Sports News

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox talked to Major League Baseball on Monday about postponing their game against the Minnesota Twins after a gunman opened fire on an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago, killing at least six people and wounding at least 30 others. After speaking with MLB and contact with local authorities, the game began on time. The postgame fireworks show was canceled, and a moment of silence was observed before the first pitch. "Our hearts are with the Highland Park community," the White Sox said in a statement. "The entire Chicago White Sox organization expresses our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the innocent victims of today's horrific shooting and all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.'' Authorities said a gunman opened fire around 10:15 a.m. local time, when the parade was about three-quarters through, sending hundreds of marchers, parents with strollers and children on bicycles fleeing in...

NEW YORK -- Frankfurter-munching phenom Joey "Jaws" Chestnut gobbled his way to a 15th win Monday at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, powering down 63 hot dogs and buns at the annual exhibition of excess. In a decisive chowdown comeback, women's record holder Miki Sudo downed 40 wieners and buns to win the women's title after skipping last year's frank fest because she was pregnant. A spectator wearing a Darth Vader mask rushed the stage, momentarily disrupting the competition. Chestnut put the protester in a brief chokehold before contest officials hurried over and escorted the intruder away. Another protester in a white stormtrooper mask had also snuck behind the competitors and hoisted a sign saying, "Expose Smithfield's Deathstar.'' Smithfield manufactures Nathan's famous hotdogs. After the altercation, Chestnut went back to the task at hand: Devouring more hot dogs. Monday also marked the contest's return to its traditional location outside Nathan's...

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox talked to Major League Baseball on Monday about postponing their game against the Minnesota Twins after a gunman opened fire on an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago, killing at least six people and wounding at least 30 others. After speaking with MLB and contact with local authorities, the game was slated to begin on time. But there were storms in the area that could affect play. The postgame fireworks show was canceled, and the team observed a moment of silence before the first pitch. "Our hearts are with the Highland Park community," the White Sox said in a statement. "The entire Chicago White Sox organization expresses our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the innocent victims of today's horrific shooting and all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.'' Authorities said a gunman opened fire around 10:15 a.m. local time, when the parade was about three-quarters through, sending hundreds...

Tiger Woods was back playing competitive golf Monday, shooting a 5-over 77 at the star-studded JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland. Woods sits in a tie for 43rd in the 50-player field. Xander Schauffele, coming off a win at the Travelers a week ago, sits in first after an opening, bogey-free 64. Play concludes Tuesday. For Woods, the event is a tuneup to next week's Open Championship at famed St. Andrews in Scotland. Woods hasn't played since withdrawing following the third round of the PGA Championship, where he struggled in cooler temperatures while shooting a 79, then pulled out hours later. It was just his second tour event since he was seriously hurt in a car crash in February 2021; Woods also competed in the Masters, finishing 47th. He opted to skip last month's U.S. Open, saying he needed to give his body more time to heal and get stronger. On Monday, Woods was 5 over on the front, with a double bogey at the par-4 second. He went...

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox talked to Major League Baseball on Monday about postponing their game against the Minnesota Twins after a gunman opened fire on an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago, killing at least six people and wounding at least 30 others. After speaking with MLB and contact with local authorities, the game was slated to begin on time. But there were storms in the area that could affect play. The postgame fireworks show was canceled, and the team planned to observe a moment of silence before the first pitch. "Our hearts are with the Highland Park community,'' the White Sox said in a statement. "The entire Chicago White Sox organization expresses our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the innocent victims of today's horrific shooting and all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.'' Authorities said a gunman opened fire around 10:15 a.m. local time, when the parade was about three-quarters through, sending...

Everything went smoothly for Rafael Nadal against  Botic Van De Zandschulp on Monday until it came time to close out their fourth-round match at Wimbledon. Serving for the win at 5-3 in the third set, Nadal was broken for the second time in the match and he then failed to convert three straight match points when leading 6-3 in the ensuing tiebreaker. That was the end of the Dutchman's resistance, though, as Nadal converted his fourth match point for a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (6) win on Centre Court. The Spaniard is playing his first grass-court tournament since 2019, when he lost to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals. He is looking for his third Wimbledon title and has a chance at a calendar-year Grand Slam after winning the Australian Open and French Open to take his career tally to a record 22 major titles. "To be in the quarterfinals here at Wimbledon after three years without playing here, it's amazing for me," Nadal said. "So very, very happy." Nadal...

Brittney Griner made a direct appeal to President Joe Biden for her freedom Monday in a letter passed on through her representatives, writing, "I'm terrified I might be here forever." "I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other detainees," an excerpt released by the WNBA star's representatives said. "Please do all you can to bring us home." The letter, described as handwritten, also notes her father's military service. "On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those men who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran," another excerpt read. "It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year." Griner's trial on charges that she tried to smuggle vape cartridges with hashish oil into Russia began Friday. Legal experts and U.S. officials have described the proceeding as a "show trial" that is certain to end in a...

Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa pulled a mild surprise by committing to Miami on Monday. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Mauigoa, who attends IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is No. 5 on the 2023 ESPN 300, and was also considering Tennessee, USC, Alabama, Florida and Hawai'i. Mauigoa becomes Miami sixth's ESPN 300 recruit for this cycle -- joining quarterback Jaden Rashada (No. 22), tight end Riley Williams (No. 66), wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph (No. 142), athlete Robert Stafford (No. 193) and athlete Robby Washington (No. 280). Mauigoa is the first ESPN 300 offensive lineman to play for the Hurricanes since Laurence Seymore came aboard as part of the 2021 class. Miami's 2023 class is 16th in ESPN's latest team rankings, and Mauigoa becomes Mario Cristobal's top recruit for this cycle. Mauigoa is the second highly regarded offensive lineman to make a college commitment within the past week, after Kadyn Proctor (No. 6) stayed home by pledging to Iowa.

Hank Goldberg, who worked at ESPN as an NFL reporter and handicapping expert for two decades, died Monday on his 82nd birthday, his family confirmed. Goldberg had been in treatment for chronic kidney disease in recent years. Known as Hammering Hank, Goldberg was .500 or better in 15 of 17 NFL seasons while predicting games at ESPN. He made appearances on NFL Countdown and ESPN Radio and contributed to the network's thoroughbred racing coverage.  Goldberg had also been a contributor on ESPN's Daily Wager throughout the sports betting show's existence, doing weekly hits during the NFL season and occasional appearances around the Triple Crown races. His last appearance on ESPN was in May, when he did a phone interview from the Kentucky Derby.  "Hank was a bigger part of ESPN's soul than anyone will ever know," said longtime ESPN anchor Chris Berman. "His information made us smarter. His insight made us wiser. His friendship made us better people. Rest in peace Hammer, and thank you...

Simona Halep is living up to her status as the only former Grand Slam champion left in this year's women's draw. The Romanian beat fourth-seeded Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-2 on Centre Court on Monday to return to the Wimbledon quarterfinals and extend her winning streak at the All England Club to 11 matches. Halep will next face 20th-ranked American Amanda Anisimova, who ended Harmony Tan's time at Wimbledon with a 6-2, 6-3 victory. The 115th-ranked Tan, from France, had become one of the toasts of the tournament after a remarkable run that included ousting seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in the first round. It is Anisimova's first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the semis at the French Open in 2019, when she also beat Tan along the way. Anisimova, 20, lost in the first round of Wimbledon last year. The 16th-seeded Halep won the title in 2019 but missed last year's edition with a left calf injury, while the 2020 tournament was canceled because...

Hank Goldberg, who worked at ESPN as an NFL reporter and handicapping expert for two decades, died Monday on his 82nd birthday, his family confirmed. Goldberg had been in treatment for chronic kidney disease in recent years. Known as Hammering Hank, Goldberg was .500 or better in 15 of 17 NFL seasons while predicting games at ESPN. He made appearances on NFL Countdown and ESPN Radio and contributed to the network's thoroughbred racing coverage.  Goldberg had been a contributor for ESPN's Daily Wager throughout the sports betting show's existence, doing weekly hits during the NFL season and occasional appearances around the Triple Crown races. His last appearance on ESPN was in May, when he did a phone interview from the Kentucky Derby.  Goldberg was also a longtime fixture in Miami, serving as a local radio and TV host for more than 25 years and working as a Dolphins radio analyst. He began his career in the 1970s as an assistant to handicapper Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder.

WASHINGTON -- Nationals star Juan Soto said an MRI on his left calf showed no damage after he left Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins because of tightness. "Everything was fine," Soto said. "We gonna be good. They said it's just a little tight, so just going to take a couple days and see how it goes." Soto, 23, was not in Washington's lineup Monday, but he pinch hit in the eighth and drew a walk. "He felt good enough to hit, but he couldn't run and we didn't want him to run,'' Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday after his team's 3-2 loss in 10 innings. "He got on base for us, and we had to get him out of there.'' The outfielder felt something tighten up behind his left knee and in his calf after making a throw in right field in the top of the third inning Sunday. He exited after running the bases and getting involved in a rundown in the bottom of the fourth. "It didn't feel that well, so I just take the decision to pull out of the...

LAS VEGAS -- Oklahoma State's James Anderson scored 19 points Friday night to lead the Cowboys past Bradley 68-57 in the third round of the Las Vegas Invitational. Anderson was 7-of-7 from the free-throw line and had four rebounds. Ray Penn added 14 points, while Keiton Page had 10 for Oklahoma State (5-0). The five Cowboys victories have come by an average margin of 20.5 points. Taylor Brown led Bradley (3-2) with a game-high 21 points. After Bradley took a 10-5 lead, the Cowboys responded by scoring the next 10 points and stayed ahead the rest of the way. Oklahoma State's biggest lead came at 52-32 with 11:18 left in the game. This was the teams' first meeting since 1958.

