Streelman (64) one-putts to Valspar lead
Kevin Streelman has a new ball marker to help with alignment that required USGA approval before he teed off Thursday in the Valspar Championship. He had 10 consecutive one-putt greens on his way to a 7-under-par 64 and a one-shot lead at Palm Harbor, Fla. Streelman took advantage of gorgeous weather while it lasts with birdies on all four of the par 5s on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook. He took only 24 putts for the round. Kevin Roy, who lost his PGA Tour card last year and is playing on a sponsor exemption, had eight birdies in his round of 65. Carl Yuan was in the group at 66 and he had a good time under direct orders from his wife. It was his birthday. He turned 27. She didn’t want him to spend his day overthinking golf. Yuan was joined by Peter Malnati and Adam Svensson of Canada, with Keith Mitchell in the group at 67. Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas were among those at 68. Jordan Spieth looked as though he might join them until two bogeys on his final three holes, one a three-putt from long range on the 16th, the other on the 18th when he missed the green to the left and failed to get upand-down. He still shot a 69.
BASEBALL Martinez, 36, signs with Mets
J.D. Martinez, 36, has a new home, agreeing to a $12 million, one-year contract with the Mets, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. Martinez, a former Red Sox, hit .271 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs in just 113 games last year for the Dodgers, providing solid value on the one-year, $10 million contract he signed before the season.
Mets’ Senga to throw soon
Mets righthander Kodai Senga is expected to begin throwing within one week after tests revealed inflammation in his right shoulder has cleared. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday an MRI on Senga’s shoulder late Tuesday provided results he described as “very, very encouraging.” The Mets’ medical staff examined the results on Wednesday before providing the update. “Inflammation is gone,” Mendoza said. “So he’s pretty much cleared from the doctor.” Senga, 31, is entering the second season of a $75 million, fiveyear contract with the Mets.
NFL Lions cut Sutton amid search
The Lions released Cameron Sutton as authorities continue to search for the defensive back to serve a domestic violence warrant in Florida. The team announced the move on the X social media platform without offering any other details. The Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office in Florida, which includes Tampa, has asked for help in finding Sutton, a seven-year pro who just finished his first season with the Lions and helped them reach the NFC Championship game for the first time in 32 years. The warrant is for domestic battery by strangulation, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Sutton may be driving a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a Florida license plate, the sheriff ’s office has said.
Disability plan can go to trial
A lawsuit accusing the NFL’s disability plan of violating its duty to retired players by routinely denying valid injury claims can proceed to trial on most counts, a federal judge in Maryland has ruled. The lawsuit, filed last year, accuses officials who oversee the program of bad faith and flagrant violations of federal law. US District Judge Julie R. Rubin said the suit can move forward against the board, but not against commissioner Roger Goodell or trustees individually, as they were not accused of wrongdoing. Lawyers for the 10 retired players who signed onto the potential class action called the ruling Wednesday “a huge win.”
SOCCER US men escape, make final
The United States escaped defeat with an own goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, Haji Wright scored twice in extra time and the Americans rallied past Jamaica, 3-1, at Arlington, Texas to reach the CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico or Panama. Greg Leigh scored 30 seconds in for the 57 th-ranked Reggae Boyz, and the No. 13 Americans were on the verge of losing their third straight match. Instead, Wright scored in the sixth and 19th minutes of extra time and the US will try to win the Nations League for the third straight time on Sunday.