World number one Jannik Sinner has accepted an immediate three-month ban from tennis after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drugs test last year.

The 23-year-old Italian, who last month won the Australian Open, is suspended from 9 February until 4 May.

He will be eligible to play in the year's next Grand Slam event, the French Open, which starts on 19 May.

Wada had launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) over the 2024 decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) not to suspend Sinner.

Wada wanted a ban of up to two years but on Saturday said it accepts his explanation that he was inadvertently contaminated with the banned substance clostebol by his physiotherapist, and the case will now not take place.

The body explained it accepts the three-time Grand Slam champion "did not intend to cheat", that the drug "did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit" and this happened "without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage".

It added: "However, under the code and by virtue of Cas precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage's negligence. Based on the unique set of facts of this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome."

In a statement released by his lawyers, Sinner said: "This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year.

"I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise Wada's strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted Wada's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction."

Tennis has seen some high-profile doping cases over the past six months, with leading female player Iga Swiatek accepting a one-month suspension in November after testing positive for a banned substance when she was world number one.

Sinner had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel after testing positive for clostebol in March 2024.

It had accepted that he had been inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist, who was treating a cut on his hand with an over-the-counter spray, which was later found to contain the banned substance.

The ITIA said in August that the panel found Sinner bore "no fault or negligence" for testing positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol - a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass.

But Wada lodged an appeal with Cas last September, stating at the time that the finding of "no fault or negligence" was not correct under the applicable rules.

It sought a ban of between one and two years, with a hearing scheduled for 16-17 April.

But Sinner has now accepted the three-month ban and the next tournament he can play in is the Italian Open, which begins on 7 May.

He will miss prestigious hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami in the US, plus many of the clay tournaments that build up to the French Open.

Wada, which has officially withdrawn its Cas appeal, says Sinner can return to "official training activity" from 13 April.

The ITIA says Wada's outcome supports its initial findings.

Garry Ringrose says Simon Easterby remains 'dead focused' on his role as Ireland's interim head coach amid reports he could be the next Wales boss.

The 49-year-old has guided the side to two bonus-point wins to start their Six Nations campaign with usual head coach Andy Farrell on secondment with the British and Irish Lions.

He has, however, been linked to the Wales job following confirmation of Warren Gatland's departure on Wednesday.

The former back row was a player and head coach with Scarlets and still lives in Wales, who Ireland play in Cardiff on 22 February.

"I only heard it off one of the lads but, sure, it's not a thing at all," said Ringrose of the reported interest.

"Simon is dead focused on trying to prepare as best we can and that's aligned with what the players are driving to."

Ireland's head of athletic performance Aled Walters, who worked at Scarlets when Easterby was a player, feels such "speculation" was inevitable.

"He's that good a coach that there's always going to be speculation in professional sport, that's human nature," said Walters.

"There's been a change with Wales, and the fact that he lives there, he was always going to be linked.

"That's the quality of the man. Credit to him and credit to the group, nothing has been said about it. 

"We just carry on preparing for Wales as we would normally."

Walters, who joined the Irish staff last year, has been impressed by how Easterby has taken to the head coach's role having been an assistant on the ticket for more than a decade.

"He's really brought his own flavour to things. It's been great to see," he added.

"Even in the autumn, he's a leader. It's not like he's been sat back in the shadows and all of a sudden thrust into the limelight.

"It hasn't felt that different. He's been there the whole time."

Inter Miami concluded the 2025 preseason with a 2-2 draw against Orlando City at Raymond James Stadium in front of a crowd of 42,017 in Tampa, Florida,

The team won the first four preseason games before drawing the fifth and final game on Friday night.

Orlando City opened up the scoring early in the first half after Martín Ojeda reached the back of the net with a left-footed shot to the opposite corner. But the Herons responded quickly, as new signing Tadeo Allende connected with Luis Suárez to earn the equalizer just seven minutes later.

Though the Herons concluded the half with eight shots, the two teams headed into the break with a 1-1 draw.

The second 45 saw Orlando City regain the lead, after a defensive error by David Martínez inspired Ojeda to obtain possession of the ball and connect with teammate Ramiro Enrique for the team's second goal of the night.

Just seconds before the final whistle, Fafà Picault scored the team's second of the night to avoid the loss.

