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TOKYO -- Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim added a coveted Olympic gold to his list of accolades in the men's high jump in Tokyo on Sunday, but he had to share the medal with Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy after both men ended with jumps of 2.37 meters. Both Barshim, 30, and the 29-year-old Tamberi did not have a failed attempt until they attempted to clear the 2.39 mark. After three failures each at 2.39, they ended up tied and entered a conversation with an Olympic official, who first offered them a "jump-off" to decide the matter. "Can we have two golds?" Barshim asked him. The official nodded, and the two athletes clasped hands and whooped for joy. Maksim Nedasekau of Belarus also cleared the 2.37 mark but he had more failed attempts, resulting in him taking the bronze medal. At the 2012 London Games Barshim won a bronze, which was later upgraded to silver. He picked up another silver in Rio de Janeiro four years later and then won two successive world titles in 2017 and 2019. His...

Here's what you missed from Day 9 of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Los Angeles, and the sport of mixed martial arts, has a new star athlete. The undefeated A.J. McKee submitted  Patricio "Pitbull" Freire via guillotine choke at just 1 minute, 57 seconds of the first round to win the Bellator featherweight title Saturday night in the main event of Bellator 263 in front of a raucous, partisan crowd at the LA Forum. McKee also won the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix and its $1 million prize with the victory. The nearly sold-out crowd gave McKee, a native of Long Beach, California, a huge pop when he walked out, then chanted "A.J.!" before the bout started. When McKee finished the bout, the Forum exploded, and people started to rush the cage before being stopped by security. This was by far the biggest victory of McKee's career in one of the biggest fights in promotion history -- a kind of passing-of-the-torch moment. "I sold more tickets than I got paid," McKee said in the postfight news conference. "I...

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane on Sunday vehemently denied allegations made by his wife that he bet on his own games and has intentionally tried to lose for gambling profit -- claims that are being investigated by the NHL. Kane responded Sunday morning to allegations made the previous day from the Instagram account of his wife, Anna. "I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game,'' Kane wrote on Twitter. "The facts are I personally had my best season of the my career last year and was the most consistent I've been throughout any season, I'm proud of that. I love the game of Hockey and would never do any of what was alleged. I look forward to cooperating fully with the league's investigation, having my name cleared and looking forward to this upcoming season." The NHL said Saturday night on Twitter that it was made aware of the social media posts from...

RENTON, Wash. -- Aldon Smith declined to answer questions Saturday about his pending legal case in Louisiana or how it might impact his availability this season with the Seattle Seahawks. "I can't comment on that right now," he said. In his first interview since signing with the Seahawks in April, the 31-year-old pass-rusher had much more to say about his four seasons away from the NFL and his latest opportunity following last year's comeback with the Dallas Cowboys. "Every day I just try to get better, and as long as I keep that mentality and keep learning and keep developing, the sky is still the limit for me," he said. "I feel like I still have a lot left in the tank and a lot to offer this game." Smith is getting his first chance to prove that to the Seahawks. He didn't take part in the their voluntary offseason program -- several of the team's veteran players skipped the majority of it as well -- and received an excused absence from their mandatory...

There's nothing flashy about Sean Strickland, unless you're counting the punches he relentlessly flashes into the face of his opponent. Strickland won his fifth fight in a row on Saturday night, overwhelming Uriah Hall with five rounds of aggression and nonstop punch output to win a lopsided unanimous decision in the middleweight main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Strickland (24-3) controlled the fight from the start and never allowed Hall -- who is flashy -- to get going. Strickland walked out of his corner when the fight began and never stopped moving forward. He threw 129 punches in Round 1, landing 38, and that set the tone. Strickland, a 30-year-old from Corona, California, hurt Hall badly in both the third and fourth rounds, and a finish appeared to be there for the taking. Hall, a Jamaica native fighting out of New York, managed to survive. But that was all. The spinning kicks that fill his career highlight reel were nowhere to be...

