Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria told a federal jury Friday that he lied to investigators in 2012 about knowing a key figure in an alleged Cuban ballplayer smuggling network linked to Florida sports agent Bartolo Hernandez and trainer Julio Estrada, who are accused of conspiracy and alien smuggling. Eliezer Lazo pleaded guilty to extortion in 2014 in a separate Miami case involving Mariners outfielder Leonys Martin, who also was smuggled out of Cuba. Hechavarria testified Friday that Lazo introduced him to Hernandez and was a key player in the smuggling network based in Cancun, Mexico. Hechavarria will return Tuesday to continue his testimony. He was promised by the Justice Department in a letter that he would not face any charges in the smuggling case if he testified truthfully in the trial.
Ventura toxicology report private
The toxicology report on Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura won’t be made public following his Jan. 22 death in a car crash in the Dominican Republic. The results are important in determining whether the Royals must pay the rest of his contract, valued at $20.25 million . . . Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is taking two weeks off from hitting to heal tendinitis in his right elbow, but hopes to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic next month . . . Yankees first baseman Tyler Austin will miss six weeks with a small break in his left foot.
Marlins president David Samson said multiple groups are interested in purchasing the team and confirmed owner Jeffrey Loria is being considered for nomination as US ambassador to France . . . Former pitcher Rich Gossage said late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and former players’ union head Marvin Miller should join him in Hall of Fame.
NBA
Texas gets ‘bathroom’ warning
The NBA warned Texas could be overlooked for future events because of a proposed “bathroom bill’’ targeting transgender people that requires people to use bathrooms that correspond to the sex on their birth certificate. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said an environment where people are treated “fairly and equally’’ weighs heavily when the NBA chooses host locations. Texas has hosted three All-Star Games since 2006 . . . League sources told ESPN the Detroit Pistons have discussed a trade with Orlando to send guard Reggie Jackson to the Magic in exchange for a package including guard D.J. Augustin and forward Jeff Green . . . ESPN reported that league sources say the Pacers have made their 2017 first-round pick available in a trade in an attempt to secure help for All-Star forward Paul George.
AUTO RACING
Patrick defends sponsor support
Danica Patrick defended her support of ex-sponsor Nature’s Bakery, insisting she never promoted any rival products. Stewart-Haas Racing has filed a $31 million lawsuit against Nature’s Bakery, saying the company made false claims to dump the last two years on its deal. The suit claims Nature’s Bakery took issue with Patrick using Instagram to promote protein powders, homemade energy balls, a homemade spinach smoothie, and various other home-cooked meals. SHR maintains Nature’s Bakery never complained until it missed payments . . . Sports Management Network is suing NASCAR driver Kurt Busch for $1.47 million after he ended their relationship last March. He is accused of breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment . . .NASCAR new concussion protocol says if a wreck sends their car to the garage, drivers must report to the infield care center for evaluation.
WINTER SPORTS
Chen in first at Four Continents
American figure skating champ Nathan Chen, 17, took hold of first place with 103.12 points in the men’s short program at the Four Continents in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Canada’s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won gold in ice dance with 196.95 points. Americans Maia and Alex Shibutani took silver and teammates Madison Chock and Evan Bates bronze . . . Austrian Marcel Hirscher won the men’s giant slalom at the world ski championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, by 0.25 seconds over teammate Roland Leitinger.
Laura Dahlmeier led Germany to the title in the women's 4x6-kilometer relay in Hochfilzen, Austria, becoming the first biathlete to medal in 10 straight world championship races.
MISCELLANY
US, Russian women to play soccer
The United States women’s soccer team will play Russia in exhibitions on April 6 at Frisco, Texas, and three days later in Houston, the first meetings since the Americans won by a combined 15-0 in a pair of exhibitions three years ago . . . Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta is out six weeks after surgery on his broken left hand . . . Top seed Marin Cilic lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-7 (8-10), 6-7 (5-7), while defending champ Martin Klizan fell to Tomas Berdych, 3-6, 3-6, in the the World Tennis Tournament quarterfinals at Rotterdam . . . Top seed Kei Nishikori beat Joao Sousa, 6-1, 6-4, to reach the Argentina Open semifinals in Buenos Aires . . . Mikhail Kukushkin upset No. 4 seed Steve Johnson, 6-0, 6-4, and Donald Young took down No. 2 seed John Isner, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), in the Memphis Open quarters . . . Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki beat Olympic champ Monica Puig, 6-1, 6-2, to reach the Qatar Open final in Doha. She will face No. 2 seed Karolina Pliskova, who beat Dominika Cibulkova, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 . . . WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal’’ Steele, whose given name was Jim Myers, has died at age 79. WWE announced the death of Steele, who was living in Florida. The Detroit native, famous for his signature move of sinking his teeth into the turnbuckle pads around the ring, tweeted and blogged in recent months about his declining health. . . . UFC president Dana White told the Los Angeles Times ex-welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, 35, who vacated his title for an indefinite break in 2013, has agreed to return to the UFC . . . The US Anti-Doping Agency cleared UFC featherweight contender Cris "Cyborg" Justino, ending her suspension for a failed test in December. . . . A judge has ordered former Michigan State and USA Gymnastics sports doctor Larry Nassar to stand trial on sexual assault charges after a 25-year-old woman testified she was repeatedly molested from age 6 to 12.
Nassar is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He has pleaded not guilty.
