoided a one-game suspension for now after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul.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

PHOENIX (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers signed first baseman Luke Voit and designated Keston Hiura for assignment as part of a flurry of moves they made while preparing for Thursday’s season opener. The Brewers also indicated rookie second baseman Brice Turang, right-handed pitcher Gus Varland and utilityman Owen Miller have made the major-league roster. The

By DEEPA BHARATH Associated Press New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft faced the camera during a video call, pointing to a small, sky-blue lapel pin on his blazer. The pin is the symbol of a $25 million “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign launched Monday by the 81-year-old billionaire through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism,

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — Zlatan Ibrahimovic was missing for Sweden in its match against Azerbaijan in European Championship qualifying because of injury. Sweden coach Janne Andersson didn’t disclose the precise nature of Ibrahimovic’s problem when confirming the AC Milan striker’s absence ahead of the game. Ibrahimovic made his first national team appearance in a year

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer Jacksonville’s Kris Armstrong slugged six home runs over eight at-bats against Central Arkansas this past weekend and he’s gone deep eight times in 15 trips to the plate since Thursday. Armstrong calls his recent tear an out-of-body experience. The fifth-year senior is second nationally with 16 homers and leads

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer Baseball has transformed in the 145 days since Dusty Baker and the Houston Astros’ sealed up the franchise’s second title in six seasons. As New York Mets owner Steve Cohen dominated an offseason that saw billions spent, the sport braced for a new world that includes pitch clocks, bigger

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Villanova star and AP All-American Maddy Siegrist will not return for a fifth season and has declared for the WNBA draft. Siegrist led Villanova to a 30-7 overall record and the Sweet 16 for the second time ever this season. She led the country in scoring at 29.2 points per game

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have signed offensive lineman Matt Pryor to a one-year deal. The addition of Pryor adds depth at right tackle after starter Mike McGlinchey left in free agency to sign with Denver. San Francisco brought back restricted free agent Colton McKivitz with a two-year deal. Jaylon Moore

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Michigan’s Mason Parris, who went unbeaten while winning the NCAA heavyweight championship, has been named winner of the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s top college wrestler. WIN magazine on Monday announced Parris received 38 of 64 first-place votes from a panel of retired coaches, a representative from each of the

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Free agent defensive linemen Michael Dogbe and Henry Mondeaux have signed one-year contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The duo should provide depth for a team that lost veteran Arden Key to Tennessee. Dogbe started four of 13 games with Arizona in 2022. He finished with 28 tackles, including one tackle for

By DEEPA BHARATH Associated Press New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft faced the camera during a video call, pointing to a small, sky-blue lapel pin on his blazer. The pin is the symbol of a $25 million “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign launched Monday by the 81-year-old billionaire through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism,

NEW YORK (AP) — The  philanthropist, sports franchise executive and co-founder of Black Entertainment Television Sheila Johnson is writing a memoir. “Walk Through Fire” will document her rise from a middle class family in Illinois to becoming a pioneering Black woman billionaire, and how she endured her troubled marriage to fellow BET founder Robert L.

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer Lamar Jackson says he has requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, saying the team “has not been interested in meeting my value.” The star quarterback said Monday in a series of tweets that he requested a trade as of March 2. On March 7, the Ravens put the