Referees

reach deal

(AP) — The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have agreed on a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement that avoids a potential work stoppage and use of replacement officials. The deal runs through the 2032 NFL season.

The league began the onboarding process for replacement officials last month because negotiations weren’t progressing. But they won’t be necessary.

A stalemate in 2012 resulted in a 110-day lockout and replacement referees were used.

Snell set

to return

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Snell will make his season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner is set to rejoin the rotation sooner than anticipated after teammate Tyler Glasnow left a start early this week because of back trouble. Glasnow was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with low back spasms, and Los Angeles recalled right-hander Paul Gervase from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Snell has been on the IL since late March with left shoulder fatigue. He had been scheduled to make one more minor league rehabilitation start for Class A Ontario on Saturday, but instead will face the Braves at Dodger Stadium.

McIlroy

shoots 67

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rory McIlroy has returned to his Masters form. The No. 2 player in the world heated up on the back nine Friday at Quail Hollow and finished with a 4-under 67 to climb into contention at the Truist Championship, four shots behind 36-hole leader Sungjae Im.

Playing his first tournament since winning the green jacket for a second time on April 12 at Augusta National, McIlroy was 1 under and buried on the leaderboard eight shots back when he made the turn. But he shot 32 on the back nine to give himself a chance to win at Quail Hollow for a fifth time.