Washington Nationals star Juan Soto said he has avoided a major injury to his left calf but may be sidelined for a few more days. Soto told reporters Monday that an MRI taken late Sunday showed that "everything was fine" with his calf. The former National League batting champion was not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Miami Marlins and will take it "day by day." "We're going to be good," Soto told reporters. "They said it's just a little tight, so it's going to take a couple days and see how it goes. It all depends on how I feel day by day." Soto left Sunday's loss to Miami after being involved in a fourth-inning rundown. The All-Star outfielder flexed and pointed to his left leg after making a throw in right field in the third inning. "You don't want to go out of the game that easy," Soto said Monday, according to The Washington Post. "I want to be out there. I wanted to give my 100 percent, so why not try it again? But definitely, whenever I start...

LAS VEGAS -- Oklahoma State's James Anderson scored 19 points Friday night to lead the Cowboys past Bradley 68-57 in the third round of the Las Vegas Invitational. Anderson was 7-of-7 from the free-throw line and had four rebounds. Ray Penn added 14 points, while Keiton Page had 10 for Oklahoma State (5-0). The five Cowboys victories have come by an average margin of 20.5 points. Taylor Brown led Bradley (3-2) with a game-high 21 points. After Bradley took a 10-5 lead, the Cowboys responded by scoring the next 10 points and stayed ahead the rest of the way. Oklahoma State's biggest lead came at 52-32 with 11:18 left in the game. This was the teams' first meeting since 1958.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Gerald Wallace is finally starting to hit some shots. Stephen Jackson is beginning to figure out his teammates. The combination produced a record-setting win and a confident Charlotte locker room. Wallace broke out of his shooting slump Wednesday night to score 31 points and grab 13 rebounds, Jackson added 23 points and the Bobcats routed the Toronto Raptors 116-81 for the most lopsided victory in franchise history. With their offense suddenly coming together this week, the Bobcats won their second straight game following a seven-game skid in a fashion never seen in the team's six years. Charlotte's previous largest margin of victory was 32 points against Indiana on Nov. 16, 2005. "This was our best game so far," coach Larry Brown said. With managing partner Michael Jordan looking pleased from his front-row seat, the Bobcats set a season high for points for the second straight game thanks to Wallace, who was 10 for 20 from the field and 11 of...

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom struck out five of the six batters he faced and threw 18 of 24 pitches for strikes in his first minor league rehab start for Class A St. Lucie on Sunday. The only hiccup for deGrom against the Jupiter Hammerheads in Port St. Lucie, Florida, came when he hit a batter with a pitch. As deGrom warmed up in the bullpen before the game, more than a dozen of the young St. Lucie players gathered behind him to watch his regimen. He admitted after the game to having some nerves but was happy with how the start went overall.  "I felt like I had control of everything -- the main thing was trying to locate the fastball and pitch off that. Everything felt good," deGrom said, according to MLB.com. "[My shoulder] feels 100 percent. Because it was bone ... you can't really push it. I had to wait until the bone was healed and move forward from there." The two-time Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined all season because of a stress reaction in his...

HOUSTON -- Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout finished 0-for-11 with nine strikeouts in a three-game series and Los Angeles hitters fanned 20 times, equaling a major league record, as the Houston Astros won 4-2 for a sweep on Sunday. Rookie Jeremy Pena homered twice, capped by a two-run drive with two outs in the ninth inning off Ryan Tepera (1-2) to win it. "To do it on a walk-off, it's unreal," Pena said. "It's always fun walking it off, you get the win ... and it's great." Trout struck out seven straight times in the first two games. In the finale, the three-time AL MVP reached base in his first at-bat on an error by Pena at shortstop before striking out looking in his next two plate appearances. Trout popped out in his last at-bat to extend his skid to 0-for-14. He is having another strong season, batting .272 with 23 homers and 47 RBIs, despite his second long slump of the year -- he was a career-worst 0-for-26 before ending that...

The Washington Nationals say slugger Juan Soto left Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Miami Marlins with a left calf injury. According to the team, Soto was undergoing an MRI after the game to determine the extent of the injury. "We'll reevaluate him and see what's going on,'' manager Dave Martinez said. Soto flexed and pointed to his left leg after making a throw in right field in the third inning and was taken out after being involved in a rundown in the fourth. Soto had his hitting streak snapped at eight games after getting walked twice. "Oh, yeah, it's terrifying, obviously,'' said Nationals first baseman  Josh Bell, who ended  Pablo Lopez's no-hit bid in the seventh and hit a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth. "Fingers crossed that it's not anything too, too time-consuming. We'll see. I know he's probably going to get the results back here soon. I know we're all holding our breath for him. I guess time will tell.'' In other...

