AP National Sports

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani had a solid spring training debut on the mound, striking out five batters over 2 1/3 innings for the Los Angeles Angels. The 2021 American League MVP was sharp in the first, getting a called strike on his first pitch to

HOUSTON (AP) — Midfielder Brenden Aaronson will miss the United States’ final three World Cup qualifiers after injuring a knee during pregame warmups with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. After Aaronson got hurt Sunday, the U.S. Soccer Federation had said he would report to the national team on Monday in Houston. The team said “after

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daylen Kountz had 29 points and Northern Colorado beat UNC Asheville 87-84 in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational. Drew Pember and LJ Thorpe each had 24 points for the Bulldogs.

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer No one saw this Iowa State men’s basketball team coming. The Cyclones won just two games and went 0-18 in the Big 12 last year. The team’s 20-win improvement is one of the great NCAA Sweet 16 storylines this week. The 11th-seeded Cyclones will play 10th-seeded Miami in the

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker says he’s considering all options, including a six-man rotation or an opener, as he looks for answers in his starting rotation. Snitker says he may need a sixth starter when the Braves play games on 14 consecutive days to

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Veteran defender Pepe has been ruled out of Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Turkey after testing positive for COVID-19. The Portuguese Football Federation says Pepe has gone into isolation and Tiago Djaló of French club Lille was called as his replacement ahead of Thursday’s playoff game in Porto. It wasn’t yet

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is trying his best to enjoy the NFL draft process. Pickett is expected to go in the first round of the draft after a record-setting year for the Panthers in 2021. While Pickett has impressed scouts with his arm and intelligence,

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst says he never personally spoke with Caleb Williams when the former Oklahoma quarterback was considering potential transfer destinations before choosing Southern California. Chryst added that he did keep incumbent quarterback Graham Mertz informed about the situation as Williams was making his

By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer A Kentucky judge has denied Bob Baffert’s request to stay his 90-day suspension but delayed it until April 4 to allow his representatives to seek emergency relief through the state’s Court of Appeals. Stewards suspended and fined Baffert $7,500 last month and disqualified Medina Spirit as the Kentucky

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer LONDON (AP) — The public lobbying to be chosen as a preferred bidder for Chelsea has stepped up as increased offers were being mulled by bankers tasked with selling the English Premier League club for sanctioned owner Roman Abramovich. British property tycoon Nick Candy revealed he had “significantly”

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal believes it is “ridiculous” the World Cup is being played in Qatar. The finalists discover on April 1 who they will be playing at the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 tournament that is one of the most controversial in FIFA’s history. The vote was dogged by corruption allegations that

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Infielder Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a $70 million, six-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. McMahon gets $5 million this season, $9 million in 2023, $12 million in each of the following two seasons and $16 million in each of the last two years. He can opt

By ADRIAN SAINZ Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A jury has begun deliberating in the trial of a man charged with conspiring with Lorenzen Wright’s ex-wife to kill the former NBA player nearly 12 years ago in Memphis, Tennessee. Twelve jurors gathered Monday to decide the fate of Billy Ray Turner, who is charged

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas State hired Jerome Tang to be its next basketball coach Monday, entrusting a program that’s had plenty of recent success but fallen on hard times to one of the architects of Baylor’s rise to national prominence. The Wildcats hired Tang to replace Bruce

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz is hoping to turn last season’s cameo into a full-time gig. Cruz made his major league debut last October, appearing in two games and hitting the first home run of his big league career. The 6-foot-7 Cruz is considered a vital piece of Pittsburgh’s rebuilding project.

BY MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have acquired their new quarterback, Matt Ryan, in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. The deal was confirmed to The Associated Press. Indy is sending a third-round pick, No. 82 overall, for the longtime Falcons star. Ryan led Atlanta to its second Super

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer Louisville has shaken off its slow start and is looking a lot more like the high-scoring Cardinals teams college baseball fans are accustomed to seeing. The Cards validated their recent run of success following a 3-3 start by opening Atlantic Coast Conference play with a three-game weekend sweep of