BASEBALL
Teixeira out for season
New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who has played just 15 games this season due to a wrist injury, will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the year, the injury-hit team said on Wednesday. The 33-year-old Teixeira, a two-time All-Star who sustained the injury while taking batting practice for the US team at the World Baseball Classic, will undergo surgery to repair a tear on the tendon sheath of his wrist. Teixeira hit a meager .151 batting average for the Yankees this season after producing 24 home runs and 84 RBIs for the American League East champions last year. The switch-hitter is just one of a slew of Yankees who have missed substantial time through injury. Captain Derek Jeter has yet to play this season as he recovers from a broken ankle and outfielder Curtis Granderson, who broke his forearm after he was hit by a pitch and missed 38 games, was sidelined shortly after he returned when he was hit by another pitch that broke a finger.
ICE HOCKEY
Bergeron still in hospital
Boston forward Patrice Bergeron was still in hospital on Wednesday night with a punctured lung, two days after the Bruins lost the Stanley Cup final to the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old Canadian was admitted to a Boston hospital with a host of injuries shortly after the Bruins’ shocking 3-2 loss to Chicago. Bergeron is also receiving treatment for a broken rib, torn cartilage and a separated shoulder he sustained in Game 6 of the NHL championship. Doctors said it was impossible for Bergeron to play with a punctured lung and said it could have resulted from the broken rib or a nerve-blocking injection he received to deaden the pain so he could continue to play. Bergeron was taken to hospital after Game 5 in Chicago because of the torn cartilage, but checked himself out to play the final two games.
SOCCER
Madrid confirm Isco transfer
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on Wednesday said that a deal for Malaga midfielder Isco has already been agreed with the selling club and the player himself. The Spanish under-21 international admitted last week that he had an offer from Madrid and Perez confirmed that he just needs to pass a medical before the deal can be completed. The former Valencia man will become Madrid’s first major signing of the close season, with Real set to pay about 30 million euros (US$39 million) for his services. Isco will also be the first player to arrive in Carlo Ancelotti’s reign as manager after he was presented to the media at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier on Wednesday and Ancelotti hailed his recent performances with winners Spain at the UEFA-Under 21 European Championships in Israel.
BASEBALL
Bird retakes Pacers helm
NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird, who resigned last year because of health problems, will return to his role as president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers agreed to a multi-year deal with Bird, who resumed his duties of running the team on Wednesday. “We are all very happy to have Larry back,” Pacers owner Herb Simon said. “The year off gave me a chance to reflect, to rest, to take care of some health issues and it recharged me,” said Bird, who was named NBA Executive of the Year last year. Bird, who has three championship rings as a player, has been instrumental in the Pacers’ success since he took over as president a decade ago. His draft picks include Paul George and Lance Stephenson, and he acquired the draft rights to center Roy Hibbert in 2008.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care