SPORTS HEADLINES

Shohei Ohtani returns from injury and is the DH as the Dodgers reshuffle the top of the order

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returns to the Dodgers’ lineup after missing two weeks with right biceps discomfort. He’s batting second as the designated hitter against the Padres. Manager Dave Roberts says it’s good to have him back, though he’s not expecting too much initially. Mookie Betts continues to lead off, excelling with a .366 average and six home runs in September. Ohtani last played on Sept. 7 and is hitting .277 with 30 homers this season. Josue De Paula, who impressed as the DH during Ohtani’s absence, was sent to Triple-A but could return for the postseason.

Lawyer: Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown to avoid prison with reduced charge in attempted murder case

An attorney for former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown says he plans to accept a plea deal for a reduced charge in an attempted murder case in Miami that avoids prison. Brown is scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday to make the deal final. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the current attempted murder charge. Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match in Miami in May 2025 and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier, according to an arrest warrant. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.

A stunning early QB injury wave leaves up to 6 teams already turning to backups

The NFL hasn’t seen an early-season injury epidemic at quarterback quite like this in a long time. With Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart all getting hurt in Week 2, there’s a good chance six teams will be forced to go with a backup quarterback as the starter because of injuries by the time the games this week are finished. This will be the first time since at least 2000 that has happened within the first three games of a season.

Wednesday’s MLB clinching scenarios: Guardians, White Sox on verge of making postseason

Major League Baseball’s postseason is rapidly approaching, with the Los Angeles Dodgers seeking a third straight World Series title. It remains to be seen how much some of the game’s biggest stars will be able to participate in the playoffs, though. The Dodgers are once again among the best teams in the big leagues, and they’ll have several challengers in October, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. All three teams could finish the regular season with 100 wins or more. Los Angeles is rolling even though four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani’s health is a concern.

Jackson Koivun goes from NCAA title to Presidents Cup debut in 112 days

MEDINAH, Ill. (AP) — Jackson Koivun is going places in a hurry. Four years ago he was part of the Junior Presidents Cup team. Just over three months ago he led Auburn to an NCAA golf title. And now he’s on the Presidents Cup and part of the opening lineup as the Americans set out to try to win for the 11th straight time. Koivun told partner Justin Thomas he’ll be good to go after the opening tee shot. The five fourballs matches are on tap for Thursday at Medinah. The U.S. has won the opening session eight of the last nine times.

Red Sox move Sunday’s game and will play doubleheader against Cubs on Friday with storm expected

BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox are adjusting the schedule of their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs because of a significant storm that’s expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Boston area. The team said Wednesday it was moving the Sunday afternoon game to Friday to create a split doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. EST. The originally scheduled 7:05 p.m. EST night game was moved up to 6:05. The Red Sox said in a press release that the change was made in consultation with Major League Baseball.

Title holder Barcelona scores 5, OL Lyonnes hits 8 in wins to open Women’s Champions League

GENEVA (AP) — Title holder Barcelona has won 5-2 and record eight-time champion OL Lyonnes prevailed 8-0 in their Women’s Champions League openers. Two storied teams who have won 10 of the 11 last titles still set the bar high in European women’s soccer. Barcelona trailed within five minutes hosting Paris FC but scored four before halftime started by new Brazilian signing Kerolin. Record eight-time winner Lyon eased past overmatched Servette. In Belgium, Roma substitute Marta Pandini missed a penalty deep into stoppage time of a 0-0 draw at OH Leuven. Chelsea won 1-0 over debutant Austria Vienna.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip steps back from public life for serious health concerns

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — Darrell Waltrip, a Hall of Fame NASCAR driver and longtime Fox Sports broadcaster, has stepped away from public life due to a progressive brain disease. Waltrip and his family announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration, possibly complicated by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. These conditions are likely from injuries during his racing career. The 79-year-old Waltrip won 84 races and three Cup Series championships before moving to broadcasting. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012. Despite the diagnosis, his family says he is happy and spending time with loved ones.

ICE detained Kentucky State basketball player from Senegal as she prepared to travel to tournament

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky State University women’s basketball player was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement when she arrived at the airport in Louisville to fly to New York for a tournament. Her attorney says 26-year-old Aminata Seck is from Senegal and is in the United States on a student visa. Sadiqa Reynolds wrote that Seck was detained on Aug. 7 at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The Louisville Courier Journal, which first reported Seck’s arrest, wrote that Reynolds said Seck may have missed a student visa deadline because she was having back surgery, and that she also has an ACL injury.

NC State QB CJ Bailey takes a positive approach in moving forward after costly Vanderbilt fumble

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey says he’s “waking up on the right side of the bed every morning, feeling good” while moving past a last-second fumble in a loss to Vanderbilt. Bailey’s fumble was recovered in the end zone to give the Commodores a shocking win as the Wolfpack appeared on the verge of closing the game out. Bailey said Wednesday he was holding the ball trying to burn the clock. The third-year starter says the team has showed him support to help him move forward for Saturday’s visit from Appalachian State.