Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun fractured his jaw after he was hit in the mouth by a fastball thrown by Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias in the bottom of first inning of a spring training game Sunday in Surprise, Arizona.

Calhoun was sent to St. Joseph's Hospital in nearby Phoenix after he was hit. The Rangers later said additional tests revealed the fracture and that he is expected to undergo further evaluation Monday.

The team did not release a timetable for his return.

Calhoun was able to get to his feet after being hit, and he got onto a cart while holding a towel to his face.

"It's tough because I'm really, really close with Willie," Rangers slugger Joey Gallo told reporters after the game. "He's one of my best friends, so to see that happen and him go down like that -- it was really, really tough to see that. I just tried to be there for him and make sure he knew we were all around him and trying to help him and just praying that he's OK."

Gallo was in the on-deck circle when Calhoun was hit.

"He didn't really say anything. He didn't answer," Gallo said. "He was definitely moaning, and his mouth was really hurting. I think he was hearing [us], but he really couldn't get anything out."

Rangers manager Chris Woodward and general manager Jon Daniels left the game early to go to the hospital. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu filled in for Woodward for the remainder of Texas' 9-8 win.

Calhoun, who was selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2015 draft, was acquired by the Rangers in a 2017 trade that sent Yu Darvish to Los Angeles.

Urias, who was a teammate of Calhoun while in the Dodgers' organization, told reporters he was shaken up after hitting him.

"I really had a hard time, and I didn't feel like myself out there. I've never been in a situation like that," said Urias, who struck out three in three scoreless innings. "That early in an inning, you want to go inside, and when they ask you to go inside, you have to go inside. Unfortunately, what happened happened. I pray he's OK."

Last season, Calhoun set career highs in home runs (21), RBIs (48) and batting average (.269) in 83 games for the Rangers.

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitching prospect Michael Kopech is set to make his Cactus League debut on Tuesday in his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018.

Kopech, ranked as the No. 16 overall prospect in Major League Baseball by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, is scheduled to start the game and pitch one inning against the Texas Rangers.

"I feel like I've taken it pretty much day by day, step by step, the way I wanted to," Kopech told reporters, according to MLB.com. "I mean, the closer we got to closing in on it, I started to feel a little more anxious, a little more excited, a little more worked up -- in a good way, though, just because I hadn't been out there in so long. So it's a lot of excitement going on for me.

"I've been a normal guy all camp. I just haven't pitched as much. I've thrown bullpens on schedule, thrown my live BPs. I feel like a part of the team, just now actually get to really feel like it."

Kopech is known for his high-velocity fastball that can reach as high as 100 mph, but he says he's now more comfortable with his secondary pitches and is "focused on pitching rather than throwing."

The White Sox acquired Kopech from the Boston Red Sox in the blockbuster Chris Sale trade. The 23-year-old made four starts for the White Sox in 2018, going 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA.

TOKYO -- Japanese officials postponed the start of the 12-team professional baseball league season on Monday because of the spread of the coronavirus.

The season was to open on March 20. Japan's professional league had been playing its preseason games without fans because of the virus.

"I personally believe that we have no choice but to postpone at this stage," Japanese league commissioner Atsushi Saito said.

Baseball officials said they were unsure when the season might start, but mentioned some time in April.

Japan's baseball league last suspended play in 2011 after an earthquake, tsunami and the subsequent meltdown of three nuclear reactors in Fukushima prefecture, located 250 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Tokyo.

The head of the soccer J-League said it was also extending its suspension of play. That league had suspended play until March 18.

"At this moment I think it's very difficult to resume the matches," J-League chairman Mitsuru Murai said.

An expert in infection control has been advising both leagues.

"We suggested at this point it would be better to postpone their matches," said Mitsuo Kaku, a professor at Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University.

Baseball and soccer are among many sports that have been shut down in Japan by the spreading virus, or taking place without fans.