Securing his place as one of the biggest stars of the Tokyo Games,  Caeleb Dressel became just the fifth swimmer to win five gold medals at a single Olympics. Dressel won two more golds Sunday at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, first winning the men's 50-meter freestyle in an Olympic-record time of 21.07 seconds, then returning about an hour later to swim the butterfly leg and help the U.S. set a world record in winning the 4x100 medley relay, a race the Americans have never lost. With his fifth victory, Dressel joined Americans Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi, as well as East Germany's Kristin Otto, as the only swimmers to win as many as five golds at one Olympics. Phelps did it three times. "I'm proud of myself. I feel like I reached what my potential was here at these games,'' Dressel said. "It was just really fun racing." He doesn't plan to savor his triumph for long, right on par for a guy who said a few days ago that "swimming was a lot more fun when...

SAN DIEGO -- Season-ending shoulder surgery for San Diego Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is "on the table" if his condition does not improve enough over the next 10 days, according manager Jayce Tingler. The Padres placed Tatis on the 10-day injured list Saturday, a day after he partially dislocated his left shoulder for the third time this season. The Padres announced the move prior to their 5-3 loss to the  Colorado Rockies. Tingler said after the game that Tatis would be evaluated in 10 days. San Diego also placed right-hander Chris Paddack on the IL with an oblique injury. Tatis, the National League's starting shortstop in the All-Star Game, was injured Friday night while sliding awkwardly into third base in the first inning against the Rockies. He was in pain as he was led off the field by Tingler and a trainer. Tingler said Tatis was "a little bit more sore than maybe some of them we've had in the past." The Padres, who are in...

SAN DIEGO -- Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, a day after partially dislocating his left shoulder for the third time this season. The Padres announced the move prior to their game against the Colorado Rockies. They also placed right-hander Chris Paddack on the IL with an oblique injury. Tatis, the National League's starting shortstop in the All-Star Game, was injured Friday night while sliding awkwardly into third base in the first inning against the Rockies. He was in pain as he was led off the field by manager Jayce Tingler and a trainer. Tingler said Tatis was "a little bit more sore than maybe some of them we've had in the past." The Padres, who are in third place in the NL West and in control of the second wild-card spot, are keeping their fingers crossed that the electrifying 22-year-old Tatis will be back in 10 days. Tatis leads the NL with 31 home runs. He's hitting...

CHICAGO --  White Sox rookie Seby Zavala hit the first three home runs of his career, including a grand slam, but the Cleveland Indians rallied to beat Chicago 12-11 on Saturday night. Zavala became the first player in big league history to hit his first three career home runs in the same game, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. The 27-year-old catcher played his 18th game in the majors -- he was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on July 6 to replace the injured Yasmani Grandal. Batting ninth, Zavala hit a solo homer in the third off Triston McKenzie. Zavala connected for a grand slam off McKenize in the fourth for a 6-1 lead and a solo drive against Bryan Shaw in the seventh. "I always knew I could swing it,'' Zavala said. "Going through a rough patch for a couple of months, I knew if I kept working, something would click and I feel pretty good at the plate." With a chance to become the 19th player to hit a...

TOKYO --  Simone Biles has withdrawn from Monday's floor exercise final at the Olympics, USA Gymnastics announced on Sunday.  She has not decided on whether to participate in the balance beam final, which is scheduled for Tuesday. She earned bronze in the event in Brazil five years ago.   Biles had previously opted out of the all-around final, as well as the vault and uneven bars finals. "Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week," a tweet from USAG read. "Either way, we're all behind you, Simone."

TOKYO --  Simone Biles has withdrawn from Monday's floor exercise final, USA Gymnastics announced on Sunday.  She has not decided on whether to participate in the balance beam final, which is scheduled for Tuesday. She earned bronze in the event in Brazil five years ago.   Biles had previously opted out of the all-around final, as well as on vault and uneven bars. "Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week," a tweet from USAG read. "Either way, we're all behind you, Simone."

