Digest

BASKETBALL

Ball to have surgery, miss start of season

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is scheduled to have surgery on his left knee next week for the second time in less than a year and figures to miss the start of the season.

The Bulls said Ball will undergo an arthroscopic debridement Wednesday in Los Angeles. He will be reevaluated in four to six weeks.

Ball played a major role in Chicago's resurgence last year after being acquired from New Orleans in a sign-and-trade. He was limited to 35 games and did not play after Jan 14.

Ball had surgery for a torn meniscus two weeks later. He experienced discomfort when he tried to ramp up activities. The Bulls had him rest for 10 days, hoping it would resolve the issue and allow him to return. But he felt pain again when he started preparing to play.

Ball averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals. Besides giving the Bulls a steadying hand on offense, he helped tighten their perimeter defense.

Embattled owner Sarver to sell Suns

Robert Sarver

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, banned for a year and fined $10 million by the NBA for racist and misogynist remarks and workplace bullying, said Wednesday he will sell the team.

Following the punishments imposed last week, NBA players union executive director Tamika Tremaglio called for Sarver to be banned for life, and NBA stars LeBron James and Chris Paul declared the penalties too light.

Major sponsor PayPal said it would not renew its deal with the team if Sarver was still involved, and Suns vice-chairman Jahm Najafi called for Sarver to resign.

"In our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear...whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past," Sarver said in a statement.

"For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and (Women's NBA) Mercury."

Sarver's decision was welcomed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as well as Sarver's co-owners and the NBA Players' Association.

BASEBALL

Unlucky Mets set MLB record for hit batters

The New York Mets set a major-league record with 106 hit batters this season when Mark Canha was plunked twice and Luis Guillorme once in Wednesday's 6-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

New York has been hit one more time than the 2021 Cincinnati Reds.

"It's like a broken record at this point," Canha said. "We just kind of roll our eyes when it happens now and move on. There's nothing you can do except capitalize on it, make it hurt, and it's all you can do. Yeah, sure, we're frustrated. It's like not a great thing to happen to your team."

Mets manager Buck Showalter has repeatedly complained about the amount of times his players have been hit. He signaled for the ball after Guillorme was struck on the left foot by Jake Cousins' slider in the ninth.

Asked what he planned to do with the ball, Showalter quipped, "it would be obscene to tell you" before adding: "I gave it to the hitting coaches. They can do with it what they want to."

CYCLING

Olympic champion breaks elbow at worlds

Annemiek van Vleuten

Dutch star Annemiek van Vleuten crashed heavily at the world road cycling championships on Wednesday and sustained a broken elbow.

The Olympic and world champion, one of the biggest names at the Wollongong worlds, had a mechanical problem at the start of the mixed team relay.

The 39-year-old Van Vleuten, who is doubtful for Saturday's road race, tweeted: "Back from hospital Wollongong... Stable fracture elbow, no surgery needed. I am allowed to ride my bike, but depends on pain and need to be sensible. Hope I can sleep."

Her crash overshadowed the mixed team relay, where Switzerland won gold, Italy the silver and Australia the bronze.

Van Vleuten was second in the Dutchwomen's pace line, only a few meters after setting off from the start ramp, when she lost control and hit the ground heavily. The Dutch ace was in shock and her right knee was bloodied as team staff rushed to her aid.

SOCCER

Ronaldo not planning to retire after Qatar

This year's World Cup apparently won't be the end for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old Portugal star said he is not considering retiring from international soccer in December after the tournament in Qatar, and plans to play at the 2024 European Championship.

"I'm still motivated. My ambition is really high," Ronaldo said at an event late Tuesday after being recognized by the Portuguese soccer federation for his scoring feats. "I'm in a national team with a lot of youngsters. I want to be in the World Cup and at Euros. I want to make that commitment now."

Ronaldo earlier this year had already dismissed retirement rumors when asked if the World Cup in Qatar would be his last.

The forward has been struggling at Manchester United and is no longer a first-choice starter with the English club.

Ronaldo will enter the World Cup holding the men's all-time record of 117 international goals.

He is preparing with Portugal for Nations League matches in the Czech Republic on Saturday and against Spain at home three days later.

Agencies