NUGGETS SIGN VETERAN BIG MAN ZELLER, SOURCE SAYS

A little under two weeks away from the start of training camp, the Nuggets are fortifying their depth in the post.

The Nuggets signed veteran big man Tyler Zeller to a non-guaranteed training camp contract, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post.

The 7-foot center is coming off a season in which he saw limited action with Atlanta and Memphis, averaging 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in just six games. Zeller has spent seven seasons in the NBA since being selected 17th overall in the 2012 draft by Dallas and immediately dealt to Cleveland. He has averaged 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 412 games during stints with Cleveland, Boston, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Memphis.

With Nikola Jokic and Mason Plumlee both coming off runs at the FIBA World Cup, Zeller could get an opportunity at extended big man minutes during the preseason.

Marlins’ Mattingly agrees to contract extension.

MIAMI» person familiar with the negotiations says Marlins manager Don Mattingly has agreed to a contract extension and will return for a fifth season in 2020.

A news conference with CEO Derek Jeter was scheduled for Friday.

Mattingly’s contract was to expire after this season. He became the Marlins’ manager in 2016 and has guided the team during a rebuilding project under Jeter. With the roster depleted, the Marlins this season have the worst record in the National League at 53-99, and they’re set to exceed 100 losses for the first time since 1998.

Hoge keeps rolling and takes early lead in Mississippi.

Tom Hoge felt relieved to make his way back to the PGA Tour. He is starting the new season with a clear head, no stress and great scores.

One week after he was runner-up at the Greenbrier for the best finish of his PGA Tour career, Hoge opened with three straight birdies and closed with a 45-foot birdie putt for an 8-under 64 and a one-shot lead among the early starters Thursday in the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Aussie Lukas Michel wins US MidAmateur to earn Masters spot.

Lukas Michel of Australia twice came back from 3-hole deficits Thursday and won the U.S. Mid-Amateur, becoming the first international winner in the event’s 39-year history and earning a spot in the Masters.

Michel had a 1-up lead over Joseph Deraney after four holes in the 36hole championship match at Colorado Golf Club. That was the last time he led until a birdie on the 33rd hole in the afternoon. Michel went 2 up with another birdie on the par-5 16th, and polished off a 2-and-1 victory with a par on No. 17.

Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot gets 8-year extension.

» The Ottawa SenaOTTAWA, ONTARIO tors believe their future looks a lot brighter after signing defenseman Thomas Chabot to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension Thursday.

Chabot’s decision to remain in Ottawa for the next nine years — he has one season left on his entry-level deal — is a statement that he believes in the Senators’ rebuild process. The Senators were last in the NHL in 2018-19.

Pats’ Brown not distracted by sexual assault accusations.

FOXBOROUGH,

» Patriots receiver Antonio Brown declined to answer questions about allegations of sexual assault and rape against him and says he’s keeping his focus on football.

Brown answered only four questions at his locker on Thursday in an interview that lasted just over a minute. It was his first interview with reporters since agreeing to a deal with the Patriots on Sept. 7.

He twice declined to answer questions about the civil case filed against him in South Florida by former trainer Britney Taylor, who claims Brown sexually assaulted her on three occasions. — Denver Post staff and wire reports