Wander Franco involved in armed altercation

 

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was involved in an armed altercation in a parking lot in the Dominican Republic countryside and was arrested, police said Monday.

Meregirdo Espinosa, a Dominican police spokesman, told The Associated Press it happened in San Juan de la Maguana, a city that is 116 miles (187 kilometers) west of the Dominican Republic's capital of Santo Domingo. Franco was arrested Sunday. Another man and a woman were also detained, police said.

Espinosa didn't specify who, but said some men in the altercation were carrying firearms.

Dak Prescott season ending surgery

 

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday on his injured hamstring, owner Jerry Jones announced Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

It was previously reported that Prescott was leaning toward having surgery, but the star QB planned to meet with a specialist to get a final opinion in hopes of avoiding a surgical procedure. Prescott is expected to be sidelined for four months.

Tyreek Hill plays with injured wrist

 

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was active against the Los Angeles Rams for Monday Night Football despite having a torn ligament in his wrist, he told Lisa Salters of ESPN.

The Dolphins defeated Los Angeles 23-15 and snapped a three-game losing streak. Hill only had three receptions for 16 yards, but he caught a touchdown in the third quarter to give Miami an 11-point lead.

Kevin Durant OUT 2 weeks

 

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durantwill miss at least two weeks of action after sustaining a left calf strain during Friday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks, the team announced Saturday, according to The Athletic's Fred Katz.

It's unclear when Durant suffered the injury, but he finished Friday's game with 26 points, five boards, four assists, and two blocks in 37 minutes.

The two-time Finals MVP will miss at least seven contests under the recovery timeline provided.

McCaffrey ready to go!

 

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey says he feels "ready to go" ahead of his expected season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

"The last eight weeks were extremely unfortunate," McCaffrey said, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "For me, it's very tough being injured. It's tough physically, mentally, emotionally, especially when it's just not how you planned it. It wasn't expected. Some stuff just went wrong, but I'm feeling great now. Ready to go."

Mark Stone OUT with injury

 

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone wasn't in the lineup Friday during his team's 4-3 overtime loss against the Seattle Kraken and is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury, the team announced prior to the game.

Stone has been a catalyst for the Golden Knights so far this season, leading the club with 21 points in 13 games. He's on pace to smash his previous career high of 73 points.

Winnipeg Jets make history

 

The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 on Thursday to become the second team in NHL history to begin a season with at least 13 wins through their first 14 games.

The 2007-08 Ottawa Senators, who began that season 13-1 before their second loss, are the only other team to do so.

Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves for his second consecutive shutout. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner now has three clean sheets on the season and 40 in his illustrious career.

Thursday night thriller

 

Another tight game, another loss for the Cincinnati Bengals. It's a frustrating pattern that has put the struggling team in danger of missing the playoffs despite the outstanding play of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.

For the second time in two games against the division rival Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals blew a big lead Thursday night and lost 35-34. Cincinnati was on the cusp of reaching .500 following an 0-3 start, but those hopes vanished as quickly as its 14-point lead in the third quarter.

In their previous game against Baltimore last month, the Bengals (4-6) frittered away a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter before losing 41-38 in overtime.

Kyle Hendricks signs with Angels

 

The Los Angeles Angels signed veteran starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Hendricks, 34, is coming off a rough season with the Chicago Cubs in which he posted a 5.92 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 130 2/3 innings.

The righty has spent all 11 of his MLB seasons with the Cubs.

Joel Embiid suspended for shoving reporter

 

The NBA suspended Joel Embiid three games without pay for shoving a media member, the league announced Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the Philadelphia 76ers' locker room following Saturday's defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.

"Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA," NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement.

Ohtani requires shoulder surgery

 

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear that was sustained when he dislocated his left shoulder in Game 2 of the World Series, the club announced Tuesday.

Ohtani, the NL MVP favorite, is expected to be ready for spring training.

Jason Kelce in trouble with Penn State police

Penn State University police are investigating an altercation between retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and a fan over a cellphone that occurred over the weekend before the game between the Nittany Lions and Ohio State.

The police department's incident log includes an entry registered Saturday in which an “officer observed a visitor damaging personal property.”

PSU public information officer Jacqueline Sheader confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the incident involved Kelce and said that the process is ongoing. The report listed the potential offenses as criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Matthews OUT with injury

 

Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Auston Matthews is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury and won't play against the Boston Bruins, the team announced Tuesday.

Matthews has five goals and 11 points through 13 games this season, and he leads the league in shots on goal with 56. He missed time in training camp due to an "upper-body thing," as described by head coach Craig Berube.

"He's been fighting through it a bit," Berube said Tuesday, according to Postmedia's Terry Koshan.

McCaffrey: Sunday Return?

 

The San Francisco 49ers opened running back Christian McCaffrey's practice window Monday as he looks to return from the Achilles/calf injuries that landed him on injured reserve, the team announced.

McCaffrey could potentially make his season debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pastrnak benched 3rd Period

 

Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery refused to provide details postgame about why superstar David Pastrnak didn't play a shift in the third period of Sunday's win over the Seattle Kraken.

"Coach's decision in the third period," Montgomery said, per Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub. "That's all I'm gonna comment on."

Pastrnak played 14:21 in the opening two periods, recording seven shots, two giveaways, and one block before his night ended prematurely. He entered the contest as Boston's leading scorer with 11 points in 12 games but was goalless over his last three appearances.

Nacua ejected for punching

 

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was disqualified from Sunday's 26-20 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter.

Nacua seemingly punched Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson after Matthew Staffordthrew an interception and the play was dead. The wideout was flagged for unnecessary roughness following the incident.

Prescott leaves with hamstring injury

 

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with a hamstring injury, the team announced.

Prescott seemingly sustained the injury while attempting a pass late in the third quarter. Cooper Rushentered the game at QB with Dallas trailing 27-13.

Royals sign Wacha 3 Years

 

The Kansas City Royals announced Sunday they signed starting pitcher Michael Wacha to a three-year contract.

Wacha's deal is worth $51 million and includes a club option for a fourth year as well as incentives that would increase the total value to $72 million, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports.

Kansas City would have likely extended Wacha a qualifying offer had he not exercised his $16-million player option for 2025, Passan adds.

Barzal OUT 4-6 weeks

 

New York Islanders forward Mat Barzal will miss four-to-six weeks with an upper-body injury, the club announced Saturday.

The Islanders moved Barzal to long-term injured reserve, while they gave defenseman Adam Pelech the same recovery timetable and placed him on regular IR.

Gerrit Cole opted out of contract

 

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opted out of his contract, which still had four years and $144 million left on it, sources told Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The Yankees can void the opt-out by adding one year and $36 million to the deal, which would give him $180 million over the next five seasons.