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Major league Olympians want the best

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Discussions for major leaguers to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics baseball tournament remain in the early stages, with players used to top hotels wanting to be assured of accommodations. Major League Baseball has envisioned an extended 11-day All-Star break. The last regular-season games before the break would be on July 9, followed by the All-Star Game on July 11, likely at San Francisco, and the Olympic tournament at Dodger Stadium from July 13-19. The season would resume July 21. "In general our players want to play in the Olympics. They're patriotic, ...

All star game

SPORTS BRIEFING

A SPAIN SHUTOUT ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón sprinted off his line to beat a charging Kylian Mbappé to the ball with France desperately seeking a goal in the World Cup semifinals. While Simón managed to get there first and head the ball away, he suddenly had the World Cup's co-scoring leader between him and the net with France forward Desire Doue trying to get control of the ball. Even in that rare moment of chaos late in the match, the structured Spanish defense and the standout keeper again didn't allow a goal. Spain ended up beating France 2-0 on ...

World Cup semifinal a massive matchup

ATLANTA (AP) — It's England vs. Argentina in the World Cup semifinals. It's also Lionel Messi vs. Jude Bellingham. The battle of the two No. 10s could be pivotal to deciding this afternoon's match in Atlanta. "We know how good Messi is," England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said of the Argentina great, whose enduring brilliance has been on show again even at the age of 39. Messi and Bellingham have been inspirational in their teams' respective runs to the final four. And Wednesday's match may well be determined by which one has the biggest say on the day. Messi is playing England ...

Schwarber will lead off for National League

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber of the host Philadelphia Phillies will lead off for the National League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game as the replacement for designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who is skipping the showcase to have a knee procedure ahead of the season's second half. Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene and two New York Yankees, first baseman Ben Rice and outfielder Cody Bellinger, gained American League starting spots because of injuries. Rice, third in the major leagues with 29 home runs behind Schwarber (32) and the Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez (31), starts ...

Salary cap battle lines drawn

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul Skenes, Juan Soto and Bryce Harper are among baseball's All-Stars who say players will never agree to a salary cap but maintain there's plenty of time to avoid a conflict that could shorten the 2027 season. "Both sides kind of have their line that they're not going ...