BASEBALL

Does a 2nd Tommy John rehab await Ohtani?

If Shohei Ohtani has a second Tommy John surgery, it’s possible his recovery might be more difficult than the first — but not a given. Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow while pitching on Aug. 26, according to Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian.

The two-way star continues to bat as a designated hitter but won’t pitch again this year while considering his medical options. Now 29, Ohtani had Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, 2018, He returned to the Angels as a batter the following May and to the mound in July 2020.

FOOTBALL

AAC targets Army as football-only member

The American Athletic Conference has been in contact with Army as it looks for a replacement for Atlantic Coast Conference-bound SMU, according to two people with direct knowledge of the discussions.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the AAC wasn’t making public its internal strategy.

AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco has spoken with Army athletic director Mike Buddie about football-only membership and the school has shown interest in joining.

Army is a football independent and competes primarily in the Patriot League for its other sports. Army’s rival, Navy, is member of the American Athletic Conference.

MOTOR SPORTS

Hamlin passes Hill, wins Xfinity race at Darlington

Denny Hamlin rallied on a final restart in overtime to win the Xfinity Series event at Darlington Raceway on Saturday. That will certainly help him when he starts the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs here on Sunday, right?

“No, it will not,” Hamlin said with a laugh.

Hamlin will start his 17th career NASCAR Cup Series playoff run on Sunday night in the Southern 500. He warmed up in NASCAR’s Triple-A series with his sixth Xfinity win at Darlington and the 18th of his career.

He was told after that, at 42, he was oldest winner at Darlington since the late Dick Trickle won at the track when he was 56 in 1998.