The gold medalist pulled out of the bars and vault on Friday.

Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguer Daniel Brito suffered a medical emergency during Saturday's game between the Rochester Red Wings and Lehigh Valley IronPigs, forcing the Triple-A doubleheader in Rochester, New York, to be postponed. The Phillies released a statement Saturday night saying Brito was undergoing surgery at a local hospital and that no information on his condition was available.  The IronPigs third baseman began to wobble in the bottom of the first inning of the second game and had to be helped by the Red Wings manager -- who was coaching in the third-base box. Brito then lay on the field for approximately 20 minutes and was administered oxygen by a paramedic, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. An ambulance eventually arrived and Brito was taken to the hospital. "In the best interest of the players and coaches for both teams, today's Red Wings doubleheader has been suspended due to a medical emergency on the field in the bottom of the 1st...

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Xavien Howard is leaving the door open for the Miami Dolphins to fix his contract issues. "It's up to them," Howard, an All-Pro cornerback, said on Saturday in his first public comments since requesting a trade. Howard on Tuesday night posted an Instagram statement in which he questioned whether Miami acted in good faith on his five-year, $75 million extension signed in 2019 and made clear he's unhappy and wants out. "I don't feel valued, or respected by the Dolphins," Howard said in the statement. "Just like they can take a business-first approach, so can I." A core issue with the contract is it pays $12 million in nonguaranteed money in 2021, which ranks 12th among NFL cornerbacks despite Howard's league-leading 10 interceptions in 2020. But Howard was slightly softer in his stance when talking with Miami media after practice Saturday. His interview was less than three minutes long. Howard (ankle) was a limited participant in practice in...

EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings were without multiple players for Saturday evening's practice at TCO Stadium due to a COVID-19 interruption.  Vikings rookie quarterback Kellen Mond tested positive for COVID-19, a league source confirmed to ESPN, and as a result, fellow quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley -- both deemed high-risk close contacts, per a source -- missed Saturday's practice and will have to abide by a five-day quarantine before returning to training camp. According to the protocols put together this summer by the NFL and players' union, high-risk close contacts designate that a player is not fully vaccinated. "You know, quite honestly, after everything we went through last year, I'm not surprised one bit," coach Mike Zimmer said when asked how he felt about missing players due to COVID issues. "I am disappointed that this happened. I'm frustrated, not just with my football players who didn't get vaccinated, but I'm...

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns and star running back Nick Chubb have reached an agreement on a three-year, $36.6 million contract extension, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday. Chubb's $20 million in guaranteed money is the seventh-highest total in the league among running backs. He will be a free agent again at age 29. Chubb has been the backbone of the Cleveland offense the past two seasons, averaging 5.25 yards per carry during that span. In 2019, he came within 47 yards of besting Derrick Henry for the rushing title. Last season, Chubb missed four games because of a knee injury, but he still finished seventh in the league with 1,070 rushing yards. Proving to be one of the top closers in the league, Chubb led the NFL with an average of more than 10 yards per carry in the fourth quarter of games last season. During Cleveland's first playoff victory in 26 years, Chubb delivered one of the game's decisive plays, taking a screen pass 40...

The NHL said it will investigate an allegation seemingly made by  Evander Kane's wife that the San Jose Sharks forward bet on his own games and has intentionally tried to lose for gambling profit. The league said Saturday night on Twitter that it was made aware of the social media posts and plans to conduct a full investigation. An Instagram account, appearing to belong to Kane's wife, Anna, posted in a story: "How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he's obviously throwing games to win money? Hmm maybe someone needs to address this." She added: "Can someone ask [commissioner] Gary Bettman how they let a player gamble on his own games? Bet and win with bookies on his own games?" In a separate story post, Anna Kane accused her husband of spending lavishly partying in Europe while asking her to sell her wedding ring to survive and wrote about not being able to afford baby formula for their child. The NHL said: "The integrity of our...

EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings will be without multiple players for Saturday evening's practice at TCO Stadium due to a COVID-19 interruption, the team announced. The NFL Network reported that Vikings rookie quarterback Kellen Mond has tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result, fellow quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley -- both deemed high-risk close contacts, a league source confirmed to ESPN -- will miss Saturday's practice and have to abide by a five-day quarantine before returning to training camp. According to the protocols put together this summer by the NFL and players' union, high-risk close contacts designate that a player is not fully vaccinated. Jake Browning, who is fully vaccinated according to Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, is expected to be Minnesota's only quarterback available for Saturday's practice. Zimmer did not specify how many additional players would have to miss Saturday's practice and if the Vikings would be...

Vikings rookie Kellen Mond has tested positive for COVID-19, NFL Network reported, leaving Minnesota without three quarterbacks, including starter Kirk Cousins, for Saturday night's practice as the team conducts contact tracing. Cousins is considered a high-risk close contact, according to the NFL Network report. The Vikings announced that "multiple players" would be held out of Saturday's practice at TCO Stadium due to the league's COVID-19 protocols.

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints bolstered a position of strength on Saturday, agreeing to a one-year deal with former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. Freeman's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the deal to ESPN's Adam Schefter after Freeman tried out for the Saints on Saturday. The Saints' current backfield is led by veterans Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray -- both of whom have been healthy and participating in training camp. So it's not immediately clear why they felt a need to add depth to the position. But few teams appreciate Freeman's potential to make an impact more than the Saints, who spent so many years playing against him in the NFC South. No running back has gained more yards from scrimmage against New Orleans over the past decade than Freeman (691 rushing yards, 319 receiving yards, seven touchdowns). Freeman was also a teammate of Saints quarterback Jameis Winston at Florida State, where they won the 2013...

There were 21 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, with the total now standing at 246, according to the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee data.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera issued a warning to his team after two more players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, giving his players a what-if scenario: If this had happened the day before their season opener, it would impact the first two games. Washington now has six players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff, who was placed on it Saturday along with reserve tackle David Sharpe. Receiver Curtis Samuel is another starter who already was on the list, as is key reserve defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis. Washington ranks next to last in terms of vaccination rate, having just climbed above 70% of players having at least one shot. One team remains below 70%. The overall player percentage in the NFL is 89.4, with 22 clubs over 90% and nine above 95%. As of Saturday morning, Arizona had the most players on the reserve/COVID list with nine. The  Indianapolis Colts had four...

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery next week, sources told ESPN, after attempts to rehabilitate a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow left him still in pain. While there remains a possibility that Dr. Keith Meister, who will examine Glasnow next week, will recommend against the procedure, the likelihood is that the ace of the Rays' pitching staff will miss the remainder of the 2021 season -- and perhaps all of 2022 as well. When healthy, Glasnow, 27, has been a star for Tampa Bay. In 37 starts over the past three seasons, he is 16-4 with a 2.80 ERA and 290 strikeouts in 206 innings. Injuries have vexed him since 2019, however, and the hope is that the elbow procedure will allow him to reach his elite potential long term. At 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, Glasnow cuts an imposing figure on the mound -- and his raw stuff is even scarier. His four-seam fastball averaged 97 mph this season and regularly touches 100...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. --  New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Saturday that Cam Newton is the team's starting quarterback -- repeating what he had said in April when the team drafted Mac Jones in the first round -- but also left open the possibility that things could change if Newton struggles in training camp. "We'll take a look at the whole situation," Belichick said. "I don't think you want to evaluate players at any position off one or two plays, or maybe a day. So from a consistency standpoint, that's always important. And obviously production. So hopefully those things will be good, and I'm sure it will be a hard decision. "We'll see how it goes. Let them play, and [we'll] try to do what we feel like is best for the team based on their performance." When asked if he has an ideal time frame for naming a starter to get ready for the regular season, Belichick seemed to reject the premise of the question. "No," he answered. "I mean, Cam's our...

