COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco told reporters on Sunday that the team informed running back Melvin Gordon's representation that talks regarding his contract extension have been postponed until the end of the season.

"When or if Melvin reports, he'll play this season under his current contract, and we'll just revisit it after the season," Telesco said.

Gordon is set to make $5.605 million in 2019 on the fifth-year team option of his rookie deal.

With contract talks at an impasse, the Chargers granted Gordon's representation permission to seek a trade with another team, so he could potentially play elsewhere this season under a new deal if he finds a trade partner and the Chargers agree to the terms.

The Wisconsin product did not report to the start of training camp at the end of July, telling the Chargers through his representation that if he does not receive a new deal, he'll sit out and demand a trade.

Gordon desires a contract extension that will compensate him among the top running backs in the league such as Todd Gurley, David Johnson and Le'Veon Bell, who earn an average of $13 to $14 million annually.

Earlier this summer, the Chargers offered Gordon a new contract that potentially doubled his salary at roughly $10 million annually -- but at this point that offer does not appear to be available anymore.

Telesco said the Chargers will turn to Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson to shoulder the load at running back with Gordon unavailable.

"Those two guys are going to work in tandem with each other," Telesco said. "I think the day and age of having to have one running back to carry it 300 times is probably not the smartest thing in the world anyways.

"Even if you have a big, bell-cow back, you'd like to have another back to come in and spell them, give them some rest and have a different dimension. So right now we're very happy with Austin as an every-down back."

Gordon's holdout is one of a couple of early-season adversities facing the Chargers, a team expected to compete for a playoff berth for a second year in a row and a deep postseason run in 2019.

Left tackle Russell Okung was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list to start the season due to a pulmonary embolism caused by blood clots and cannot play for at least the first six weeks of the regular season. Okung will only return to the field when cleared by doctors.

And All-Pro safety Derwin James is expected to be placed on the injured reserve list after surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, and will not be available until November at the earliest.

However, Telesco said his team is unfazed by early misfortunes.

"Every season there's going to be obstacles that you have," Telesco said. "And that's just the way it is. It's our job to figure out a way around them. It's our job to have solutions to them, and it's our job to play through them."

CHICAGO -- The Milwaukee Brewers have cut another key performer from last year, designating reliever Jeremy Jeffress for assignment on Sunday.

Jeffress went 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA and 15 saves in 2018, helping Milwaukee win the NL Central and make it all the way to the NL Championship Series. The right-hander also made the All-Star team for the first time.

But Jeffress hasn't been able to find the same form this year. He was hampered by right shoulder weakness during spring training, and then went back on the injured list last Sunday with a strained left hip.

Jeffress, who turns 32 on Sept. 21, is 3-4 with a 5.02 ERA and one save in 48 games this season.

"Unfortunately we just got to a position where at a time in the season where we didn't see him making an impact," manager Craig Counsell said before Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. "It's a little bit of a future decision as well with 40-man roster issues."

Milwaukee began the day in third in the NL Central, 6½ games back of division-leading St. Louis. The Brewers also are in the mix for an NL wild card.

Jhoulys Chacin, who had a career-high 15 wins last season and served as Milwaukee's Opening Day starter this year, was designated for assignment last weekend. He signed a minor league deal with Boston on Saturday.

"At this point where we are with Jeremy, progression from his hip strength, with his performance and where we are from a 40-man roster perspective, this a move we felt was the right move to make now," president of baseball operations David Stearns said. "Certainly a tough one, but one we felt was the right thing to do from the club."

The Brewers also designated outfielder Troy Stokes Jr. and right-hander Aaron Wilkerson for assignment to create space on their 40-man roster.

Right-hander Jimmy Nelson and left-hander Brent Suter were reinstated from the 60-day injured list. First baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin had his contract selected from Triple-A San Antonio.

The Brewers also recalled right-handers Jake Faria and Freddy Peralta and catcher David Freitas from San Antonio before the matchup with the Cubs. Freitas was leading the Pacific Coast League with a .381 batting average at the time of his promotion.

CHICAGO -- Ben Zobrist returned to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday after a four-month absence to attend to his family after he and his wife initiated divorce proceedings.

"I'm nothing but grateful for how [the Cubs] handled the whole situation," Zobrist said in his first public comments since May. "They've given me the time and space needed to take care of my situation. I'm excited to be back."

Zobrist, 38, abruptly left the Cubs in early May as he and his wife both filed for divorce the same month. Zobrist indicated Sunday that divorce proceedings are on hold.

When he left, it was unclear whether Zobrist would return to baseball ever again; he's in the final year of a four-year deal with the Cubs.

"I didn't know," Zobrist said. "I didn't know I'd come back at all. ... I would have understood completely if they needed to move forward, even if it was the next day. Baseball has given me nothing but blessings. I'm fortunate they gave me the time that they gave me and still wanted me back."

Zobrist reported late to spring training and his issues at home were on his mind throughout the early portion of the year, when he compiled a .596 OPS before leaving. He was asked how much he debated taking the team-approved leave of absence.

