Update on the latest sports

PGA-US OPEN

Russell Henley opens US open with 67

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The entire field has finally made it on to Torrey Pines for the first round of the U.S. Open. The start was pushed back by 90 minutes due to fog on the ocean-side layout in suburban San Diego.

Russell Henley, an early starter, has the best round of the day so far at 4 under. That’s a stroke ahead of Francesco Molinari and Rafa Cabrera-Bello (BAY’-oh). Former champion Brooks Koepka reached 4-under but dropped two shots to finish at 2-hunder.

Late starters who may have to return early Friday include former champions Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.

NBA-NEWS

Mavericks, Carlisle part ways

UNDATED (AP) — Rick Carlisle has stepped down as coach of the Dallas Mavericks, the second major departure for that franchise in as many days.

Carlisle spent 13 seasons in Dallas, leading the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title. His decision was announced Thursday, one day after general manager Donnie Nelson and the team agreed to part ways, ending a 24-year run for Nelson as part of the organization. Dallas becomes the seventh team with a coaching vacancy, joining New Orleans, Washington, Orlando, Indiana, Portland — and Boston, where Carlisle played for the team that won the 1986 NBA title.

NHL NEWS

Hurricanes, Brind’Amour reach extension after 3 playoff bids

UNDATED (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have reached a three-year contract extension with coach Rod Brind’Amour after three straight playoff appearances. The Hurricanes announced the agreement Thursday. The extension comes a little more than a week after the Hurricanes were eliminated by reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay in the second round. Brind’Amour is one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award presented annually to the NHL’s top coach. Brind’Amour helped Carolina end a nine-season playoff drought after taking over in 2018. This season marked the first time the franchise had made three straight playoff trips since relocating to North Carolina in 1997.

MLB-SCHEDULE

Indians extend Orioles misey

UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Indians extended Baltimore’s road losing streak to 19 games with a 10-3 win over the Orioles.

José Ramírez hit a two-run homer and Bobby Bradley added a solo shot during a three-run first inning. Yu Chang had four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the eighth. Austin Hays and Maikel Franco homered for the Orioles, who have lost eight straight overall. Indians starter Eli Morgan remained in the game after being struck by a line drive above the right elbow in the first inning.

MLB NEWS

Mets DeGrom has good MRI

UNDATED (AP) — Mets ace Jacob deGrom’s shoulder showed no abnormalities, but New York was not yet ready to commit to him taking his next turn in the rotation Sunday against Washington.

DeGrom left his second straight start with an arm injury, coming out after three perfect innings against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night with right shoulder soreness. He had an MRI today. DeGrom is 6-2 with a 0.54 ERA and 111 strikeouts and eight walks in 67 innings.

In other MLB news:

—The Texas Rangers have acquired right-hander Dennis Santana from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade. The Rangers sent minor league lefty Kevin Bautista to Los Angeles. Santana was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Saturday. He had a 6.00 ERA in a career-high 16 relief appearances this season.

—The St. Louis Cardinals have signed left-hander Wade LeBlanc to a one-year contract. Manager Mike Shildt said LeBlanc will pitch in relief. LeBlanc, 36, is 46-48 in his 13-year career with a 4.59 ERA. He’s 34-41, 4.73 ERA in 121 career starts and 12-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 125 relief appearances with three saves.

—First baseman Mike Ford has been traded by the New York Yankees to the Tampa Bay Rays for $100,000 and a player to be named. Ford was designated for assignment Saturday when reliever Zack Britton was activated from the injured list. Ford, who turns 29 on July 4, batted .133 with three homers and five RBIs in 60 at-bats this season.

NFL-NEWS

NFL suspends 49ers D-lineman Jordan Willis for doping

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL has suspended San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Jordan Willis for violating the league’s policy of performance-enhancing substances.

Willis will be able to practice in training camp and play in all preseason games before beginning his suspension without pay. He’ll be eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 25 in advance of the 49ers’ game at Chicago on Halloween.

In other NFL news:

The Chicago Bears have submitted a bid to buy a suburban horse racing track in suburban Arlington Heights, suggesting a willingness to move out of downtown Soldier Field for a new stadium. Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in the NFL. It opened in 1924. It can set 61,500 fans, making it the smallest venue in the league.

FBC-COLLEGE EXPANSION

CFP expansion will push conferences to reconsider divisions

ROSEMONT, Ill (AP) — Officials in charge of the College Football Playoff have opened two days of meetings in suburban Chicago.

The main topic is whether to expand the four-team playoff to 12, as proposed by a working group. Six spots would be reserved for league champions and the rest would go to at-large teams. The discussions put league championship games in the spotlight. The winner would be in the mix for a playoff bid, but an upset would hurt the league’s chances overall.

TENNIS-NADAL OUT

Nadal pulls out of Wimbledon and Tokyo Olympics

MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal is skipping Wimbledon as well as the Tokyo Olympics.

The 35-year-old Spaniard says he made the decision after “listening” to his body. Nadal reached the French Open semifinals last week but lost to Novak Djokovic (NOH’-vak JOH’-kuh-vich). He says the fact that there are only two weeks between Roland Garros and Wimbledon makes it harder for his body to recover from the “demanding” clay-court season.Nadal has won the title at Wimbledon twice and also won the Olympic gold medal in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In another major Wimbledon withdrawal:

Naomi Osaka’s agent says the four-time Grand Slam champion will sit out Wimbledon but compete at the Tokyo Olympics. The 23-year-old, who was born in Japan, withdrew from the French Open after the first round, saying she needed a mental health break.

TRANSGENDER LAWSUITS

DOJ: 2 states’ transgender restrictions unconstitutional

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Justice is challenging bans involving transgender people that target athletes in West Virginia and children in Arkansas. The department on Thursday slammed those bans as violations of federal law.

The department filed statements of interest in lawsuits seeking to overturn new laws in the two states. In West Virginia, a lawsuit filed on behalf of an 11-year-old transgender girl challenges a ban on transgender athletes from competing in female sports. Arkansas became the first state to ban gender confirming treatments or surgery for transgender youth. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of four transgender youth and their families as well as two doctors.

UCONN-STRENGTH COACH LAWSUIT

UConn coach says refusal to violate protocols led to ouster

UNDATED (AP) – A former strength coach for UConn’s men’s basketball team has sued the school, claiming his contract wasn’t renewed after he refused demands from coach Dan Hurley that he violate NCAA guidelines and school COVID-19 protocols.

Sal Alosi alleges he was asked by Hurley to hold virtual and later indoor workouts that violate coronavirus guidelines. The school denies the allegations. A hearing was held Thursday on a motion by UConn to dismiss the lawsuit. The judge did not immediately rule on that motion.