AP Sports Digest

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

BBM--BALLERS-CRICKET STAR

DESCRIPTION: English cricket star Liam Plunkett has been dabbling in America’s pastime while visiting the Bay Area to broadcast Major League Cricket’s latest stop in Oakland. Plunkett pitched to one batter late last month and struck out Yuba-Sutter’s Josh Duarte, one of the best hitters in the independent Pioneer League – topping out at 77 mph while tossing an off-speed pitch equivalent to a curveball clocked at 63. Then he made his first trip to the plate last Sunday and grounded out. He hopes this experience helped bring positive attention to both baseball and cricket. By Janie McCauley.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 3:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

SOC--WCUP FINAL-PITCH

DESCRIPTION: There has been no shortage of players and coaches fielding questions about the pitch in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before and after World Cup games there. While entirely different than the turf surface at the stadium that has been much maligned by NFL players, the grass field with synthetic fibers stitched in to reduce the risk of divots and tears has drawn mixed reviews through the first seven games of the tournament there. After a nearly two-week break for staff to get it in the best condition possible, the most important game takes place there Sunday when Argentina and Spain meet in the final. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

___

SOC--WCUP-ENGLAND-FRANCE

DESCRIPTION: France faces England in the World Cup third place match and French coach Didier Deschamps’ last game. By Alanis Thames. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

___

CYC--TOUR DE FRANCE

DESCRIPTION: Stage 14 features three big mountain climbs in the Alsace region and ends at Le Markstein ski resort.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 1:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

CAR--F1-BELGIAN GP

DESCRIPTION: Qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, the 10th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 1:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

FBN--TOP 5-INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

DESCRIPTION: A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers votes on the top five interior offensive linemen in the NFL. By Pro Football Josh Dubow. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 10:27 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBN--TOP 5-INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE

DESCRIPTION: A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers votes on the top five interior defensive linemen in the NFL. By Pro Football Josh Dubow. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 10:28 p.m. EDT, Text

————————————————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

————————————————————

BBO--DODGERS-YANKEES-BOONE’S DECISION

Boone faults himself for leaving in Cole, who gives up go-ahead homer to Muncy in Dodgers’ win

SUMMARY: Gerrit Cole walked Mookie Betts in the seventh inning with the Yankees leading the Dodgers by one run. New York manager Aaron Boone decided to leave Cole in the game. Seven pitches later, Max Muncy hit a home run, lifting the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory. Boone acknowledged he should have pulled Cole, who had been pitching a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts. The Yankees led on an unearned run in the fourth. Los Angeles improved to a major league-best 62-36 and New York dropped to 54-43. The game featured a key defensive play by Mookie Betts, Andy Pages and Dalton Rushing.

WORDS: 770 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 12:32 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f7ade557ccb5bd96981a083d73ba569d&mediaType=text

___

BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Shohei Ohtani had lubricant injected into his knee and is likely to pitch Wednesday at Philadelphia

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani has received a lubricant injection in his left knee, according to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Ohtani was 0 for 4 with a pair of warning-track flyouts as the leadoff batter and designated hitter in 2-1 win over the New York Yankees that opened the second half. He is not scheduled to pitch this weekend but is likely to start Wednesday in Philadelphia. Roberts said Ohtani had the procedure after Sunday’s game against Arizona. Ohtani last pitched on July 3. The team plans to manage his workload, giving him days off after pitching starts when possible.

WORDS: 568 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 11:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:263dc20928feee0820c48bd82ad3b2da&mediaType=text

___

BBO--DODGERS-YANKEES

Max Muncy hits 2-run homer off Gerrit Cole in 7th to lift Dodgers over Yankees 2-1 in series opener

SUMMARY: Max Muncy hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning on Gerrit Cole’s 103rd and final pitch, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Yankees 2-1 in their first game in the Bronx since winning the 2024 World Series. Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4 with a pair of warning-track flyouts, five days after the four-time MVP had a lubricant injected into his irritated left knee. Los Angeles began the second half by improving to a big league-best 62-36. New York dropped to 18-20 without captain Aaron Judge, still sidelined by a fractured rib.

