Off the wire
BASEBALL Astros acquire Verlander The Houston Astros have acquired Justin Verlander in a trade with the Detroit Tigers. The righthander joins the American League West leaders and a rotation that includes former Arkansas Razorback Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers. Verlander, 34, who won the Cy Young Award in 2011, is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA this season. The Tigers will receive three minor league prospects. Astros owner Jim Crane said he hopes Verlander is a piece that can help the Astros in the postseason. He says: “We hope he positions us to get into the playoffs, get by the first round, get into the second round and get to the world series and win it. That’s what we’ve been working at and that’s what we’ll continue to work at and we want to win.”
Angels upgrade staff The Los Angeles Angels decided to make major upgrades to their staff Thursday. They acquired slugging outfielder Justin Upton from Detroit, and sent minor-league pitcher Grayson Long to the Tigers. Detroit also gets cash considerations or a player to be named. Upton, 30, is having a strong season for the struggling Tigers, batting .279 with 28 home runs and 94 RBI. The four-time All-Star signed a six-year, $132.75 million deal to join Detroit before last season, but could opt out of it this winter. He represents an immediate upgrade in left field for the Angels (69-65), who are still fighting for a playoff spot despite several major injuries to their pitching staff and one of the AL’s least potent lineups. Also, a person with knowledge of the deal said the Angels have a deal in place to acquire infielder Brandon Phillips from Atlanta. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the trade hadn’t been finalized and approved. Phillips is likely to play second base for the Angels, who are struggling at the position. The three-time All-Star is a four-time Gold Glove winner joining a solid defensive team. Phillips is in his first season with Atlanta after 11 productive years in Cincinnati. The Braves get minor-league catcher Tony Sanchez.
Report: Fox drops Rose Pete Rose will not return to Fox Sports as a baseball studio analyst, The Hollywood Reporter reported Thursday. Fox declined to comment. The status of Major League Baseball’s career hits leader had been in doubt since recent allegations surfaced of a sexual relationship Rose had four decades ago with a girl allegedly under 16, the age of consent in Ohio. The allegations came to light as part of a defamation suit Rose filed in 2016 against John Dowd, the attorney who led an investigation that resulted in Rose’s ban from baseball in 1989 for betting on games he managed. The statute of limitations has expired, so Rose faces no criminal penalties, but Fox apparently opted no longer to include him on its acclaimed studio team that also features Alex Rodriguez, Frank Thomas and Kevin Burkhardt.
GOLF Shinkwin leads by 1 Callum Shinkwin shot an opening
6-under 66 Thursday to take the lead at the Czech Masters at Vysoky Ujezd, Czech Republic. After finishing second last month at the Scottish Open — his best result on the European Tour so far — the 24-year-old Englishman opened with a birdie at the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague. Shinkwin dropped one shot at the third hole and another on No. 14 but also added seven more birdies for a one-stroke lead. Pontus Widegren of Sweden, South African Dylan Frittelli and Englishman James Heath are all tied in second at 67. Paul Peterson of the United States opened the defense of his title with a 3-under 69. Pep Angles (Central Arkansas) had a 1-under 71. John Daly (Dardanelle, Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 2-over 74.
Mitchell out front Keith Mitchell shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Web.com Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship at Columbus, Ohio. Abraham Ancer is one stroke behind. Sam Saunders and Alex Cejka each had a 67 and are tied for third. In a pack tied for fifth place are Andrew Landry (Arkansas Razorbacks) and Taylor Moore (Razorbacks) at 68. Tag Ridings (Razorbacks) and Matt Atkins (Henderson State) shot even par. Austin Cook (Jonesboro, Razorbacks) had a 72. Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) had a 74. Ethan Tracy (Razorbacks) shot a 76.
FOOTBALL Texans extend Hopkins A person familiar with the negotiations said the Houston Texans and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins have agreed to a five-year, $81 million contract extension. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced by the teams. The deal, which includes $49 million guaranteed, comes as the star receiver was entering the last year of his contract. Hopkins was the 27th overall pick in the 2013 draft. He has piled up 4,487 yards receiving in his first four seasons, including a career-high 1,521 in 2015 despite playing with a revolving door of quarterbacks.
HORSE RACING Songbird retires Champion filly Songbird has been retired five days after she lost for just the second time in 15 career starts. Owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm said Thursday that he made the decision after an examination showed an enlargement of both of the 4-year-old filly’s hind suspensory ligaments. Porter said it would be dangerous for Songbird to continue training and veterinarian Larry Bramlage wasn’t optimistic that the situation would improve in time. Last Saturday, Songbird lost by a neck to long shot Forever Unbridled in the Grade I Personal Ensign at Saratoga. Her season debut had been delayed while she recovered from bone bruising last winter. Songbird had 13 victories and two seconds in 15 career starts and earnings of $4,692,000. She won Eclipse Awards as a champion 2-year-old filly in 2015 and champion 3-year-old filly last year. She was trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by fellow Hall of Famer Mike Smith.