Bills’ Dareus suspended for opener
The NFL suspended Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus without pay for the first game of the 2015 regular season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
The four-year veteran will be able to participate in all offseason and preseason practices leading up to the regular-season opener. The Bills play host to the Indianapolis Colts in their first game on Sept. 13.
“Last year, I made a mistake involving possession of a banned substance,” Dareus said in a statement. “The NFL’s discipline for this conduct is part of the drug policy, and I apologize to my family, my teammates, the entire Bills organization and Bills fans that I will miss one game as a result of my mistake.
“I will work intensely that week and will be extremely happy to contribute to a win in week two for the Bills.”
Dodgers suspend Cuban shortstop for season
The Los Angeles Dodgers suspended Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena on Thursday for the remainder of the season after “repeated failures to comply with his contract.”
The Los Angeles Times first reported the season-long suspension of Arruebarrena, who played in 22 games last year for the Dodgers and batted .195.
After Arruebarrena’s disappointing stint in the minors in 2014, the Dodgers took him off their 40-man roster, but no other team made a waiver claim for him.
Red Wings have deal with Michigan star Larkin
The Detroit Red Wings have agreed to terms with center Dylan Larkin on a three-year, entry-level contract, the team said Thursday.
The Red Wings drafted Larkin 15th overall in 2014. As a freshman at Michigan last season, he tallied 47 points (32 assists) and ranked 11th in the nation in scoring while earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and all-conference honors.
Larkin, 18, scored five goals in five games for the United States at the 2015 World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal.
A’s hire Washington as coach
Ron Washington is returning to the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics as a coach.
The A’s announced Thursday that the former Texas Rangers manager is coming back to Oakland, where he spent 11 years as a coach. He will join the A’s for their game on Friday night at Tampa Bay.
The 63-year-old Washington resigned Sept. 5 after nearly eight years as Rangers manager to focus on an “off-the-field personal matter.” Since that time, he was been working with youth and college players in New Orleans.
Washington will be in uniform for the Athletics but not allowed on the bench during games. The A’s already have the maximum number of coaches on their staff. His primary duty will be working with the infield and shoring up Oakland’s defense.
Raiders QB Carr injury ‘minor situation’ per agent
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr could be throwing by the end of organized team activities, when he should be recovered from a right ring-finger injury, his agent said.
Tim Younger, who represents the second-year starter, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Carr is not dealing with a matter that will require surgery, as ESPN reported Wednesday.
“It’s a very minor situation,” Younger said. “I think he’s probably going to be throwing before the end of (workouts).”
Head coach Jack Del Rio noted that the Raiders were holding Carr out of drills, even handoffs and other position work, as a precaution because it would be better to miss time in May than September.