Switch-hitting outfielder Coco Crisp is on the verge of returning to the Cleveland Indians, who agreed in principle to a trade with the Oakland Athletics, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press Tuesday night. Major League Baseball still must approve the deal, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity. The trade would have to be official by Wednesday for the 36-year-old Crisp to be eligible for the postseason. Crisp spent his first four seasons in the majors with the Indians, becoming a fan favorite because of his catchy name, hustle, and happy-go-lucky attitude. Cleveland traded him following the 2005 season to the Red Sox, who were managed by current Indians skipper Terry Francona. With left fielder Michael Brantley done for the season following surgery and Abraham Almonte ineligible for the playoffs following a PED suspension, the Indians have been looking for outfield depth over the season’s final month — and perhaps into October. Crisp is batting .234 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 102 games this season for the A’s, who are in last place in the AL West . . . The Pirates sent outfielder Tito Polo and lefthander Stephen Tarpley to the Yankees to complete the Aug. 1 deal in which Pittsburgh acquired righthander Ivan Nova. So far, the Pirates have made out in the deal: In five starts, Nova has gone 4-0 with a 2.87 ERA and one complete game . . . Rookie lefthander Steven Matz (shoulder) is not ready to come off the disabled list, so the Mets scratched him from his start Thursday against Miami. Matz took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his most recent outing, Aug. 14 against San Diego.
Soccer
Solo won’t finish pro season
Goalkeeper Hope Solo has decided to end her season with the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League. The beleaguered goalkeeper, who was handed a six-month suspension and saw her contract with US Soccer terminated last week, announced her departure from her professional club team in a statement. US Soccer suspended Solo following disparaging comments she made about Sweden during the Rio Olympics, calling her opponents a ‘‘bunch of cowards’’ for their defensive style of play during the quarterfinals. Before a match last weekend against the Portland Thorns, the Reign announced Solo was granted an indefinite personal leave . . . The US women’s national team will host Switzerland for two matches this October in Minneapolis and Utah.
Olympics
New song, dance for Lochte
Ryan Lochte isn’t saying whether he’ll return to Brazil to face a charge of filing a false police report over a gas station encounter during the Olympics. Lochte told ABC’s ‘‘Good Morning America’’ his legal team is dealing with the situation, adding ‘‘we’re just trying to get this over with.’’ Despite his current woes, Lochte was named as one of the contestants on the upcoming edition of ABC’s ‘‘Dancing with the Stars.’’
Kenya sanctions considered
The International Olympic Committee said it may be forced to consider sanctions against Kenya after its national Olympic committee was disbanded. The IOC said it is ‘‘extremely concerned’’ by the situation in Kenya, where three senior officials were arrested for alleged abuse of office during the Rio Games. The IOC said it ‘‘will not accept any action or interference from government authorities that would go against the basic principles and rules of the Olympic Charter.’’
college football
Irish players will be eligible
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said he intends to make four of the five players arrested by state police on marijuana possession charges available to play when the 10th-ranked Fighting Irish open the season at Texas on Sunday. Wide receiver Kevin Stepherson and linebacker Te’von Coney were listed on the depth chart and Kelly has said he expects running back Dexter Williams and cornerback Ashton White to contribute this season. Kelly dismissed a fifth player, safety Max Redfield, who also was charged in the same Aug. 19 incident with a misdemeanor charge of carrying a handgun without a license . . . Former Air Force quarterback Dee Dowis, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1989, died in a car accident outside Atlanta Monday morning. He was 48.
Miscellany
Hurricanes re-up GM Francis
The Carolina Hurricanes signed general manager Ron Francis to a contract extension through the 2018-19 season. Financial terms were not disclosed . . . Lakers forward Julius Randle will be re-evaluated in two weeks after needing seven stitches to close a cut on his right hand. The Lakers said Randle was hurt while practicing this week . . . The Denver Nuggets traded forward Joffrey Lauvergne to the Oklahoma City Thunder for two second-round draft picks in 2017 . . . Betty Jane France, a longtime community leader considered by many to be the first lady of NASCAR, died. A statement from NASCAR did not disclose details of her death, including her age.
