National Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Nick Martinez wasn't distracted by a quick trip to the bullpen after a couple of rough starts as part of the churning bottom of the Texas rotation. The right-hander knows the drill.

CLEVELAND — Chauncey Billups was clutch as a player, earning the nickname "Mr. Big Shot." He could soon have a new title.

LOS ANGELES — Three people with knowledge of the deal say the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade point guard D'Angelo Russell and high-priced centre Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for big man Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick in the upc

LAS VEGAS — Imprisoned former football star O.J. Simpson has a July 20 parole hearing that could have him released from a Nevada prison on Oct. 1, a state parole official said Tuesday.

Tiger Woods has checked into a clinic to get help dealing with prescription medication for pain and a sleep disorder, and his agent is not sure how long he will stay.

CALGARY — There will be a few clenched jaws among the Calgary Stampeders when the Ottawa Redblacks are introduced as the defending Grey Cup champions Friday at TD Place Stadium.

VANCOUVER — Carl Robinson did nothing to dispel rumours that the Vancouver Whitecaps are keen to bring Canadian international Atiba Hutchinson to Major League Soccer.

WINNIPEG — Matt Nichols seems to have found a favourite word to describe how the Blue Bombers offence will be this season. In a scrum with reporters after Tuesday's practice, the quarterback used the word "explosive" six times.

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France — Canada's women's rugby sevens team has made it to France for the final stop of the World Series season. But its luggage was not so fortunate. The Canadian women left Sunday, flying from Victoria to Montreal and then Lyon.

Parents say a new rule restricting where girls from rural Saskatchewan can play hockey should be put on ice.