Jaxson Dart’s knee injury is still being evaluated, Giants coach John Harbaugh says
Jaxson Dart’s injured left knee is being evaluated and no decisions have been made, New York Giants coach John Harbaugh said after the starting quarterback exited the game at Los Angeles on Monday night. Harbaugh on Tuesday refused to confirm an ESPN report that Dart’s injury is worse than the initial diagnosis of a sprained medial collateral ligament. Harbaugh said the team would reveal details and a timeframe in due time after the evaluation is complete. Harbaugh expressed confidence in backup Jameis Winston’s ability to step in for however long Dart is out.
Rays clinch 5th AL East title with 6-1 victory at Yankee Stadium in 2nd game of doubleheader
NEW YORK (AP) — Playing in perhaps baseball’s toughest division, the Tampa Bay Rays were the class of the field this season. The thrifty Rays clinched their fifth AL East title with a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the second game of a day-night doubleheader as Drew Rasmussen allowed one hit in 6 2/3 innings and Yandy Díaz hit a pair of two-run singles. Tampa Bay took the AL East for the first time since 2021 and surpassed that team by three days with the earliest division clincher in team history. The club also won division crowns in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season along with 2010 and 2008, when it reached the World Series and had the franchise’s first winning season.
Dodgers’ Ohtani set for return Wednesday after IL stint; Roberts says he’s ‘considerably’ better
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Wednesday after recovering from right biceps inflammation and left knee soreness. Manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani is feeling “considerably” better. The Dodgers clinched their 13th NL West title in 14 years without Ohtani, who was in Los Angeles for treatment when the team beat Cincinnati last week. Ohtani is likely to resume his role as leadoff hitter, especially against right-handed pitching. Mookie Betts has been filling that spot, hitting .373 this month.
Raptors, Kawhi Leonard agree on 2-year, $115 million extension, AP source says
Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a two-year contract extension potentially worth $115 million. The second year is at Leonard’s option. ESPN first reported the terms, confirmed by The Toronto Star. The 35-year-old Leonard led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title and is coming off his highest-scoring season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He will make just over $50 million this season. The Raptors secured Leonard in a trade with the Clippers in late June. The NBA found the Clippers violated salary cap rules, leading to penalties, including fines and suspensions. Leonard was fined $700,000.
A’ja Wilson powers the Aces past the Sparks, clinching at least a No. 3 seed
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Aces to an 89-79 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night and clinch at least a No. 3 playoff seed for Las Vegas. The Aces will get home-court advantage of the first round of the playoffs, which begin Sunday. Chelsea Gray scored 17 points of for the Aces, Stephanie Talbot had 14 points and Jackie Young totaled 14 points and 11 assists. Nneka Ogwumike, who was honored before the game, scored 17 points to lead the Sparks. Erica Wheeler added 16 points.
Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell help Fever keep home-court hope alive with 96-77 win over Lynx
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark had 27 points and nine assists while Kelsey Mitchell added 20 points to her WNBA single-season scoring record as the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-77. Indiana kept alive its faint hopes of earning the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in the first round for at least one more day. The Lynx still clinched the No. 1 seed thanks to Golden State’s overtime loss to Portland on Tuesday. Mitchell extended her league record to 27 consecutive games. The Lynx played without Olivia Miles because of a calf injury.
Hornets send Dorian Finney-Smith to Atlanta for Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks have traded guards Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Each team announced the trade. The Hornets acquired Finney-Smith and three second-round draft picks from the Houston Rockets earlier this offseason. Hield played 51 games last season for the Warriors and Hawks and averaged 7.6 points per game. Nembard played in 60 games last season for Mavericks, averaging 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game. Finney-Smith spent last season with Houston but played sparingly.
Scottie Scheffler is the dominant player in golf. The Cups have been another matter
MEDINAH, Ill. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has been dominating golf more than anyone since Tiger Woods. He’s also starting to draw comparisons with Woods in team play. Scheffler has a 6-11-4 record in the four Presidents Cups and Ryder Cups he has played. Some of that he chalks up to the fickle nature of match play. He also wonders if he’s trying too hard. Individual records aren’t a big concern. And U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker is not the least bit worried. He says Scheffler just needs to be comfortable and play like he always does. He also says one player won’t make the difference.
Arizona State report shows training plan not submitted before hockey player’s collapse
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State hockey coaches were present when a player collapsed during an outdoor workout, but plans for the training session were not submitted to the school, according to a preliminary issued by the university. Matthew Mayich collapsed during a workout on Aug. 20 and still remains hospitalized with what family attorney Rob Carey said was exertional heat stroke that reduced flow of oxygen to his brain. He is unlikely to recover, Carey said. The Arizona State police department is investigating the incident and a report will be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for independent review when complete.
Triple Crown still within reach for Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez after big game in Seattle
SEATTLE (AP) — Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez gained some ground Tuesday night in his chase for a Triple Crown. He still has plenty of work to do with five games left this season. The AL MVP front-runner went 2 for 4 with his 41st home run and three RBIs in the Astros’ 7-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. Alvarez hit an RBI single in the first inning, was intentionally walked in the second and then belted a 386-foot homer in the eighth. His two-run shot tied him with Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League lead with 41 homers. Alvarez is first in batting average at .314 and he has 102 RBIs, six behind Baltimore slugger Pete Alonso for most in the AL.