Off the wire

GYMNASTICS

USA Gymnastics hires leader

USA Gymnastics is reaching outside the sport in an effort to move forward after a sex abuse scandal. The organization hired Kerry Perry as its new president and CEO on Tuesday. She was the vice president of business development at Learfield Communications. Perry will officially start on Dec. 1. She replaces Steve Penny, who resigned in March after 12 years on the job following criticism over the way USA Gymnastics handled sexual abuse claims. USA Gymnastics has been rocked by accusations of sexual misconduct against Larry Nassar, the former national team doctor from 1996-2015. Nassar is in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. He’s awaiting trial on separate criminal sexual conduct charges and has been sued by more than 125 women alleging abuse.

BASKETBALL

UCLA players arrested

Three UCLA basketball players were reportedly arrested in China for shoplifting only a few days before the team’s season opener Friday against Georgia Tech. A person close to the situation confirmed an ESPN report that Bruins freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were the players involved with a police investigation in Hangzhou, China, where the team is staying. It was not immediately clear whether those players had been detained or whether they would be allowed to play in UCLA’s game against the Yellow Jackets in Shanghai on Friday night. Local police were called to the team hotel for both UCLA and Georgia Tech on Tuesday morning to investigate an unknown matter. Three Tech basketball players were questioned and cleared, according to a statement from the school. Police inspected the UCLA team bus’ cargo compartment as players on the bus waited to go to practice. After a lengthy delay, players eventually got off and returned to the hotel. Both teams left Hangzhou for Shanghai on Tuesday afternoon.

Texans sign QB Johnson

The Houston Texans have signed free agent quarterback Josh Johnson and released Matt McGloin. The moves come a day after Coach Bill O’Brien said they had discussed the possibility of adding Colin Kaepernick in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to rookie Deshaun Watson. Instead of adding Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback who began the protest movement by kneeling during the national anthem last season, Houston chose Johnson to be its third quarterback. Johnson, 31, has been with the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers over the past three seasons, but hasn’t appeared in a game since he played two for

the Bengals in 2013. He spent his first four seasons with Tampa Bay where he appeared in 26 games in 2008-2011. McGloin was signed Friday to be Houston’s third quarterback behind Tom Savage and T.J. Yates, but was inactive Sunday.

Hightower on IR

The New England Patriots have placed linebacker and defensive captain Dont’a Hightower on injured reserve. The team announced the move Tuesday. Hightower left in the second half of New England’s victory over Atlanta on Oct. 22 with a right shoulder injury. A person familiar with the situation said last month that Hightower would need season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The surgery was for a torn pectoral muscle, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not yet been announced by the team. Hightower had 14 tackles and two sacks this season. In March, he signed a four-year deal worth $35.5 million. New England also announced it has signed veteran defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois.

HOCKEY

U.S. routs Finland

Emily Pfalzer had three goals and an assist, helping the United States women rout Finland 8-2 Tuesday night in the Americans’ opener in the Four Nations Cup tournament at Wesley Chapel, Fla. The Americans grabbed control with five goals in the first period capped by a power-play score by Cayla Barnes, the youngest player at 18 who was called up to the national team Oct. 28. Amanda Kessel, Dani Cameranesi and Kelly Pannek each had a goal and an assist. The Americans have won this tournament seven times, including the past two. They improved to 16-1 against Finland in this event with their fourth consecutive victory. Canada opened the tournament with a 9-0 victory over Sweden. Jennifer Wakefield led the way with her own hat trick and an assist. The United States and Canada play tonight in the round-robin event.

TENNIS

Azarenka can’t play

Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka said she will sit out the Fed Cup final between Belarus and the United States because of an ongoing custody dispute with her baby’s father. Azarenka tweeted about her absence from Belarus’ team on Tuesday. The two-time Australian Open champion wrote that “it is heartbreaking for me to not have a chance to play,” but her “current custody situation” is forcing her to stay in California. Azarenka cited that dispute when she pulled out of the U.S. Open in August. She hasn’t played anywhere since Wimbledon in early July. Belarus hosts the United States in the best-of-five-match final at an indoor hard court in Minsk on Saturday and Sunday. U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens leads the American team.