Two Georgian athletes have had their accreditation revoked from the Tokyo Olympics after they were spotted leaving the athletes village to visit friends in Japan. On Saturday, Olympic organisers said they had revoked accreditation of Games-related people for leaving the athletes village for sightseeing, which is a violation of measures imposed to hold the Olympics safely amid the pandemic. Later, the Georgian Olympic Committee confirmed that two of its athletes -- who had already completed their events -- had left the Olympic compound. The athletes have since returned home, in line with organisers' rules which state athletes must return to their home country within 48 hours of competing in their final event. A Georgian official told AFP news agency that the two athletes are judo silver medallists Vazha Margvelashvili, 27, and Lasha Shavdatuashvili, 29. Olympics medal tracker  | Schedule "No-one stopped them at the exit, so...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. --  New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Saturday that Cam Newton is the team's starting quarterback - repeating what he said in April when the team drafted Mac Jones in the first round -- but also left open the possibility that things could change if Newton struggles in training camp. "We'll take a look at the whole situation," Belichick said. "I don't think you want to evaluate players at any position off one or two plays, or maybe a day. So from a consistency standpoint, that's always important. And obviously production. So hopefully those things will be good, and I'm sure it will be a hard decision. "We'll see how it goes. Let them play, and [we'll] try to do what we feel like is best for the team based on their performance." When asked if he has an ideal timeframe for naming a starter to get ready for the regular season, Belichick seemed to reject the premise of the question. "No," he answered. "I mean, Cam's our starting...

It's the second time Jamaica has swept the event.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens signed outside linebacker Justin Houston to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This is a significant move for the Ravens, who added the best available pass-rusher to address the biggest hole on their team. Houston, 32, is a four-time Pro Bowl defender who has recorded at least eight sacks in each of the past four seasons. Baltimore's pass rush was a major question mark after losing Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue in free agency. The Ravens drafted Odafe Oweh in the first round, but they didn't have anyone on their current roster who had more than four sacks in 2020. Baltimore has also had the fewest sacks in the NFL over the past two years when not blitzing (26). Houston, 32, received offers from multiple teams but chose to sign with the Ravens because he believed they gave him the best chance to get his first Super Bowl ring, a source said. He visited...

SAITAMA, Japan -- The best thing Team USA had going for it this summer was Kevin Durant committing to play at the Tokyo Olympics. On Saturday, he reminded everyone why. On a night when he became the all-time leading American scorer in the Olympics, Durant added another tremendous performance to his Team USA résumé in a 119-84 victory over the Czech Republic. The win put the team into the quarterfinals Tuesday. After their disappointing opening loss to France, getting back-to-back blowouts put them in a favorable position for Sunday's draw for their next opponent. The Americans will have the No. 4 seed and are likely to play either Italy or the loser of Sunday's game between Spain and Luka Doncic-led Slovenia. Durant finished with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, which of course was important for the cause, but his playmaking and defense were just as helpful, as he put up eight rebounds and six assists. In the third quarter, he was masterful, scoring 10 points with...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. --  Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy understands Nick Foles' trade value better than anybody. One year after Nagy helped spearhead the Bears' acquisition of Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars, the veteran quarterback's name is being bandied about again as a potential trade target in light of Thursday's foot injury to Colts starter Carson Wentz. Nagy, who coached Foles -- currently the Bears' third-string quarterback -- in both Kansas City and Chicago, said such speculation comes with the territory given Foles' impressive career accomplishments. He said he "absolutely" understands why teams would be interested in Foles. "And you're talking about a Super Bowl MVP and a guy that's started a lot of games," Nagy said before Saturday's practice. "He's had a really interesting career in so many ways that I just think that he deserves that. I mean, anybody that's had the career he has is somebody that's always going to be ... for all...

