SPORTS HEADLINES

US GM Bill Guerin says he would welcome Trump when Americans play Canada for 4 Nations title

BOSTON (AP) — The general manager of the U.S. team in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament said he would welcome a visit from President Donald Trump to the championship game between the United States and Canada on Thursday night. NHL veteran Bill Guerin said on Fox News that Trump’s presence would give a boost to the rivalry between the North American hockey powers. He credited Trump’s tariff threats and talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state for ratcheting up the intensity in their fight-filled matchup in the preliminary round. The tournament marks the return of the top hockey stars to international play after sitting out the last two Olympics.

Guerrero plans to become free agent after season, fails to reach long-term deal with Blue Jays

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. plans to become a free agent after the season following the passing of his deadline to reach a long-term agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays. A four-time All-Star at age 25, Guerrero said during the offseason he would cut off negotiations when he reported for spring training. He says: “We never got to the point where I felt like I wanted to do the deal.” Guerrero has a $28.5 million, one-year contract. He hit .323 last season with a .940 OPS, 30 homers and 103 RBIs.

Ohtani throws a 2nd bullpen session as he makes his way back to the mound for the Dodgers

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani threw his second bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday. That continued the process of his return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani had his first bullpen session on Saturday. He hopes to pitch this season for the first time since Aug. 23, 2023, with the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani underwent elbow surgery that limited him to hitting only last season with the Dodgers. Ohtani won his third MVP award while becoming the first player to join the 50/50 club with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases as the Dodgers won the World Series.

Justin Turner agrees to $6 million, 1-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, AP source says

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the situation says Justin Turner has agreed to a $6 million, one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. The veteran infielder can earn an additional $2.5 million in bonuses. The addition of Turner would give the team some security at third base should Matt Shaw need more seasoning in the minors. The 23-year-old Shaw has been slowed by a left oblique issue in spring training. The 40-year-old Turner also could back up Michael Busch at first base and go into the lineup at designated hitter.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama brings books to games; that’s not all that makes him different

As if the NBA needed more proof that San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is different, the latest example came Sunday in a locker-room video posted by the league. Wembanyama was getting settled in and Denver’s Nikola Jokic was puzzled by the Spurs’ star bringing a book to the game. Turns out, he reads before every matchup. Even at All-Star weekend, Wembanyama didn’t change who he is. San Antonio knows, and has known, that Wembanyama is the face of the Spurs. The rest of the league has probably figured out that he’s one of the faces of the league — the game globally, too

Ludvig Aberg is the first to get a card through PGA Tour University and he’s making it pay off

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ludvig Aberg is the kind of player Jon Rahm once worried about. It was October 2022 when Rahm was still with the PGA Tour. A fellow Spaniard had gone to the Saudi-funded LIV league and Rahm said the tour needed to give college players a direct path to the big leagues like in other sports. That already was in the works. PGA Tour University began offering the No. 1 college senior a card. In the first year it went to Aberg. Now the Swede has three wins, more than $18 million in earnings and is No. 4 in the world.

Baltimore Ravens’ Ben Cleveland is arrested on a charge of drunken driving in Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) — National Football League player Ben Cleveland of the Baltimore Ravens has been charged with drunken driving in Georgia. An incident report obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday states that the former University of Georgia star football player was pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy near Milledgeville, Georgia, last Wednesday. In the report, a deputy says he noticed that Cleveland’s black pickup was weaving outside of its lane and left the roadway at one point. The AP left emailed messages seeking comment with multiple representatives of the Ravens.

Transport strike affecting Olympic test event underscores risks facing Milan-Cortina Games

ROME (AP) — A transport strike during an official test event for the Milan-Cortina Olympics highlighted why organizers are negotiating with trade unions to avoid a similar scenario during next year’s Winter Games. The strike left organizers of a short-track speedskating event having to call in emergency buses to transport schoolchildren to the arena on Milan’s outskirts. Milan-Cortina CEO Andrea Varnier says “it was interesting to have a test like that and have to come up with an emergency plan.” He adds that “we’re hoping that there’s good will between everyone involved during the games so that there are no strikes.”

The Auburn loss stung, but there’s no time to dwell on it with what looms for No. 4 Alabama

Fourth-ranked Alabama’s loss to rival Auburn marked the first of seven straight games against ranked teams to close the regular season. This week’s schedule includes matchups against No. 15 Missouri and No. 17 Kentucky. No. 14 Michigan State is the only other ranked team to have as many as five more AP Top 25 opponents still ahead. The week’s national schedule includes the Spartans and No. 7 Texas A&M each having two games against ranked foes. There’s also a marquee matchup in the Big 12 between No. 5 Houston and No. 8 Iowa State.