WORDS: 428 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 10:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8c0a45a360b650e35a77330d2482e3a&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP FINAL-ARGENTINA

Lionel Messi speaks in advance of World Cup final, says Argentina ‘will give it our all’

SUMMARY: The lineup of sports legends simultaneously on the stage at Fanatics Fest on Friday night was almost absurd. There was Tom Brady, the greatest Super Bowl champion of all time. There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men’s Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else. There was Kevin Durant, the only four-time Olympic gold medalist in men’s basketball history. And before they left, they all got a selfie with Lionel Messi. Let that be the latest proof of Messi’s power: Even the biggest stars in the sports universe clearly enjoy a chance to be around the best soccer player of all-time. They’ll all be watching Sunday — along with probably 1.5 billion other people worldwide — when Messi and Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final.

WORDS: 808 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 8:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:82ad1be062f7716d6107f4a001220b81&mediaType=text

___

BBO--MLB-AI DUGOUT BAN

MLB restricts dugout iPad use to prevent AI help with strategy. Ottavino says Mets were involved

SUMMARY: Major League Baseball is restricting iPad usage in dugouts to prevent artificial intelligence from influencing game decisions. Former reliever and current broadcaster Adam Ottavino said the New York Mets’ use of technology helped prompt the move. The tablets, which have access to video and league data, had custom tabs for other programs. MLB made those tabs inaccessible starting Wednesday night. The change aims to stop AI from influencing decisions traditionally made by players and coaches. Yankees captain Aaron Judge expressed surprise at teams using AI. Ottavino noted the Mets’ significant investment in AI, which MLB has now curtailed.

WORDS: 606 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 8:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac940e2490557438f440514977832a74&mediaType=text

___

GLF--BRITISH OPEN-DECHAMBEAU

DeChambeau gets 2-shot penalty in dramatic late-night British Open ruling

SUMMARY: Bryson DeChambeau has been given a two-shot penalty after his second round at the British Open. That has dropped the American star out of the final group and raised initial doubts about his continued involvement at Royal Birkdale. It was a dramatic late Friday evening development after he shot a 4-under 66. DeChambeau was taken back out to the course and specifically to the fifth hole where footage taken during his round showed him stomping around in high grass to the right of the fairway trying to figure out his shot. DeChambeau was seen in a lengthy, heated exchange with rules officials. He was deemed to have inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing. The two-shot penalty turned his score to a 68.

WORDS: 631 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 7:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dc82c53d34cba028372722c4ab13f7c5&mediaType=text

___

GLF--BRITISH OPEN

DeChambeau penalized 2 shots at British Open after Herbert and Burns shoot 62s in wild 2nd round

SUMMARY: Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns are in the history books by matching the major championship record with 62s at the British Open. Bryson DeChambeau is in the spotlight for a two-shot penalty. DeChambeau finished birdie-birdie and was one shot behind 36-hole leader Herbert. But after the round officials took him back to the fifth hole. Video indicates DeChambeau might have improved the path of his swing by stomping around in high grass behind his ball. DeChambeau was visibly frustrated during the discussion. His score was changed from a 66 to a 68 and he was three shots behind Herbert.

WORDS: 1179 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 7:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0056361d011417a6ae53765105dbf949&mediaType=text

___

GLF--BRITISH OPEN-NOTEBOOK

Scheffler rues missed putts but happy with his game after tee-to-green clinic at the British Open

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler put on a tee-to-green clinic in his second round at the British Open and he thinks it bodes well for his chances of keeping hold of the shiny claret jug. Now the world No. 1 just needs to find his range on the greens. Scheffler missed seven birdie putts from 15 feet or less in a bogey-free, second straight 68 at Royal Birkdale that could have yielded so much more. Four of those putts were from inside 10 feet. Scheffler says “I gave myself a lot of opportunities. Wish I holed a few more putts.” Scheffler is four shots behind leader Lucas Herbert.

WORDS: 765 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 7:10 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:73879154dedfe5477490243ff223a3fb&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-MESSI-YAMAL PHOTO

Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title

SUMMARY: Almost two decades ago, photographer Joan Monfort didn’t think much of his photo shoot of a teenage Lionel Messi bathing a cute baby boy in a plastic bathtub. Not until years later when that infant blossomed into Lamine Yamal. Now those images of Messi and an infant Yamal have exploded in popularity in the runup to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina will play Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.

