ARLINGTON, Texas – Red Sox left fielder Chris Young is sore and on the disabled list because of a strained right hamstring, but Manager John Farrell said Friday that the injury isn’t as bad as the team initially feared.
Young pulled up grabbing his leg after rounding first base in the second inning of Boston’s win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He had to be helped off the field and went on the 15-day DL after the game.
Farrell said Friday that Young has some swelling. But the manager said the encouraging news is that Young’s “range of motion is not too bad at this point.”
Bryce Brentz was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket and against Texas became the fifth different Boston player to start in left field this season.
LOS ANGELES – Ben Affleck stands by his expletive-filled rant against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell over deflategate.
During an interview Wednesday on the debut episode of HBO’s Any Given Wednesday, the New England-raised Affleck passionately criticized the NFL and Goodell for suspending New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for using underinflated footballs during a 2015 playoff game.
The Oscar winner said on Twitter that he used the F-word 18 times during the five-minute diatribe. Upon reflection, he says, “12 probably would have been sufficient.”
He called the piece “one of my favorite interviews” and added, “#GoPats.”
He also said that he hoped everyone would watch the “whole episode.” Affleck was calmer during parts of the interview when he wasn’t discussing the Patriots.
The Arizona Coyotes already selected a site for their new arena but aren’t ready to announce its location.
Speaking before the NHL draft on Friday, Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc said the team has a deal in place, but attorneys are still working out the details.
LeBlanc said the arena will likely be financed with public and private funds, but the team will cover more than 50 percent. The Coyotes have a one-year lease to play at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., next season, and the team is working with AEG, which operates the arena, to add a two-year extension before moving.
The Coyotes have looked at numerous sites for a new arena, including downtown Phoenix, near Arizona State’s campus in Tempe.
ATLANTA – Hey, Neymar, we’ll let you use your hands.
That was the message Harlem Globetrotters had for the Brazilian soccer star Friday when they “drafted” him in their annual exercise of selecting from a host of world-class athletes and others “who all embody the Globetrotters’ spirit and passion for basketball.”
Also chosen Friday were Olympic swimming gold medalist Missy Franklin, golfer Jordan Spieth, and actor Kevin Hart – who at 5-foot-4 certainly would face some height challenges on the court.
The Globetrotters made Turner Broadcasting sideline reporter Craig Sager an honorary draftee.
The one true basketball selection was college slam dunk champion Devan Douglas of Division II University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.
Franklin took to Twitter to react: “This is such an honor! Better start working on my game.”
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior stars for FC Barcelona, but is a basketball fan who recently posted a video of his dribbling skills. But he’s best known for his soccer footwork and finishing touch.
“We like to think outside the box with our draft, so we look at all different kinds of athletes that could have the qualities of a Harlem Globetrotter,” said Sweet Lou Dunbar, Globetrotters coach and director of player personnel. “Traditionally we have looked for talent at the annual college slam dunk contest, where this year Devan Douglas certainly stood out for us.”