Olesen takes lead at 3M Open

BLAINE, Minn. — Thorbjorn Olesen worked out of trouble more than once Friday at the TPC Twin Cities to take a one-stroke lead over Jake Knapp into the weekend in the 3M Open.

Olesen followed an opening 9-under 62 on Thursday with a 66, hitting out of the rough to set up a 5-foot birdie putt on his final hole — the par-4 ninth. The 35-year-old Danish player also recovered from a double bogey on the par-4 15th with consecutive birdies as he searches for his first PGA Tour victory.

“I think both days, my iron play has been really, really good,” Olesen said. “I hit a lot of shots really close to the pin and gave myself a lot of good chances. Today, there was like two or three bad drives that costed me, but I still felt pretty good over the ball.”

He had a 14-under 128 total.

Knapp shot 65. Pierceson Coody (65) was another stroke back with Sam Stevens (68). Stevens closed with a bogey on No. 9. Takumi Kanaya (64), Chris Kirk (67) and Matti Schmid (68) were 11 under.

With two weeks left in the regular season, Knapp (55th in the FedEx Cup standings), Schmid (68th) and Kirk (77th) remained in contention for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The top 70 advance to the first playoff event.

Olesen is a European tour regular with nine international victories. He missed the cut last week in the British Open in Northern Ireland.

“I take every week as it comes,” Olesen said. “Every week is an opportunity to try and bounce back and do something special.”

Knapp remained bogey-free through 36 holes for the first time in his career, starting out with birdies on Nos. 10-12. He seeks his first PGA Tour win of the season after earning the first of his career in the 2024 Mexico Open.

“I feel like it’s been … kind of mistake-free for the most part,” Knapp said. “I haven’t really had to scramble too much.”

Knapp had the lowest score on the PGA Tour this year, a 59 at the Cognizant Classic in February.

Adam Svensson nearly matched Knapp with a course-record 11-under 60 on Thursday, but dropped 29 spots Friday with a 75.

Missing the cut were Byeong Hun An, 67th in the FedEx Cup standings, and Haotong Li, who was in the final pairing with winner Scottie Scheffler in the British Open and tied for fourth.

NFL fines players over SB tix sales

The NFL is fining about 100 players and two dozen club employees for violating league policy by selling Super Bowl 59 tickets for above face value, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on Friday.

The person, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, said the players who resold their tickets will have to pay a fine of 1 1/2 times the face value they paid. They also won’t be permitted to buy tickets for the next two Super Bowls unless they are playing in the game.

Club employees who violated the policy will be fined two times face value.

In a memo sent to teams and obtained by the AP, NFL head of compliance Sabrina Perel said the league was still completing its investigation.

“Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the Policy. This long-standing League Policy, which is specifically incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits League or Club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less. We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.”

The “bundlers” will face increased penalties, per the memo According to the CBA, players on all 32 teams can purchase two tickets for the Super Bowl.

“In advance of Super Bowl LX, we will be enhancing the mandatory compliance training regarding the Policy for all League personnel, which will emphasize the specific requirements of the Policy and the broader principle that no one should profit personally from their NFL affiliation at the expense of our fans,” Perel said in the memo. “We will also increase the penalties for future violations of this Policy. All clubs must ensure their personnel understand and comply with this policy. Additional details regarding the enhanced compliance measures will be provided in early fall.”

The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9 in a Super Bowl rematch from two years ago.

Fields doesn’t practice amid injury

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Justin Fields was back on the field for the New York Jets, but he didn’t practice Friday — still a welcome sight for fans who were nervously holding their breath 24 hours earlier.

The quarterback dislocated a toe on his right foot early in practice Thursday and was carted from the field to the facility, where he had multiple tests before the team announced the diagnosis. Coach Aaron Glenn said Fields will be day to day and the Jets won’t rush him back into practice.

