Sox claim Francisco off waivers from Jays

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have claimed infielder Juan Francisco off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Francisco played 106 games for the Blue Jays last season, batting .220 with 16 home runs and 43 RBIs.

He has played both first and third base in a major league career that also includes stops in Cincinnati, Atlanta and Milwaukee. In 404 games, he has batted .236 with 48 homers and 152 RBIs.

NBA suspends Taylor 24 games

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The NBA has suspended Charlotte Hornets forward Jeffery Taylor for 24 games without pay after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence assault and malicious destruction of hotel property last month.

The third-year player will get credit for the 11 games he has missed, and will sit out an additional 13 games.

The suspension means Taylor will lose about $267,00 of his $915,000 salary this season.

Taylor, 25, was sentenced to 18 months of probation. As part of his probation, he must complete 26 weeks in a domestic violence intervention program.

The NBA conducted an investigation into the Taylor’s arrest in East Lansing, Michigan hotel the morning of Sept. 25 following an altercation with a woman with whom he was having a romantic relationship.

According to a release by the NBA, Taylor and the woman were drinking heavily at a hotel room and a loud argument ensued, prompting guests to call security. The argument escalated and Taylor shoved the woman violently into the hallway where she fell to the ground and struck her on an opposite door leaving a bump on her head.

NBA’s first openly gay player retires

NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Collins played 22 games with the Brooklyn Nets last season and was not on the roster this season.

He announced his retirement in a first-person story for Sports Illustrated, saying it has been “been 18 exhilarating months” since he came out as the first openly gay man in one of the four major North American professional leagues.

He started his career with the New Jersey Nets in 2001 and rejoined the franchise in Brooklyn in February. He had a number of former teammates on the Brooklyn team, including former coach Jason Kidd.

Vikings claim former Browns RB Tate

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have claimed running back Ben Tate off waivers from the Cleveland Browns.

Tate was signed Wednesday, when running backs Matt Asiata (concussion) and Jerick McKinnon (lower back injury) both were held out of practice. The move also came the day after the NFL announced a suspension of running back Adrian Peterson for the rest of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.