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.

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UPCOMING

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SOC--EURO 2025

FORMATS: Text, Photo

1. WITH: SOC--EURO 2025-BELGIUM-ITALY

2. DESCRIPTION: SION, Switzerland — Belgium plays Italy in their opening match at the Women’s European Championship. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1800 GMT, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 2:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: SOC--EURO 2025-SPAIN-PORTUGAL

5. DESCRIPTION: World champion Spain begins its bid to win the Women’s European Championship against neighboring Portugal in Bern in Group B.

6. UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT

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HKN--FREE AGENCY

DESCRIPTION: The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year contract worth $13 million. Orlov will count $6.5 million against the salary cap through the 2026-27 NHL season. Orlov is the latest addition for the Sharks, who needed to spend $20 million just to get to the salary floor. San Jose also claimed Nick Leddy off waivers from St. Louis to add to its new-look blue line that includes recently signed veteran John Klingberg. Nikolaj Ehlers remains unsigned three full days into the free agency signing period. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. SENT: 300 words, photos. UPCOMING: 450 words.

SENT: UPDATES UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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OLY--SAFESPORT-FIRED INVESTIGATOR

DESCRIPTION: DENVER -- Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned an investigator had been arrested once for theft and again for harassment, it flew him to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session that included after-hours socials where the center provided vouchers for drinks. By Eddie Pells.

UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 4:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

DESCRIPTION: SILVIS, Ill. — Luke Clanton opens play in the John Deere Classic, a year after finishing second behind Davis Thompson while still an amateur at Florida State. UPCOMING: 350 words.

UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--BREWERS-METS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- After spending the past two seasons with the Mets, left-hander Jose Quintana (6-2, 3.30 ERA) starts for the Milwaukee Brewers against his former team in the rubber match of a three-game series. David Peterson (5-4, 3.30) gets the ball for New York. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick.

UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--ANGELS-BRAVES

DESCRIPTION: ATLANTA -- Right-hander Jose Soriano and the Los Angeles Angels wrap up their three-game series at the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night. By Charles Odum. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game starts at 7:15 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--WHITE SOX-DODGERS

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Aaron Civale starts for the Chicago White Sox against Dustin May and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series finale. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Begins 10 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 07/03/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--CWC-FAN FEELINGS

Some fans question US readiness for 2026 World Cup after Club World Cup experience

SUMMARY: Soccer fans have mixed feelings about the United States hosting the World Cup next year. Some worry about stadium readiness and security. Fans also cite concerns about extreme heat, game scheduling, and the lack of enthusiasm in some places during the ongoing Club World Cup. Others, however, praise improvements in security and organization, saying the U.S. has the infrastructure to host successfully. The Club World Cup is seen as a test run for the World Cup, allowing organizers to address challenges before welcoming even more global soccer fans next year.

WORDS: 955 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 1:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0fac529b7c4b225afe192dfa57098f44&mediaType=text

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US--SUPREME COURT-TRANSGENDER-ATHLETES

Supreme Court will take up a new case about which school sports teams transgender students can join

SUMMARY: Just two weeks ago, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. On Thursday, the justices said they’ll review lower court rulings in favor of transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia. The case will be argued in the fall. West Virginia’s attorney general calls it “a great day, as female athletes in West Virginia will have their voices heard.” Lawyers on the other side say they stand ready to defend the lower-court rulings. More than two dozen states have enacted laws restricting transgender women and girls from participating in certain sports. Some of these laws have been blocked in court.

WORDS: 722 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 12:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3871f87d332fb229c07ad16aa3d3cca8&mediaType=text

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SOC--LIVERPOOL-JOTA

Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother killed in a car accident in Spain

SUMMARY: Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off a road near the northwestern city of Zamora. Police were investigating the causes. They said there were no other vehicles involved. The 28-year-old Jota and his brother, 25-year-old André Silva, both Portuguese players, were in the car. Jota also played for Portugal’s national team. Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

WORDS: 884 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 12:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d7df70a74100e52ee28aa2810d6673d0&mediaType=text

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CAR--F1-MERCEDES-RUSSELL

George Russell says he expects to stay at Mercedes despite signs Max Verstappen could join

SUMMARY: George Russell says there’s an “exceptionally low” chance he’ll leave Mercedes next year even after he claimed the team was holding talks with Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix, Russell says he’s confident of staying with Mercedes. He says changing drivers would risk the team’s competitiveness when sweeping rule changes come in 2026. Russell caused a stir last week when he suggested to broadcaster Sky Sports that “conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing” and were a reason why he had yet to renew his contract for 2026.