The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran point guard Goran Dragic, agent Bill Duffy told ESPN on Sunday. The Brooklyn Nets won the Dragic sweepstakes last season, beating out the Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers and  Milwaukee Bucks to sign the guard after his contract was bought out. He ended up playing just 16 regular-season games for Brooklyn and struggled some after sitting out most of the season with the Toronto Raptors. However, Dragic found his form in the playoffs, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 56% from the field in just under 20 minutes per game. Dragic, 36, has a reputation for stepping up his game in the playoffs. He averaged 19 points per game for the Miami Heat during their run to the NBA Finals in 2020 before a plantar fasciitis injury sidelined him against the Lakers. Entering his 15th NBA season, Dragic...

LONDON -- The fiery third-round Wimbledon match between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas has resulted in both players being fined. Kyrgios defeated Tsitsipas 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) to book his place in the fourth round on Saturday. But he has received a $4,000 fine for an "audible obscenity" after being hit with a code violation during the match. His opponent, Tsitsipas, has also been hit with a $10,000 fine for "unsportsmanlike conduct" after being handed two code violations for ball abuse during the match. The tempestuous encounter left Tsitsipas furious, saying Kyrgios has "an evil side" and must have been "a bully at school" for the way he behaved throughout the match. Kyrgios, who will open play on Centre Court on Monday against Brandon Nakashima, fired back at Tsitsipas, calling him "soft." The flashpoint in the match happened in the second set when Tsitsipas flicked a ball into the corner stands, narrowly missing a spectator. Kyrgios called...

LONDON -- Venus Williams and Jamie Murray are out of the mixed doubles tournament after failing to convert five match points in a marathon third-set tiebreaker against British duo Jonny O'Mara and Alicia Barnett. O'Mara and Barnett converted the fifth match point of their own when Murray netted a backhand, winning the second-round match 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (16) on No. 2 Court. The 42-year-old Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, was playing her first tournament in any tennis discipline in more than 10 months. It was an emotional match that drew a large crowd, and when the victory was sealed, O'Mara and Barnett both dropped their racquets in jubilation and hugged in front of a standing ovation before shaking hands at the net with Williams and Murray. American duo Coco Gauff and Jack Sock advanced to the third round by beating Nicolas Mahut and Zhang Shuai 6-4, 7-6 (3). The Associated Press contributed to...

The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran point guard Goran Dragic, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday. The Brooklyn Nets won the Dragic sweepstakes last season, beating out the Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers and  Milwaukee Bucks to sign the guard after his contract was bought out. He ended up playing just 16 regular-season games for Brooklyn and struggled some after sitting out most of the season with the Toronto Raptors. However, Dragic found his form in the playoffs, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 56% from the field in just under 20 minutes per game. The Athletic first reported news of Dragic's agreement with the Bulls. Dragic, 36, has a reputation for stepping up his game in the playoffs. He averaged 19 points per game for the Miami Heat during their run to the NBA Finals in 2020 before a plantar fasciitis injury...

LAS VEGAS -- Pedro Munhoz suffered a right corneal abrasion from an accidental eye poke by Sean O'Malley at UFC 276 on Saturday night, Munhoz told ESPN on Sunday. Munhoz said he was taken to the hospital after the fight, which ended in a no-contest in the second round when he could not continue because of the eye poke. Munhoz said his eye was swollen, he could not open it and he had to be given several medications to treat it. He also released a video on Instagram in his native Portuguese explaining the situation. Translated, Munhoz said he suffered a second eye poke in the second round and "couldn't see for 20 minutes." UFC executive Reed Harris tweeted Sunday morning that he saw Munhoz at the fighter hotel and that his eye was "swollen shut." After the fight, O'Malley said he felt like Munhoz was looking for a way out of the bantamweight bout and could have continued. But Munhoz had won the first round on two of the three judges' scorecards. O'Malley...

Jannik Sinner outdueled Carlos Alcaraz in a matchup of up-and-comers Sunday to reach his first Wimbledon quarterfinal round, although he needed six match points to put his opponent away. Sinner, 20, failed to convert two match points in the third-set tiebreaker but recovered to win 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-3 on Centre Court against the 19-year-old Alcaraz. In terms of combined age, it was the youngest men's singles matchup in the round of 16 or later at Wimbledon since 1985, when 17-year-old Boris Becker beat Henri Leconte in the quarterfinals. The 10th-seeded Sinner had three more match points at 5-2 in the fourth, but the No. 5-seeded Alcaraz saved them all before holding serve. Sinner then saved a break point in the next game before finally converting his sixth match point with a forehand winner. "For me, I didn't expect it because I wasn't playing so well on grass," Sinner said. He will face defending champion Novak Djokovic, who defeated unseeded Tim van...