Lionel Messi and Suarez led the attack for the majority of the match, before being substituted out in the 75th minute. The two, alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, were expected to see time on the field after head coach Javier Mascherano admitted earlier this week that he wanted all players to feature in preparation for the season.

New signing Telasco Segovia earned his debut, starting the match and playing for 65 minutes prior to being replaced by Fafa Picault.

Inter Miami will officially kick off the 2025 campaign on Feb. 18 when it travels to confront Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park for the first leg of the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

The Herons will then face a quick turnaround as the team hosts New York City FC on Feb. 22 at Chase Stadium for the Major League Soccer season opener.

MEDLEY, Fla. -- Napheesa Collier of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx took home $200,000 on Friday after she beat Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards in the final of the Unrivaled 1-on-1 Tournament.

The winner's check was the largest one-day prize in women's basketball history, Unrivaled commissioner Micky Lawler said, a big payday that was among the goals of Collier and fellow WNBA star Breanna Stewart when they founded the 3-on-3 league.

Unrivaled gives WNBA players opportunities to compete in the United States and earn good salaries -- an especially attractive option for players who for years suited up overseas in the offseason to supplement their income. Players earn an average salary of more than $220,000 during the eight-week season, which is close to the maximum base salary in the WNBA.

"My entire WNBA salary is what I just got in 30 minutes of playing one-on-one," Collier said. "Which is insane to even say. And same for [playing] overseas. A lot of people, this is their full contract, so you're playing seven months for this kind of money."

Collier, a No. 1 seed in the 30-player tournament, won the best-of-three series 2-1 over the eighth-seeded Edwards to become Unrivaled's first one-on-one champion.

Each game between the former UConn standouts was played to a winning score of 8, with Edwards coming from behind to take the opener and Collier winning the final two.

Collier's five Unrivaled teammates each received $10,000 from the tournament's $350,000 prize pool. Edwards got $50,000 for reaching the final.

Collier hopes women's basketball embraces the one-on-one format.

"You see guys or boys playing in the parks -- like pickup or one-on-ones, and you don't see that on the women's side as much," she said. "So that's something we're trying to change, just that atmosphere where everything's not as organized basketball, but just playing in your backyard or at the park."

The win capped a dominant tournament run for Collier, who plays for Unrivaled's Lunar Owls and leads Unrivaled in scoring at 29.3 points per game.

Earlier Friday, Collier overwhelmed former UConn teammate and No. 6 seed Azura Stevens in their semifinal matchup. Collier scored the first eight points of the game, and the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year relied on stifling defense to win 11-2.

Collier breezed past Katie Lou Samuelson in the first round before winning a physical second-round battle against Rickea Jackson. She then beat her Lynx and Lunar Owls teammate Courtney Williams to reach the semifinals.

She shot her way past Edwards in the decisive Game 3, making 4 of 6 shots and holding Edwards scoreless.

Edwards, who plays for the Mist in Unrivaled, beat two top-seeded opponents on her way to the final, cruising past No. 1 seed Arike Ogunbowale 11-2 in the first semifinal matchup earlier Friday. Before that, she shut down No. 1 seed Stewart 12-0 in the opening round. After earning a second-round bye, Edwards topped third-seeded Allisha Gray 12-6.

Ogunbowale and Stevens won $25,000 each for reaching the semifinals. Rounds up to the finals were single-elimination and played to a winning score of 11. All games had traditional scoring, with each basket worth either two or three points.

The 22-year-old Edwards is preparing for her second season with the Mystics and hopes her performance Friday shows how hard she has been working to improve.

"I'm proud of myself. No one could take that away from me," Edwards said. "All the work I put in. I was able to just showcase that and kind of let everyone know that, you know, I'm not one to play with."

Collier noted that the physicality of some matchups left a lot of players gassed during the tournament, which is something she said could be addressed next season.

She'd love to see a similar event for NBA players.

"It's up to the players if they want to do it," Collier said. "You're putting your name on the line. You're putting your reputation on the line. It's a vulnerable situation. So again, I really commend everyone who competed in this because ... anyone can win."

