BASEBALL
Ohtani could pitch in May
Shohei Ohtani pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in May is “about right,” manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday at the team’s annual fan fest. He reiterated that Ohtani would not pitch in the season-opening Japan Series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19 in Tokyo. The two-way superstar has not pitched in the majors since August 2023, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander had surgery on his left shoulder on Nov. 5 last year after dislocating it on a stolen base attempt.
BOXING/
Benavidez defeats Morrell
David Benavidez on Saturday night unified the light heavyweight championship by earning a unanimous decision over challenger David Morrell to keep his interim WBC belt and win the WBA title. Judges Patricia Morse Jarman and Steve Weisfeld both scored the fight 115-111, while Tim Cheatham scored it 118-108. “This is ‘El Monstro’s’ world,” said Benavidez, nicknamed The Mexican Monster. “Shout out to Morrell. I knew he’d be tough and that’s why I prepared so hard for this. I’m happy we were able to give the fans a great show tonight.”
SOCCER
DRC urges clubs to end deal
Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner has urged soccer clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain to end their “blood-stained” sponsorship agreements with “Visit Rwanda” following the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country, amid an offensive by Rwanda-backed M23. Wagner wrote to the three clubs last week and questioned the morality of their sponsorship deals. “Thousands are currently trapped in the city of Goma with restricted access to food, water, and security,” Wagner said in her letters, a media statement from her ministry said yesterday. “Countless lives have been lost; rape, murder and theft prevail. Your sponsor is directly responsible for this misery. If not for your own consciences, then the clubs should do it [end their sponsorship agreement] for the victims of Rwandan aggression.”
CYCLING
UCI bans carbon monoxide
Cyclists and teams can no longer use carbon monoxide gas outside of a medical facility, UCI said on Saturday. The gas, which can be lethal, is used in low doses in training as a way of helping teams measure critical blood metrics in riders, especially hemoglobin levels. An investigation published by the Web site Escape Collective during this year’s Tour de France highlighted the use of carbon monoxide rebreather devices by several teams to optimize altitude training. The ban goes into effect on Monday next week.
FOOTBALL
More accuse Ravens’ Tucker
Three more massage therapists have accused Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of sexually inappropriate conduct, the Baltimore Banner reported on Saturday. The news site said nine massage therapists from five spas and wellness centers have shared accounts with the Banner. In its initial report on Thursday, the Banner said it spoke to six massage therapists who recounted firsthand experiences with Tucker from 2012 to 2016. Several therapists said they ended Tucker’s sessions early or refused to work on him again, and managers from two spas said they banned him from returning.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Manchester City have reached do-or-die territory in the UEFA Champions League earlier than expected ahead of what Pep Guardiola has described as a “final” against Club Brugge today. City have disproved the suggestion a new format to Europe’s top club competition would remove any jeopardy for the top clubs as Guardiola stares down the barrel of failing to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in his career. The English champions have endured a torrid season both in their English Premier League title defense and on the continent. A run of one win in 13 games, which included Champions League
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