C-USA responds quickly

Conference USA announced Friday that it will add Liberty, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State and Sam Houston State in 2023 as the league tries to replenish its ranks after having nine schools announce plans to leave in the last month.

The C-USA overhaul might not be done, either: Mid-American Conference presidents met Friday with possible expansion on the agenda and C-USA members Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State as potential options.

Baseball: Dusty Baker will return as manager of the Astros for a third season after agreeing to a one-year contract with the AL champions . ... The Guardians picked up 3B Jose Ramirez’s $12 million contract option for 2022. Ramirez, 29, batted .266 with 36 homers, 103 RBIs and 27 steals in the final year of a four-year, $26 million deal. The team also declined a $7 million option for C Roberto Perez, who gets a $450,000 buyout, and hired Chris Valaika as their hitting coach . ... The Braves were cheered by hundreds of thousands of fans in a two-stage parade to celebrate the team’s first World Series championship since 1995 . ... The Cubs claimed LHP Wade Miley off waivers from the Reds. Miley, 35, went 12-7 with a 3.37 ERA in 28 starts, including a no-hitter in 2021 . ... Gil Hodges, Roger Maris and Minnie Miñoso are among 10 men on the ballot of the Golden Days Era committee for baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Golf: Matthew Wolff was on the verge of building a big lead at Mayakoba until a pair of late bogeys forced him to settle for a 3-under 68 and a two-shot lead over fast-closing Scottie Scheffler in the World Wide Technology Championship in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

NFL: Rams DT Sebastian Joseph-Day could miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on an injured pectoral muscle.

NHL: Superstar G Carey Price will rejoin the Canadiens on Monday, according to coach Dominique Ducharme. On Oct. 7, Price voluntarily entered the NHL’s player assistance program, which helps players and their families with mental health, substance abuse and other matters.