“It is early, but also we want to make sure we get as many reps as we can with him,” Glenn said Friday after the team’s first practice of training camp with fans in attendance. “So when he’s ready to come back, we’ll make sure he’s out on the field, make sure he’s getting those reps. Now, he’s going to be in meetings, he’s going to be in all those things.

“But for the most part, man, we’re going to work together and make sure it’s collaborative as far as when he gets back on the field.”

Fields wore his helmet as he spent most of practice on the sideline and with the rest of the offense while appearing to walk without a noticeable limp. Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor led the offense during practice, with Adrian Martinez and rookie Brady Cook also receiving snaps.

Fields was hurt when a teammate stepped on his foot while he threw an incomplete pass to Jeremy Ruckert on his fifth play of team drills. The quarterback sat on the grass for a few moments before getting up and limping badly to the sideline while helped by a trainer. He then sat in the passenger seat of a cart that took him from the field to the facility, where he got up and walked under his own power.

In the hours before the Jets confirmed the nature and severity of the injury, social media was buzzing about whether Fields could miss significant time.

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Thiel athlete dies at marathon

Toby Atwood, a member of the Thiel College women’s tennis team, died after collapsing during a half marathon in Erie, Pa.

Atwood was a 4.0 GPA student who also served as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president in 2024 as well as the Thiel SAAC president.

Atwood served as the president of Zeta Tau Alpha and was recently inducted into Chi Eta Sigma, the National Commerce Honorary Society. A member of Alpha Chi (National College Honor Scholarship Society), she was awarded the Thiel College Presidential Scholarship.

Atwood was named an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athlete in 2024 and will garner the same laurel this year. She was also named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team in 2024.

In addition to excelling in the classroom, Atwood was a team co-captain in 2024 and was the Tomcats’ No. 1 singles player.

Jazz’s Filipowski wins SL MVP

SALT LAKE CITY — Kyle Filipowski became the first Utah Jazz player to earn most valuable player honors in the NBA Summer League on Tuesday.

Filipowski, a 6-foot-11 forward out of Duke, averaged a league-leading 29.3 points per contest over three games while adding 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 56.1% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range.

His best summer league performance came against San Antonio on July 14th when he finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds.

He’s hoping to use his summer league experience as a springboard for the role he wants to play with the Jazz in his second NBA season.

“Obviously it’s different in summer league versus (the regular season),” Filipowski said, following the third and final summer league game for the Jazz. “I’m just trying to be myself out there right now. However that translates to the season, that’s how it’s going to be. I’m going to make the most of it in that way.”

Filipowski appeared in 72 games in his rookie campaign with Utah, making 27 starts. He averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.2 minutes per game. By season’s end, Filipowski was one of only two NBA rookies to total more than 650 points, 400 rebounds and 100 assists.

CBS’ Baker-Finch will retire

NEW YORK — Ian Baker-Finch is retiring after CBS ends its PGA Tour golf coverage next week after nearly 19 years of his friendly Australian voice contributing to the network’s broadcast.

Baker-Finch, best known for his British Open victory in 1991 among his 16 victories worldwide, joined CBS in 2007. He had worked the previous decade in golf announcing with ESPN and TNT.

“Golf has been an enormous part of my life,” Baker-Finch, 64, said in a statement. “I was fortunate to compete against the best players in the game and more recently work with the very best in television.”

CBS ends its 2025 coverage of the PGA Tour next week at the Wyndham Championship.

“As a major champion during his successful playing career and over three decades in broadcasting, Ian Baker-Finch distinguished himself as one of the most respected and trusted voices in golf,” said David Berson, the president and CEO of CBS Sports. “As he announces his retirement, we’ll miss his passion, insight, warmth and steady presence on the air but know he will continue to make his mark across the world of golf.”

Famous therapy bunny has died

SAN FRANCISCO — A beloved therapy bunny named Alex The Great, who provided snuggles and comfort from ballparks to NBA arenas, airports, farmers markets and even Easter egg hunts and NASCAR races, has died. He was 4.

