XC MEDALIST RANDALL HAS BREAST CANCER
ALASKA» Olympic gold ANCHORAGE, medalist Kikkan Randall has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
The 35-year-old cross country skier known for pink-highlighted hair said Wednesday on social media that “the color pink has taken on a new chapter” in her life. She said the prognosis is good, but she expects life to change significantly in the months ahead.
Randall, the most accomplished American cross country skier, made good on her nickname “Kikkanimal” by riding her bike to and from her first round of chemo Monday in Anchorage, her hometown before she moved earlier this year to Penticton, British Columbia, with her 2-yearson, Breck, and husband Jeff Ellis. She said she woke up Wednesday feeling “fairly decent still.”
Randall is a five-time Olympian who returned to competition in 2016 after a break and delivered the first Olympic gold in cross country for the U.S. with relay team partner Jessica Diggins at the Pyeong-Chang Games in February.
She is the only American woman to win season-long World Cup titles, taking home three sprint titles. She has won 14 individual World Cup races.
Aguilar, Segura last two all-stars.
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar and Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura have won the final two roster spots for next week’s All-Star Game in Washington.
Aguilar drew 20.2 million online votes to secure his first all-star selection. The 28-year-old Venezuelan was tied for the National League lead with 23 home runs.
Segura snagged the last American League spot with 13.6 million votes.
In the National League, Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas was removed from the all-star roster because he is scheduled to start Sunday. Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling was added to the NL staff.
Astros send Giles down after incident.
HOUSTON» The Houston Astros optioned reliever Ken Giles to Triple-A Fresno, a night after he appeared to curse at manager A.J. Hinch when he lifted him from the game.
Despite Tuesday night’s incident, the Astros insisted that the move was about baseball and not the righthander’s behavior.
Red Wings keep forward Mantha.
DETROIT» The Detroit Red Wings agreed to a two-year, $6.6 million contract with Anthony Mantha.
The Red Wings announced the move with the restricted free agent, keeping the 23-year-old wing after he led the team with 24 goals last season.
Former football coach Rogers dies.
DETROIT» Darryl Rogers, who coached Michigan State to a share of the Big Ten title in 1978 and later took the helm for the Detroit Lions, has died. He was 83.
Rogers coached Michigan State from 1976-79, going 24-18-2. The 1978 team, which included star flanker Kirk Gibson, won its final seven games to finish tied for first in the conference.
Rogers also coached at Arizona State from 1980-84 before heading to the NFL. He was with the Lions from 1985-88.
Swollen ankle sidelines Justify.
CALIF.» Triple Crown winner ARCADIA,
Justify has been taken out of training while waiting to see if swelling in his left front ankle subsides.
Trainer Bob Baffert said Justify will be re-evaluated in two weeks. He said the swelling developed recently and it comes and goes.
U.S. Open to use clock.
LONDON» A 25-second serve clock will be used in main-draw matches at the U.S. Open and about a half-dozen other hardcourt tournaments leading up to the year’s last Grand Slam tournament.
The U.S. Open is the first Grand Slam tournament to use the serve and warm-up clocks.