A’s Gelof faces surgery on hand, starts season on IL

NEWS+NOTES

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Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (33) takes the throw as the Athletics’ Zack Gelof (20) safely dives back to first avoiding the pick off attempt during the second inning of a spring training game Feb. 28 in Mesa, Ariz. CAROLYN KASTER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE

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MESA, Ariz. >> Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof is scheduled for surgery on his right hand Monday and will begin the season on the injured list.

Gelof suffered a hamate bone fracture and Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles will handle the procedure. Manager Mark Kotsay made the announcement at spring training Sunday.

The infielder was hit by a pitch from Cleveland reliever Paul Sewald on Wednesday and underwent an MRI exam on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Gelof, a second-round selection out of Virginia in the 2021 amateur draft, batted .211 with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs with 25 stolen bases over 138 games in his first year playing regularly.

All-Star Henderson out >> Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the season on the injured list because of a mild right intercostal strain.

General manager Mike Elias told reporters that he hopes Henderson’s IL stint “will be measured in days instead of weeks.”

The 23-year-old Henderson departed a Feb. 27 spring training game after one inning because of discomfort on his lower right side. An intercostal strain involves the muscles around the ribs.

Henderson hit .281 with 37 homers and 92 RBIs last season. The All-Star slugger was the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year.

Mariners release Haniger >> The Seattle Mariners have released Mitch Haniger after the veteran outfielder was hampered by left shoulder soreness during spring training.

Haniger, 34, was in his second stint with Seattle. He has a $15.5 million salary for this season after agreeing to a $43.5 million, three-year contract with San Francisco in December 2022.

NBA

Mavs’ Davis close to return >> Anthony Davis could be close to returning to the Dallas Mavericks after a six-week injury absence, with the star forward listed as doubtful against the Brooklyn Nets to start a four-game road trip Monday night.

Davis hasn’t played — and has been listed as out — since injuring his left groin in his Dallas debut on Feb. 8. That was about a week after the seismic trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and enraged many Mavericks fans.

Men’s basketball

Texas fires coach >> The University of Texas fired basketball coach Rodney Terry after a disappointing first season in the Southeastern Conference and another quick exit from the NCAA Tournament.

The move comes two years after Terry led Texas to the Elite Eight in the 2022-2023 season when, as an assistant coach, he took over the program at midseason after then-coach Chris Beard was arrested on a felony family violence charge and was fired. The charge against Beard was later dismissed.

Golf

Ortiz wins for open berth >> Carlos Ortiz of Mexico made two early birdies and pulled away for a 6-under 64 and a three-shot victory over Patrick Reed in the International Series Macau, his second Asian Tour title since joining LIV Golf.

Ortiz, Reed and Jason Kokrak — all with LIV Golf — were the top three players and earned spots in the British Open this summer. It will be the first major for Ortiz in two years.

Sergio Garcia finished fourth, one shot away from getting one of the International Finals Qualifying exemptions to the British Open.

Motor sports

Piastri wins Chinese grand prix >> McLaren driver Oscar Piastri cruised to his maiden Chinese Grand Prix win from pole position with the Australian untouchable ahead of his teammate Lando Norris as the pair completed McLaren’s milestone 50th one-two placing in Formula 1.