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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BKL--WNBA-COMMISSIONER ENGELBERT

DESCRIPTION: The WNBA has grown at an exponential rate during Cathy Engelbert’s nearly seven years as commissioner but there is a strained relationship with increasingly vocal players. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/21/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--ON THE FRINGE-BRITISH OPEN

DESCRIPTION: SOUTHPORT, England -- Ryan Fox doesn’t have a YouTube channel, only the best content: a silver claret jug. The British Open was on the verge of being remembered for all the wrong reasons — most of them involving Bryson DeChambeau — until Fox and so many great moments Sunday moved DeChambeau into the background. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 850 words, photos. With Golf Notes and Golf Glance.

UPCOMING: By 07/21/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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CYC-TOUR DE FRANCE

DESCRIPTION: Tour de France Stage 16 between Evian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains.

UPCOMING: By 07/21/2026 11:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN-NFL-CAMP-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are the first teams to open training camp ahead of their Hall of Fame game opener and several teams got underway with rookies arriving to camp. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 07/21/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--SEC MEDIA DAYS

DESCRIPTION: Coverage of SEC Media Days on merit. By Eddie Pells. Text, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/21/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--BREWERS-MISIOROWSKI

Brewers remaining careful with Jacob Misiorowski as he returns from layoff

SUMMARY: Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy says the Brewers want to monitor Jacob Misiorowski’s workload coming out of the All-Star break. The first example of that came Monday night. Misiorowski worked just four innings in an 8-3 victory over the New York Mets that marked his first appearance since pitching seven innings in a July 7 victory at St. Louis. The Brewers scratched Misiorowski from a scheduled July 12 start in Pittsburgh due to arm fatigue. He didn’t pitch in the All-Star Game last week despite getting selected to the team for a second straight year.

WORDS: 606 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 12:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e9e487f5551aecd59a62a21c226df4f5&mediaType=text

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BBO--PIRATES-YANKEES-BENCHES CLEAR

Benches clear in Pirates-Yankees game after Santana shouts at Caballero

SUMMARY: Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana said he yelled at José Caballero for taking too long to get ready in the batter’s box, triggering a heated altercation in Monday night’s 8-5 loss to the New York Yankees. Both benches and bullpens emptied after Caballero bounced into an inning-ending double play in the eighth. Santana got angry following the play, gesturing and shouting a few times at Caballero on the field. The right-hander was restrained by teammates Rafael Flores and Bryan Reynolds before order was restored after a few minutes without any punches or ejections.

WORDS: 532 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 12:05 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6c6093c78d8d4895bd26b0114981c71f&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-STREAK

The Red Sox have won 14 straight and need 1 more to match an 80-year-old franchise record

SUMMARY: The Boston Red Sox have won 14 straight games. With one more victory, they would match the franchise record set by the 1946 club led by Ted Williams. Caleb Durbin hit a tiebreaking homer over the Green Monster with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Red Sox extended the second-longest winning streak in club history to 14 games, beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 on Monday night. Durbin connected on a 1-0 cutter from Tyler Wells, setting off a celebration by his teammates in front of Boston’s dugout. Boston was 37-48 when the streak began and is now in position for a wild-card playoff berth.

WORDS: 411 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 11:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b97b6b364257247866e617f8f7218ae2&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-HOME RUNS

Power surge: Guardians hit 7 homers against Twins, 1 short of franchise record

SUMMARY: The Cleveland Guardians hit seven home runs against the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, one short of the franchise record and matching the record for a home game. It was an unlikely power surge for the Guardians, who came into the game tied with Tampa Bay for the third-fewest homers in the majors with 94. Petey Halpin and Rhys Hoskins each went deep twice. It is the sixth time in the franchise’s 125 seasons they have gone deep at least seven times in a game. Cleveland hit eight home runs at Milwaukee on April 25, 1997, and at Seattle on July 16, 2004.

WORDS: 821 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 11:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0e2234c5f647063ea7deaff1eb0cbae8&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-MESSI-YAMAL-TOPPS

Topps to release a trading card of the photo of a young Messi holding infant Lamine Yamal

SUMMARY: Topps is creating a trading card of what became a famous photo during the World Cup of Argentina’s Lionel Messi holding Spain’s Lamine Yamal. Many consider Messi soccer’s greatest player. He was photographed holding Yamal, then an infant and now a 19-year-old rising star. The two met in Sunday’s final. Yamal and Spain defeated Messi and Argentina 1-0. That game was a potential changing of the guard with the 39-year-old Messi perhaps playing in his final World Cup.

WORDS: 151 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 7:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3b48d9a62c4c79a7768af14ccaa32fd3&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Dodgers say two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound later this week

SUMMARY: Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound sometime later this week, but there is no timetable for his return to the rotation. The four-time MVP last pitched on July 3. He received a lubricant injection in his balky left knee, which does not bother him while batting. Manager Dave Roberts said the injection, bypassing the All-Star game and skipping the scheduled start is not because the issue is worsening. Rather, that it has “not gotten better.” Roberts indicated that Ohtani would try to throw off the mound later this week, saying it could happen on Thursday or Friday.

WORDS: 281 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 6:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8dabe60413431ee6f6317b12b5623180&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-BEST OF

Best moments of the 2026 World Cup

SUMMARY: The World Cup produced hundreds of spectacular moments and The Associated Press covered all 104 games over 39 days in the United States, Canada and Mexico from every angle.