"It was an easy decision for me," Zobrist said. "Very easy. Because I'm a 100 percent focus type of person. And I knew, that at that moment, I couldn't be here, and be focused, while I was here. I didn't want to give a half-effort while I was here. I knew for a period of time I needed to fully put myself back in Nashville, at home with my family, doing everything I could to keep my family together. That was my focus. That was where my heart was at the time. I'm here now because my heart feels that while I'm here, at the field, I can put 100 percent into it."

Zobrist won't start on Sunday or Monday as he gets reacclimated to his surroundings, but there's likely a place for him soon at the top of the Cubs' lineup. The team ranks last in baseball in on-base percentage from the No. 1 spot in the batting order.

"The answer to that is I hope I can fill that role and do it well," Zobrist said. "I know I have in the past, so I have confidence that I can do it. At the same time, you have to catch your rhythm [at the plate]."

Zobrist indicated he and his wife are trying to mend their relationship as he returns to the game he loves.

"Wrigley Field is a special place," he said. "I don't take it for granted. I'm excited to be back."

PHOENIX -- Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Dustin May left Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks after being hit on the right side of the head by a line drive.

The 21-year-old May was down for a few minutes before sitting up and eventually walking off the field. The liner by Jake Lamb ricocheted off May's head and into left field for a single that scored two runs.

The 6-foot-6 May is one of the Dodgers' top pitching prospects and was called up earlier this year. He had a 1-3 record with a 4.07 ERA going into Sunday's game.

May was charged with three runs and four hits in one-third of an inning Sunday.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- This was no ordinary outing for Carlos Carrasco, and everyone at Tropicana Field knew it.

The popular Cleveland Indians pitcher nicknamed Cookie made his return to the mound from leukemia Sunday and was applauded by both teams in a touching scene during Tampa Bay's 8-2 victory that completed a three-game sweep.

Carrasco entered in the seventh inning for his first major league appearance since being diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia in June. The right-hander received a standing ovation from the crowd, and players from both sides cheered while standing in front of their respective dugouts.

"Even the other team came out. My teammates, that was great because they have supported me from day one to now," Carrasco said. "It's unbelievable."

Indians star shortstop Francisco Lindor went to the mound and hugged an emotional Carrasco, who was activated before the game following several minor league rehab outings.

"He told me, 'Welcome back, Cookie,'" Carrasco said. "'This is you. This is you right here. We are behind you. Just go and throw the ball.'"

Normally a starter, Carrasco is expected to pitch in relief for the Indians as they chase a playoff spot down the stretch. He worked one inning and gave up two hits, including Travis d'Arnaud's run-scoring single.

"It was a lot to think about," Carrasco said. "I was trying to hold the game right there, but in the end, I gave up one run. But I'm healthy, and it was go to the next pitch and go from there."

Lindor gave Carrasco the game ball from the third out of the seventh, a grounder by Joey Wendle, as the Indians headed off the field.

"Certainly, you saw the respect and the admiration that his teammates have for him," said Rays manager Kevin Cash, a former Cleveland coach. "Anytime you deal with a guy that has an illness and is able to recover and get back on the field like that, it's pretty special."

TORONTO -- Justin Verlander took the mound for the ninth inning, fully aware of the no-hitters he finished -- and his near misses, too.

Zeroed in, he wouldn't be denied this time.

Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter, punctuating a dominant season by striking out 14 to lead the Houston Astros past the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 on Sunday.

Verlander became just the sixth pitcher to throw at least three no-hitters in the majors, an elite club that includes the likes of Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax and Cy Young.

"It means a lot," Verlander said. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't know that. I've come so close. Since I've had two, I think I've blown two in the ninth and another couple in the eighth."

"I was definitely aware of the history aspect of it. Definitely a big hurdle to get over and a very special moment for me," he said.

Verlander (17-5) is the first pitcher to throw two no-hitters as a visitor in the same park -- he also threw one at Rogers Centre in 2011 with Detroit. His other no-no was in 2007 for the Tigers against Milwaukee.

"I guess I have to like this mound a lot now," Verlander joked.

Verlander allowed only one runner, with Cavan Biggio drawing a one-out walk in the first inning. The Blue Jays, with a lineup full of young, aggressive batters, never came close to a hit.

But Verlander's third career no-no came only after a series of close calls.

Verlander lost a no-hit try in the eighth inning late in 2011, had bids broken in the ninth in 2012 and 2015 and had another attempt spoiled last May in the seventh by Jose Abreu of the White Sox.

"I had memories of blowing a few in the past in the 9th inning, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about that," Verlander said. "...I think my fastball had been good all day, it had really good life on it. My slider was a little bit inconsistent, so I think I would have kicked myself in the butt a little bit had I gotten beat on a bad one. Just kind of leaned on the fastball the last inning, I was able to get some outs."

Verlander's wife, model Kate Upton, is currently attending the Venice Film Festival, where she tweeted out a message of congratulations.

"She was the first one I called," Verlander said. "She was actually up very late watching the whole thing, so that's awesome."

Verlander threw a season-high 120 pitches, mixing a fastball that reached the upper 90s mph with a sharp curve.