The Winnipeg Jets on Sunday named Rick Bowness as the eighth head coach in the franchise's history. He becomes the Jets' third head coach since the franchise relocated from Atlanta in 2011. "We're very excited to hire Rick Bowness as the third head coach of Jets 2.0," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said in a statement. "Rick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, both in the NHL coaching ranks and as a player and coach in the city of Winnipeg. Rick is a fantastic hockey mind and an even better person and we're confident he will lead this team to new heights." Bowness, 67, started his coaching career with the Jets, culminating in 28 games running the bench to close the 1988-89 season. The former right wing ended his NHL playing career with Winnipeg in the 1982 playoffs. "I'm tremendously excited to be returning to Winnipeg," Bowness said in a statement. "I'm appreciative of this chance presented to me by Kevin Cheveldayoff, Mark Chipman and the ownership...

The Winnipeg Jets on Sunday named Rick Bowness as the eighth head coach in the franchise's history. He becomes the Jets' third head coach since the franchise relocated from Atlanta in 2011. "We're very excited to hire Rick Bowness as the third head coach of Jets 2.0," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said in a statement. "Rick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, both in the NHL coaching ranks and as a player and coach in the city of Winnipeg. Rick is a fantastic hockey mind and an even better person and we're confident he will lead this team to new heights." Bowness, 67, started his coaching career with the Jets, culminating in 28 games running the bench to close the 1988-89 season. The former right wing ended his NHL playing career with Winnipeg in the 1982 playoffs. "I'm tremendously excited to be returning to Winnipeg," Bowness said in a statement. "I'm appreciative of this chance presented to me by Kevin Cheveldayoff, Mark Chipman and the ownership...

The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Mookie Betts from the injured list, and he is playing right field and leading off in Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres. Betts, 29, missed the Dodgers' past 15 games with a cracked right rib, suffered when he collided with center fielder Cody Bellinger during a game against the Los Angeles Angels. Betts, the 2018 American League MVP when he played for the Boston Red Sox and a five-time All-Star, is hitting .273 with 17 home runs, 40 RBIs and an .884 OPS this season. In other moves Sunday, the Dodgers reinstated left-hander David Price from the family medical emergency list, optioned infielder Eddy Alvarez to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated right-hander Ian Gibaut for assignment. The 36-year-old Price, the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays, has pitched out of the bullpen this season and has a 3.20 ERA in 19⅔...

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh to the Nashville Predators on Sunday to clear space under the NHL salary cap. The Predators sent defenseman Philippe Myers and forward Grant Mismash to the Lightning for the 33-year-old McDonagh, who waived his no-trade clause to make the deal happen. McDonagh has four more seasons on his contract with a $6.75 million average annual value. "If we didn't live in a flat salary-cap world, it would never have crossed my mind to ask Ryan McDonagh to waive his no-trade clause because I would've been ecstatic to know that I had him under contract for four more years," Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said Sunday. BriseBois met with McDonagh face-to-face Wednesday regarding the decision. "Not the most pleasant thing I've had to do in my tenure as general manager, but I'm sure it was even more uncomfortable for him because I know he didn't want to leave the...

SILVERSTONE, England -- The British Grand Prix was suspended before the end of the first lap after two huge collisions involving multiple drivers on the pit straight resulted in Zhou Guanyu's Alfa Romeo ending up on the wrong side of the tyre barriers at Turn 1. Emergency crews were immediately in attendance, with Zhou and Williams driver Alex Albon being taken to the medical centre. Both were cleared of major injuries and released from Coventry Hospital after precautionary checks.  A replay showed Pierre Gasly being pinched between George Russell on one side and Zhou on the other, with contact between Gasly and Russell pitching the Mercedes of Russell into Zhou's Alfa Romeo. The energy of the second impact rolled Zhou's car, sending it upside down through the run-off area before it barrel-rolled over the barriers, only to be stopped by the catch fence in front of a grandstand. Zhou later said Formula One's Halo cockpit protection "saved my life". The Halo was introduced in...

Yankees rookie reliever Ron Marinaccio was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with shoulder inflammation, leaving New York's solid bullpen without a key piece nearing the season's halfway point. Marinaccio, 27, felt discomfort in his shoulder after pitching in Saturday's 13-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a doubleheader. The right-hander came in after Aroldis Chapman walked the bases loaded in the seventh inning. The Yankees decided it would be best for him to get some extended rest to heal. "Ronnie's kind of a younger guy and going through the grind of a major league season for the first time, that instead of just pushing through this right now and maybe be a lingering issue, we felt like it was best to give him these few days to keep him as strong and fresh as possible," manager Aaron Boone said. Marinaccio has been terrific since being called up May 21. He has pitched 15⅓ scoreless innings, allowing just an infield...

