Golf
McIlroy injures his knee playing soccer with friends
LONDON – World No. 1 Rory McIlroy ruptured a ligament in his left ankle while playing soccer less than two weeks before the start of his British Open title defense.
The Northern Irish golfer gave no indication how long he would be out in the announcement Monday on his Instagram account, only saying that he is “working hard to get back as soon as I can.”
“Total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends on Saturday,” McIlroy wrote. “Continuing to assess extent of injury and treatment plan day by day. Rehab already started..... Working hard to get back as soon as I can.”
MLB
Tulowitzki will be fan vote candidate for All-Star Game
NEW YORK – Rookie sluggers Kris Bryant and Joc Pederson were picked for the All-Star Game, while Alex Rodriguez were left out.
Major League Baseball announced the reserves and pitchers for the American League and National League on Monday. The game is July 14 in Cincinnati.
Fans can vote through Friday for the final player on each roster. The five AL candidates are Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Detroit outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier, Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and Kansas City third baseman Mike Moustakas.
The five NL candidates are Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Cueto, Mets closer Jeurys Familia, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, St. Louis starter Carlos Martinez and Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
NBA
Becky Hammon will coach the Spurs in summer league
San Antonio assistant coach Becky Hammon knew for some time that she was going to coach the Spurs’ entry in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas.
When her phone started blowing up with congratulatory messages, she correctly figured that word had leaked.
Hammon spoke to reporters in San Antonio on Saturday about the summer-league gig. The Spurs will first play in a summer league at Utah starting Monday, when they’ll be led by video coordinator Will Hardy. When they shift to Las Vegas for the league’s biggest of its three summer showcases, Hammon will be in charge.
Hammon said she is thankful that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich “trusted me enough to give me this opportunity.”
NFL
Fireworks injury to JPP not a mystery to the Giants
NEW YORK – A person with knowledge of the incident told The Associated Press that the Giants are aware of an incident involving Jason Pierre-Paul and fireworks, but the team is unsure about the severity of any injuries to the star defensive end.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because no information has been released publicly.
The team said in a statement that its first concern is for Pierre-Paul’s well-being.
Pierre-Paul was to play 2015 on the $14.8 million franchise tag. But the two-time Pro Bowl pick has yet to sign the tender.
Soccer
Pirlo joins stacked NYCFC squad from Juventus
TURIN, Italy – Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo joined Major League Soccer club New York City FC from Juventus.
Juventus confirms the news on its official Twitter account.
Pirlo has spent four years at Juventus after joining from Serie A rival AC Milan.
He has won the Italian league six times, including in each of the past five seasons, as well as the Champions League twice.
Associated Press