The right-hander retired the last 26 hitters in a row. But he still needed help because the game was scoreless going into the last inning -- according to baseball rules, Verlander had to pitch a complete game to get credit for a no-hitter.

That's when Canadian-born rookie Abraham Toro stepped up for the AL West leaders. The Astros newcomer hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning off Ken Giles (2-3) that cleared the way for Verlander to complete the no-hitter.

"The whole dugout was going crazy because everybody knew what was one the line," Toro said.

Toro made a routine play on Bo Bichette's grounder to third base for the last out. Verlander joked the 22-year-old Toro, playing just his eighth game in the majors, was in for quite a nice reward.

"I could not be happier for that kid," said Verlander, who sought out Toro for an on-field hug after the game. "Just an incredible moment for him, from Canada, able to do that and then get the last out as well. Such a special moment and I'm happy I'm able to celebrate with him."

Said Bichette: "I honestly thought I was going to get him, but then he made a really good pitch."

"He is who is for a reason," Bichette said.

Only one Toronto player hit a ball harder than 100 miles per hour off the bat.

Billy McKinney sent a grounder that first baseman Aledmys Diaz, playing an unfamiliar position in place of the injured Yuli Gurriel, stopped in the fifth. Diaz fed Verlander to end the inning.

"I think every no-hitter needs something to go your way," Verlander said. "That was a pretty poor pitch that was hit pretty hard, fortunately on the ground, and AD over there is a great athlete and was able to knock it down and make a great play."

Just two other pitchers have no-hit the same team more than once. Cleveland's Addie Joss did it to the White Sox in 1908 and 1910, while San Francisco's Tim Lincecum held San Diego hitless in 2013 and 2014.

This was the fourth no-hitter in the majors this year. The last one was by the Astros, a combined effort from Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski against Seattle on Aug. 3. Sanchez and Biagini did it in their first game since being acquired in a trade with Toronto.

Oakland's Mike Fiers and a tandem effort by Taylor Cole and Felix Pena of the Angels accounted for this year's other gems.

Verlander is tied for the big league lead in wins. The eight-time All-Star and former AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner tops the majors in strikeouts (257) and innings (193) and leads the AL with a 2.56 ERA.

With the crowd of 24,104 getting to its feet to begin the ninth, Verlander retired Brandon Drury on an easy grounder and struck out Reese McGuire.

After that second out, catcher Robinson Chirinos went to the mound for a quick visit with Verlander. The count went full on Bichette, who fouled off a pitch before hitting a bouncer to Toro.

Verlander took a couple hops toward first as he watched Toro field the ball, saw the throw on target and then began the celebration in the middle of the diamond.

Not bad for an ace who was ejected in his previous start. Verlander was tossed last Tuesday at home shortly after a close pitch didn't go his way against Tampa Bay.

It was Verlander's ninth career shutout and first this season. This was the 13th no-hitter for the Astros, including one by Ryan.

The Blue Jays were no-hit for the sixth time. Before Sunday, the last to do it was Seattle's James Paxton, who became the first Canadian pitcher to throw a big league no-hitter north of the border when he beat the Blue Jays on May 8, 2018.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Highlights from the England Athletics Under-17 and Under-15 Championships

Joel Pascall-Menzie was among the double gold medal winners at the England Athletics Under-17 and Under-15 Championships in Bedford.

Most track finals were on Sunday but the 100m races came to a conclusion late on Saturday afternoon. The pick of the winners was top-ranked under-17 Pascall-Menzie, who ran 10.46 (+1.4m/sec) in the final after earlier breaking the championship best with a windy 10.39 (+4.7m/sec) in his semi-final.

His credentials for athlete of the meeting were enhanced by another championship best in the 200m, as he clocked 21.05 (+1.9m/sec) to complete the double and improve on the 21.12 CBP which had been set by Jono Efoloko in 2015.

One of the other best performances was by under-15 300m winner Nandy Kihuyu, whose 39.38 puts her fourth on the UK all-time list.

A 20-year-old championship record fell to Basildon’s Joseph Harding with a windy 12.48 (+3.1m/sec) in the under-17 100m hurdles.

The walks had begun the Sunday programme where the pick was under-15 winner Christian Hopper.

Field eventers stole the show on the opening day.

Nana Gyedu maintained her 2019 unbeaten streak in the under-17 shot with a personal best of 15.77m to defeat Ireland’s European bronze medallist Ciara Sheehy.

National heptathlon champion Abigail Pawlett improved her long jump best to take the under-17 title with a 6.09m leap, while Connor McNally also set a PB with 6.44m to take the under-15 event.

Pawlett also won the under-17 80m hurdles the following day, clocking 11.08 (+2.2m/sec).

In what looks to be a new event for her this year, Halle Ferguson leapt a UK under-15 best of 11.91m (-0.9m/sec) to win the triple jump on Saturday before completing a double with success in the high jump on Sunday, clearing 1.69m.

There was a Scottish under-17 pole vault record for Reuben Nairne as he recorded a vault of 4.72m.

Results can be found here.

See the September 5 edition of AW magazine for full coverage.