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle said the Rising Stars MVP trophy he hoisted Friday night isn't the only hardware he plans to win during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Castle led Team C, coached by Chris Mullin, over Team G League, coached by Jeremy Lin, to a decisive 25-14 win in the final, scoring 11 points and collecting one of his three assists on Utah Jazz rookie Keyonte George's game-winning 3-pointer.

Team C won its first group game with Castle hitting the deciding jump shot to beat Team T, coached by Tim Hardaway Sr., 40-34. (In the first two games, the target score to reach was 40; in the final, the target score was 25.)

"To be a part of the game-winning bucket in both, it means a lot," Castle said.

The Rising Stars game, made up of three teams with seven first- and second-year players, and a fourth team with seven G Leaguers, was the start of a jampacked itinerary for Castle. The 6-foot-6 guard is also competing in the dunk contest Saturday night.

When asked what dunks he has planned for the showcase, Castle told ESPN: "I don't want to spoil anything, but I'll just say the MVP trophy isn't the only trophy I'm trying to take home."

And the Rising Stars win earned Castle's team a berth in Sunday's All-Star Game, where it will go against Shaq's OGs, featuring future Hall of Famers LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

"As a basketball player, it's really all I can ask for, watching those guys all the time growing up, so to share my first All-Star Weekend with them and be able to share the court with them is a blessing," Castle told ESPN.

Castle will join Blake Griffin as the latest players to compete in events on all three nights of All-Star Weekend. Griffin did it in 2011 as a rookie for the LA Clippers.

The All-Star Game will mirror Friday's format, as four teams of eight players will compete in a mini-tournament with two semifinal games up to the target score of 40 and the final up to 40 as well. After particularly lackluster All-Star Games the past two years, without a whisper of defense or competitive zeal, the league changed things up with the hope of restoring interest in the February festivities.

"We're out there with nothing to lose," Castle told ESPN when asked about his young group's chances going against the Shaquille O'Neal-coached team, which also has James Harden, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving and Jaylen Brown on its roster. "We're out there playing confident, playing free. So, I just wouldn't count us out."

Coaching duties for Team C will be handed off from Mullin to Candace Parker for Sunday. Parker, acting as the team's general manager, selected Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson from Team M, coached by Mitch Richmond, to fill the eighth and final roster spot for her team.

Team G League reached the Rising Stars final with an upset of Team M in the second group-play game. Bryce McGowen of the Rip City Remix hit a 3-pointer to clinch the win 40-39. McGowen's closing shot was possible thanks only to Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons -- Amen's twin brother -- going 0-for-4 from the foul line with his team stuck at 37 points.

Castle and the Team C players earned $35,000 apiece for Friday's win and will get the chance to earn bragging rights against some of their veteran NBA teammates Sunday.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht, Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn and Golden State Warriors second-year big man Trayce Jackson-Davis will line up against James, Durant and Curry.

"I'm playing against Bron, so I get to go against one of my teammates," Knecht said. "It'll be a lot of fun to go out there and try to make a statement."

When asked if any trash talk will be exchanged between the 40-year-old James and the 23-year-old Knecht, the Lakers rookie quipped: "I usually don't start it. I usually don't start talking. I usually try to finish it."

The NBA's All-Star Weekend kicked off Friday with the Rising Stars event, featuring a twist: The winner of the tournament of first- and second-year NBA players (plus a G League representative) advances to participate in Sunday's All-Star Game.

We'll grade the competitors in events all weekend, starting with Friday's teams from the Rising Stars showcase. Check back after Saturday's events -- which feature the skills challenge, three-point contest, and dunk contest -- and then Sunday when the All-Star Game takes center stage with a new four-team format.

RISING STARS

Team C, selected and co-coached by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, will advance to Sunday's NBA All-Star Game with WNBA legend Candace Parker taking over as honorary GM of what will become Team Candace.

On experience and talent, this team will be outclassed Sunday. But the players developed strong chemistry during two wins Friday, and if they play hard, they could present a challenge if their opponents (Shaq's OGs, featuring MVPs Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James) treat Sunday like an exhibition rather than a competition.

In her role as GM, Parker chose Amen Thompson to join Friday's winners for Sunday's game. Thompson was the right pick to complement this group and immediately becomes Team Candace's strongest player.

Here are the grades for each player from the four Rising Stars teams.