WORDS: 781 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 7:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ef3ef3da74cdc02731dee63718d91229&mediaType=text

___

US--SPORTS-WILDFIRE SMOKE

Pirates-Guardians game postponed due to poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke

SUMMARY: Friday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians was postponed due to air quality concerns because of wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota. Heavy, pungent wildfire smoke darkened skies in the U.S. from the Great Lakes to parts of the East Coast, reducing visibility and prompting warnings that breathing the air outside could be dangerous. Officials in many cities urged residents to stay inside or wear masks outside as air quality reached unhealthy to hazardous levels, meaning it’s unhealthy for anyone, regardless of health conditions. The National Weather Service said a lingering high pressure system has trapped the smoke close to the ground.

WORDS: 405 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 5:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0a1b831efa3f58d79e560a4e867d83dd&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP FINAL-SMOKE

Uncertainty clouds the forecast on whether wildfire smoke will affect the World Cup final

SUMMARY: It’s unclear how much, if at all, smoke from Canadian wildfires will affect the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday. Conditions improved in the New York City area and northern New Jersey on Friday after the air quality was hazardous on Thursday. Rain expected Saturday and the uncertainty about how much smoke will follow is clouding the forecast for kickoff, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern time in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain’s Mikel Merino says he and his teammates notice the smoke while outside but are being careful and trying to focus on the game.

WORDS: 899 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 5:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:76edbb6afca0501747d8ebaf91a741fc&mediaType=text

___

FBN--NFL-GAMBLING SUSPENSION

NFL suspends Arizona Cardinals executive indefinitely for violating league’s gambling policy

SUMMARY: The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy. The league said Friday that its investigation determined that Gold provided confidential, non-public inside information regarding 2026 draft selections by the Cardinals before the picks were announced, and Gold also participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games. The league didn’t say who Gold had provided with the information. Gold, who is in his 13th season with the Cardinals, was promoted to director of college scouting in June 2025.

WORDS: 512 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 4:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:34c3716d6673de60d1204809832135f4&mediaType=text

___

GLF--BRITISH OPEN-RAHM

Club-throwing Jon Rahm gets conduct warning at British Open

SUMMARY: Jon Rahm is the latest to receive a conduct warning at a major champion. Rahm threw his club after a poor tee shot on the 15th hole Friday at the British Open. The R&A said it has issued him an official warning. The majors have been cracking down on conduct this year. Joaquin Niemann received a two-shot penalty in the first round of the U.S. Open without getting warned when he heaved his club. Sergio Garcia received an official warning at the Masters when he slammed his driver into the turf and into a bench.

WORDS: 395 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 4:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:82d43682dbefc3ee83d0079635c42b8e&mediaType=text

___

FBC--ACC-NORTH CAROLINA-BELICHICK

Bill Belichick’s 1st college team struggled at UNC. He’s hoping lessons learned lead to more success

SUMMARY: North Carolina coach Bill Belichick is hoping his Tar Heels benefit from lessons learned and more stability from his first college season. The Tar Heels won just four games under the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. Belichick said Friday during the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason football media days that “every week is a learning experience for me” in trying to improve the program. Belichick noted the Tar Heels were “literally starting from scratch” last year but are “above that now for sure’ with holdovers from last year and more new players arriving in time for spring practices.

WORDS: 994 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 3:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f3d6813cb177fcd7f69cc8baca0c1be5&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-SPAIN BROTHERHOOD

Argentines and Spaniards face divided loyalties ahead of Spain-Argentina World Cup final

SUMMARY: Argentines and Spaniards are facing a dilemma as their teams meet in the World Cup final. This is the first all-Spanish-speaking final since 1930. Many people with ties to both countries are torn about whom to support. Juan Manuel Posada, a Spaniard in Buenos Aires, says he feels caught between a rock and a hard place. Meanwhile, Manuel Fernández Acevedo, who moved from Spain to Argentina, says he’s happy for either team to win. The deep cultural ties between the nations are evident in literature, gastronomy, and football. Many are embracing the match as a celebration of shared heritage.

WORDS: 719 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 3:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e1fb856a97a328fa15aa869edeea2718&mediaType=text