Guardians ace Bieber to have season-ending Tommy John surgery

CLEVELAND>> Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber will have season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery, a major blow to the team and the 2020 Cy Young winner.

Bieber, who missed several months last season with elbow issues, experienced pain following an opening-day start in Oakland and again this week against Seattle. The right-hander underwent imaging tests, and reconstructive surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament was recommended by several doctors.

The recovery time can take up to 16 months following the surgery.

MRI shows damage to Strider’s elbow ligament

ATLANTA>> Braves ace right-hander Spencer Strider has damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, an MRI revealed, leaving his status for the remainder of the season in doubt.

The Braves said Strider will be evaluated further by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas.

Strasburg’s retirement is officially listed by league

NEW YORK>> Stephen Strasburg, the 2019 World Series MVP whose career was derailed by injuries, officially was listed by Major League Baseball on Saturday as being retired.

Lindsey Horan’s penalty kick gives U.S. 2-1 win over Japan at SheBelieves Cup

ATLANTA>> Lindsey Horan converted a penalty kick in the 77th minute and the United States came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 to open the SheBelieves Cup before a record crowd.

Jaedyn Shaw also scored for the United States in the match played before 50,644 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a record for a friendly match for the U.S. women on home soil.

Josh Schertz leaves for Saint Louis after leading Indiana State to NIT title

ST. LOUIS>> Josh Schertz has been hired as coach at Saint Louis after he led Indiana State to its first 30-win season in 45 years, the Missouri Valley regular-season title and the NIT championship game, the Billikens announced.

Larson tops Wallace, wins the pole at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va.>> Kyle Larson won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, turning a fast lap at 96.034 miles per hour to edge Bubba Wallace for the top spot by one one-thousandth of a second.

Almirola grabs lead on restart, takes Xfinity

Aric Almirola grabbed the lead by going three-wide on the outside in a two-lap dash to the finish and won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway. He outran Sam Mayer and teammate Chandler Smith before a crash made the race official.

Korda, Maquire to meet in T-Mobile Match Play final

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev.>> Nelly Korda raced out to an early lead and beat the self-destructing Narin An 4 and 3 in the semifinals of the T-Mobile Match Play to put herself a match away from her fourth straight LPGA Tour victory. She will play Leona Maguire in the final Sunday. The Irish star beat Sei Young Kim 3 and 2.

— The Associated Press