Winner: Team C

Honorary coach: Chris Mullin

Stephon Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs
Final: 12 points | 3 points | 2 assists
Semifinal: 6 points | 4 rebounds | 4 assists

Grade: A

What stood out: An easy choice as MVP, Castle scored nearly half of his team's 25 points in the final, getting Team C going after a slow start. Castle was equally active in the semifinal, where he distributed more than scored, including a touchdown pass to a streaking Jaylen Wells. He sent Team C to the finals with a pull-up step-back to reach the target score. He also had eight of the team's first 10 points en route to victory.

Ryan Dunn, F, Phoenix Suns
Final: 3 points | 1 block | 1 rebound
Semifinal: 2 points | 3 assists

Grade: B+

What stood out: Enjoying the opportunity to expand the 3-and-D role he usually plays for the Suns, Dunn had three assists in the semifinal -- matching his career high as a rookie. That included two passes to set up cutters at the rim. Dunn was less of a factor in the final but did knock down a 3 as part of the victory.

Zach Edey, C, Memphis Grizzlies
Final: 2 points | 2 rebounds
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: At 7-foot-4, Edey's size made him difficult to stop in this setting. He made three of his four shot attempts, including a hook in the post and a putback dunk to open the scoring in the final.

Keyonte George, G, Utah Jazz
Final: 3 points | 3 rebounds
Semifinal: 10 points | 2-4 3PT

Grade: B+

What stood out: Before making a 3 in the final to secure Team C's victory, George also had a key score in the semifinal. George got fouled while shooting and made two free throws to get Team C within one basket of winning. George made 3-of-7 from 3-point range and also got back on defense to steal an outlet pass with the win in the balance.

Trayce Jackson-Davis, F, Golden State Warriors
Final: 1 rebound
Semifinal: 6 points | 3-4 FG

Grade: B

What stood out: As a screener in pick-and-rolls, Jackson-Davis contributed in the final without making any impact in the box score. He got more opportunities to finish in the semifinal, going 3-of-4 from the field with a lob dunk in transition.

Dalton Knecht, G, Los Angeles Lakers
Final: 5 points | 2 rebounds
Semifinal: 7 points | 4 rebounds | 4 assists

Grade: B+

What stood out: Team C set up Knecht for a 3-pointer coming off a screen on the opening play of the semifinal. He finished with seven points and four assists, including a tomahawk dunk. Knecht found it tougher in the final, missing three of his five shots from deep, but had a scoop layup in transition and a deflection to set up a rare steal.

Jaylen Wells, F, Memphis Grizzlies
Final: 5 points | 2-5 FG
Semifinal: 5 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B-

What stood out: The lone Team C starter to go scoreless in the final, Wells had a more memorable semifinal. He leaked out for a dunk set up by Castle and also made a deep 3-pointer, his only one of the night.

Runner-Up: Team G League

JD Davison, G, Maine Celtics
Final: 2 rebounds | 1 assist
Semifinal: 5 points | 2-5 FG

Grade: B-

What stood out: For one of the G League's leading scorers, it was a quiet night for Davison, who was scoreless in the final. He made a 3-pointer in the early stages of the semifinals and just one more basket the rest of the game, finishing 2-of-7 across both games from the field.

Mac McClung, G, Osceola Magic
Final: No major stats
Semifinal: 5 points | 2 assists

Grade: B-

What stood out: Team G League put the ball in McClung's hands early and he had a couple of assists, one of them to Leonard Miller for a dunk. Aside from a strong right-hand drive for a layup, however, McClung wasn't a major factor as a scorer. And the two-time defending dunk champion didn't give us any preview of his quest for a three-peat Saturday night.

Bryce McGowens, F, Rip City Remix
Final: 2 points
Semifinal: 12 points | 5-9 FG | 2-4 3PT

Grade: A-

What stood out: A 3-pointer from McGowens, who surprisingly had been on the bench for crunch time leading up to the final possession, sent Team G League to the final. McGowens had 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting overall in the semifinal, then came off the bench in the final, making his only shot attempt.

Leonard Miller, F, Iowa Wolves
5 points | 2 blocks | 2 assists
Semifinal: 14 points | 7 rebounds

Grade: A-

What stood out: The leading scorer for Team G League in the semifinal, Miller shot 7-of-9 from the field and led the team in rebounding. Miller was especially effective in transition, outrunning the defense, and also had a powerful dunk. Miller memorably made a 3-pointer over Edey in the final and also blocked a 3, but missed five of his seven shot attempts.

