Newsmakers
Hired Former Seattle Mariners first baseman Tino Martinez was hired Thursday as the Miami Marlins’ hitting coach and will work with new manager Mike Redmond. Martinez, who played in the majors for 16 years, has been a New York Yankees special assistant and worked as an analyst for the YES Network. Martinez had a career average of .271 with 339 home runs for the Yankees, Mariners, Cardinals and Rays.
Signed Infielder Maicer Izturis became the first major league free agent this offseason to join a new team, agreeing to a $10 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto said the deal was for $3 million annually. The team has a $3 million option for 2016 with a $1 million buyout. The 32-year-old hit .256 with 17 steals in 19 tries, two homers and 20 RBIs this year for the Angels.
Suspended No. 10 Florida has suspended starting point guard Scottie Wilbekin indefinitely for an undisclosed reason. Basketball coach Billy Donovan made the announcement aboard the USS Bataan, site of Florida’s season opener. The Gators play Georgetown on the assault ship today.
• Saint Joseph’s suspended guard Carl Jones for three games for an unspecified violation of the university’s community standards. Jones led the Hawks in scoring last basketball season, averaging 17 points a game.
Sidelined Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut will be sidelined the next seven to 10 days to rest and strengthen his surgically repaired left ankle. The 7-footer from Australia was held scoreless while playing 17 minutes in Golden State’s 106-96 NBA win against Cleveland on Wednesday night. He had five assists and three rebounds. Bogut sat out all of the preseason.
• Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins was released from a hospital in Chorley, England, after a collision with a car, a few hours after a separate crash left his British Cycling coach Shane Sutton with a head injury. Wiggins, who is also the Olympic time trial champion, sustained bruises to his ribs and hands when he was hit by a car while out training on his bike.
• Buffalo Sabres center Cody Hodgson is out indefinitely after breaking a bone in his right hand during a game with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate. Rochester coach Ron Rolston says Hodgson will miss at least a few weeks.
• Texas point guard Myck Kabongo will miss the Longhorns’ basketball season opener against Fresno State while the NCAA investigates his relationship with an agent. The decision to withhold the sophomore from the opener was a university decision. Neither the NCAA nor the school has ruled on his eligibility.