SILVERSTONE, England -- The British Grand Prix was suspended before the end of the first lap after two huge collisions involving multiple drivers on the pit straight resulted in Zhou Guanyu's Alfa Romeo ending up on the wrong side of the tyre barriers at Turn 1. Emergency crews were immediately in attendance, with Zhou and Williams driver Alex Albon being taken to the medical centre. Both were cleared of major injuries, but Albon will be transferred to Coventry Hospital for precautionary checks while Zhou was released from the medical centre during the race.  A replay showed Pierre Gasly being pinched between George Russell on one side and Zhou on the other, with contact between Gasly and Russell pitching the Mercedes of Russell into Zhou's Alfa Romeo. The energy of the second impact rolled Zhou's car, sending it upside down through the run-off area before it barrel-rolled over the barriers, only to be stopped by the catch fence in front of a grandstand. Albon was involved in...

Toronto Blue Jays first-base coach Mark Budzinski will be away from the team after the death of his eldest daughter, Julia Budzinski, the team announced Sunday. "The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons. This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family," Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays' executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager, said in a statement. "I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a dad and husband first. He is loved and well-respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts." Julia Budzinski was 17 years old. The team said Budzinski will be away from the team to be with his wife, Monica, and children Josh and Lily.  "As a husband and a father myself, my heart breaks for Bud and his family,'' Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. The Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays lined up along the...

Toronto Blue Jays first-base coach Mark Budzinski will be away from the team after the death of his eldest daughter the team announced Sunday. "It is with deep sadness the Toronto Blue Jays mourn the loss of Julia Budzinski, eldest daughter of First Base Coach Mark 'Bud' Budzinski and his wife, Monica," Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays' executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager, said in a statement. "The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons. This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family. I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a dad and husband first. He is loved and well-respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts. "Mark will be away from the team to be with his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark and Monica, and their children Josh and Lily, at this time." The Blue Jays did not...

SILVERSTONE, England -- The British Grand Prix was suspended before the end of the first lap after two huge collisions involving multiple drivers on the pit straight resulted in Guanyu Zhou's Alfa Romeo ending up on the wrong side of the tyre barriers at Turn 1. Emergency crews were immediately in attendance, with Zhou and Williams driver Alex Albon being taken to the medical centre for checks. Both drivers were conscious after the incident but further details of their condition were not immediately available. A replay showed Pierre Gasly being pinched between George Russell on one side and Zhou on the other, with contact between Gasly and Russell pitching the Mercedes of Russell into Zhou's Alfa Romeo. The energy of the second impact rolled Zhou's car, sending it upside down through the run-off area before it barrel rolled over the barriers only to be stopped by the catch fencing in front of a grandstand. Albon was involved in a separate incident just moments after when he hit...

LONDON -- Roger Federer said he hopes for one more chance to win Wimbledon, addressing his future once again as he spoke Sunday as part of the Centre Court 100-year celebration. Asked by John McEnroe and Sue Barker, who were hosting the ceremony, whether he would ever come back to play Wimbledon, Federer answered: "I hope I can come back one more time." Federer's last competitive match was in the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, when he lost in straight sets to Hubert Hurkacz. In mid-August, Federer announced he was having knee surgery and would be absent for "many months." Federer, 40, said last month that he intends to return to top-level tennis in 2023, and he is set to play in the Laver Cup at the end of September as he continues his comeback. News of the eight-time champion being at Wimbledon broke Sunday morning after he was spotted walking around the grounds. Federer was the last of the past champions to walk out onto the famous turf as part of...

LONDON -- Roger Federer said he hopes for one more chance to win Wimbledon, addressing his future once again as he spoke Sunday as part of the Centre Court 100-year celebration. Asked by John McEnroe and Sue Barker, who were hosting the ceremony, whether he would ever come back to play Wimbledon, Federer answered: "I hope I can come back one more time." Federer's last competitive match was in the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, when he lost in straight sets to Hubert Hurkacz. In mid-August, Federer announced he was having knee surgery and would be absent for "many months." Federer, 40, said last month that he intends to return to top-level tennis in 2023, and he is set to play in the Laver Cup at the end of September as he continues his comeback. News of the eight-time champion being at Wimbledon broke Sunday morning after he was spotted walking around the grounds. Federer was the last of the past champions to walk out onto the famous turf as part of...

Branden Grace won LIV Golf's first stop on American soil, an event that drew critics and protesters because of the upstart series' funding by Saudi Arabia. Grace closed with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to finish at 13 under in the 54-hole tournament at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. The fledgling LIV series, fronted by CEO Greg Norman and funded by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, aims to challenge the PGA Tour. It has lured some players, including Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson, with the promise of big signing bonuses, hefty prize purses and fewer events. Grace beat Mexico's Carlos Ortiz by 2 strokes. "Played flawless golf, played really, really well when I needed to do something special and came up and managed to pull it out," Grace said. "But just what a great day, it was amazing to come here, this new format, this new everything is amazing, and everybody here is having a blast." The 48-man field in Oregon competed for a $20...

