Astros' Jose Altuve to sit out of All-Star game after getting hit by pitch

Altuve, an eight-time All-Star who was selected as a starter in fan voting, was struck on the left knee leading off Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Brittney Griner: Character witnesses testify in support of jailed WNBA star

Brittney Griner was arrested in February at the Russian capital’s Sheremetyevo Airport when customs officials said they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage. She has been jailed since then, facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

LeBron James critical on his show of US efforts to get Brittney Griner home

“Now, how can she feel like America has her back?” James said in a trailer for an upcoming episode of his television show. “I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even wanna go back to America?’”

Simone Biles offered coloring book, mistaken for child on flight

A flight attendant apparently mistook seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles for a child and offered her a coloring book on a recent flight.

Former Dallas Cowboy Marion Barber died of heat stroke, medical examiner says

TMZ Sports reports his body was found in his apartment with the heat on at 91 degrees. Investigators found exercise equipment at the scene, noting Barber had a "history of exercising during sauna-like conditions."

Gates Foundation, women's tennis partnering on health issues

All sorts of requests reach the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, via all sorts of methods, but rarely does a meaningful entreaty come via LinkedIn message. That, though, is how Micky Lawler, the president of the WTA women’s professional tennis tour, first reached out to the group about a partnership during a sleepless pandemic night.

Defending Big 12 champ Baylor tabbed preseason favorite

It is the first time Baylor has been favored in the preseason vote. Coach Dave Aranda’s Bears got 17 of the 41 first-place votes in the poll released Thursday.

WNBA star Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia

The Phoenix Mercury player was detained in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage.

Biden tells Brittney Griner's wife he's working to get her home

Biden's conversation with Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, followed Brittney Griner's personal appeal to the president in a handwritten letter from the basketball player the White House received on Monday.

Browns trade QB Baker Mayfield to Panthers

Baker Mayfield's rocky run with Cleveland officially ended Wednesday when the Browns traded the divisive quarterback and former No. 1 overall draft pick to the Carolina Panthers, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

Cowboys criticized over deal with gun-themed coffee company

The partnership with the Black Rifle Coffee Co. was revealed the day after more than a half-dozen people died in a shooting at a Fourth of July parade.

Joey Chestnut regrets putting Berkeley protester in chokehold at hot dog contest

Joey Chestnut said he feels bad about putting an animal rights protester from Berkeley into a brief chokehold during the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest over the Fourth of July weekend, which was captured in a viral video.