College Football

Texas A&M dismisses player-hitter from school

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M dismissed student assistant coach Michael Richardson a day after videos showed him hitting West Virginia players out of bounds during the Liberty Bowl.

Coach Kevin Sumlin apologized to coach Dana Holgorsen, the two players who were hit and West Virginia overall. He said: “I am extremely disappointed and embarrassed, as his behavior reflected poorly on our program.”

Videos on Twitter late in the first half Monday showed Richardson using his elbow to hit one West Virginia player in the back of the head and pushing another Mountaineer in a separate incident, as the Aggies were on their way to a win.

MLB

Gold Glover Gordon has surgery on throwing wrist

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Royals outfielder Alex Gordon had surgery on his right wrist, and the four-time Gold Glove winner should be ready for the season opener against the White Sox on April 6.

The surgery, an extensor retinaculum repair, was performed by Dr. Bruce Toby at the University of Kansas Hospital on Tuesday. It is not yet clear when Gordon will be able to start in spring training.

Royals trainer Nick Kenney said in a statement that Gordon reached out to the team about some wrist discomfort last week. Gordon traveled to Kansas City and underwent testing, and the surgery immediately was scheduled so that he would be ready for the upcoming season.

NFL

Steelers reinforce ailing RB corps by signing Tate

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for life without injured running back Le’Veon Bell.

The Steelers signed well-traveled Ben Tate on Tuesday as a backup plan in case Bell’s hyperextended right knee does not heal in time for Saturday night’s wild-card game against Baltimore.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers will “leave the light” on for the team MVP but is moving forward as if he will not play. Bell suffered injured the knee in the third quarter of last week’s win over Cincinnati. While Tomlin said there is no structural damage to the knee, Bell remains in significant pain.

Suh’s Wild Card suspension dropped to a $70,000 fine

NEW YORK – Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh can play in Detroit’s playoff game after his one-game NFL suspension was reduced to a $70,000 fine.

Hearing officer Ted Cottrell heard Suh’s expedited appeal Tuesday and ruled that Suh can play Sunday at Dallas but must pay the fine.

Suh originally was suspended for stepping on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ left leg twice last Sunday in a loss to Green Bay for the NFC North title. He stepped on Rodgers once with each foot, which violated unnecessary roughness rules, according to the league.

Soccer

Calf will keep USA keeper Howard out for 6 weeks

LIVERPOOL, England – Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a calf injury.

The 35-year-old United States international initially missed Sunday’s loss at Newcastle with the injury sustained against Stoke on Friday.

“He’s picked up a calf injury in his left calf, and that’s something that, as a goalkeeper, is really unusual,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez said Tuesday. “It happened just kicking the ball against Stoke.”

Joel Robles will play in Howard’s absence, and Martinez will assess whether Everton needs to sign another goalkeeper.

Howard’s injury is a further blow for Everton, which has lost three consecutive matches.

Associated Press