A floppy-eared Flemish giant who was larger than life in both size and spirit, Alex suffered complications from cancer treatment and died early Monday, his owners said. The rabbit had undergone care at the renowned UC Davis Veterinary Hospital in recent days.

Alex appeared June 4 sporting his signature cap for Padres-Giants at Oracle Park. At 4 months old, he attended his first Giants game in April 2021 — believed to be the first bunny in the stands at the waterfront ballpark.

He loved wearing bow ties and riding in his remote-controlled car, which Alex did in November 2021 following an Arizona Fall League appearance at Scottsdale Stadium where he saw now-Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe as a rising prospect.

Owners Kei Kato and Josh Row saved Alex from a slaughterhouse — but, really, it was the bunny who saved them. They took Alex on all their trips and he spent hours at San Francisco International Airport with a golden retriever friend offering travelers emotional support.

“He saved us and saved so many people,” Kato said via text message Monday. “All the stories people are sharing are so overwhelming.”

Fans stopped in awe when they saw Alex The Great wherever he went, often surprised by his size and always eager to snap a photo or selfie. Kato and Row were thrilled to share him with the world because Alex had brought them so much love and joy and they wanted to spread that to anyone who might need a lift or a smile. Or provide a chance to pet Alex’s soft orange fur or give him a hug.

Kato lost her brewery restaurant during the pandemic and adopting Alex provided her with a new purpose. He helped Kato deal with the anxiety and stress of no longer having her main source of income and the fulfillment her business brought.

When Alex became such a hit on the big screen, quick-thinking Daniel Kurish of the Marlins’ media relations staff went to find the bunny in the seventh inning to deliver some Miami gear.

Less than a month later, in May 2021, Alex appeared at a Suns-Warriors game at Chase Center. Of course, they loved him there, too. He’d also pop up outside the arena in Thrive City every now and then to greet fans before games.

“Let his legend continue,” Kato and Row wrote on Alex’s social media, “he was very loved.”

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Road Runners Celebrate 50 Years

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Road Runners Club (YRRC) is proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special celebration on July 27 at the Slippery Rock Pavilion in Mill Creek MetroParks. This milestone event honors five decades of running, walking, and building a vibrant, welcoming community in the Mahoning Valley.

The celebration kicks off with an optional run or walk at 8:30 a.m., followed by a picnic brunch beginning at 9:30 a.m. Guests will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with good food, great company, and exciting giveaway prizes generously provided by Second Sole of Boardman.

This event is free and open to the public – you do not need to be a member of the club to attend or participate. Whether you’re a long-time runner, a casual walker, or simply interested in joining a supportive fitness community, everyone is welcome.

Founded in 1975 and affiliated with the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), YRRC has been a cornerstone of the running community in Youngstown. Club members benefit from a wide array of offerings, including:

¯ RRCA Certified Coaches and free personal training

¯ Personalized training programs

¯ Discounts at select local businesses and club events

¯ Weekly club runs–including heated cabins for winter months

¯ Picnics, dinners, and social gatherings

¯ A welcoming atmosphere for all ages and paces

As we mark this golden anniversary, we reflect on our rich legacy, including the founding of the Peace Race, which celebrated its own 50th anniversary in 2024. Our members have run thousands of miles together in one of Ohio’s most scenic parks — Mill Creek MetroParks, established in 1893. With its 15 miles of trails, rolling terrain, and peaceful lakes, the park provides a perfect backdrop for runners and walkers of every level.

Join us to commemorate 50 years of passion, perseverance, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, just starting out, or simply curious, you’ll never run alone with YRRC.

Clippers sign Beal after Suns buyout

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers have signed guard Bradley Beal after the final two years of his contract were bought out by the Phoenix Suns earlier this week.

The team announced his signing on Friday.

He averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 32.1 minutes while starting 38 of 53 games for the Suns last season. Beal shot 50% from the floor, 39% from 3-point range and 80% from the foul line.

