Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Swimming: Dressel delivers message with year's fastest 100 free
Caeleb Dressel showed no signs of slowing down at the world swimming championships on Wednesday after the American delivered the year's fastest time in the 100 meters freestyle heats. Dressel, who two years ago matched Michael Phelps' record of seven world titles at a single championships, has already pocketed gold in the 4x100 relay and the 50 butterfly in Gwangju and there will be plenty more opportunities to add to his haul.
Swimming: FINA need to crack down on 'drug cheat' Sun - Fraser
Chinese swimmer Sun Yang is a "drug cheat" who should not be competing at the world championships and governing body FINA need to "get off their backsides" to protect clean athletes, Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser has said. Triple Olympic champion Sun was cleared to swim at Gwangju despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) set to hear a doping case against him in September.
Motor racing: Vettel facing his demons on return to Hockenheim
Sebastian Vettel will be battling his demons as well as his Formula One rivals when the Ferrari driver returns to Hockenheim this weekend for his home German Grand Prix. Last year’s race at the 4.5km circuit, just half an hour away from Vettel’s home town Heppenheim, is where it all began to go wrong for the four-times world champion.
NBA notebook: Lillard, DeRozan join Team USA exodus
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan became the seventh and eighth players to withdraw from the Team USA roster ahead of this summer's FIBA World Cup, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris and Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal pulled out on Monday, joining Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum and Houston Rockets guards James Harden and Eric Gordon.
MLB notebook: Scherzer set to return Thursday
Washington Nationals ace right-hander Max Scherzer is set to return from the 10-day injured list to start Thursday against the visiting Colorado Rockies, manager Dave Martinez told reporters Tuesday. Scherzer (9-5, 2.30 ERA) experienced soreness in his middle back after he last pitched July 6 against the Kansas City Royals. He was diagnosed with inflammation in the bursa under his right shoulder and skipped the All-Star Game before going on the IL on July 13.
Dodger Stadium to undergo $100 million renovation
The National League's second-oldest ballpark is getting a nine-figure facelift. The Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled plans Tuesday for a $100-million renovation to Dodger Stadium that includes a new center-field plaza, elevators and bridges connecting the outfield pavilions to the main stadium, and a new sound system.
NHL notebook: Predators sign F Sissons to seven-year deal
The Nashville Predators signed forward Colton Sissons to a seven-year, $20 million contract on Tuesday. The Predators avoided arbitration and locked up the 25-year-old through the 2025-26 season. Sissons set career highs with 15 goals and 30 points in 75 games in 2018-19.
Taylor to fly 5,000 miles to take one jump at U.S. meet
Olympic and world champion Christian Taylor will do more flying than jumping this week. The five times triple jump gold medalist will be in the air for about 5,000 miles (7,900 km) on Thursday so he can take one jump at the U.S. championships/world trials in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday.
NFL notebook: Chiefs set to welcome back Hill
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reed is looking forward to seeing Tyreek Hill in training camp on Saturday. Reid told reporters on Tuesday that the Pro Bowl receiver/returner will be welcome when he shows despite an offseason of turmoil. The NFL investigated child-abuse allegations against Hill before announcing Friday that he didn't violate the league's personal-conduct policy.
Griner, Gray top picks in WNBA All-Star draft
The Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner and the Los Angeles Sparks' Chelsea Gray were the first two players selected Tuesday in the WNBA All-Star Game draft. Team captains Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics and A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces took turns making selections to fill out their 10-player rosters, with Delle Donne going first to pick the All-Starters because she was the leading vote-getter in fan balloting.
