SPORTS HEADLINES

Last-place Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza, replacing him with Andy Green

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Mendoza was has been fired as manager of the underperforming New York Mets and has been replaced by Andy Green. New York is 34-47 following a six-game losing streak, 15 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 9 1/2 games back of the NL’s last wild-card berth. Mets owner Steve Cohen had high expectations for a team without a World Series title since 1986. The team opened the season with baseball’s highest payroll at $358 million and projected to [pay an additional $124 million in luxury tax.

Pulisic returns to the US lineup with highlights and lowlight in a World Cup loss to Turkey

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Christian Pulisic returned to the field for the United States just in time to warm up for the World Cup games that really matter starting next week. Pulisic entered the Americans’ 3-2 loss to Turkey as a substitute early in the second half, and he provided several strong sequences during his first game action in nearly two weeks. He also had a lowlight when rising young star Arda Güler nutmegged him to begin the sequence that ended with Kaan Ayhan’s winning goal on the final kick of the match. Pulisic hadn’t played since the Americans’ tournament-opening win over Paraguay.

Pochettino annoyed by perceived disappointment after US finishes group play with 3-2 loss to Turkey

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kaan Ayhan scored on the final kick of the match, and Turkey beat the United States 3-2 for its only win of the World Cup. Auston Trusty scored in the third minute and Sebastian Berhalter got a tying goal early in the second half for the Americans, who had already won the group with victories over Paraguay and Australia. Pochettino fielded nine new starters for this low-stakes game, but Christian Pulisic entered in the 58th minute. Turkey won in the eighth minute of stoppage time when Can Uzun got the ball in space on the back post and got it to Ayhan.

Serena Williams draws 20-year-old Maya Joint in first Wimbledon singles match in 4 years

LONDON (AP) — Serena Williams has been drawn to play 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in the first round at Wimbledon for her first singles match in nearly four years. The 44-year-old seven-time Wimbledon singles champion accepted a wild-card entry to the grass-court Grand Slam where she’ll also compete in doubles with her older sister Venus. Joint is ranked No. 53 and made her Wimbledon debut last year, losing in the first round to Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-2. Joint was born in the U.S. but represents Australia through her father. Defending champion Iga Swiatek opens against Taylor Townsend. Jannik Sinner’s title defense begins against Miomir Kecmanovic.

MLB proposes limiting most free agent contracts to 5 years and 15% of a team’s salary cap

Major League Baseball proposed limiting most free agent contracts to five years and 15% of a team’s salary cap and to eliminate deferred compensation, fleshing out details of a salary cap plan likely to spark a confrontation with the players’ association that could lead to the first loss of regular-season games since 1995. During a bargaining session Thursday at the union’s office, MLB said it would accept the union’s proposal granting free agency a year early for players who have reached age 30 as part of a salary cap system. MLB also proposed boosting the minimum salary from $780,000 to $1 million for those with two years of big league service.

MLB’s draft overhaul would limit choices for teen players — and be a boon for colleges

PHOENIX (AP) — MLB’s owners recently proposed banning high school players from signing with major league teams, which would be a huge change for the sport. There are dozens of current MLB stars who started their professional careers as teenagers immediately after high school, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, Mike Trout and Bobby Witt Jr. Even more recently, Pirates phenom Konnor Griffin made his MLB debut at 19 years old. The rise of NCAA baseball as a training ground for prospects has made streamlining the minor leagues a realistic possibility. In the 2025 MLB draft, 56 college players were selected in the top 90 picks.

Marina Mabrey matches WNBA scoring record with 53 points to help Toronto rout Los Angeles

TORONTO (AP) — Marina Mabrey matched the WNBA scoring record with 53 points to help the Toronto Tempo rout the Los Angeles Sparks 125-97 on Thursday night. Mabrey tied the mark set by Liz Cambage for Dallas against New York on July 17, 2018, and matched by A’ja Wilson for Las Vegas at Atlanta on Aug. 22, 2023. When Mabrey checked out of the game with a minute remaining, fans briefly booed before erupting into cheers in acknowledgement of her big night. The clock ticked down to zero with chants of “We Want Mabrey! We Want Mabrey!” The 29-year-old former Notre Dame star was 17 of 28 from the field, tied the WNBA record for 3-pointers with nine in 18 attempts, and made 10 of 12 free throws.

WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 game for hit to Caitlin Clark’s throat

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has suspended Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas for one game after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat in Wednesday night’s matchup against Indiana. It happened with 6:52 left in the second quarter and was deemed to be a non-basketball act. The league gave Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty for it. No foul was called on the play by officials. The WNBA is allowed to review a game to reclassify a Flagrant foul or to classify as Flagrant any foul not called as such during a game. Thomas will serve her suspension on Saturday when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo.

AC Milan names Massimo Calvelli as CEO as it goes “in house” in bid to restore winning culture

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan has named Massimo Calvelli as CEO as it aims to bring a winning culture back to the club. He replaces Giorgio Furlani, who was fired by U.S. owner RedBird Capital Partners after a disappointing season. RedBird managing partner Gerry Cardinale has emphasized the need for a winning mindset on and off the field. Calvelli will continue his roles at RedBird though. Milan struggled last season, missing out on Champions League qualification. Calvelli has expressed a strong commitment to revitalize the club.

Hornets trade LaMelo Ball, Josh Green to Timberwolves for Naz Reid, draft picks, AP source says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade point guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal has yet to be approved by the league. ESPN was first to report the trade. The three first-round pick swaps will be in 2028, 2029 and 2030. The Hornets also will get three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033. Charlotte also agreed to a three-year, $74 million contract with point guard Coby White to replace Ball. White, who backed up Ball last year, was set to become an unrestricted free agent.