WORDS: 931 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 6:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:42b03be800d8e14890231eb3d980bdd2&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SPAIN-CELEBRATION

Spain’s World Cup champions return home for royal welcome and parade in front of almost 2 million

SUMMARY: Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer team has returned home to an estimated crowd of almost 2 million. The 26 players and their coaching staff met with the country’s royals and then with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after arriving in the Spanish capital a day after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey. The team then boarded an open-top bus for a raucous parade through central Madrid. “Stars shine together” was written on the bus, which also carried photos of the footballers. Players danced and interacted with the fans along the route.

WORDS: 778 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 5:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cd1705a614f6ffd79da5e217f63faaaa&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SPAIN DOMINANCE

How Spain built a soccer identity that conquered the world

SUMMARY: Spanish soccer has reached a level of its own. Spain’s World Cup victory on Sunday added to the nation’s long list of recent triumphs across men’s, women’s and youth competitions. It highlighted the dominance of a system that has stuck to a tactical identity and the development of collective talent. The men’s team is also the current European champion, the Olympic gold medalist and has reached the Nations League final twice, winning once. The women’s squad is the defending World Cup champion and a two-time Nations League winner, and it made it to the final of the 2025 European Championship.

WORDS: 1033 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 5:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84c8ec052e4135c1e1e93d58ddd445bc&mediaType=text

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HKN--BLACKHAWKS-BEDARD

Bedard says Carlsson’s offer sheet had no effect on his thinking for Blackhawks contract

SUMMARY: Connor Bedard never wavered. Whenever the young center was asked about his future, he always responded with similar variations of the same message. He says Chicago is the only place he wants to play. Bedard’s $75 million, five-year contract with the Blackhawks was announced on Saturday, a day after his 21st birthday. The final details were completed after Bedard had surgery on his left shoulder on July 8. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft is expected to miss the start of the season, but he thinks the adversity will help him become stronger mentally. He also says he would love to play with Patrick Kane if the dynamic winger wants to return to Chicago.

WORDS: 758 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 4:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5425f47394c23d45d5a4f5d6d1a6f130&mediaType=text

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TEN--WTA-TRANSGENDER

WTA introduces gene testing for all players on women’s tennis tour

SUMMARY: The Women’s Tennis Association is introducing one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players effective from Tuesday – a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The WTA has updated its women’s eligibility policy to include gender screening “based on biological sex” this week “to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players.” The new policy takes the organization in line with the eligibility policy introduced by the IOC in March to align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

WORDS: 295 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 3:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1f4efb8c070a031eb54e935deb0bbe23&mediaType=text

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GLF--BRITISH OPEN-FOX

Ryan Fox and his long and amazing road to British Open champion

SUMMARY: Ryan Fox didn’t turn pro until he was in his 20s and nearly quit as he was getting started. That’s why he had such a hard time grasping his British Open title that made him a major champion. Fox made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Cameron Young at Royal Birkdale. He won on a wild day in which four players had a share of the lead at one point and Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood were on the edges of contention. Fox is the oldest first-time major champion in 10 years.

WORDS: 978 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 3:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a5765c85d2ee188527a243485a234bdf&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP FINAL-BRAWL

FIFA investigates Argentina players confronting Spain’s on-field World Cup celebrations

SUMMARY: FIFA has opened an investigation after Spain’s celebrations on beating Argentina in the World Cup final took an ugly turn when players briefly clashed on the field. Video replays showed several players involved in a scuffle, including Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. He appeared to shove Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat. When Spain substitute Gavi jumped in to intervene, Paredes pushed him to the ground. Spain captain Rodri also seemed to be hit in the stomach by Argentina defender Nahuel Molina. FIFA says its “disciplinary committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential (code) breaches.”

WORDS: 283 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 3:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:96a47e04a3485874b808a0ebcd90c76a&mediaType=text

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FBC--SEC-SANKEY

Could the SEC really break away? Commish says conversations are real but that’s not what they want

SUMMARY: Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC is having serious talks about breaking away from the NCAA. On Monday, Sankey explained that school presidents are frustrated and considering significant changes. However, he emphasized that this isn’t their preferred solution. The SEC is dealing with issues like Congressional legislation, new eligibility rules, and transparency around player payments. Despite these challenges, Sankey highlighted the league’s 13 national championships last season as a reason to stay within the current framework. He believes there’s value in participating in a national organization.

WORDS: 723 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 3:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d36e8c65103cb0475d174756cb7adfa&mediaType=text

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BKL--AROUND THE WNBA

WNBA All-Star weekend clouded by injuries to Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese

SUMMARY: It was a rough week for WNBA All-Stars heading into the game this weekend. Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese both were injured Sunday. Bueckers had a rough collision with Nneka Ogwumike in the fourth quarter of Dallas’ game against Los Angeles. The second-year star guard won’t play Monday night against New York. Reese’s knee buckled as she jump-stopped at the basket. She fell to the ground. Reese got up quickly, but went down again after a few seconds. She went back to the bench but didn’t return. The Dream are off now through the All-Star break and Reese was voted a reserve for the team by the league’s coaches.

WORDS: 542 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 2:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b54726710ef2d4029ab81faa23ae336d&mediaType=text