Dink Pate, G, Mexico City Capitanes
Final: 5 points | 2-6 FG
Semifinal: 4 points | 7 rebounds

Grade: B-

The lone draft-eligible player to participate Friday -- he's projected to go early in the second round by ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo -- Pate flashed NBA-caliber athleticism but also showed room for improvement in his shot selection. Pate's powerful tip dunk was impressive, as was a runner over Edey. Overall, however, he shot 4-of-13 and made just one of five 3-point attempts, including two that missed the rim. Pate, 18, has time to develop his shot selection.

Reed Sheppard, G, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Final: 0-1 FG
Semifinal: 2 assists | 0-3 FG

Grade: C-

What stood out: The No. 3 overall pick, playing for Team G League after putting up a 49-point outing in a brief three-game stint with the Vipers, wasn't as effective Friday night. Sheppard was quiet on offense and missed all four of his shot attempts. Though his team won, Sheppard will hear from Houston Rockets teammate Amen Thompson about getting beat in the post for a dunk.

Pat Spencer, G, Santa Cruz Warriors
Final: 2 points | 3 rebounds
Semifinal: 2 rebounds | 0-1 FG

Grade: C+

What stood out: After going scoreless with a turnover in the backcourt during the semifinal, Spencer bounced back as a starter in the final. He had three of Team G League's five offensive rebounds and cut backdoor for a layup.

Semifinalist: Team M

Matas Buzelis, F, Chicago Bulls
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: C+

What stood out: We got the full Buzelis experience off the bench, highlighted by a powerful dunk and a steal that led to a pass over his back to Amen Thompson for a layup. On the flip side, Buzelis air-balled a 3-pointer and got out of control while driving late, resulting in a costly turnover.

Toumani Camara, F, Portland Trail Blazers
Semifinal: 8 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: It was an eventful night for Camara, who made an early 3-pointer after a jab step and got Team M within one possession of victory by making three late free throws. In between, Camara couldn't finish twice after getting to the rim on nice cuts.

Bub Carrington, G, Washington Wizards
Semifinal: 5 points | 4 assists

Grade: A-

What stood out: Splitting time as the point guard, Carrington handed out a game-high four assists and made both shots he took -- one of them a 3-pointer.

Bilal Coulibaly, F, Washington Wizards
Semifinal: 4 points | 3 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: Playing alongside his Wizards teammate Carrington, Coulibaly showcased his athleticism on a couple of impressive plays. Coulibaly made a layup on a cut and later followed his miss to finish with a dunk. However, Coulibaly didn't have quite enough control midair to finish a lob from Amen Thompson for what could have been a spectacular dunk.

Julian Strawther, G, Denver Nuggets
Semifinal: 3 points | 2 points

Grade: C+

What stood out: Strawther shot three 3-pointers in his eight minutes, making one of them. Another attempt was wide right, hitting hard off the backboard.

Amen Thompson, F, Houston Rockets
Semifinal: 11 points | 5-6 FG

Grade: A-

What stood out: Despite three turnovers, Thompson would have been the MVP had his team won its semifinal. He scored a team-high 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including an unorthodox play where Thompson intended to set up his twin brother Ausar for a lob but made the shot instead. Amen Thompson also overpowered his Rockets teammate Reed Sheppard in the post for a dunk, and had another dunk to move Team M within a point of victory. The strategy was questionable: Team M would have won by making a 3 and never got the ball back.

Ausar Thompson, F, Detroit Pistons
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 assists

Grade: C-

What stood out: There were good moments for Thompson, who seemed to float to the basket to finish a dunk and drew a foul when his twin brother Amen was trying to lob him the ball. Ausar Thompson made that free throw to complete the three-point play, but missed all four late in the game.

Semifinalist: Team T

Honorary coach: Tim Hardaway

Anthony Black, G, Orlando Magic
Semifinal game: 4 points | 4 assists | 2-for-5

Grade: B

What stood out: Black handed out a team-high four assists, including a nice feed to Gradey Dick for a layup. Black also had a hard take for a layup but missed three shot attempts.

