Nishikori latest out of U.S. Open
Kei Nishikori is the latest top men’s tennis player to pull out of the U.S. Open because of an injury. The agent for the 2014 runner-up and 2016 semifinalist at Flushing Meadows said Wednesday that Nishikori will miss the rest of the season because of a torn tendon in his right wrist. Olivier van Lindonk wrote in an email that Nishikori, who is No. 9 in the ATP World Tour rankings, heard a “pop” in his wrist while hitting a serve during a practice session this week at the Western & Southern Open hard-court tournament in Mason, Ohio. Nishikori withdrew from that event Monday. Van Lindonk said Nishikori saw two wrist specialists and sent results of MRI exams to three others before deciding to end his season. Nishikori has chosen not to have an operation on his wrist “at this stage,” Van Lindonk said. Nishikori will wear a cast on his wrist and, after the swelling reduces in the coming weeks, “we will evaluate next steps,” Van Lindonk said. Nishikori joined 2016 tournament champion Stan Wawrinka and three-time winner Novak Djokovic in deciding to sit out the U.S. Open, which starts Aug. 28. Wawrinka had surgery on his left knee, while Djokovic has a problem with his right elbow. Like Nishikori, both are out for the rest of 2017.
BASEBALL
› SAN DIEGO — Padres right-hander Jered Weaver announced his retirement before San Diego played the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Weaver, a three-time All-Star, battled health problems since signing with the Padres in the offseason. The 12-year veteran, who spent the bulk of his career with the Los Angeles Angels, had a lifetime mark of 150-98 with a 3.63 ERA. In seven postseason appearances, he was 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA. “I’ve decided to step away from baseball,” Weaver, 34, said in a release. “While I’ve been working hard to get back on the mound, my body just will not allow me to compete like I want to.” Weaver (0-5, 7.44) struggled in his last start, May 19 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, recording two outs while surrendering seven runs and five hits.
FOOTBALL
› CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said junior Kelly Bryant will likely start at quarterback in the national champion’s season opener against Kent State on Sept. 2. Bryant has competed with freshmen Zerrick Cooper and Hunter Johnson for the starting spot held by twotime Heisman Trophy finalist
Deshaun Watson the past three seasons.
› MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota followed law and policy properly when it suspended 10 football players last fall after an accusation of sexual assault, according to an external review commissioned by the university’s Board of Regents. The review released Wednesday blamed “weak leadership” by the coaching staff for a threat by remaining players to boycott the Holiday Bowl. The Dorsey and Whitney law firm’s review also said administrators and regents could have done a better job managing the threatened boycott. A student accused several players of sexually assaulting her at a party last September. Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence. But the university suspended the players after an internal investigation. Influence by unidentified outsiders on both the football team and coaching staff also “helped foster a hostile atmosphere where meaningful dialogue was difficult,” the report concluded. Then-head coach Tracy Claeys backed the boycott, but players ultimately decided to play and beat Washington State 17-12. Claeys was fired a week later.