Torch relay for Olympics kicks off 121-day journey
TOKYO >> The torch relay for the postponed Tokyo Olympics began its 121-day journey across Japan on Thursday and is headed toward the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23.
The relay began in northeastern Fukushima prefecture, the area that was devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors. About 18,000 people died in the tragedy.
The first runner with the torch was Azusa Iwashimizu, a key player in the Japan team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2011.
Wearing a white track suit, she carried the torch out of the J-Village indoor soccer training center and was surrounded by 14 other members of that 2011 World Cup squad and coach Norio Sasaki at the rear. They were also decked out in white track suits.
The ceremony was closed to the public because of the fear of spreading COVID-19 but was streamed live.
Pro football
SEAHAWKS SIGN DE HYDER JR. >> The Seattle Seahawks have bolstered their pass rush by signing former San Francisco defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr.
Hyder is coming off his best season after setting career highs in starts (14), sacks (8½) and tackles (49). Injuries provided Hyder the opportunity to start for the 49ers and he responded with a standout performance.
Hyder was expected to be in a rotation with Nick Bosa and Dee Ford last season before injuries presented Hyder with more of an opportunity. He ended up playing nearly 70% of the defensive snaps last season.
BILLS AGREE TO SIGN FORMER 49ERS RB BREIDA >> The Buffalo Bills agreed to sign running back Matt Breida to a one-year contract.
Breida has four years of NFL experience and was a free agent after spending last season with the Miami Dolphins. He was limited to 254 yards rushing and 96 receiving in 12 games, including one start, on a Dolphins team that had difficulty establishing a running game.
Breida spent his first three seasons in San Francisco, where he averaged 5 yards per carry.
Baseball
WHITE SOX SLUGGER JIMENEZ OUT 5-6 MONTHS >> Chicago White Sox slugger Eloy Jiménez is expected to be sidelined for five to six months after rupturing his left pectoral tendon trying to make a play in the outfield during an exhibition game.
Jiménez needs surgery to repair the injury, putting his season in jeopardy.
The 24-year-old Jiménez, who throws and bats righthanded, was acquired in a July 2017 trade with the crosstown Cubs. He hit 31 homers in his first year in the majors in 2019. He batted .296 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in 55 games during the pandemic-shortened season.
Jiménez got hurt when he tried to make a leaping grab at the wall on Sean Murphy’s solo homer for Oakland in the second inning of their spring game. Jiménez’s left arm barely moved as he walked off the field with a trainer.
PICHER GONZALES RETIRES >> Pitcher Gio Gonzalez says he has retired after 13 major league seasons.
The 35-year-old lefthander signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins and made one exhibition appearance, allowing seven runs and eight hits last Saturday while getting just one out against Washington, his former team.
He was a two-time All Star, with Oakland in 2011 and Washington in 2012. He also played for Milwaukee.
College basketball
OKLAHOMA COACH KRUGER RETIRES >> Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger announced his retirement, culminating a 35-year career that included taking five different schools to the NCAA Tournament — with two of them reaching the Final Four — and more than 650 career wins.