NEWARK, N.J. (AP) β Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane says he is relieved for his family and friends now that a prosecutor has closed a rape investigation without filing criminal charges against him. He spoke at a morning skate before tonight’s game against New Jersey. Kane refused to say if felt vindicated or learned any lessons, but says he has nothing to hide.
ST. LOUIS (AP) β The Cardinals have made $15.8 million qualifying offers to outfielder Jason Heyward and pitcher John Lackey, free agents who were instrumental on the NL Central title team. St. Louis is likely to attempt to sign the 26-year-old Heyward to a multiyear deal after he hit .293 with 13 homers and 60 RBIs last season. Lackey went 13-10 with a career best 2.77 ERA.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) β Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota (mar-ee-OH’-tah) will return to the starting lineup Sunday to face the New Orleans Saints. Mariota has missed the Titans’ previous two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
CLEVELAND (AP) β Browns coach Mike Pettine (PEHT’-ihn) says he’ll wait until early next week before making a decision on whether to stick with Johnny Manziel (man’-ZEHL) as his starting quarterback. Manziel played in last night’s loss to Cincinnati, filling in for the injured Josh McCown. Manziel played well in the first half, but the Browns had just two first downs after halftime.
ZURICH (AP) β Sepp Blatter was in the hospital for a medical checkup today, his lawyer says, adding that the suspended FIFA (FEE’-fuh) president was expected to return home shortly. His statement came shortly after Blatter’s spokesman said the 79-year-old head of soccer’s governing body was under “medical evaluation” for stress-related reasons and had been told by doctors to relax.
