Update on the latest sports

MLB-WHITE SOX-GRANDAL

White Sox activate catcher Yasmani Grandal from 10-day IL

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have reinstated catcher Yasmani Grandal (yahs-MAH’-nee grahn-DAHL’) from the 10-day injured list. He had been sidelined since he tore a tendon in his left knee July 5 at Minnesota.

The switch-hitter batted .303 with a homer and three RBIs over 11 games on a minor league rehab assignment. Catcher Zack Collins was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte to make room on the roster.

Grandal is in his second season with Chicago after he agreed to a $73 million, four-year contract in November 2019. The two-time All-Star is batting just .188 in 63 games this year, but he has 14 homers, 38 RBIs and a .388 on-base percentage, his highest number since his rookie year and well above his career average of .351.

NBA-NEWS

AP source: Cavs getting Markkanen from Bulls in 3-way trade

UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire restricted free agent forward Lauri Markkanen from Chicago in a three-way trade. That’s according to a person familiar with the trade, who tells The Associated Press that the deal also will send forward Larry Nance Jr. from Cleveland to Portland.

Markkanen is going to the Cavs in a sign-and-trade agreement. The Bulls are getting swingman Derrick Jones Jr. from the Trail Blazers along with a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick.

The agreement needs NBA approval before it can be completed.

In other NBA news:

— The NBA has sent a memo to its teams saying that all personnel who will be near players and referees must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus this season. The directive covers anyone who will travel with teams, be around the bench areas, have access to home, visiting and referee locker rooms and those working at the scorer’s table. A copy of the memo was obtained by The Associated Press. The memo also says that the policy may be updated when federal agencies release “expected guidance related to booster shots.”

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-LOUISVILLE-MACK SUSPENDED

Louisville suspends head coach Chris Mack for 6 games

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The University of Louisville is suspending head basketball coach Chris Mack for six games. University officials say he failed to properly handle an extortion attempt by his assistant Dino Gaudio.

Prosecutors say Gaudio demanded nearly a half-million dollars when he learned he’d be fired over the team missing the NCAA tournament, and said he’d tell the media about violations if he didn’t get the money. Gaudio struck a plea deal Friday to avoid prison.

Mack says he accepts the suspension and “could have handled matters differently.” He’ll be out for six non-conference games in November.

NHL-SABRES-EICHEL

AP sources: Eichel switching agents amid dispute with Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel (EYE’-kul) is changing agents while in the midst of a long-standing dispute with the team over how to treat a neck injury, according to four people with direct knowledge of the decision. They tell The Associated Press that the paperwork for Eichel to switch agents is in the process of being submitted to the NHL Players’ Association.

The people say Eichel has chosen to go with Creative Artists Agency’s Pat Brisson, who represents numerous high-profile NHL players, including Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Toronto’s John Tavares and Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon. Eichel had been represented by Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli of the Massachusetts-based firm of Global Hockey Consultants.

Eichel has been sidelined since March. He favors artificial disk replacement surgery, while the Sabres oppose such a procedure because it has never been performed on an NHL player.

NFL PRESEASON-TROPICAL WEATHER

Cardinals-Saints kickoff moved up as Ida threatens Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kickoff for Saturday’s preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Saints at the Superdome has been moved up seven hours because of the potential for Hurricane Ida to hit the Louisiana coast this weekend. The Saints announced the game will start at noon Central Time and that the change was agreed upon after consultation with city officials in New Orleans, the National Weather Service, The Department of Homeland Security and the NFL.

The hurricane struck Cuba on Friday. The National Hurricane Center says Ida shows hallmarks of a rare, rapidly intensifying storm that could speed across warm Gulf waters and slam into Louisiana as a Category 3 hurricane on Sunday.