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.
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UPCOMING
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BBO--VELOCITY RULES
DESCRIPTION: Velocity is on track to set a record for the sixth straight season, with four-seam fastballs averaging 94.7 mph through Saturday. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 670 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL
DESCRIPTION: The White Sox and Rays -- two division leaders -- also had the top 2 picks in baseball’s draft this past weekend. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
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FBN-MARK SANCHEZ-STABBING
DESCRIPTION: A jury trial is scheduled in the case against former Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez on charges that he attacked and seriously injured a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel in what prosecutors say was a dispute over a parking place.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 9:30 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo, Video
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FBN--TOP 5-COACHES
DESCRIPTION: A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers votes on the top five coaches in the NFL. By Pro Football Rob Maaddi. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--TOP 5-QBS
DESCRIPTION: A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers votes on the top five coaches in the NFL. By Pro Football Rob Maaddi. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--LOOMING LOCKOUT
DESCRIPTION: Baseball’s top players gather for what might be the last All-Star Game for a while: Management is proposing a salary cap, which threatens the 2027 season. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--WCUP-FRANCE-SPAIN PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: Kylian Mbappé and France haven’t trailed in this World Cup. Neither has Spain with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Now they meet in a semifinal match, with France trying to make its first third consecutive championship game and Spain already deeper than its has been since winning its 2010 title. By Stephen Hawkins.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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BBO--HOME RUN DERBY
DESCRIPTION: Spot coverage of the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby.
UPCOMING: By 07/13/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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CAR--NASCAR-ATLANTA
NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta resumes following weather delay longer than 3 hours
SUMMARY: The NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway has resumed following a delay of longer than 3 hours due to rain and lightning. Pole winner Ryan Blaney held the lead when severe weather caused the delay of 3 hours and 9 minutes. There had been concern about approaching rain before lighting within eight miles of the track led NASCAR officials to order cars off the track and advise fans to exit the grandstand. Rain began soon after the delay began. The race was scheduled for 260 laps and 130 laps had to be completed for the race to be official.
WORDS: 326 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 11:57 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:86dabb1a5cbd927f5b78b21d4bb24a57&mediaType=text
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BKL--LIBERTY-LANEY-HAMILTON SHOE
A tossed shoe leads to late ejection and derails Liberty rally in a 93-91 loss to Toronto
SUMMARY: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was tossed from the New York Liberty’s 93-91 loss to Toronto after she threw a shoe that hit Tempo player Marina Mabrey in the back late in the fourth quarter. Laney-Hamilton was trying to get the sneaker back to teammate Jonquel Jones after it had fallen off. The errant toss ended up hitting Mabrey and, after a review, the officials gave her a technical foul — her second of the game — for throwing a “projectile on the court.” The incident occurred with 1:48 left in the game and after Mabrey hit the free throw, Toronto had a 91-89 lead. The Liberty had rallied from 20 points down before falling short.
WORDS: 304 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 9:14 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d9fea595930405b72b1a3e176841f1d&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-SEMIFINALS-BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS
World Cup semifinals: Four previous champions, a bitter rivalry, Mbappé vs Yamal and Messi vs Kane
WORDS: 843 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 6:58 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d271d7d89fe3384614357258687686a0&mediaType=text
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MMA--UFC-MCGREGOR’S KNEE
McGregor’s manager says fighter had no knee injury prior to short bout with Max Holloway
SUMMARY: Conor McGregor’s manager said in a social media post Sunday that fighter did not have a previous knee injury prior to his shortened UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway. McGregor’s first fight in five years lasted just 1:09 due to a knee injury sustained while attempting an opening roundhouse kick. McGregor’s highly-anticipated return to the octagon ended in disappointment when he awkwardly landed on his right knee in the opening seconds of Saturday’s fight. McGregor tried to continue, but went to the mat twice more before the scheduled five-round match was halted by the referee. McGregor and UFC President Dana White both said right after the fight there was no pre-existing injury to the knee.
WORDS: 173 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 6:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2be699014529801b9a5115a8f16ad29&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON-ROYAL BOX
Prince William and wife Kate share a moment with Jannik Sinner after his Wimbledon victory
SUMMARY: Prince William joined his wife Kate and two of their children for the men’s final at Wimbledon in a star-studded Royal Box that also included actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller. Kate is the patron of the All England Club and presented the trophy to winner Jannik Sinner after his match against Alexander Zverev. She also handed out the trophy to women’s winner Linda Noskova on Saturday, but was not joined by any of her family members. The couple’s two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, also attended Sunday’s match.
