La Crosse Tribune Sports News

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Harrison Smith could have waited until next year to become a free agent and, perhaps, found more money on the open market with other teams bidding against the Minnesota Vikings.

University of Wisconsin men's basketball coach Greg Gard threw out the first pitch before the Milwaukee Brewers hosted the Oakland A's at Miller Park on Tuesday night.

NEW YORK (AP) — The banged-up Los Angeles Angels placed reliever Joe Smith on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, one of several roster moves Tuesday as they reshuffled their depleted pitching staff.

A look at what's happening all around the majors Wednesday:

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Royals and Baltimore Orioles emptied their benches and bullpens after Kansas City starter Yordano Ventura plunked Manny Machado in the back with a pitch.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have signed free agent wide receiver Damian Copeland and waived guard Andrew Zeller.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steven Matz knew very quickly that is wasn't going to be his day.

DENVER (AP) — Greg Sherman and the Colorado Avalanche have parted ways after the onetime general manager spent two decades with the company.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox are skipping Carlos Rodon's next start because of discomfort in his neck and arm.

CHICAGO (AP) — James Shields wants to pitch in more big games and is ready for a fresh start. So are the struggling Chicago White Sox.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jon Niese had little trouble against his former team.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — As Tom Brady awaits the outcome of his latest appeal of his suspension, backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said his preparation for the season remains unchanged.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers signed veteran free agent punter Mike Scifres to a one-year contract.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker has been named to the Select Team of young players that will train against this year's U.S. basketball team.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine has been named to the Select Team of young players that will train against this year's U.S. basketball team.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The most famous man in the world sat down in a busy airport terminal with a little girl he'd never met, and the pair played pat-a-cake for 10 minutes.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed outfielder Jorge Soler on the 15-day disabled list because of a left hamstring strain and selected the contract of prospect Albert Almora Jr. from Triple-A Iowa.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have all seven rookie draft picks under contract after signing quarterback Cardale Jones on Tuesday.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The task facing the San Jose Sharks is daunting: No team in nearly three quarters of a century has rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the Stanley Cup Final.

TORONTO (AP) — Dwane Casey has guided the Toronto Raptors in their journey from the NBA hinterlands to the Eastern Conference final.