“Players of this caliber are very rare, and they’re hard to come by,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “He’s been the best player on his team. You can put him in so many different spots and he’ll find ways to score: out of pick-and-roll, coming off screens, catch-and-shoot. He can create his own or he can play off the ball. He’s a great cutter. He’s also a great playmaker who is going to make everybody else better.”

The 32-year-old Beal is a three-time All-Star and 13-year NBA veteran.

Howell steps down from NFLPA

Lloyd Howell has resigned as executive director of the NFL Players Association, citing distractions his leadership has caused in recent weeks.

“Two years ago, I accepted the role of Executive Director of the NFLPA because I believe deeply in the mission of this union and the power of collective action to drive positive change for the players of America’s most popular sport,” Howell said in a statement released late Thursday night. “Our members deserve a union that will fight relentlessly for their health, safety, financial futures, and long-term well-being. My priority has been to lead that fight by serving this union with focus and dedication.

“It’s clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day. For this reason, I have informed the NFLPA Executive Committee that I am stepping down as Executive Director of the NFLPA and Chairman of the Board of NFL Players effective immediately. I hope this will allow the NFLPA to maintain its focus on its player members ahead of the upcoming season.”

Howell has come under scrutiny since ESPN reported he has maintained a part-time consulting job with the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm that holds league approval to seek minority ownership in NFL franchises.

That followed the revelation that the NFLPA and the league had a confidentiality agreement to keep quiet an arbitrator’s ruling about possible collusion by owners over quarterback salaries.

The latest issue was an ESPN report Thursday that revealed two player representatives who voted for Howell were not aware that he was sued in 2011 for sexual discrimination and retaliation while he was a senior executive at Booz Allen.

“I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish at the NFLPA over the past two years,” Howell said. “I will be rooting for the players from the sidelines as loud as ever, and I know the NFLPA will continue to ensure that players remain firmly at the center of football’s future.”

Manning, Texas picked to win SEC

Texas, with Heisman Trophy candidate Arch Manning set to take over as starting quarterback, is the preseason pick to win the Southeastern Conference championship.

The Longhorns received 96 of the 204 votes cast from media members covering the SEC media days this week to be crowned SEC champion on Dec. 6 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Georgia, with 44 votes, received the second-most votes.

If that scenario plays out, it would mean a rematch of the 2024 SEC championship game, which Georgia won in an overtime thriller. The SEC championship game pits the two teams with the best regular-season conference record against one another.

Alabama was third with 29 votes, while LSU got 20. South Carolina was next with five, while Oklahoma received three and Vanderbilt and Florida each got two votes. Tennessee, Ole Miss and Auburn each received one vote.

Since 1992, only 10 times has the predicted champion in the preseason poll gone on to win the SEC championship.

The 2024 SEC title game averaged 16.6 million viewers across ABC and ESPN, the fourth-largest audience on record for the game. The overtime win for Georgia, which peaked with 19.7 million viewers, delivered the largest audience of the college football season.

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Kilpatrick gets preseason honor

Youngstown State senior wide receiver Max Tomczak and senior punter Brendon Kilpatrick (Lakeview) have been named the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team, the organization announced on Tuesday.

Both Tomczak and Kilpatrick were named to the third team following outstanding 2024 performances. Tomczak was a first-team All-MVFC selection while Kilpatrick was named the FCS Punter of the Year.

Tomczak has garnered national attention entering his final campaign. Recently he was ranked as the No. 5 top returning wide receiver in the FCS by HERO Sports. Additionally, CBSsports.com has labeled him as one of the top five NFL draft eligible FCS candidates entering the campaign.

Last fall, Tomczak took his game to another level with 73 catches for 904 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. That includes totals of 28 catches, 328 yards and two touchdowns in Youngstown State’s final three games. The 6-foot and 195-pounder registered zero drops, and 49 of his catches went for first downs, according to PFF. In his career, he has 155 receptions for 2,003 yards and seven touchdowns.

