Off the wire

BASEBALL

Hamels headed to Texas

Two people familiar with the deal said the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to trade ace left-hander Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers for a package of prospects. Both people spoke to The Associated Press late Wednesday night on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized. Hamels has a limited no-trade clause but does not have to approve a deal to the Rangers. Hamels would become the first pitcher in major league history traded during a season immediately after throwing a no-hitter — he nohit the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field. The 2008 World Series MVP was an integral part of the greatest run in franchise history when the Phillies won five consecutive NL East titles, two pennants and one World Series in 2007-2011. His trade follows Wednesday’s deal that sent closer Jonathan Papelbon to Washington. The Rangers will send left-hander Matt Harrison, Class AA outfielder Nick Williams, catcher Jorge Alfaro, a top prospect recovering from ankle surgery, right-hander Jerad Eickhoff and right-hander Alec Asher to the Phillies, sources confirmed.

• St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday left Wednesday night's game with the Cincinnati Reds with a right quad strain after pulling up while running to first base on a double play that ended the first inning. It is the same injury that sidelined Holliday for 31 games earlier this season. The Cardinals announced that an update on Holliday's condition would be made today. Holliday, a seven-time All-Star, is hitting .290 with 4 home runs and 31 RBI. Holliday was replaced in the lineup by Mark Reynolds, who entered the game at first base, while Stephen Piscotty moved to left field.

BASKETBALL

Bucks sign Chris Copeland

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed free-agent forward Chris Copeland, adding veteran depth to their young frontcourt. General Manager John Hammond did not announce terms of the deal Wednesday. The 6-foot-8 Copeland played the last two seasons in Indiana, averaging 6.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 50 games in 2014-15. Undrafted out of Colorado in 2006, Copeland played overseas and in the NBA's D-League before breaking into the NBA with New York in 2012-13. Bucks Coach Jason Kidd also played on that Knicks team. While with the Pacers, Copeland was stabbed in the elbow and abdomen outside a New York nightclub early in the morning of April 8.

• The WNBA suspended Danielle Adams of the San Antonio Stars for three games without pay for an unspecified violation of the league's anti-drug program. "I sincerely apologize to my teammates, the Stars organization and our fans for my actions," said Adams. "As a professional athlete, I understand that I am held to a higher standard. I plan to use this experience as an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally." The move was announced several hours before Wednesday night's home game against Atlanta. Adams missed Wednesday's home game against Atlanta and will miss Friday's game against Washington and Sunday's game against Los Angeles.

TENNIS

Pospisil advances in Atlanta

Vasek Pospisil overcame sweltering heat and cramps to outlast Yen-Hsun Lu in the Atlanta Open on Wednesday. Pospisil, the No. 2 seed from Canada, beat Taiwan's Lu 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4. The match ended on Lu's second double-fault of the match. The temperature was 95 degrees, with a heat index of 101. Pospisil looked unsteady on his feet after losing the second-set tiebreaker. He left the court following the set, prompting speculation he might be unable to finish the match. "It was in my mind, but it's not like me," said Pospisil of the possibility of not returning for the final set. "I mean, I wasn't feeling good at all. ... There aren't conditions like these on the tour very much." Cramping in his legs caused him to fall to the court in the third set, but he continued without a delay. Pospisil will play No. 5 seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus in the quarterfinals. Baghdatis beat Australia's Sam Groth 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Roger Federer pulled out of next month's Rogers Cup hard-court tournament on Wednesday. A spokesman for Tennis Canada, Valerie Tetreault, wrote in an email to The Associated Press that Federer "wants to make sure he will be (in) top shape for" the U.S. Open, the year's last Grand Slam tournament, which begins Aug. 31. "I am disappointed that I won't be playing in Montreal because it's a tournament and a city that I really enjoy and has incredible fans," Federer said in a statement released by Tennis Canada. "I hope to be back in the future." Federer, owner of a record 17 major championships, has not competed since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on July 12. Federer, who turns 34 on Aug. 8, won the Rogers Cup twice, in 2004 and 2006, and he was the runner-up a year ago.

HOCKEY

Devils' Zubrus placed on waivers

New Jersey Devils forward Dainius Zubrus was placed on unconditional waivers by the team Wednesday with the intention of ending his contract. Zubrus, 37, played for the Devils the last eight seasons and was slated to earn $3.1 million this season in the final year of a three-year, $9.3 million deal. The Lithuanian had 10 points in 74 games last season.

HORSE RACING

Pharoah flies in for Sunday race; purse upped

OCEANPORT, N.J. — Triple Crown winner American Pharoah received star treatment as he arrived to prepare for the $1.75 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

After landing at Atlantic City airport, racing’s biggest attraction was led off the plane, then escorted by New Jersey state troopers for the final leg of the journey. The van he was loaded into was decked out like Taylor Swift’s tour bus with his name splashed across the side.

A cluster of reporters awaited him when the van pulled into the Monmouth barn area shortly after 4 p.m.

As usual, American Pharoah was cool and collected, even on a blazingly hot afternoon on the Jersey Shore. He calmly stepped off the van, took two short turns outside the barn where he will reside through the race before heading into the shade for a bath and a nap.

It was the end of a long day that started at 1:30 a.m. at trainer Bob Baffert’s barn at Del Mar where the colt was loaded onto a van for the trip to the airport in Ontario, Calif., for the flight east. The plane made one stop in Kentucky before continuing to New Jersey.

“It’s a long trip,” said Jimmy Barnes, Baffert’s assistant who accompanied American Pharoah. “The trip went very smooth. He’s a professional. He always ships good. He makes it so easy for all of us. That’s what makes him so unique.”

The appearance by American Pharoah in the Haskell is the most eagerly anticipated stakes in New Jersey racing history.

Monmouth sweetened the purse by $750,000 earlier Wednesday for the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds.

The purse has been $1 million since 1997, but increases were made when champions Point Given in 2001 and Rachel Alexandra in 2009 appeared in the race.

A record crowd nearing 60,000 is expected for the Haskell.

Post positions will be drawn today.

Sports on 07/30/2015

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