USA advances to WBC semifinals on Trea Turner grand slam vs. Venezuela  —  MIAMI — It was raucous.  It was exhilarating.  It was breathtaking.  —  It was sheer bedlam.  —  When the smoke cleared Saturday evening, the USA was dancing off the field, 9-7 winners over Venezuela …

Rick Pitino agrees to six-year deal to become St. John's head coach  —  Rick Pitino has agreed to become St. John's head coach, the school announced.  —  Pitino informed Iona he was leaving the program in a team meeting Monday afternoon and agreed to the six-year deal with the Red Storm, according to ESPN.

FMIA: The First-Week Free-Agency Files  —  Early Report Card  —  1. Chicago.  The Bears traded ownership of the draft to Carolina, then owned the first week of free-agency.  —  After a conversation with Bears GM Ryan Poles the other night, it sounds like the trade was almost THE TRADE.

Padres star Juan Soto suffers oblique injury in ‘B’ game  —  Padres star left fielder leaves ‘B’ game with ‘mild’ left oblique strain  —  The day before their day off was not a good one for the Padres.  —  Even before catcher Austin Nola was carted off the field with an apparent broken nose during …

A cool tradition: First day of spring means free Rita's  —  Let's all put winter behind us and take part in a delicious (and free) spring tradition.  —  Rita's is once again offering free Italian ice to kick off the season.  Visit one of the Valley's 17 Rita's locations from noon to 9 p.m. Monday and get yourself some free Rita's.

Orioles observations on Colton Cowser's 476-foot blast, Dean Kremer's WBC experience, Mike Baumann's new role and more  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Colton Cowser didn't need to eat Wheaties on Friday morning to power the 476-foot home run he smashed against the Minnesota Twins.

Pache making his case to remain in Oakland A's outfield mix  —  The A's Opening Day centerfielder last season is out of options, but solid spring might help him keep his job  —  MESA, Ariz. — When Cristian Pache entered his second spring training with the Oakland A's last month …

A's starter Paul Blackburn, catcher Manny Piña to open season on IL  —  MESA, Ariz. — Oakland Athletics starter Paul Blackburn will begin the season on the injured list due to a torn fingernail on the middle finger of his pitching hand, manager Mark Kotsay said Friday.

Brandon Nimmo leaves spring training game vs Marlins with apparent ankle injury  —  The Mets just can't seem to catch a break.  —  One day after losing closer Edwin Diaz for up to eight months, Brandon Nimmo injured his right ankle on an awkward slide in a Grapefruit League game.

Heat veteran Kyle Lowry adjusting to new role coming off bench  —  MIAMI — Miami Heat point guard Kyle Lowry has been a steady presence in the starting lineup for nearly his entire career.  —  The veteran had started 677 consecutive games that he was active for, dating back to his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors.

Dolphins bringing ex-Jets WR and former Hurricane Braxton Berrios back to Miami  —  Braxton Berrios is coming back to where he played his college football.  —  The former Miami Hurricanes receiver and return man is signing with the Miami Dolphins, according to multiple league sources.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa enjoys a mostly smooth return to center field  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The last time Isiah Kiner-Falefa played center field in a game that counted, he was still trying to break into the major leagues.  —  Back on June 17, 2017, “IKF” took to the middle of the outfield …