NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for the 2026 season by Major League Baseball following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, the commissioner’s office said, which means testosterone that was not produced by his body. Because it was a second offense, the length of Profar’s suspension was 162 games. An All-Star in 2024, Profar was suspended for 80 games last March 31 following a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that helps production of testosterone. He issued a statement then saying: “I would never willingly take a banned substance."
The Indianapolis Colts placed a transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones and the New York Jets used the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall as teams beat the deadline to place tags on potential free agents. The Colts opted to use the $37.8 million transition tag instead of the $43.9 million franchise tag, opening up the possibility that he could still leave without compensation for Indianapolis. Hall got the $14.3 million franchise tag from New York, meaning the Jets would get two first-round picks as compensation if they didn’t match any potential offer sheet.
GENEVA (AP) — With 100 days to go until the World Cup, the Iran war has added a new layer of complexity to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. How the conflict will affect the world’s most watched sporting event is the latest issue facing organizers. FIFA was already grappling with cartel violence in one of the Mexican host cities, scaled-back plans for fan festivals in the U.S. and pushback from fans over soaring ticket prices. The tournament kicks off on June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City. It will be the biggest World Cup ever with 48 participating teams.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have informed two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray that they plan to release him at the beginning of the new league year on March 11, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move can’t be officially announced until next week. Murray — who is owed $36.8 million in guaranteed money in 2026 — will be free to sign with any team once he’s released.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, LeBron James added 21 points and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied past the New Orleans Pelicans 110-101 for their third straight victory. Deandre Ayton had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who overcame a fourth-quarter deficit and 21 turnovers by making a 14-0 run to seize control down the stretch. Zion Williamson scored 24 points in his return from a one-game absence after hurting ankle last Saturday for the Pelicans, who lost for only the second time in six games. The Lakers finished the game on a 24-7 run.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State scratched and clawed its was to a 70-60 win over No. 14 Kansas in what may be coach Bobby Hurley's final home game. Arizona State jumped out to a 20-point lead, let the Jayhawks back in it and made all the key plays down the stretch to close out its home schedule with a win. Hurley's contract was not renewed beyond this season, so the Sun Devils will likely need a miracle run through the Big 12 tournament for the coach to keep his job. Hurley led Arizona State to three NCAA Tournaments, including two straight, but didn't win consistently enough. He at least went out with a bang, if this was the end.
TOKYO (AP) — It’s officially named the World Baseball Classic. But for the Group C games in Japan, simply call it the world according to Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani’s life-size image is all over the Tokyo Dome, and racks of Ohtani jerseys — about $125 each — dominate the adjacent merchandise center. Japan begins play on Friday against Taiwan with South Korea, Australia and the Czech Republic also in the group. Japan is the defending champion and is expected to claim one of the two spots for the quarterfinals in the United States.
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Top-ranked tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has announced her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis. Sabalenka has shared a proposal video on Instagram with the words, “You & me, forever.” Fellow players were quick to congratulate her, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Amanda Anisimova. Sabalenka could face Anisimova in the quarterfinals at the Indian Wells tournament in California, which opens on Wednesday. It marks Sabalenka’s first event since the Australian Open final where she lost to Elena Rybakina in January.
OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Pete Suder scored 19 points, Antowne Woolfolk added 14 and No. 19 Miami (Ohio) closed within a victory of a perfect regular season with a 74-72 win over Toledo that extended the RedHawks’ season-opening winning streak to 30 games. The RedHawks (17-0 Mid-American Conference) remain the only undefeated team in Division I men’s basketball. Miami extended the best start in program history and added to its school record for wins in a season. Miami also boasts the best start and longest win streak in MAC annals. Brant Byers added 13 points and Luke Skaljac chipped in 12 for the RedHawks. Leroy Blyden Jr. led Toledo (16-4, 10-7) with 21 points and Sonny Wilson added 13.
DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Max Scherzer says the note his daughter composed that asked the Toronto Blue Jays to re-sign the three-time Cy Young Award winner arose as his kids were writing letters to Santa Claus in December. Scherzer's wife posted the handwritten note on Instagram after the three-time Cy Young Award winner signed a one-year, $3 million contract to stay in Toronto. Scherzer told reporters that “it's the cutest thing you can possibly imagine when you read that.”
Finals
MLB SPRING TRAINING
INTERLEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 3 Philadelphia 1
Final L.A. Dodgers 5 Cleveland 4
Final San Diego 4 Chicago White Sox 3
Final Pittsburgh 7 Colombia 1
Final Israel 1 Miami 0
Final N.Y. Mets 6 Nicaragua 3
Final Italy 9 Chicago Cubs 4
Final United States 15 San Francisco 1
Final Great Britain 7 Milwaukee 3
Final Mexico 6 Arizona 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 5 Minnesota 3
Final L.A. Angels 7 Seattle 6
Final N.Y. Yankees 11 Panama 1
Final Netherlands 8 Baltimore 5
Final Toronto 10 Canada 7
Final Athletics 14 Brazil 4
Final Kansas City 4 Cuba 0
Final Dominican Republic 12 Detroit 4
Final Houston 3 Venezuela 1
Final Puerto Rico 5 Boston 3
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Boston 2 Pittsburgh 1
Final Utah 3 Washington 2
Final New Jersey 5 Florida 1
Final Buffalo 3 Vegas 2
Final Columbus 3 Nashville 2
Final OT Winnipeg 3 Chicago 2
Final Dallas 6 Calgary 1
Final OT Edmonton 5 Ottawa 4
Final Minnesota 5 Tampa Bay 1
Final Colorado 5 Anaheim 1
Final San Jose 7 Montreal 5
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (5)Florida 108 Mississippi State 74
Final UCLA 72 (9)Nebraska 52
Final TCU 73 (10)Texas Tech 65
Final (11)Illinois 80 Oregon 54
Final (13)Virginia 75 Wake Forest 70
Final Arizona State 70 (14)Kansas 60
Final Georgia 98 (16)Alabama 88
Final (17)North Carolina 67 Clemson 63
Final (18)St. John's 72 Georgetown 69
Final (19)Miami (OH) 74 Toledo 72
Final (23)Tennessee 78 South Carolina 59
Final (24)Vanderbilt 89 Ole Miss 86