Kilpatrick had a spectacular year for the Penguins in 2024. He had 40 punts for an average of 46 yards per kick. He would rank in the top 10 nationally, but did not have enough attempts per game to qualify for the minimum. During the season he had 14 kicks of 50-plus yards while placing 19 inside the oppositions’ 20-yard line. He boomed career longs of 65 vs. Villanova and South Dakota State.

Additionally, the Penguins punt coverage unit leads the FCS in net punting at 43.88 entering the semifinals of the playoffs. He was named third-team All-American by SI.com and Stats Perform while being named second-team All-MVFC in 2024.

Suns, All-Star Beal agree to buyout

PHOENIX — Three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal and the Phoenix Suns agreed to a buyout on the two years remaining on his contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP about Beal’s buyout on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been officially announced.

The move paves the way for Beal to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers that includes a player option after he clears waivers, ESPN reported.

Beal is expected to give back $13.9 million of the $110 million he’s owed from the Suns, which allows Phoenix more flexibility as it tries to rebuild its roster.

It’s been a busy summer for the Suns, which also dealt 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for a package that included Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft, which the Suns used to select Duke center Khaman Maluach.

The 32-year-old Beal averaged 17.6 points over two disappointing, injury-filled seasons with the Suns.

Beal averaged a career-high 31.3 points per game during the 2020-21 season for the Washington Wizards, but his production has slowly declined since that point as injuries have taken a toll. He’s missed at least 29 regular-season games with various ailments in each of the past four seasons.

Fever star Clark sidelined again

NEW YORK — The Indiana Fever might be without star guard Caitlin Clark again for a bit after she injured her groin Tuesday night late in a win over the Connecticut Sun.

She’s out for the team’s game on Wednesday night against New York and her status for WNBA All-Star weekend, which Indiana is hosting, is up in the air.

Clark is supposed to compete in a loaded 3-point contest Friday night and is captain of one of the All-Star teams.

White said that Clark’s management team will figure out whether she’ll be able to participate this weekend.

The coach said that Clark had imaging done Wednesday afternoon and deferred to the team’s training staff for more details except to say that she considered it good news.

Clark got hurt with under a minute left. She walked downcourt holding her right groin after assisting on the Fever’s final basket. As teammate Aliyah Boston tried to console her, Clark walked to the basket stanchion and banged her head against it before heading to the bench. During the timeout, she covered her head with a towel and appeared to be holding back tears.

Clark had been durable throughout college and her first season in the WNBA, never missing a game. Now she’s had four different muscle injuries so far this year.

Wisconsin CB’s eligibility uncertain

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean’s status for this coming season is now unclear after a federal appeals court overturned a preliminary injunction that granted him another year of NCAA eligibility.

Seventh Circuit judges ruled in a 2-1 decision rendered Wednesday to reverse the ruling by a lower court, after the NCAA appealed.

Fourqurean, a fifth-year senior, had argued that his first two college seasons at Division II Grand Valley State should not count toward his eligibility.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is expected to play again after winning his court case last year on the grounds that his two seasons at a junior college do not count. The NCAA is appealing that decision but granted a blanket waiver that will allow Pavia and other athletes who played at non-NCAA Division I schools prior to enrollment an extra year of eligibility if they were going to exhaust their eligibility this year.

The NCAA in a statement said it was “thankful the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals today reversed the district court’s decision. Just as the NCAA and its member schools have always done, we will continue to work together to provide unparalleled opportunities for student-athletes and future generations.”

The path forward for Fourqurean, a projected starter, is less clear with Wisconsin’s season opener against Miami (Ohio) on Aug. 28 just over six weeks away.

Fourqurean testified during a U.S. District Court hearing in February that he would make “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in name, image and likeness compensation if he were to play this season. After judge William Conley granted him the preliminary injunction, Fourqurean pulled out of NFL draft consideration and took part in spring practices.

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YSU football season tickets available

Youngstown State football fans can purchase or renew their season tickets for the upcoming 2025 football season, which will feature six exciting home games at Stambaugh Stadium. Penguin Club Memberships for the upcoming campaign are also available.