WORDS: 336 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 6:17 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7226960903887d409737fa903bd6a90b&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON-ZVEREV
Zverev hopes he can be more than just ‘the third guy’ in tennis after run to Wimbledon final
SUMMARY: Alexander Zverev is used to being “the third guy” in tennis. After following up his French Open title with a run to his first Wimbledon final, he’s hoping to be more than that in the future. Even after losing to Jannik Sinner on Centre Court on Sunday, Zverev thinks he is closer than ever to challenging the top-ranked Italian and his main rival Carlos Alcaraz for Grand Slam titles. Zverev says “I think I’ve been pushing those guys,” and that it’s the first time in his career he actually believes he could win Wimbledon.
WORDS: 516 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 6:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9846b628b5f110eac55d8b87a175754c&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON
Jannik Sinner bounces back with another Wimbledon title after his French Open meltdown
SUMMARY: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 for his second consecutive Wimbledon title and fifth Grand Slam overall. Zverev appeared bothered by a knee issue after a slip to the grass on a key point in the third set. Sinner’s latest title came in his first tournament since a meltdown at the French Open. It was Sinner’s 10th straight victory over Zverev. Zverev was coming off his first Grand Slam title at the French Open. Linda Noskova beat Karolina Muchova in an all-Czech women’s final on Saturday for her first Grand Slam title.
WORDS: 938 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 6:04 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e3e69ad0a4900b484b0eccd2751923e0&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-CONTENTIOUS CALLS-EXPLAINER
What to know about new rules and technology behind the World Cup’s most contentious calls
SUMMARY: It was another game-changing moment at the World Cup that had more to do with television replays in a room far away than a moment of brilliance on the field. The sending off of Switzerland’s Breel Embolo in Saturday’s quarterfinal game against Argentina was the latest call that may have left fans scratching their heads, not least because of the confusing name of the newly implemented “mistaken identity” law that swung the match. It is not the first time at this World Cup that teams have hit out against new rules or technology.
WORDS: 1008 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 6:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:399f2ee88e27264cba6f34ac24181b5a&mediaType=text
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BBO--ALL-STAR-STARTING PITCHERS
Philadelphia’s Sánchez to start All-Star Game at home for NL. Toronto’s Cease the pick for AL
SUMMARY: Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies will start Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in his home ballpark. He’ll take the mound for the National League against Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays announced Sunday that Cease will be the American League’s starter. Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is managing the NL, said Sanchez is his starter. Also Sunday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said New York’s Cam Schlittler was not planning to pitch in the All-Star Game. Then hours later Boone and Schlittler said the right-hander could be available after all.
WORDS: 567 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 5:28 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fcb2e716fce01c75726b8a4facf1db9c&mediaType=text
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BBM--ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME
Tampa Bay prospect Nathan Flewelling homers, MVP in AL’s 6-1 win over NL in All-Star Futures Game
SUMMARY: Tampa Bay Rays prospect Nathan Flewelling hit a two-run homer, leading the American League to a 6-1 win over the National League in the All-Star Futures Game. The 19-year-old catcher is rated the second-best prospect in Tampa Bay’s organization. He and Theo Gillen, Tampa Bay’s top prospect, combined for three RBIs. Phillies minor leaguer Gage Wood started the game, allowing one run in one inning. Former Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino managed the National League team. Larry Bowa managed the American League team. Among past Futures Games players, 86.8% have played in at least one major league game.
WORDS: 879 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 3:18 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:31c18f8ab57cb6c176a27143ddede553&mediaType=text
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GLF--BRITISH OPEN
Royal Birkdale is a different British Open test than it was in 2017
SUMMARY: Royal Birkdale has been a regular in the British Open for the last 70 years. There’s something different about the English links this time around. Peter Uihlein was among those getting in some practice on Sunday upon arriving for the final major of the year. He was a little confused by the 241-yard 15th hole and realized only later that it was a brand0new hole. Fairways have shifted. The fifth hole has been redesigned. Players will learn those changes quickly. What really stands out is the hot, dry weather and links turf that already is yellow and crispy from the sun.
WORDS: 766 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 2:59 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fd87c6f09c693e3093f46cae9cdfdca1&mediaType=text
