Update on the latest sports

NFL-NEWS

Packers say they won’t let Rodgers situation distract the

UNDATED (AP) — Green Bay Packers players say the status of quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t distract them in their offseason preparations.

The NFL Most Valuable Player hasn’t been present for organized team activities this week following an ESPN report last month that he doesn’t want to return to Green Bay. Rodgers was noncommittal about his future in an ESPN interview Monday night.

All-Pro selection Davante Adams and most of the Packers’ other receivers weren’t at Tuesday’s OTA session, either.

Also happening in the NFL:

— The Falcons began their offseason training program without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap. Rookie coach Arthur Smith was tight-lipped about the Falcons’ options. But he insisted that he doesn’t begrudge Jones for speaking his mind.

— Injured quarterback Joe Burrow says he’ll be ready for the Bengals’ season opener on Sept. 12. He had surgery on his left knee in December, and he said it’s back to 80 to 85%. Wearing a knee brace, he threw on the practice field on the first day of organized team activities in which every eligible Bengals player took part.

— Bills players are split on whether to get vaccinated at the same time coach Sean McDermott is raising concerns that his team could fall behind in having COVID-19 protocol restrictions loosened for the start of training camp. McDermott notes the issue can be divisive and says he is attempting to educate rather than convince his players to get fully vaccinated. At issue is the six-week period for those who receive a two-dose vaccine in order to be deemed fully vaccinated. The time frame will soon be pushing into the Bills opening training camp in late July.

— The Steelers have decided not to boycott offseason activities after all. A majority of the 90-man roster showed up for the start of organized team activities. The players hinted last month they may skip the voluntary OTAs due to concerns over health protocols and protections.

— The Pro Football Hall of Fame is going to open all its exhibits on Friday. The reopening includes several exhibits and areas that had remained offline since the COVID-19 pandemic closed the Hall for nearly three months last year. Visitors and employees who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance inside the museum. Those not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks.

NBA-NEWS

Porzingis fined for COVID-19 violation

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA has fined Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (KRIHS’-tahps pohr-ZIN’-gihs) $50,000 for violating the rule prohibiting players from going into any bar, club, lounge, or similar establishment, regardless of the player’s vaccination status.

Porzingis violated the rule when he attended a club on May 23. The league says medical experts determined that Porzingis will not have to quarantine.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

— Knicks forward Julius Randle has been named the league’s most improved player. Randle averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 71 games. He received 98 first-place votes and earned 493 total points from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Pistons forward Jerami Grant received the other two first-place votes and finished in second place with 140 points.

— The Cavaliers have lost a coin flip with the Thunder for the No. 4 position in next month’s draft lottery. However, both teams will have the same chance of winning the No. 1 pick, behind Houston, Detroit and Orlando. Cleveland and Oklahoma City each finished 22-50 in the regular season.

NHL-GRETZKY-OILERS

Gretzky leaves Oilers front office, citing ‘life changes’

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Wayne Gretzky is leaving as vice chairman of the Edmonton Oilers, citing “the pandemic and other life changes.”

The 60-year-old hockey great says he will not be able to “dedicate the time nor effort needed to support this world-class organization.” The NHL’s all-time leading scorer and four-time Stanley Cup winner returned to the Oilers in a front-office role in 2016.

MLB-NEWS

Harper goes to IL

UNDATED (AP) — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has gone on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday with a bruised left forearm.

Harper is hitless in his past 16 at-bats, which has dropped his OPS to .884. He sat out games Sunday and Monday.

The Phillies also reinstated outfielder Roman Quinn from the injured list.

Also around the majors:

— Indians righty Zach Plesac (PLEE’-sak) has landed on the 10-day injured list, the result of breaking the thumb on his pitching hand while yanking off his undershirt after a rough outing. The injury occurred after he was reached for five runs in the fourth inning of a loss to the Twins on Sunday. There was no initial word on how long Plesac would be sidelined.

— Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson will be sidelined for at least several weeks with a partial shoulder dislocation that could require surgery. Anderson is batting .250 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Isan Díaz has been activated from the injured list and is expected to share third base with Jon Berti (BUR’-tee).

— The Rangers have placed right-hander Kyle Gibson on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Saturday because of a right groin strain that their top starter had been dealing with for several games. Gibson is 3-0 with a 2.24 ERA in 10 starts this season. Texas right-handed reliever Hunter Wood was also put on the injured list with right elbow discomfort.

— Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing the first 45 games this season with a right oblique sprain. Mondesi was hurt in the Royals’ final spring training game on March 29.

— The Cardinals have placed outfielder Harrison Bader on the 10-day injured list with a hairline rib fracture. Bader got hurt when he made a diving attempt on Nick Madrigal’s bloop double in the third inning of Monday night’s 5-1 loss at the White Sox.

— Joe West is poised to break baseball’s umpiring record as the Cardinals take on the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. West was behind the plate for his 5,376th regular-season game, snapping a tie with Hall of Famer Bill Klem. He began his big league career at age 23, doing a handful of games in the last month of the 1976 season.