MLB:
It will be the Houston Astros against the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series. Yes, Yankee fans that means what you think it means. Dallas Keuchel combined with three relievers on a three-hitter as the Houston Astros beat the New York Yankees 3-0 to win the AL wild card game. Keuchel gave up the Yankees' three hits while striking out seven in six innings before the bullpen accounted for three hitless innings. Colby Rasmus put the Astros ahead with a solo blast in the second before Carlos Gomez added a solo shot in the fourth.
Ichiro Suzuki will get a chance to collect his 3,000th major league hit. The Marlins have signed the outfielder to a one-year, $2 million package after he batted a career-low .229, dropping his career average to .314. Ichiro is tied for 33rd on MLB's hits list with 2,935 after amassing 1,278 in Japan.
The Cleveland Indians have shifted their front office following the departure of president Mark Shapiro to Toronto. The club has promoted general manager Chris Antonetti to president of baseball operations and named Mike Chernoff their new GM. Shapiro is leaving Cleveland after 24 seasons to take the same position with the Toronto Blue Jays. Antonetti had been the Indians GM for the past five years, with Chernoff his assistant since 2010.
NFL:
Colts coach Chuck Pagano said quarterback Andrew Luck looked good as he threw some passes at Tuesday's practice. Pagano said Luck took most of the snaps while Matt Hasselbeck sat out due to illness. Although Luck increased his workload, it remains uncertain if he'll play Thursday at Houston after sitting out Sunday's overtime victory because of a right shoulder injury.
The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent running back Dan Herron to address their injury-depleted backfield. The signing was announced Tuesday after Herron was one of several running backs who worked out for the Bills at their facility.
Buffalo is suddenly short on running backs after general manager Doug Whaley announced rookie Karlos Williams' status is uncertain after test revealed he sustained a concussion. Williams was hurt in a 24-10 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday while making his first career start in place of LeSean McCoy, who's out indefinitely with a left hamstring injury. Herron spent the previous two seasons in Indianapolis, where he had 389 yards rushing and a touchdown in 25 games, including three starts.
Buffalo (2-2) plays at Tennessee (1-2) on Sunday.
NBA:
The Charlotte Hornets said Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is expected to miss six months after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Kidd-Gilchrist also dislocated the shoulder in Saturday night's preseason game against Orlando. Kidd-Gilchrist is considered Charlotte's top defensive player.
A lawyer representing a professional basketball player arrested outside a New York City nightclub has told a jury his client was targeted because he's black. Attorney Alex Spiro said Tuesday in Manhattan Criminal Court that a white police officer saw a black man in a hoodie when he confronted the Atlanta Hawks' Thabo Sefolosha (sehf-ah-LOH'-shuh) on April 8th.
Sefolosha was arrested while leaving a Manhattan nightclub following a stabbing. He subsequently suffered a season-ending leg fracture after a confrontation with police. A prosecutor said in opening statements that Sefolosha called an officer who repeatedly told him and others to leave a "midget."
Sefolosha pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. The Swiss citizen declined a plea deal from prosecutors.
NCAAF:
A judge has dismissed simple assault charges against Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo after the woman he allegedly attacked said she didn't want to testify. Also on Tuesday, another judge lifted a temporary restraining order filed against Carroo when the woman he was accused of attacking said she didn't think it was necessary. Carroo was suspended from the team when the charges were filed.
NHL:
Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis will miss 4-5 weeks with a lower body injury. The 36-year old was limited to 16 games last season because of blood clots. He was off to a solid start last fall with seven goals in 16 games before the clotting issue was discovered. Dupuis was one of the most durable members of the Penguins before tearing the ACL in his right knee in December 2013.
The Devils will retire Martin Brodeur's (broh-DOORZ') jersey No. 30 and unveil a statue of their longtime goaltender during ceremonies at the game on Feb. 9 against the Oilers. Brodeur won three Stanley Cups and four Vezina trophies during his 21 seasons with the Devils. He retired as the NHL's all-time leader among goaltenders with 1,266 games played, 691 wins and 125 shutouts.
The Montreal Canadiens have claimed forward Paul Byron off waivers from the Calgary Flames. He played in 57 games with the Flames last season, scoring six goals and adding 13 assists. He has 17 goals and 31 assists in 138 games with Buffalo and Calgary.
U.S. Luge:
The winter sports sliding venue that's home ice for the U.S. luge, bobsled, and skeleton teams is set to open. The mile-long track at Mount Van Hoevenberg outside Lake Placid opens Thursday and will welcome several USA Luge athletes for the first official runs of the season at 8:30 a.m.
Cold air has been trapped inside the chute, thanks to a refrigeration plant, several cold nights, a fresh coat of white paint and shades, and that has enabled the track crew to produce a fast, smooth surface. Competitors sliding first will be 2014 Olympians Matt Mortensen, Jayson Terdiman, Summer Britcher and Aidan Kelly. The team will be on ice each morning through the end of the month.