LAS VEGAS -- In a clinical, albeit unspectacular, performance, Israel Adesanya outpointed Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision to retain his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 276 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46 and 50-45. Adesanya's superiority in striking was evident throughout the bout. Cannonier landed nothing of real significance, with Adesanya keeping him at a distance and picking his opponent apart with jabs and kicks to the body and legs. The crowd grew restless with the lack of thrilling action, especially in the fourth round, which was marked by boos and fans raising lit-up smartphones. But Cannonier did nothing to push Adesanya, a former champion kickboxer, into anything resembling a firefight. Adesanya, meanwhile, was content with safely landing strikes with his length from so far out that Cannonier could not counter them. Adesanya outstruck Cannonier 163-141 for the fight, including a 116-90 edge...

LAS VEGAS -- It's safe to say  Alexander Volkanovski has buried his rivalry with Max Holloway for good this time. Volkanovski (25-1) defended his featherweight championship for the fourth time Saturday night, defeating Holloway (23-7) via unanimous decision in their highly anticipated trilogy bout. All three judges scored the 145-pound title fight, which co-headlined UFC 276 inside T-Mobile Arena, a clean 50-45 sweep for the defending champ. Saturday's five-round contest was, by far, the most definitive result of the trilogy. The two first met at UFC 245 in December 2019 and again at UFC 251 in July 2020. Volkanovski won both by decision, but the fights were extremely close -- particularly the rematch. Immediately after the rematch, some in the sport still considered Holloway the true featherweight champion, but that sentiment is long, long gone after UFC 276. "Look, Max Holloway is an absolute beast," Volkanovski said. "That intensity he brought, that we both had...

Former Vanderbilt star Kumar Rocker underwent shoulder surgery in September, receiving what his agent called "a minor scope" on his right arm, sources familiar with the procedure told ESPN. Rocker, the 10th overall pick in the 2021 draft, did not sign with the New York Mets after the team balked at the condition of his pitching arm. Now 22 and again draft-eligible, Rocker has steadily climbed teams' boards over the past month after regularly hitting 98 mph with his fastball in a dominant five-game stint with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the independent Frontier League. "We have a very clear understanding, after a minor scope, of Kumar's medically documented health, which has allowed him to perform at the highest levels," said Scott Boras, Rocker's agent. Rocker's medical information, including the procedure performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, was distributed to teams in recent days leading up to the July 17 draft, in which he is expected to again go in the first round. In a...

NORTH PLAINS, Ore. -- Branden Grace won LIV Golf's first stop on American soil, an event that drew critics and protesters alike because of the upstart series' funding by Saudi Arabia. Grace closed with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to finish at 13 under in the 54-hole tournament at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. The fledgling LIV series, fronted by CEO Greg Norman and funded by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, aims to challenge the PGA Tour. It has lured some players, including Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson, with the promise of big signing bonuses, hefty prize purses and fewer events. Grace beat Mexico's Carlos Ortiz by 2 strokes. "Played flawless golf, played really, really well when I needed to do something special and came up and managed to pull it out," Grace said. "But just what a great day, it was amazing to come here, this new format, this new everything is amazing and everybody here is having a blast." The...

LAS VEGAS -- Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone decided it was finally time to ride off into the sunset. Cerrone (36-17) retired from mixed martial arts Saturday, immediately following a submission loss to 38-year-old  Jim Miller (35-16) at UFC 276. Before the bout, Cerrone, 39, said he intended to fight two more times beyond this weekend, but he opted to call it a career instead. "I don't love it anymore," Cerrone said. "I'm going to be a movie star, baby." Cerrone, who has dabbled in acting in recent years, is one of the most beloved fighters of the past decade. He was a fan favorite in the WEC from 2007 to 2010, when the promotion was dissolved into UFC. He has 23 wins in UFC, tied for second most all time. Fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cerrone was best known for his "anyone, anywhere, anytime" attitude toward fighting. He was one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster during his prime and was willing to fight any opponent the promotion booked against...

WIMBLEDON, England --  Stefanos Tsitsipas labeled Nick Kyrgios as a "bully" after he was beaten by the Australian in a volatile "circus" of a third-round match at Wimbledon on Saturday. Kyrgios won 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) to reach the fourth round at the All England Club for the first time since 2016, but not without three code violations being issued during the match -- one on Kyrgios for an audible obscenity and two on Tsitsipas for ball abuse, earning a point penalty. After the match, the fourth-seeded Tsitsipas said Kyrgios has "an evil side" and must have been "a bully at school" for the way he behaved throughout the match. "It's constant bullying; that's what he does," Tsitsipas said. "He bullies the opponents. He was probably a bully at school himself. I don't like bullies. I don't like people that put other people down. "He has some good traits in his character as well, but ... he also has a very evil side to him, which if it's exposed, it can really do...

