BASKETBALL
James breaks NBA record
LeBron James now stands alone in All-NBA recognition history, getting there unanimously. James was revealed Wednesday as an All-NBA player for a record 16th time, breaking the mark he shared with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. He was a first-team pick on all 100 ballots, joining Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only unanimous first-team selections this season. Joining them on the first team: Houston guard James Harden, Lakers forward Anthony Davis and Dallas guard Luka Doncic, who got the nod in just his second season in the NBA -- becoming the first player to do that since Duncan in 1998-99. The 21-year-old Doncic is the sixth player to make All-NBA at that age or younger, joining Kevin Durant, James, Duncan, Rick Barry and Max Zaslofsky.
TENNIS
Djokovic on best behavior
Novak Djokovic behaved better Wednesday in his first match since being defaulted from the U.S. Open. The top-ranked Serb was mostly courteous with the chair umpire and had no interaction with the line judges during a 6-3, 6-2 win over local wild-card entry Salvatore Caruso in his opening match at the Italian Open in Rome. Also Wednesday, nine-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal made a solid return to competition after a seven-month absence by beating U.S. Open semifinalist Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1, 6-1.
FOOTBALL
Niners place Sherman on IR
The San Francisco 49ers placed cornerback Richard Sherman on the injured reserve list Wednesday and also could be without All-Pro tight end George Kittle this week. Sherman strained his calf late in Sunday's 24-20 loss to Arizona. He will have to miss at least three games before he can return, but the Niners are hopeful it won't be a longer-term injury. Kittle sprained his knee in the same game and won't take part in a full practice this week. Coach Kyle Shanahan said there's a possibility Kittle could participate in the lighter Friday practice before the team leaves to play the New York Jets on Sunday.
Miller goes on IR
The Denver Broncos on Wednesday placed injured linebacker Von Miller on injured reserve while he recovers from surgery to repair a dislodged tendon in his left ankle. Miller got hurt on a freak play last week during an indoor practice. He's expected to miss the season. The Broncos also promoted cornerback De'Vante Bausby to their active roster and signed pass rusher Isaiah Irving to their practice squad.
Pats add 2 to main roster
The New England Patriots have promoted kicker Nick Folk and cornerback Myles Bryant from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Folk handled kicking duties in Sunday's win over Miami, but was sent back down after the game. This is Bryant's first time on the active roster after beginning the season on the practice squad. He originally was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Washington.
BASEBALL
Umpire tests positive
A Major League Baseball umpire tested positive for covid-19, prompting a late shift in crew assignments in Florida this week, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The affected umpire, who wasn't identified, was not on the field when the result was learned. MLB medical experts didn't believe the positive test represented a threat of infection or presented a risk to other personnel, according to those familiar with the matter. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. The Washington-Tampa Bay game at Tropicana Field began Tuesday night with only three umpires. Fill-in Clint Vondrak came on the field in the fourth inning. Meanwhile, veteran ump Andy Fletcher, who had been scheduled to work at Tampa Bay, instead traveled to Miami and joined three young umpires as the crew chief for the Boston-Marlins game.
Cards' manager suspended
St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Shildt was suspended one game for his role in a bench-clearing fracas in Milwaukee, and missed the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Brewers. Major League Baseball announced the penalty about 35 minutes before the Cardinals and Brewers met in the opener at Miller Park. Shildt was suspended and fined an undisclosed amount "for actions that contributed to inciting the benches-clearing incident" in the fifth inning of an 18-3 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
Rockies' pitcher out for season
The Colorado Rockies have shut down starter Jon Gray for the season due to a sore right shoulder. The 28-year-old last pitched Sept. 1 before going on the injured list with what was described as inflammation in his pitching shoulder. Gray finished the season 2-4 with a 6.69 ERA. He threw 39 innings with 22 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Judge back in Yanks' lineup
The New York Yankees activated All-Star right fielder Aaron Judge on Wednesday and batted him second against Toronto, giving the team a full stable of healthy and active regulars for the first time since Aug. 8. Judge has been out since Aug. 26 after re-aggravating a strained right calf and landing on the injured list for the second time this season. Judge initially went on the IL on Aug. 14, returned for one game and promptly went back on the shelf. New York has been short-handed offensively since designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton was sidelined by a strained left hamstring on Aug. 9. Stanton was activated for Tuesday night's game against Toronto and went 0 for 4 with a walk. Stanton was not in Wednesday's lineup.