SAITAMA, Japan -- The best thing Team USA had going for it this summer was Kevin Durant committing to play. On Saturday, he reminded everyone why. On a night when he became the all-time leading American scorer in the Olympics, Durant added another tremendous performance to his Team USA résumé in a 119-84 victory over the Czech Republic. The victory assured Team USA second place in its group and a place in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Its opponent and game time will be determined in a draw Sunday, with the only certainty being there cannot be a rematch with France until at least the semifinals. Because of their two blowout wins in the last two games, Team USA will end up with a favorable position and avoid top medal contenders Australia, Spain and potentially even Luka Doncic-led Slovenia in the quarters. Durant finished with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, which of course was important for the cause, but his playmaking and defense were just as helpful, as he put...

Here's what you missed from Day 8 of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Members of the Detroit Lions didn't go their separate ways after Day 3 of training camp, they banded together to support a teammate. The Lions held a watch party Friday night to witness Melissa Gonzalez -- wife of quarterback David Blough -- qualify for the Olympic semifinal round of the 400-meter hurdles in Tokyo. She ran a 55.32, which set a Colombian national record. "You don't always get these type of experiences, but to me that embodies enjoying the ride because that was pretty cool," Lions coach Dan Campbell said at Saturday's news conference. "It was a moment, I can tell you that." It was an early birthday present to Blough, who turned 26 on Saturday. "It was about the best birthday present you could ever ask for in her just being there," Blough said. "So, we're so thankful." Gonzalez is representing Colombia. She was born and raised in the U.S., but she has dual citizenship and qualifies for Colombia because her father, Hector, moved...

The acts can help other athletes "find their voice," one expert said.

TOKYO -- Novak Djokovic came to the Tokyo Olympics aiming for a Golden Slam. He'll leave without a medal and will need some time to recover from a draining performance in extreme conditions that didn't meet expectations. The top-ranked Djokovic lost his cool and abused his racket several times during a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 loss to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain in the bronze-medal match of the tennis tournament on Saturday. Olympics medal tracker  | Schedule It was Djokovic's third defeat in two days and it came less than 24 hours after he was beaten by Alexander Zverev of Germany in the singles semifinals. That ended his bid for a Golden Slam, which is winning all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold in the same year. "I gave it all, whatever I had left in the tank -- which was not so much.'' He was due back on court later Saturday for one final match in Tokyo. He and Serbian partner Nina Stojanovic were scheduled to face the...

SAN DIEGO -- Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. suffered a partially dislocated left shoulder Friday night in the  Padres' 9-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies. It was the third time Tatis, 22, left a game this year due to a left shoulder injury. He was the NL's starting shortstop in the All-Star Game. Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Tatis' injury is similar to his two previous ones and that the team will know more Saturday. "I don't know how to compare them. They've all been a little bit different,'' Tingler said. "We're of the understanding that this was a possibility, the shoulder coming out and then back in. The good thing is it slid back in. "It's so tough to predict, especially without a lot of information at this point. I will say, for whatever reason, he's had a phenomenal ability of getting back in there, honestly sooner than we've expected. But again, it's tough to say without having a lot of information.'' Tatis singled in the first inning and...

TOKYO -- Simone Biles withdrew from Sunday's individual finals in the vault and uneven bars at the Summer Olympics. "Today, after further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars," USAG said in a statement. "She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam." The 24-year-old Biles withdrew from Tuesday's team final after her first vault, and she later told the media she no longer trusted herself. She then opted out of Thursday's all-around final to focus on her mental health. In a series of posts and videos on her Instagram story on Friday, Biles explained she was still dealing with the "twisties" and said her "mind and body are simply not in sync." Twisties is a term used by gymnasts when they feel like they get lost in the air, which can cause serious injuries during airborne routines.  In one video, Biles is seen...