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has agreed to a five-year, $193 million designated maximum rookie extension that could earn him as much as $231 million, CAA Sports co-head of basketball Austin Brown told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday. If Williamson makes the All-NBA team or wins MVP or Defensive Player of the Year next season, it would trigger supermax escalator clauses that could up the total value of the deal to $231 million. Though Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, missed the entire 2021-22 campaign with a broken right foot, he has proved to be a generational talent ever since he stepped on an NBA floor. During his rookie season, he averaged 22.5 points per game and shot 58.3% overall. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Williamson was the second rookie in NBA history to average 20 points while shooting at least 55% from the field, joining Shaquille O'Neal (1992-93). He also was the first teenager to score 20 points in 10...

Rafael Nadal, halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam, advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory over 27th-seeded Lorenzo Sonego on Saturday. The 22-time Grand Slam champion beat the Italian player on Centre Court. "It's been my best match at the championship so far, against the most difficult player I've faced at this level," Nadal told the crowd after the match. "I wish him all the best for the rest of the season. He has a great future here." A few points after Nadal visited the umpire following an incredible shot by Sonego, Nadal called him to the net after he was broken on serve to make it 4-4 in the third set, though it was unclear why. The two exchanged words. And then exchanged further words after Nadal served out the match. The two then took the discussion to the locker room. "First of all. I have to say I was wrong. I should not call him on the net," Nadal said after the match. "So I apologize for that. My mistake. After that, there...

All-Star captains A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm drafted their respective teams and finalized rosters Saturday for the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 (1 p.m. ET, ABC) at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The Chicago Sky's Candace Parker was selected No. 1 overall by Wilson on the WNBA All-Star Team Selection Special and Stewart drafted Jackie Young of the Aces with the No. 2 pick. As the recipient of the most fan votes, Wilson was awarded the first pick of the first round, which comprised the remaining six All-Star starters, and Stewart made the first pick of the second round, which featured the 12 reserves. All-Star starters were decided by fans, current WNBA players and the media, while the reserves were chosen by the league's coaches. WNBA legends Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles, who are both retiring at the end of the 2022 season, were previously deemed starters and...

The Mikaela Mayer-Alycia Baumgardner title unification fight at 130 pounds will take place on the Claressa Shields-Savannah Marshall card at O2 Arena in London on Sept. 10, a source told ESPN. Mayer, the WBO and IBF champion, and Baumgardner, the WBC champion, agreed to the fight in May with a location unknown, but both fighters were open to having it take place in the United Kingdom, where Baumgardner's promoter, Matchroom, is based and where Mayer has continued to grow a following thanks to her commentary work with Sky Sports. Both fighters are making the biggest paydays of their careers for the fight, which will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks as well as Sky Sports. "To me, my biggest thing, women are now on the forefront, like, this is a huge time for women's boxing," Mayer told ESPN in May. "And I want to change the narrative. I want to be, I want us women to be the ones who give the fans the fights that they want and deserve. "Because that's an issue in boxing...

The Mikaela Mayer-Alycia Baumgardner title unification fight at 130 pounds will take place on the Claressa Shields-Savannah Marshall card at O2 Arena in London on Sept. 10, a source told ESPN. Mayer, the WBO and IBF champion, and Baumgardner, the WBC champion, agreed to the fight in May with a location unknown, but both fighters were open to having it take place in the United Kingdom, where Baumgardner's promoter, Matchroom, is based and Mayer has continued to grow a following due to her commentary work with Sky Sports. Both fighters are making the biggest paydays of their careers for the fight, which will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks as well as Sky Sports. "To me, my biggest thing, women are now on the forefront, like this is a huge time for women's boxing," Mayer told ESPN in May. "And I want to change the narrative. I want to be, I want us women to be the ones who give the fans the fights that they want and deserve. "Because that's an issue in boxing right now....

LONDON -- The women's draw at Wimbledon was torn apart Saturday as world No 1 Iga Swiatek was bounced 6-4, 6-2 by Alize Cornet of France in the third round, ending her 37-match winning streak. Swiatek had won six straight tournaments, including her second French Open title, but found Cornet, the world No. 37, to be too good as she suffered only her fourth defeat of the year. Swiatek's win streak was the longest since Martina Hingis also won 37 matches in a row in 1997. "I know I didn't play good tennis. I was pretty confused about my tactics,'' said Swiatek, who has never advanced past the fourth round at the All England Club. "For sure, it wasn't a good performance for me.'' It's the second time Cornet has caused a major shock at Wimbledon, having knocked out then-world No 1 Serena Williams at the same stage in 2014. "I have no words right now," said Cornet, who is playing in her 2nd consecutive major, which is tied for tops among women all-time. "It...