Sports

Angels’ Jorge Soler and Braves’ Reynaldo López receive 7-game suspensions following brawl

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López each received seven-game suspensions from Major League Baseball on Wednesday after they were ejected following their participation in a brawl. Michael Hill, MLB’s senior vice president for on-field operations, also announced the players received undisclosed fines. The suspensions were scheduled to begin with Wednesday’s game but will be on hold as each player is appealing. Soler homered off López in the first inning of Tuesday night’s game. In his next at-bat, Soler was hit by a 96 mph fastball from López. In the fifth, Soler charged the mound after López threw a high-and-inside wild pitch.

Golf has been secondary for Scottie Scheffler of late. It’s hard to know what to expect at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has two kids and two Masters titles. He’s the favorite in this week’s tournament, as he tends to be for all majors these days. But his family life has been more exciting than his golf recently. His son Bennett turns 2 next month, and Remy was born less than two weeks ago. It was hard to tell which of the kids was more of a hit at Wednesday’s family friendly Par 3 Contest at Augusta National. Remy was carried by Meredith in a baby wrap, and Bennett knocked the ball around with a blue toy club.

James Pearce Jr. not at Falcons’ voluntary offseason workouts, coach Kevin Stefanski says

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski says James Pearce Jr. has not reported to Atlanta’s voluntary workouts. Stefanski says the program is voluntary, and they’re in constant communication with Pearce’s representation. Pearce was arrested in February near Miami after an incident involving his former girlfriend. He faces several charges, including aggravated battery and stalking. His status with the Falcons has been uncertain since the arrest. The Falcons’ front office remains tight-lipped during the ongoing investigation. Pearce led the team with 10.5 sacks in 2025, significantly boosting their pass rush.

WNBA free agency opens with $1.4 million franchise tags for Ionescu, Collier and Plum

NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum were all extended franchise tags by their WNBA teams worth potentially $1.4 million as free agency opened up. By giving the “core” designation to those players, their teams have exclusive negotiating rights. Players can negotiate different terms to help their teams sign other players to fit under the new salary cap. Other players giving the “core” designation include Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell, Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale, Atlanta’s Allisha Gray, Chicago’s Ariel Atkins and Seattle Ezi Magbegor. Expansion franchises Portland and Toronto offered franchise tags to Bridget Carleton and Marina Mabrey, respectively.

Sue Bird to serve as an NBC studio analyst for WNBA broadcasts this season

NEW YORK (AP) — Hall of Famer Sue Bird watched the WNBA on NBC growing up. Now she’ll be part of the WNBA broadcasts on the network for this upcoming season. The four-time WNBA champion will be a studio analyst and host a series of feature stories throughout the league’s 30th season which begins on May 8. The NBC broadcasts will also feature “Roundball Rock” — John Tesh’s iconic theme song that was the soundtrack of the network’s coverage of the NBA from 1990 until 2002. NBC brought the song back this year when it took over broadcasting the NBA again.

Pirates sign teenage shortstop Konnor Griffin to a 9-year deal worth at least $140 million

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Konnor Griffin has signed a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This deal with the 19-year-old shortstop is the largest in club history. The announcement comes after Griffin made his big league debut. The contract includes escalators that could increase its value to $150 million. Owner Bob Nutting says the deal is a “meaningful commitment” by the team to a player who’s expected to play a significant role in the club’s long-term future. Griffin agreed to the deal hours after producing the first multi-hit game of his young career in a 7-1 victory over San Diego that gave the Pirates their sixth win in seven games.

Qatar’s Diamond League track meet put back from May to June amid ongoing uncertainty

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Diamond League track meet in Qatar has been postponed from next month to June 19 if conditions allow amid ongoing uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Doha meet had been set to open the season for track’s elite series on May 8, as it typically has in recent years, but the postponement means Shanghai’s meet on May 16 starts the series instead. The Diamond League says it took the decision “in the interests of athlete and spectator safety.” Its statement was issued hours after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel.

Spurs rule out Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle for game against Trail Blazers

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle have been ruled out for the San Antonio Spurs’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs announced Wembanyama is out of the Wednesday night game after suffering a rib contusion on Monday and Castle is out with right knee soreness. Wembanyama needs to play at least 20 minutes in one more game to reach the league-required minimum of 65 games for award eligibility. The Spurs have three games left in the regular season. They have clinched the Southwest Division title and are assured of finishing no worse than second in the Western Conference.

No Salah: Liverpool star on the bench in Champions League quarterfinal against PSG

PARIS (AP) — Mohamed Salah is starting on the bench for Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Paris Saint-Germain. Jeremie Frimpong is taking Salah’s usual place on right wing. When the two sides met last season in the round of 16, PSG advanced on penalties against six-time champion Liverpool following an intense battle over two legs. While Liverpool was arguably the pre-match favorite in last year’s encounter, it’s a different story now and Arne Slot’s team will be trophyless unless it wins the Champions League.

It’s Yamal vs. Griezmann as Barcelona hosts Atletico in Champions League quarterfinals

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona’s Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou will pit a teenage phenom against one of La Liga’s fading greats. Barcelona’s hopes of ending an 11-year wait for another European Cup will largely rest on the performances of 18-year-old Lamine Yamal. The Spain playmaker has scored in three consecutive Champions League games. Atletico for its part will look later Wednesday for inspiration from forward Antoine Griezmann. The club’s all-time top scorer wants to end his stellar run with Atletico on a high note before the 35-year-old leaves for the MLS.