Off the wire

GOLF

Casey grabs lead in Dubai

Paul Casey hit a 3-iron to 10 feet and holed the eagle putt to complete a bogey-free 8-under 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday, giving the Englishman a one-stroke lead as he seeks a 15th win on the European Tour. Casey, 43, made four birdies in his first seven holes at Emirates Golf Club before finishing birdie-eagle for the low round of the day that lifted him above Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre (67) onto 15 under par overall. And nowhere was that more evident than on the approach to the par-5 18th hole, which Casey called “one of the iconic shots in golf.” He flushed it, the ball landing in the middle of the green and rolling up toward the hole. “A perfect 3-iron,” the 27th-ranked Casey said with a smile. Casey is bidding for a first title on the European Tour since September 2019, when he won the European Open in Germany — when MacIntyre was tied for second.

HORSE RACING

Medina Spirit wins

Medina Spirit led all the way and fought off two challengers late to win the $100,000 Robert Lewis Stakes by a neck Saturday at Santa Anita and give trainer Bob Baffert a Kentucky Derby hopeful. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Medina Spirit ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.26 on a dirt track listed as good after 2.4 inches of rain fell through Friday. Medina Spirit paid $4, $2.80 and $2.20 as the even-money favorite in a field of six. The colt earned 10 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby on May 1. Roman Centurian returned $7.60 and $3.80 at 11-1 odds.

Hot Rod Charlie was another nose back in third and paid $2.60 to show as the 5-2 second choice. Baffert-trained Spielberg finished fourth, 11 lengths behind Hot Rod Charlie. Cedillo sent Medina Spirit to the early lead before the colt was pressed on the backside by Wipe the Slate. Leading by a length at the top of the stretch, Medina Spirit was challenged by Hot Rod Charlie and Roman Centurian in a threehorse duel to the finish.

BASEBALL

Phils reach deal with SS

The Philadelphia Phillies and shortstop Didi Gregorius have agreed on a two-year, $28 million contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. Gregorius, who turns 31 next month, batted .284 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI and an .827 OPS in 60 games in his first season with the Phillies. Gregorius hit .274 and averaged 20 home runs and 75 RBI over four seasons with the Yankees between 2015-18. He hit 16 home runs and drove in 61 runs in 82 games in 2019 after Tommy John surgery on Oct. 17, 2018, to repair a torn elbow ligament.

Rodon to receive $3M

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with pitcher Carlos Rodon, a person familiar with the negotiations said on Saturday. The White Sox nontendered Rodon last month, making him a free agent. But they didn’t rule out re-signing him. Rodon was selected by Chicago with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft. He broke into the majors the following season and looked as if he could be a key member of the team’s rotation for years to come before he was hampered by a series of injuries. The 28-year-old left-hander is 29-33 with a 4.14 ERA in 97 career major league games, including 92 starts. He made four appearances last year, going 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA.

Cubs, Williams agree to deal

Right-hander Trevor Williams agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, giving the NL Central champions another option for the back end of their rotation. The 28-year-old Williams was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh after he went 2-8 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 starts during the pandemic-shortened season. Williams, a second-round pick by Miami in the 2013 draft, broke into the majors in 2016 and spent his first five seasons with the Pirates. He had his best year in 2018, going 14-10 with a 3.11 ERA in 31 starts. He has a 31-37 record with a 4.43 ERA in 106 career games, including 94 starts.

A’s trade for lefty Irvin

The Oakland Athletics acquired left-hander Cole Irvin from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash on Saturday. Irvin, 27, was 0-1 with a 17.18 ERA in three relief appearances last season. He gave up seven runs and 11 hits in 32/3 innings. Irvin made his big league debut with the Phillies in 2019, going 2-1 with a 5.83 ERA. He pitched 16 games, including three starts. A fifth-round draft pick in 2016, he was 34-15 with a 3.07 ERA over four seasons in the minors, mostly as a starter.

BASKETBALL

Hawks’ Hunter out with injury

De’Andre Hunter, who has emerged as Atlanta’s second-leading scorer in his second season, will miss at least one game with a knee injury. The Hawks said Saturday Hunter will not play in Monday’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Hunter had a non-surgical procedure on Monday to address articular wear and tear in his right knee. Hunter left Friday night’s 116-100 win at Washington after hurting the knee. His status will be reviewed next week. Hunter is averaging 17.2 points and 5.4 rebounds as a complement to Atlanta’s top scorer, point guard Trae Young.

Nets bring back Shumpert

The Brooklyn Nets have signed veteran swingman Iman

Shumpert, who spent a month with the Nets last season, averaging 4.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13 games. Brooklyn doesn’t need much scoring from him now but will count on his perimeter defense to address one of its weaknesses. Shumpert was a teammate of Nets guard Kyrie Irving on the Cleveland team that won the 2016 NBA championship. He has also played for Houston, Sacramento and the New York Knicks, who selected him with the 17th pick in the 2011 draft.

SOCCER

Messi’s contract worth $673M

Lionel Messi’s most recent contract with Barcelona is worth up to $673 million over four seasons, the El Mundo newspaper reported on Sunday. The Spanish daily said it had access to the document Messi signed with the Catalan club in 2017, which included fixed incomes and variables that could reach nearly $167 million each season. The newspaper said it is the most expensive contract ever paid to an athlete. Messi would have to pay about half of that amount in taxes in Spain. The report said the 33-year-old player has already secured more than $619 million of the total contract. The leak comes as Barcelona tries to manage a huge debt prompted mostly because of the coronavirus pandemic. The club has been led by a caretaker board since president

Josep Bartomeu resigned in October while facing a no-confidence motion. New presidential elections are scheduled for March 7.

HOCKEY

Hurricanes’ goalie injured

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Petr

Mrazek left Saturday night’s game against the Dallas Stars in the first period due to injury. Mrazek went down 2:47 into the game after being bumped by teammate Max McCormick, knocking the net out of place. Mrazek received medical attention briefly on the ice before skating off holding his right wrist. James Reimer entered in place of Mrazek. He is making his second appearance of the season. Counting Saturday, the 28-year-old Mrazek has played in four of Carolina’s five games this season. He was 2-1-0 in the first three games with two shutouts, 63 saves and a 1.00 goals-against average.