All-Star CJ Abrams sent to the minors by Nationals because of off-field issues

CHICAGO>> All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams was demoted to the minor leagues by the Washington Nationals on Saturday for what manager Dave Martinez said was an internal issue.

Abrams is not expected to play for the big league team for the rest of the season.

“I’m going to support CJ. He’s a big part of our Nats family, and he will be. At this point, for me, it’s the right thing to do,” Martines daid.

ESPN said a source reported that he had stayed out all night at a Chicago area casino before a day game.

Sources: Raiders pass rush specialist Malcolm Koonce is out for the season

HENDERSON, Nev.>> Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Malcolm Koonce, who injured a knee shortly before the season opener, will miss the rest of the season, two people close to the situation told The Associated Press.

One of the people said Koonce will undergo surgery soon to repair a torn ACL.

Steelers tackle Fautanu out with a knee injury

PITTSBURGH>> Pittsburgh Steelers rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu will miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers because of a knee injury.

Dubois beats Joshua to retain IBF heavyweight title with brutal knockout

LONDON>> Daniel Dubois retained the IBF heavyweight title by knocking out former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in the fifth round in a dominant first defense of his belt.

The bout was in front of a record post-war boxing crowd in Britain of 96,000 fans.

Lee beats DeChambeau to deny Crushers 2nd straight LIV team title

CARROLLTON, Texas>> Danny Lee took control of a back-and-forth match against U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau by holing a hard-breaking birdie putt on the 16th hole to lead his Iron Heads past DeChambeau’s defending champion Crushers in the LIV Golf Team Championship.

Iron Heads joined Legion XIII, Ripper and 4Aces in Sunday’s stroke-play finals.

Thitikul expands her lead to 2 shots over Lydia Ko

MAINEVILLE, Ohio>> Jeeno Thitikul had a rocky closing stretch but did enough to expand her lead over Hall of Famer Lydia Ko, finishing with a birdie for a 4-under 68 and a two-shot advantage in the Kroger Queen City Championship

Trinity Rodman suffers back spasm, leaves match

KANSAS CITY, Mo.>> Forward Trinity Rodman suffered an intense back spasm that caused her to leave the field by wheelchair late in the Washington Spirit’s match against the Kansas City Current.

Rodman fell to the ground in the 75th minute of the game Friday night after contact with Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga.

Hot Bayern has scored 20 goals in three games

BREMEN, Germany >> Michael Olise scored twice and Harry Kane scored his 10th club goal of the season as Bayern Munich brushed aside Werder Bremen 5-0 for its latest big win.

Bayern has 20 goals in only its last three games after beating Holstein Kiel 6-1 last week and Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 Tuesday.

— The Associated Press