The Penguins have home contests against Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, South Dakota State, Murray State, Southern Illinois and Indiana State.

Fans can purchase season tickets by calling the YSU Athletics Ticket Office at 330-941-1978 or visiting the Athletic Ticket Office in Stambaugh Stadium. Penguin Club/Gridiron Club memberships for the upcoming campaign are also available.

The price for 2025 season tickets is $110 for reserved seats. Penguin Club memberships start at just $75 while ticket availability begins at the $300 level.

The “Young Alumni Program” season-ticket package is also available for $55 per ticket (50 percent off a regular-season ticket). The Young Alumni Program is for YSU alumni who have graduated in the past four years can buy up to two special priced season tickets.

In August, the Penguins open the campaign against Mercyhurst (August 28) before entertaining Robert Morris on Sept. 6. This is the first-ever meeting between the Lakers and Penguins while the Colonials are making their sixth visit to Stambaugh Stadium since 2015.

Youngstown State opens Missouri Valley Football Conference play at home against South Dakota State on Oct. 4 in a 6 p.m. kickoff.

After two road games, the Guins return home to play three contests at Stambaugh in a span of four Saturday’s. The Homecoming contest is on Oct. 25 against Murray State. In November, the Penguins take on Southern Illinois (Nov. 8) and Indiana State (Nov. 15).

Student tickets and single-game tickets will be available starting in August.

YSU has road games at Michigan State (Sept. 13), Towson (Sept. 20), North Dakota (Oct. 11), Illinois State (Oct. 18), North Dakota State (Nov. 1) and UNI (Nov. 22).

Penske has new IndyCar leadership

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Team Penske has new leadership structure atop its IndyCar and sports car programs in the wake of its latest cheating scandal that engulfed the organization at the Indianapolis 500.

Jonathan Diuguid has been promoted to president of Penske Racing, and Travis Law has been named competition director for Penske Racing. Diuguid and Law have a combined 38 years of experience at Team Penske. Diuguid and Law will oversee the Team Penske teams competing in IndyCar as well as Porsche Penske Motorsport, which races in both IMSA and the World Endurance Championship series.

“After two decades working for Roger Penske, I truly know and understand what the Penske name means in the world of motorsports,” Diuguid said. “The best way I know to show my appreciation to him for his trust is to ensure our success continues well into the future.”

Roger Penske fired his top three executives at Team Penske after two of the Penske cars were found to be illegal.

Team president Tim Cindric, IndyCar managing director Ron Ruzewski and IndyCar general manager Kyle Moyer were fired in May in the wake of this Indianapolis 500 cheating scandal.

Penske is owner of the three-car team, IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500. He has won the Indy 500 a record 20 times.

Penske shook up his race team leadership after two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and teammate Will Power were found to have an illegally modified spec part on their cars ahead the final round of qualifications for the 109th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Cindric and Ruzewski already had been suspended by IndyCar for the race and both teams fined $100,000. It was the second consecutive year Cindric and Ruzewski were suspended from the Indy 500.

Rangers reinstate outfielder Carter

The Texas Rangers reinstated outfielder Evan Carter from the bereavement list before Friday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres and designated outfielder Billy McKinney for assignment.

Carter started in center field and batted fifth against the Padres.

He was placed on the bereavement list prior to Tuesday’s game against Baltimore, although he missed Monday’s game as well. He last played on Sunday against Seattle, when he went 3 for 4 with two stolen bases and a run scored. The 22-year-old is hitting .283 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and eight steals in 32 games.

The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright McKinney to the minor leagues. He went 1 for 7 with a walk in two games after having his contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Mets’ RHP Buttó goes on IL

NEW YORK — New York Mets reliever José Buttó was put on the 15-day injured list Friday with an unspecified illness, the team’s 13th pitcher on the IL.

“We’re not going to get into the details of it out of respect of Buttó, but we don’t anticipate this being a long term,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We expect him to be back right after the All-Star break.”

