Rivers traded to Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns agreed to a three-team trade on Thursday that sent guard Austin Rivers to play for his father in Los Angeles.
Rivers joins the Clippers, a team coached by Doc Rivers, and will become the first son to play for his father in NBA history.
The deal included guard Reggie Bullock going from the Clippers to the Suns, forward Shavlik Randolph moving from the Suns to the Celtics and Boston also getting guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and a future second-round draft pick from the Clippers.
The Boston Herald reported that the Celtics are expected to release Douglas-Roberts to create a trade exception of $2.4 million.
Rivers joined the Celtics on Monday after a three-team deal with Memphis and New Orleans that allowed Boston to send Jeff Green to the Grizzlies. In 35 games this season, Rivers is averaging 6.8 points and 2.5 assists.
Rinne out with knee sprain
Nashville Predators starting goaltender Pekka Rinne will miss three regular-season games and the All-Star Weekend with a sprained knee, the National Hockey League-leading team said on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Finnish netminder, who has been one of the league’s top goalies this season, was injured after a collision early in the third period of his team’s 5-1 win over Vancouver on Tuesday.
In 37 games this season, Rinne has a league-leading 29 wins and ranks second in both goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.931).
Ali in hospital for follow-up
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been hospitalized for follow-up care for a urinary tract infection for which he received treatment in recent weeks, and he is expected to be released in a day, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Ali, who expects to celebrate his 73rd on Saturday with his family, was admitted to the hospital earlier this week and was in stable condition, family spokesman Bob Gunnell said.
Alabama defenders staying
With three underclassmen already declaring for the NFL draft, Alabama got some good news Thursday when linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive lineman Jarran Reed said they will stay.
Ragland, a junior, was second on the team with 95 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. Reed, a transfer from East Mississippi Community College, had 55 tackles (6.5 TFL).
Minor leagues to use pitch clock
A pitch clock will be implemented at the Triple-A and Double-A levels during the 2015 baseball season in an attempt to accelerate the pace of play.
Major League Baseball announced the decision at the end of owners meetings on Thursday in Arizona. Outgoing Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said the pitch count was successfully used during the Arizona Fall League and approved by the owners for use in the minor leagues.
The amount of time between pitches has not yet been determined. The pitch clock will not be used in the major leagues this season.
San Diego to host ’16 All-Star Game
The San Diego Padres were selected Thursday as the hosts for the 2016 All-Star Game.
Outgoing commissioner Bud Selig announced the decision at the final owners’ meeting before he steps down on Jan. 24.
The All-Star Game in San Diego’s Petco Park will mark its first appearance in San Diego since 1992. Petco Park opened in 2004.
Cardinals sign Lynn to $22M deal
The St. Louis Cardinals reached agreement Thursday with pitcher Lance Lynn on a three-year, $22 million contract.
The deal calls for Lynn to receive $7 million in 2015 and $7.5 million in 2016 and 2017, according to a CBSSports.com report. It also includes performance bonuses. Lynn, who made $535,000 last season, had filed for arbitration on Tuesday.
The former All-Star has a 48-26 record with a 3.48 ERA in 97 career major league starts.
Halak, Fleury named to All-Star team
Goaltenders Jaroslav Halak of the New York Islanders and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins were added Thursday to the rosters for the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 25 in Columbus, Ohio.
Halak and Fleury replace injured goalies Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators. Rinne has a sprained knee and Howard, a former University of Maine star, is out with a groin injury.
Fleury ranks fourth in the NHL in wins this season with 22, sixth in goals-against average at 2.16 and seventh in save percentage at .926. Halak has a .917 save percentage and four shutouts this season.