Tristan da Silva, F, Orlando Magic
Semifinal: 5 points | 2-2 FG

Grade: B+

What stood out: Coming off the bench, da Silva gave his team a nice lift. He quickly found teammate Black with a hit-ahead pass for a layup and knocked down a 3 in transition to make things interesting.

Gradey Dick, G, Toronto Raptors
Semifinal: 12 points | 5-7 FG

Grade: A

What stood out: Dick was the standout for the losing team in the first semifinal, scoring a game-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Dick knocked down a pair of 3s and also drove to the hoop for a layup after Dalton Knecht overplayed on the perimeter in pursuit of a steal.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, Miami Heat
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B-

What stood out: It was a quiet game for Jaquez, whose only bucket came on a wide-open 3 when the defense didn't close out on him after an offensive rebound. Jaquez also set up da Silva with a lookaway pass.

Brandin Podziemski, G, Golden State Warriors
Semifinal: 2 points | 3 assists

Grade: C

What stood out: Playing in front of home fans, Podziemski couldn't get much going. He handed out three assists, but missed three of his four shot attempts. The lone exception came when Podziemski snuck in for an offensive rebound and putback.

Zaccharie Risacher, F, Atlanta Hawks
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: The No. 1 overall pick missed his first two shot attempts, one of which came on an end-to-end drive, before getting in the scorebook with a dunk on a nice cut. He followed that with a difficult off-hand finish over Zach Edey.

Alex Sarr, C, Washington Wizards
Semifinal: 3 points | 1-2 FG

Grade: B-

What stood out: The 7-foot Sarr showed his versatility in the Rising Stars format. He brought the ball up and set up Gradey Dick's 3-pointer with a dribble handoff, then made a 3 with Zach Edey in his face. Sarr was less impactful as a traditional big, with just one rebound and no blocks.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' plan to use a six-man rotation this season is on hold until star right-hander Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound in May, according to team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.

Friedman told reporters Friday that five off days in April, combined with the Dodgers' depth in rotation candidates, can make the altered plan work.

Ohtani, the two-way standout who won his third MVP last season when he was limited to designated hitter duty due to his second Tommy John surgery, has not pitched since August 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels.

Two other locks for the rotation, right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and newly signed Roki Sasaki, are former Japan stars who are accustomed to having an extra day of rest.

"I think we'll be able to fit whatever schedule makes sense for [Yamamoto and Sasaki]. With the off days and just the depth that we have, we'll be able to get creative," Friedman said.

Because of Ohtani's two-way status, he won't have to take up one of the Dodgers' 13 roster spots for pitchers. He and five other starters would still allow for an eight-man bullpen corps.

Los Angeles' star-studded rotation also will include newcomer Blake Snell, a left-hander who has won two Cy Young Awards in his nine-year career, and right-hander Tyler Glasnow.

Veteran right-handers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May would be candidates for the final spot in the rotation, although May might begin the season in the bullpen as he tries to bounce back from multiple injuries, notably UCL and flexor surgery, the Orange County Register reported Friday.

Right-handers Bobby Miller and Landon Knack, who combined for 25 starts last season for the Dodgers, are additional possibilities for the rotation.

Newly re-signed left-hander Clayton Kershaw will begin the season on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from offseason surgery on his left knee and a left toe.

The Dodgers' first full-squad workout is set for Saturday, and the club's initial spring training game is set for Thursday against the Chicago Cubs. Those teams will begin the regular season against each other on March 18-19 in Tokyo.

British number two Cameron Norrie is out of the Delray Beach Open in Florida after a narrow straight sets defeat to Alex Michelsen in the quarter-finals.

There was just one break of serve in the entire match as American Michelsen, who was beaten by Norrie at the Dallas Open earlier this month, won 7-6 7-5 in one hour 39 minutes.

There was not even a break point in a tight first set, which third seed Michelsen won via a tie-break.

A decisive moment in the second set arrived in the ninth game when world number 37 Michelsen reeled off five winners in a row to save three set points level the set at 5-5.

Norrie, the 2022 winner, was unfortunate in the next game when a Michelsen forehand clipped the net cord and dropped just on Norrie's side of the court for a decisive break.

The American comfortably saw out his service game to set up a last-four match against Serbian seventh seed Miomir Kecmanovic.