BASEBALL

Yamamoto becomes free agent Tuesday

Yoshinobu Yamamoto becomes a free agent Tuesday and major league teams can sign him through 2 p.m. on Jan. 4. Nippon Professional Baseball notified Major League Baseball that the 25-year-old right-hander’s club, the Orix Buffaloes, was posting him for availability to MLB teams.

MLB notified the 30 teams of the posting on Monday and under the agreement between MLB and NPB the negotiating period starts at 8 a.m. Tuesday and extends for up to 45 days. Yamamoto was 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA this season, striking out 169 and walking 28 in 164 innings.

BASKETBALL

Maryland falls out of women’s AP Top 25

Maryland’s 13-year run in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll has come to an end after a week that saw more chaos in the Top 25. The Terrapins had been ranked for 251 consecutive weeks. It was the second-longest active streak behind UConn.

South Carolina remained the No. 1 team and is now the unanimous choice. UCLA moved up to No. 2, the best ranking in program history. Colorado, Stanford and Iowa round out the top five.

Reese’s absence brings scrutiny to No. 7 LSU

The unexplained absence of LSU star forward Angel Reese is bringing unwanted scrutiny to No. 7 LSU and coach Kim Mulkey as they try to defend their women’s basketball national title. Few details have been released about why Reese has been away from the team. The recent drama has even involved critical comments by some players’ parents on social media. And it’s come after a surprising season-opening loss for a team that entered the season ranked No. 1.

There was no indication Reese would be back with the team for Monday night’s home game against Texas Southern. She also missed LSU’s previous game at Southeastern Louisiana and was benched for a half against Kent State.

FOOTBALL

Jets starting Boyle at QB vs. Dolphins Friday

Tim Boyle will be the New York Jets’ starting quarterback against the Miami Dolphins on Friday. Boyle replaces the benched Zach Wilson, who took over as the starter when Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut with New York on Sept. 11.

It will be Boyle’s fourth NFL start and his first since 2021 with the Detroit Lions. Trevor Siemian is currently on the practice squad but will serve as Boyle’s backup against the Dolphins with Wilson the No. 3 quarterback. Boyle went 7 of 14 for 33 yards and an interception after replacing Wilson at Buffalo.