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Najee Harris
joins Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Najee Harris has not played football in nearly a year since going down with a torn left Achilles tendon. Still, the veteran running back does not think it will take long to get into playing shape after signing with the New York Giants.
Harris did very limited individual work in his first practice with his new team on Tuesday. Coach John Harbaugh figures it’ll take the 28-year-old a few weeks to be ready to play in a game. The Giants’ season opener is 3 1/2 weeks away.
Buss siblings
selling shares
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Five of the six children of former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss still intend to sell their remaining minority ownership of the NBA team despite the opposition of their sister, Jeanie.
Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss reiterated their stance Tuesday in a statement issued to ESPN, saying they remain united in their decision. The five Buss siblings say they’ve voted to sell the family trust’s remaining 17.8% stake to new owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger.
Jeanie Buss announced her intention to fight back against the plan later through a letter from her attorney, Adam Streisand.
Rasmussen
dies at 93
LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. (AP) -- Bill Rasmussen, who co-founded cable TV sports giant ESPN, has died at the age of 93. ESPN historian Mike Soltys says Rasmussen died Tuesday at his Florida home from the effects of Parkinson’s disease.
Rasmussen and his son Scott came up with the idea of a network carrying sports around the clock, and it would revolutionize Americans’ TV-watching habits. ESPN debuted in 1979. But the Rasmussens didn’t stick around long.
They were forced out after only a year by ESPN majority owner Getty Oil. Bill Rasmussen and ESPN were estranged until 1999, when company executives invited him to the 20th anniversary celebration. Rasmussen was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025.
Padres coach
detained by ICE
(AP) -- A player development instructor for the San Diego Padres has been detained by U.S. immigration officials. Oswaldo Pirela is a catching coordinator in the Padres’ minor league system. His sister says the 34-year-old Venezuelan was arrested Sunday while on a work trip for the club.
The Padres said in a statement that the team was aware of the arrest and was trying to gather more details.
Daniela Pirela says her brother has lived in U.S. for 12 years and has followed the law. The Department of Homeland Security said Oswaldo Pirela entered the country legally in 2014 and was granted permission to stay until 2018. He then stayed beyond that.
Bieniemy’s
wife recovering
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) -- Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy spoke to reporters on Tuesday for the first time since his wife, Mia, was shot at their Virginia home. Their son has been arrested in the shooting.
Bieniemy left the Chiefs to handle the family matter but returned ahead of last week’s preseason opener. He says Mia is on a great road to recovery. While away, Bieniemy stayed connected with the team through streams and calls.
He expressed gratitude for the support from the Chiefs family. Elijah faces charges related to the shooting, with court appearances delayed for a mental health evaluation.
Marte returns
to Phoenix
BOSTON (AP) -- Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he has been told that Ketel Marte traveled back to Phoenix for tests on his left knee and was a bit surprised at the lack of communication with the All-Star second baseman.
Asked if he thought Marte would play for Arizona again this year, Lovullo said he hoped so. A three-time All-Star, Marte is hitting .249 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs over 118 games this season. Marte failed to show up for Arizona’s 11-1 loss at Boston on Monday night in what Lovullo said was a crazy day as Marte deals with a personal issue.
Lovullo said he spoke to Marte on Monday trying to find out what was going on without getting any answers.
Gary Woodland
meets challenges
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Gary Woodland considers this his best year on the PGA Tour. And this coming from someone who won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2019. He is on the cusp of making it to the Tour Championship for the first time in six years.
What sets him apart is the baseball-sized hole drilled into his head three years ago to remove part of a lesion that triggered unfounded fears of dying. Woodland has still gets spooked by sudden movement around him. And he’s trying to compete in tournament golf. He won the Houston Open and says every day brings new challenges.