Quick Hitters
Nationals place ace Max Scherzer on 10-day DL
PHILADELPHIA — The Washington Nationals have put Max Scherzer on the 10-day injury list because the ace right-hander has a mid-back strain.
An MRI on Scherzer’s back came back negative, and the three-time Cy Young Award winner had his start pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday. But he was placed on the injury list retroactive to July 10 after throwing a bullpen session before Saturday’s game.
Scherzer was 7-0 with a 0.84 ERA in his last nine starts before the All-Star break. He is 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA overall.
Ronaldo returns to training at Juventus
TURIN, Italy — Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived back at Juventus for his first day of pre-season training.
The 34-year-old Ronaldo was greeted by more than 100 fans Saturday on his arrival for standard medical tests.
The fans shouted his name as well as chanting for him to win the Champions League for them as a smiling Ronaldo signed autographs and posed for selfies.
Ronaldo will train for the first time under new Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri later Saturday.
Dolphins assistant Caldwell takes leave for health issue
DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins assistant coach Jim Caldwell will take a leave of absence to address health issues that he says “require my full attention.”
Caldwell was hired in February to be the Dolphins’ assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. He will instead serve as a consultant to the team this season.
The precise nature of his health issue was not disclosed by Caldwell or the Dolphins.
In a release issued by the Dolphins on Saturday, the 64-year-old Caldwell said he will be “stepping back due to medical complications that require my full attention.”
Miami coach Brian Flores said the team’s focus is on Caldwell’s health and providing him support. He says Caldwell qualifies as a viable “sounding board” because of his knowledge and experience in the NFL.
Caldwell was head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2009-11 and Detroit Lions from 2014-17.