BASEBALL
Yankees activate Judge
After missing more than three months, Aaron Judge is ready to return to the New York Yankees. The three-time MVP was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday night, an off day for the Yankees. They open a three-game series at home Tuesday night against Colorado. Judge hasn't played since May 31 because of a broken right rib, but the slugger traveled with the Yankees on their recent trip to the West Coast. He took batting practice on the field multiple times last weekend in San Diego and ran the bases. The outfielder will rejoin New York's active roster without going on a minor league rehab assignment. Throughout his absence, Judge said he wouldn't need a stint in the minors to get ready. New York was 36-23 after Judge last played on May 31 and went 45-39 in the 84 games he missed since. The offense, however, was obviously affected. The Yankees batted .243 with 86 homers in 59 games through May 31 but hit only .227 with 107 homers in 84 games while Judge was out. Their batting average during that stretch ranked 29th among the 30 major league teams, ahead of only Seattle (.225).
FOOTBALL
Dallas Pro Bowler hits IL
Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith will miss at least the first month of the season because of a left thumb injury that needs surgery. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday the three-time Pro Bowler would go on injured reserve, which means he would have to miss at least four games. Smith could be out up to six weeks after surgery that is scheduled for Tuesday, Schottenheimer said. Smith dealt with ligament damage in his thumb during training camp and continued to practice through last week. He wasn't on the field for practice to start the week leading into the season opener at the New York Giants on Sunday night. Smith has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three years at left guard. He played left tackle as a rookie first-round pick in 2022 after longtime starter Tyron Smith was injured in training camp and missed most of the season. T.J. Bass, a fourth-year player with 10 career starts, will fill in for Smith. The Cowboys re-signed Bass as a restricted free agent on a one-year, $5.8 million contract. Schottenheimer said the timing of Smith's surgery was based on seeing if he could play with the injury.
Suhey, 68, dies
Matt Suhey, a fullback who helped Walter Payton and the 1985 Chicago Bears win the Super Bowl, has died. He was 68. The Bears confirmed Suhey died on Sunday morning. No other details were provided. Suhey played for Chicago for 10 seasons after he was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1980 draft. He helped clear the way for Payton to become the NFL's career leading rusher, a record Payton held until Emmitt Smith surpassed his total on Oct. 27, 2002. Suhey and Payton were close friends. Payton served as the godfather for Suhey's youngest son, Scott. "After we lost my dad in 1999, Matt became the biggest father figure I had," Walter's son, Jarrett, posted on social media on Monday. Suhey was Chicago's second-leading rusher when the Bears went 15-1 during the 1985 regular season, finishing with 471 yards on the ground. Suhey, a Pennsylvania native, played his college ball for Penn State, following in the footsteps of his father, Steve, a guard who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Matt Suhey rushed for 2,818 yards and 26 touchdowns on 633 carries for the Nittany Lions. He also caught 39 passes for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Giants release Slayton
The New York Giants released wide receiver Darius Slayton on Monday, moving on from the organization's longest-tenured player in a transaction roughly a week before the season opener. Slayton was a fifth-round pick in 2019. Coming off core muscle surgery that slowed him during training camp, the 29-year-old had been relegated to second- and third-string duties during training camp. Mired in trade rumors for the past month before NFL teams set their 53-man rosters, Slayton made the Giants' roster but was wary of what could happen. Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios pushed Slayton out of a meaningful spot. Slayton played in 108 regular season and playoff games with 296 catches for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns.
BASKETBALL
U.S. women bounce back
Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier set the tone early to help the U.S. bounce back from its worst offensive performance in 50 years. Stewart scored 11 of her 19 points in the first quarter and Collier added seven of her 12 in the second as the Americans routed the Czech Republic 105-64 on Monday, coming off a gritty 55-52 win against Italy on Sunday. Jackie Young also scored 12 points for the U.S., and Angel Reese netted 13 off the bench. Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron scored 10 points each, while Caitlin Clark added 9 points and 7 assists. Eliska Joklova led the Czech Republic with 19 points.