WASHINGTON -- An 11-game losing streak sealed the Chicago Cubs' fate in the standings not only for 2021, but also for the future of the franchise well beyond this season. In a span of 24 hours, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer tore down the team he helped build -- one that won a World Series in 2016. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees, shortstop Javy Baez to the New York Mets and third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants. All three popular Cubs will be free agents after this season. "We could either hold these players for two months and have them compete for a fourth-place team or do everything we could do in our power to reset our farm system and reset our organization," Hoyer said on a post-trade deadline Zoom call. "We accelerated that over the last 10 days or so." Hoyer also traded All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to the  White...

Andrew Friedman's reputation as a pragmatic executive who seeks value on the margins and shies away from the headline-grabbing acquisitions is no longer applicable. The Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations, who cut his teeth in the front office of a famously frugal Tampa Bay Rays organization, is officially a big-game hunter. Over the last four years, Friedman has acquired -- either through free agency or via trade -- Yu Darvish, Manny Machado, Mookie Betts, Trevor Bauer, Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, a sextet of players who have combined for 25 All-Star Game appearances, four Cy Young Awards and one MVP. The latest move -- plucking Scherzer and Turner from the Washington Nationals for a package of four prospects, headlined by catcher Keibert Ruiz and pitcher Josiah Gray -- might have provided the Dodgers with some distance in a tightly contested National League West and made them the...

WASHINGTON -- An 11-game losing streak sealed the Chicago Cubs' fate in the standings not only for 2021, but also for the future of the franchise well beyond this season. In the span of 24 hours, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer tore down the team he helped put together -- which won a World Series in 2016. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees, shortstop Javy Baez to the New York Mets and third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants. All three popular Cubs will be free agents after this season. "We could either hold these players for two months and have them compete for a fourth-place team or do everything we could do in our power to reset our farm system and reset our organization," Hoyer said on a post-trade deadline Zoom call. "We accelerated that over the last 10 days or so." Hoyer also traded All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to the  ...

WASHINGTON -- An 11-game losing streak sealed the Chicago Cubs' fate in the standings not only for 2021, but also for the future of the franchise well beyond this season. In the span of 24 hours, president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, tore down the team he helped put together -- which won a World Series back in 2016. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees, shortstop Javy Baez to the New York Mets and third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants. All three popular Cubs will be free agents after this season. "We could either hold these players for two months and have them compete for a fourth place team or do everything we could do in our power to reset our farm system and reset our organization," Hoyer said on a post-trade deadline zoom call. "We accelerated that over the last 10 days or so." Hoyer also traded All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to the White...

Dressel was a favorite going into the games.

The Boston Celtics were involved in a pair of moves to reshuffle their roster Friday that saw them ship out center Tristan Thompson and bring back three players: guard Kris Dunn and center Bruno Fernando from the Atlanta Hawks and guard Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks. The first deal saw Thompson wind up with the  Sacramento Kings, guard Delon Wright go from Sacramento to Atlanta and Dunn and Fernando wind up in Boston, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Boston also received a 2023 second-round pick in the deal, sources said.  Later Friday, Boston struck another deal, with sources confirming that the Celtics landed Richardson from the Mavericks by using the remainder of the trade exception created by the sign-and-trade deal that sent Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets in November. Boston now has 13 players with fully guaranteed contracts for next season and are around $5...

The New York Mets said Friday that Jacob deGrom will be out until September due to additional inflammation in his right forearm. According to acting New York general manager Zack Scott, deGrom threw a bullpen session Thursday and then was diagnosed with the inflammation. DeGrom reached the high 90s near the end of his session, per Mets manager Luis Rojas, but then didn't throw Friday, a deviation from his routine. He will be shut down from throwing for two weeks, pushing back the timetable of his return to September. The ace right-hander is 7-2 in 15 starts with a 1.08 ERA, but last pitched July 7 when he struck out 10 in seven innings against the  Milwaukee Brewers. DeGrom has suffered five injuries this season -- shoulder soreness, right lat tightness, right side tightness and right flexor tendinitis were the other ailments -- had two starts pushed back and had an earlier stint on the injured list in May. When he landed on the IL with forearm tightness,...

