AP Sports SummaryBrief at 2:47 a.m. EST

Hilary Knight wants focus on the US women's Olympic success, not Trump's 'distasteful' joke

SEATTLE (AP) — Hilary Knight says the U.S. women’s hockey team is moving past what she called a “distasteful” joke by President Donald Trump. Knight says she is focusing the performance of her team and by American women in general at the Games. Trump drew attention after telling the gold-medal-winning U.S. men's team he would also have to invite the women to the White House. Knight said the video of Trump's remark is taking attention away from the respectful relationship between the men's and women's teams. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman said the men “should have reacted differently” in the moment.

Max Scherzer and Toronto Blue Jays agree to $3 million, 1-year deal, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — Max Scherzer is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays. Two weeks into spring training, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed with the reigning American League champions on a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press early Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. The 41-year-old Scherzer can earn another $10 million in performance bonuses. Scherzer went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts and 85 innings for the Blue Jays last season, his 18th in the major leagues. He signed a $15.5 million, one-year contract with Toronto in February 2025.

NFL QB market, impacted by a thin draft class, features Cousins and maybe Tagovailoa and Murray, too

A handful of NFL teams either at a crossroad or committed to starting over at quarterback will find scant options for upgrades. The rookie class thins quickly after expected first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Finding a new starter through free agency or a trade is always tricky at a position of such scarce quality but not impossible. Kirk Cousins will again be the most certain option on the market. The Atlanta Falcons plan to release him next month. The Miami Dolphins are considering moving Tua Tagovailoa. Kyler Murray could be dealt by the Arizona Cardinals as well.

Vrabel calls for increased staffing at NFL replay center to help cut down on mistakes

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel called on the league to increase staffing at the replay command center to make sure that reviews from all games are treated equally in the future. Vrabel spoke at the NFL scouting combine Wednesday and was asked about comments earlier this week made by NFL executive Troy Vincent that there were a handful of mistakes made in replay last season in games played in the early Sunday afternoon window when as many as nine games were played at the same time.

FIFA's Infantino has 'complete confidence' in Mexico to host World Cup games despite cartel violence

MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has “complete confidence” in Mexico as a World Cup co-host despite days of cartel violence in the country that has left at least 70 people dead. FIFA says Mexico can still safely co-host the World Cup despite deadly cartel violence linked to a top drug lord’s death. On Monday, authorities report at least 70 deaths after cartel members burn cars and block roads in many states. The unrest follows the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” Some local league matches have already been postponed. FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he trusts President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mexico’s authorities.

New York Yankees to retire CC Sabathia's No. 52 on Sept. 26

NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia’s No. 52 will be retired on Sept. 26 by the New York Yankees, who will dedicate a plaque in honor of the Hall of Famer at Monument Park before that day’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia will be the 24th man to have his number retired by the Yankees, the first since Paul O’Neill was honored with the retirement of No. 21 in 2022. Twenty-three numbers have been retired, with No. 8 set aside for both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey. Sabathia will join former teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte with plaques in Monument Park, beyond Yankee Stadium’s center-field fence.

Reed powers No. 6 UConn to 72-40 rout against No. 15 St. John's

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Tarris Reed Jr. had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, and No. 6 UConn held 15th-ranked St. John’s to 20% shooting in a 72-40 blowout that snapped the Red Storm’s 13-game winning streak. Alex Karaban added 14 points and five rebounds for the Huskies, who moved back into first place in the Big East by avenging an 81-72 loss to St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6. St. John’s missed 12 consecutive shots in the first half and then its final 24 field goal attempts of the game as the Huskies romped to their most lopsided victory in series history. It was by far the largest defeat for the Johnnies in three seasons under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.

Joel Quenneville reaches 1,000 victories, joining Scotty Bowman in an elite club for NHL coaches

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Joel Quenneville became the second coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games when his Anaheim Ducks rallied to beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5. Quenneville joined Scotty Bowman in this exclusive hockey club with a milestone win Wednesday night in the Ducks’ first game back from the Olympic break. Bowman became the first coach to reach the mark in 1997. The 67-year-old Quenneville has made a successful return to the NHL this season in Anaheim after a four-year absence from the league following his resignation from the Florida Panthers in late 2021 over his inaction during the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual abuse scandal 11 years earlier.

Champions League: Vinicius helps Real Madrid advance, PSG and Atalanta also through

Vinícius Júnior fittingly had the final say in an emotionally charged rematch with Benfica to guide Real Madrid into the round of 16 of the Champions League. Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain also advanced out of the playoffs while Atalanta completed a remarkable comeback with a last-second goal to maintain Italian involvement in the competition. Juventus fell short of completing its own stunning second-leg recovery against Galatasaray, though. Playing a week after being the target of alleged racial abuse in the first leg against Benfica, Vinícius wrapped up Madrid’s 2-1 win over the Portuguese team and a 3-1 victory on aggregate with his team’s second goal in the 80th minute.

Paul Skenes loses 4 strikes to ABS challenges in Cy Young winner's spring debut before WBC

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes lost four strikes to ABS challenges in his first spring training start. Skenes struck out four and walked four over 2 1/3 innings for Pittsburgh on Wednesday against Atlanta. The Braves were 4 for 4 on challenges to get called strikes by Chris Segal. overturned to balls. The 53-pitch outing is expected to be the only one for Skenes before joining the U.S. for the World Baseball Classic. The right-hander threw 27 pitches for strikes, along with four other pitches initially called strikes that Braves hitters challenged through the automated ball-strike system.