Shohei Ohtani gets a hit in his return to the Dodgers’ lineup after 2 weeks out
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts and a walk in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup after missing two weeks with right biceps discomfort. He batted second as the designated hitter against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani singled in his first at-bat and just missed a homer in the seventh inning. Mookie Betts continued to lead off, although he was 0 for 4 with a strikeout. Ohtani last played on Sept. 7 and is hitting .277 with 30 homers this season. Josue De Paula, who impressed as the DH during Ohtani’s absence, was sent to Triple-A but could return for the postseason.
A stunning early QB injury wave leaves up to 6 teams already turning to backups
The NFL hasn’t seen an early-season injury epidemic at quarterback quite like this in a long time. With Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart all getting hurt in Week 2, there’s a good chance six teams will be forced to go with a backup quarterback as the starter because of injuries by the time the games this week are finished. This will be the first time since at least 2000 that has happened within the first three games of a season.
Antonelli aims to stay on target for F1 title in Baku a year after Piastri’s challenge crumbled
Kimi Antonelli insists the Formula 1 title race is “not over” as he takes a vast 81-point lead into this week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Antonelli sounds cautious as he heads to a track where Oscar Piastri’s title run began to fall apart a year ago with an opening-lap crash while the Australian led the standings. Still, Antonelli’s lead is more than double the biggest advantage Piastri had last year. The race is held on a Saturday to make way for a national day of remembrance on Sunday. That means Thursday practice and Friday qualifying.
Lawyer: Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown to avoid prison with reduced charge in attempted murder case
An attorney for former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown says he plans to accept a plea deal for a reduced charge in an attempted murder case in Miami that avoids prison. Brown is scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday to make the deal final. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the current attempted murder charge. Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match in Miami in May 2025 and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier, according to an arrest warrant. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
The WNBA playoff picture sharpens as half the postseason positions are set
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA playoff picture is sharpening as the regular season enters its final day. The Lynx have clinched the top seed and will face eighth-seeded New York in the opening round that begins Sunday. The Atlanta Dream will be the four seed after beating New York on Wednesday night. Who they play is still up in the air as it will be either Indiana or Washington. Indiana plays at Minnesota and Washington hosts Chicago on Thursday. Dallas is locked into the seventh seed and will face either Golden State or Las Vegas. The Valkyries visit Los Angeles and the Aces play at Phoenix.
Jackson Koivun goes from NCAA title to Presidents Cup debut in 112 days
MEDINAH, Ill. (AP) — Jackson Koivun is going places in a hurry. Four years ago he was part of the Junior Presidents Cup team. Just over three months ago he led Auburn to an NCAA golf title. And now he’s on the Presidents Cup and part of the opening lineup as the Americans set out to try to win for the 11th straight time. Koivun told partner Justin Thomas he’ll be good to go after the opening tee shot. The five fourballs matches are on tap for Thursday at Medinah. The U.S. has won the opening session eight of the last nine times.
Deshaun Watson braces for Browns fans’ reaction going into home opener against Carolina
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson isn’t sure how Browns fans will react on Sunday as he makes his first regular-season home start in Cleveland in nearly two years. Watson is focused on avoiding any tension with fans before facing the Carolina Panthers. He was booed during an August exhibition game and called the reaction “personal.” Watson says he wants to move forward and feel the fans’ support. Cornerback Denzel Ward also hopes for team support from fans. Watson has been performing well, with a high completion rate and effective short passes. He could have a favorable matchup against Carolina’s defense.
Judge hopes to be ready for playoffs and Stanton could return for Yankees after 5 1/2-month absence
NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hopes to return for the playoffs after straining his right calf. Manager Aaron Boone isn’t counting on Judge for the AL Wild Card Series opener on Tuesday, likely against Boston. Judge, sidelined since Sept.16, received a platelet poor plasma injection Monday and feels better. Boone said Judge has a moderate strain and his return depends on healing. Giancarlo Stanton, out since April, is also working on a comeback. Boone said Stanton might be used as a pinch hitter.
ICE detained Kentucky State basketball player from Senegal as she prepared to travel to tournament
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky State University women’s basketball player was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement when she arrived at the airport in Louisville to fly to New York for a tournament. Her attorney says 26-year-old Aminata Seck is from Senegal and is in the United States on a student visa. Sadiqa Reynolds wrote that Seck was detained on Aug. 7 at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The Louisville Courier Journal, which first reported Seck’s arrest, wrote that Reynolds said Seck may have missed a student visa deadline because she was having back surgery, and that she also has an ACL injury.
Court ruling opens door for Indiana defensive linemen Daley and Wyatt to play vs. Northwestern
An Indiana state court has opened the door for Indiana Hoosiers defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt to return to the playing field for Friday night’s Big Ten Conference opener against Northwestern. Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday that allows Daley, Wyatt and more than 90 other athletes to regain their fifth year of eligibility. The NCAA is expected to appeal. For now, though, the ruling clears the way for Daley, Wyatt and dozens of others to return to action.