Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz left in the ninth inning of Thursday’s 8-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays with what he believes was a back spasm.    

The Cleveland Cavaliers cannot officially trade Andrew Wiggins before Aug. 23 but remain the closest thing to a front-runner in the trade sweepstakes for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love, according to sources close to the process.    

Tony Romo turned 34 in April and he is coming off his second back surgery in less than a year, but the Dallas Cowboys quarterback sees himself playing the best football of his career in 2014 and beyond.    

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul told ESPN it’s “unacceptable” if Donald Sterling is still the owner of the team when the season begins.    

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis both insisted there was no awkward tension or lingering animosity that needed to be resolved after their contract negotiations with tight end Jimmy Graham this summer.    

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch plans to hold out and not participate in the opening day of training camp Friday, former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson said Thursday night on the NFL Network.    

Former Minnesota Twins star Chuck Knoblauch was arrested Wednesday night on charges that he allegedly assaulted his ex-wife, KHOU.com reported.    

The Lakers introduced Jeremy Lin at a news conference Thursday.    

Aldon Smith said hours before the San Francisco 49ers started training camp Thursday that he has stayed sober since last September, when he was arrested for drunk driving for the second time since Jan. 2012.    

Ohio State fired its band director on Thursday following a two-month investigation into sexual harassment of students, according to the Columbus Dispatch.