Mets relief pitcher Familia suspended

New York Mets reliever Jeurys Familia has accepted a 15-game suspension without pay under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.

MLB announced the suspension Wednesday, and Familia has agreed not to appeal.

The suspension stems from Familia’s Oct. 31 arrest on a simple assault charge. Prosecutors later dropped charges.

Familia’s suspension will begin on opening day. He is eligible to continue to participate in all spring training and exhibition games and activities leading up to opening day.

Soccer

RONALDO STATUE NOT AS CHISELED AS THE REAL

MAN >> Cristiano Ronaldo has an airport named after him, but it was his odd-looking statue that attracted attention in Wednesday’s ceremony honoring the Portugal star in his hometown.

The player’s bronze bust, which was unveiled to much fanfare by Portugal’s president and prime minister on the island of Madeira, hardly does the handsome footballer justice.

It squashes his eyes close together, and the cheeky raised-eyebrow smile more resembles a leer. The face is also unusually chubby, in contrast to Ronaldo’s chiseled looks.

Dozens of guests and hundreds of fans were at the unveiling of the bust in Ronaldo’s native Madeira Islands. It was part of an official ceremony to rename the local airport as Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo also attended the ceremony, but did not show any signs of being bothered by the odd look of his newly unveiled bust.

The bust’s sculptor, Madeira native Emanuel Santos, said it took him 15 days to create the statue. He said he presented the project to local officials when it was about half done and received the goahead to continue with his work.

Beach volleyball

WALSH JENNINGS MISSING FROM AVP TOUR LIST

Five-time Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings has not yet committed to play in AVP events this summer, leading the domestic beach volleyball tour to announce its 2017 schedule without including the game’s top draw among “the most respected names in the sport” who are expected to participate.

“We’re in contract negotiations and we’re pretty far off right now,” Walsh Jennings said in a text message to The Associated Press. “We are working toward a winwin for everyone & the sport.”

A three-time gold medalist who won the bronze medal with partner April Ross at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Walsh Jennings also has been an advocate for athletes’ rights in the national governing body and the domestic tour. Last summer, she boycotted the seasonending event in Chicago over rule changes she said were made without consulting the athletes.

Walsh Jennings called the negotiations “a work in progress.”

The featured names in the announcement include Ross and fellow Olympians Phil Dalhausser, Xi Zhang and Jake Gibbs.

Walsh Jennings has three children and has said she wants more. Asked if she would be skipping the tour to retire, boycott or have another baby, Walsh Jennings said “None of the above” and reaffirmed her plans to compete in the 2020 Olympics, when she would turn 42.

“I’m planning on playing through Tokyo,” she wrote. “Finish with a win there and see what’s next.”