Mendoza said he didn’t anticipate that Buttó will need to go on a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment. A 27-year-old right-hander, Buttó is 2-1 with a 2.47 ERA in 31 relief appearances, the last a two-inning outing at Pittsburgh last Saturday.

New York recalled right-hander Chris Devenski from Triple-A Syracuse. Brought up for the fourth time this season, the 34-year-old right-hander has made four appearances for the Mets.

Right-hander Kodai Senga, sidelined since June 12 by a strained right hamstring, is to start a rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Binghamton. He is to throw 60-65 pitches, according to Mendoza, and soon could return to New York’s injury-ravaged rotation.

“We’ll see how it goes tomorrow and then see how he responds and we’ll have a decision after that,” Mendoza said.

New York didn’t have an update on reliever Dedniel Núñez, who was put on the IL on Thursday because of a sprained right elbow sprain and could require Tommy John surgery for the second time.

“He’s going to to visit a doctor next week because of a holiday weekend,” Mendoza said.

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Jays’ Pillar announces retirement

Kevin Pillar, an outfielder who spent the majority of his 13-year major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Pillar confirmed his decision during an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast, about a month after he was released by the Texas Rangers. After rehabilitating from offseason thumb surgery, Pillar played in 20 games for the Rangers — his 10th major league team — with nine hits in 43 at-bats.

Pillar, 36, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 32nd round in 2011 and made his debut in 2013. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants early in the 2019 season, which was his best in the big leagues. He batted .264 with 21 home runs, 87 RBIs and 14 steals for the Giants that year, before signing with the Boston Red Sox in 2020.

“You will always be our Superman,” the Blue Jays said in a congratulatory social media post.

Bills’ pick accused of sexual assault

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston was accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a woman in 2021 at the University of Kentucky.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Kentucky by a woman who claims Hairston entered her dorm room without being invited, ignored her when she said didn’t want to have sexual intercourse, forcibly removed her bottoms and sexually assaulted her. The Associated Press does not typically name alleged victims of sexual assault.

Texts seeking comment Wednesday were sent to agents for Hairston.

The Bills had no comment and referred to statements made by general manager Brandon Beane in April during the draft. Beane said at the time the team had “fully investigated” a sexual assault allegation from 2021 involving Hairston, who he called “an impeccable kid.”

“So that’s unfortunate when things like that are attached to someone’s name. And in this case, doesn’t seem to be anything there,” Beane said.

Hairston is from West Bloomfield, Michigan, and spent three seasons playing at Kentucky (2022-’24) before being selected by the Bills in the first round — 30th overall — of the NFL draft in April. The 21-year-old Hairston is being given the opportunity to win a starting job at cornerback this season.

The Bills have been off since completing their mandatory practices in mid-June, and return later this month for the start of training camp.

Fever’s Clark to miss 4th game

INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark will miss her fourth consecutive game with a strained left groin for the Indiana Fever when they host Las Vegas.

The Fever announced Clark’s status on Wednesday, a day before their game against the Aces. Clark’s most recent absence, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, did not count toward the regular-season standings.

“She’s making progress,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “Making progress and feeling good are two different things. We want to make sure that she feels good. We want to make sure that she’s confident. We want to make sure that we’re not putting her in a position to have any setbacks.”

Clark, the first overall pick in the 2024 draft and one of the two captains selected for the WNBA All-Star Game later this month, never missed a game in college at Iowa or with the Fever as a rookie. A strained quadriceps earlier this season kept her out for five games.

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Curbstone Coaches idle on Monday There will not be a luncheon Monday for the Curbstone Coaches. The membership ...

Larson aims to end 23-race losing streak in finale

Ex-Pirates manager Derek Shelton hired by Twins

Valley native Matt Woak enjoying unique POV of World Series

Mammoth sign Cooley to an 8-year extension

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth signed Logan Cooley to an eight-year, $80 million extension, a deal that keeps ...

Purdue has title hopes but Big Ten has plenty of challengers in 2026