WORDS: 420 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 11:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:030fa708dd670df77676cce09c520a04&mediaType=text

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TEN--WIMBLEDON

Djokovic sets another record at Wimbledon and jokes about sipping margaritas on beach with rivals

SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic added another record to his name by reaching Wimbledon’s third round for a 19th time with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Dan Evans on Centre Court. It was Djokovic’s 99th match win at Wimbledon overall, and his 19 third-round appearances put him one ahead of Roger Federer for most by any man in the Open Era. It’s hardly the most prestigious record for Djokovic, whose 24 Grand Slam titles are the most by a male player. But he used it to poke fun of his younger rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. He said “19 is a great stat” and that it’s “probably almost as much as Sinner and Alcaraz have years in their lives.”

WORDS: 543 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 11:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:76f98603d7e32a54cca0ad601927ddde&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-ORTIZ

Cleveland pitcher Luis Ortiz placed on non-disciplinary leave by MLB amid investigation

SUMMARY: Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on non-disciplinary leave due to an investigation by Major League Baseball. MLB said Ortiz’s paid leave will be through the end of the All-Star break on July 18. MLB and the Guardians had no further comment on the investigation. The 26-year old Ortiz is in his first season with Cleveland after he was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh last December. The right-hander is 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 16 starts this season. Ortiz was slated to be the starting pitcher for Thursday night’s game at the Chicago Cubs.

WORDS: 184 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 11:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:06134e96597c96df1e76c5a96141de53&mediaType=text

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TEN--WIMBLEDON-MENTAL HEALTH

The conversation on mental health returns to tennis after Alexander Zverev’s post-loss lament

SUMMARY: One tennis player’s public lament about feeling alone after a loss at Wimbledon has revived the conversation about mental health in the sport. Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Alexander Zverev discussed his state of mind after a first-round exit at the All England Club this week. Other competitors were asked Wednesday about Zverev’s words and some said they could empathize. Some offered advice. When Naomi Osaka opened up about her anxiety and depression at the 2021 French Open, it sparked a conversation in sports — and society at large — about mental health and the importance of addressing such issues.

WORDS: 819 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 11:03 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e66100a96b735bb7a1a444d033626c0c&mediaType=text

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CYC--TOUR DE FRANCE-PREVIEW

Dominant Pogačar and resurgent Vingegaard set to ignite Tour de France

WORDS: 818 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 3:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ff82f53305eef0d86c66a96a96d9bd56&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-KERSHAW-3000 STRIKEOUTS

A slider, a milestone and a heartfelt thank you: Kershaw’s 3,000th strikeout

SUMMARY: Clayton Kershaw has reached an incredible milestone, becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB history to record 3,000 career strikeouts. On Wednesday night, he struck out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox with a slider in the sixth inning. The 37-year-old Dodgers pitcher joins an elite group, including just three other left-handers, to achieve this feat. Fans at Dodger Stadium gave Kershaw a standing ovation as he tipped his cap and acknowledged his family in the stands. Despite not earning the win, Kershaw expressed gratitude for his teammates and the moment, calling it a special achievement in his 18th season.

WORDS: 1060 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 2:41 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e7a9c231c4e871bc16696daa3149da74&mediaType=text

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BBO--BREWERS-MISIOROWSKI

Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski gets tagged for 1st time in loss to Mets

SUMMARY: Jacob Misiorowski made everything look so easy in his first three major league starts. Now he knows it’s not. The hard-throwing rookie finally got knocked around Wednesday, serving up back-to-back homers as the Milwaukee Brewers lost 7-3 to the New York Mets in the second game of a day-night doubleheader at Citi Field. Barely touched by opposing batters since getting called up from the minors last month, Misiorowski allowed five runs, five hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings in his fourth career outing. Brandon Nimmo connected for a grand slam in the second and Francisco Lindor followed with another longball to give the Mets a 5-0 lead.

WORDS: 798 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 1:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:223714a696ea34c5b32941ad990e85b0&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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—Wimbledon

—Club World Cup

—Women’s European Championship

—CAR--F1-British GP Preview