U.S. SENATOR SEEKS SAFETY FOR KANTER

ORE.» U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden SALEM, wants to ensure Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter, a Turkish star whom Turkey wants arrested for his criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will be able to safely travel to Canada for a possible NBA championship series against the Toronto Raptors.

The Oregon senator wrote Tuesday to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking that his government facilitate Kanter’s safe passage to and from Canada if the Blazers advance to the title series.

“I also urge your government to state publicly that it will not comply with any Interpol red notice meant to interfere with Mr. Kanter’s livelihood and to intimidate him and his family back in Turkey,” Wyden wrote. Wyden is a fan of his hometown team, often attending games, and he appeared in photos alongside the player who helped push the Blazers past the Nuggets to advance to the Western Conference finals.

The Blazers opened the conference finals against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. The Raptors face the Milwaukee Bucks in the other semifinal series. The NBA Finals begin May 30.

Turkish officials have sought a “red notice” — an international wanted notice — for Kanter through Interpol. Kanter’s Turkish passport was canceled in 2017. Kanter is a longtime critic of Erdogan.

Dodgers’ Urias goes on leave.

Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball following his arrest for investigation of misdemeanor domestic battery.

Urias was taken into custody Monday night in the parking lot of a shopping mall, Los Angeles police spokeswoman Norma Eisenman said. No details were released.

MLB subsequently placed the lefthander on administrative leave while it looks into his arrest. The leave was effective Tuesday and can last up to seven days. In previous MLB investigations, the length of the administrative leave has frequently been extended while the probe continues.

Yankees trade for A’s Morales.

The Yankees have acquired veteran slugger Kendrys Morales from the Oakland Athletics.

New York is also getting cash from Oakland and will send a player to be named or cash in the deal.

The A’s acquired Morales from Toronto on March 27, and the 13-year major league veteran appeared in 34 games. The switch-hitter batted .204 with one homer and seven RBIs before being designated for assignment Monday.

Panel rules on Nats-Orioles tiff.

Major League Baseball panel hearing the long-running dispute between the Nationals and Baltimore Orioles over money from the cable channel they jointly own said Washington should receive $296.8 million from the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network for its television rights for 2012-16.

That is down from $298.1 million under a 2014 decision later thrown out by a New York court, but the Orioles are still trying to get the new decision vacated, too.

McIlroy might play in Olympics.

Rory McIlroy will probably go to the 2020 Olympics and represent Ireland.

The 30-year-old from Northern Ireland disclosed his decision Tuesday, two days before the start of the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black.

McIlroy skipped the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 in part because he felt the Olympics were forcing him to decide whether he would represent the United Kingdom or Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

Serena withdraws vs. Venus.

Serena Williams withdrew ahead of her second-round match against sister Venus because of a previously injured left knee in the Italian Open. — The Associated Press