The Celtics, Hawks and Kings agreed to a three-team trade Friday that allowed Sacramento to acquire  Tristan Thompson, Atlanta to obtain  Delon Wright and Boston to receive  Kris Dunn, Bruno Fernando and a 2023 second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Thompson, 30, averaged 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in 54 games for the Celtics last season, his first playing anywhere outside of Cleveland, where he spent the first nine years of his NBA career. But with the emergence of third-year center Robert Williams III, plus the return of center Al Horford as part of the Kemba Walker trade last month, there wasn't a need for Thompson any longer in Boston. Now, though, he's headed to Sacramento, where he will give the Kings insurance at the center spot with starter Richaun Holmes set to be an unrestricted free agent Monday. Dunn, 27, played just four games during the regular season as he...

HOUSTON -- For the third straight day of training camp, Deshaun Watson did not take part in team drills. Although the Houston Texans' quarterback stood off to the side for most of practice, newly acquired QB  Tyrod Taylor said Watson's presence has not been a distraction. Taylor said Watson has "absolutely" been a resource for him as he learns this new team and offense in Houston. "Me and Deshaun are friends," Taylor said. "We've known each other for a number of years now. We've had conversations on the field, off the field. Non-football, about life. Everything has been positive conversations and they'll continue to be that way." Watson reported to training camp Sunday after requesting a trade from the Texans in January. Less than two months later, the first of 23 lawsuits was filed accusing Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior. He faces 22 active lawsuits after one was dropped. Taylor, who signed with the Texans just hours before the first lawsuit...

Indianapolis Colts quarterback  Carson Wentz is out indefinitely after undergoing further testing for a foot injury that he suffered at the end of Thursday's practice, sources told ESPN. Wentz felt a "twinge in his foot" when he rolled out and planted to throw late in the practice, offensive coordinator Marcus Brady said Friday. Wentz is still awaiting more information from testing and after meeting with foot specialist Robert Anderson, a source told ESPN, and the team hopes to have a better idea of how long the quarterback will be sidelined after Anderson reviews the scans. The Colts do not consider this to be a season-ending injury, a source told ESPN. "He's with the docs, trying to figure what out the process is," said Brady, who was speaking to the media in place of coach Frank Reich (COVID-19). "Still evaluating what the next move is, how bad it is. Then we'll go from there." The Colts acquired Wentz during the offseason and reunited him with Reich by giving the ...

SAN FRANCISCO -- Kris Bryant was the face of the Chicago Cubs for a long time. His new bosses in San Francisco were thrilled that joining the Giants meant so much to him, despite the emotions of leaving the only major league team he's ever known. Bryant grew up in Las Vegas and loved to watch Giants slugger Barry Bonds -- and now the versatile star will get a chance to play not only in the home run king's former spot in left field, but all over the diamond. The first-place Giants made a big splash just before the trade deadline Friday by acquiring Bryant from the Cubs for two minor leaguers. "Could not be more excited to be a Giant," president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said. "I've had a number of phone calls after trades with players. Never spoken to a player more excited to be coming to a new organization." The 29-year-old Bryant, whose NL MVP season of 2016 helped the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years, got word while wearing his...

The Boston Celtics are trading Tristan Thompson to the Atlanta Hawks for point guard Kris Dunn, forward Bruno Fernando and a 2023 second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Thompson, 30, averaged 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds while spending time at both frontcourt positions for Boston last season. The Celtics traded Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder last month in order to bring back longtime Celtics big man Al Horford, creating a need at point guard while filling Thompson's role in the frontcourt. Dunn, 27, was signed by Atlanta last offseason to help shore up their perimeter defense, however he only appeared in four games after undergoing ankle surgery early last season. Dunn is on the last year of a 2-year, $10 million deal he signed with the Hawks.