Jo Pavey, Charlotte Arter and Ragna Debats share insight and advice on running and their first steps in the sport

To mark International Women’s Day, five female endurance athletes have shared their sporting inspirations, insight on how they got into the sport and their top tips for getting started.

Jo Pavey – world 10,000m medallist, five-time Olympian and Saucony ambassador

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?
I’ve been inspired by Dame Mary Peters and really enjoy watching the footage of when she won her Olympic gold. I’m inspired by her great achievements and determination and I also very much admire the way she embraced the true spirit of sport. She was always smiling and her support of her fellow competitors during the events is lovely to see. She is a fantastic role model.

How did you get into running?
I always enjoyed being active as a child, but it wasn’t until I went to secondary school that I got the opportunity to try distance running. My PE teacher asked us to run two laps of the sloping grass track at the school. She was pleased with how I did and suggested that I join an athletics club. At the club I really developed my passion for running. I relished the challenge of racing and enjoyed the camaraderie of going to meetings with my team mates.

What one tip would you give to other runners looking to get into the sport?
If you’re totally new to running, it’s really important to build your training up gradually to reduce the risk of injury. Don’t run every day to begin with and perhaps start by mixing running with walking until you build up your confidence. Try to run on soft surfaces like trails when you can to lessen the impact through joints and muscles. Listen to your body and if you’ve got a injury niggle don’t be afraid to take extra rest days to help prevent a more serious injury. Most of all enjoy your running, the running community is so fantastic to be part of, and good luck!

Ragna Debats – 2018 double world champion in skyrunning and ultra-trail, female Marathon Des Sables champion and Merrell ambassador 

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?
My grandmother. She loved sports and was an active tennis player up until a late age.

How did you get into running?
I started about 10 years ago when I moved to Catalonia, Spain. Before that time I was a professional horse trainer and I didn’t have the time or the energy for other sports activities. In Catalonia I started a new life and practicing sports was what made me happy the most. I really opened up and it was easy to make friends with people who had similar interests. I didn’t have any expectations, but I became better every year. After my pregnancy I took it to another level and trained professionally. In a few years this lead me to the top of trail and skyrunning.

What one tip would you give to other runners looking to get into the sport?
Make a plan, enjoy training and be satisfied with all the little improvements you will make. The rest will come on its own.

Anna Boniface – 2:37 marathoner and Saucony ambassador

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?
I really look up to Alexi Pappas as she encourages young female athletes to chase after their dreams but also to respect their bodies at the same time. I love how she promotes female resilience in her own quirky way, often in poems.

How did you get into running?
When I was 10 years old, my mum ran the London Marathon, raising thousands of pounds for charity. I remember seeing how hard she trained for it. She got chased by dogs out running on holiday and I remember her coming home crying after an 18 mile run in the pouring rain. Watching her complete the marathon, I was so proud of her and how hard she worked towards it. It really inspired me to get into running and eventually achieve a lifelong dream of running a marathon myself. I started in the traditional way of school cross country and eventually joined Reading Athletics Club doing club cross country and track running.

What one tip would you give to other runners looking to get into the sport?
I would recommended parkrun. It’s a free 5km, with events all over the world every Saturday morning. parkrun has an incredible sense of community and everyone encourages each other, no matter if you run or walk it. It’s a great place to start your running journey.

Charlotte Arter – parkrun world record-holder, Welsh half-marathon record-holder and Saucony ambassador

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?
I think it’s important to appreciate success in female sport and to encourage females in any sport they do, in particular school-age when there is a high proportion who drop out of the sport completely. Jess Ennis-Hill is a huge inspiration and role model of mine, from her sporting achievements but also the way she conducts herself on and off the track.

How did you get into running?
I enjoyed a number of sports throughout my school years, including hockey, running and tennis, and joined my first running club at the age of 11, after being persuaded to join by a friend’s parent at school, having shown some promise at school level races. I continued all sports through school and only solely concentrated on running at the age of 18.

What one tip would you give to other runners looking to get into the sport?
Do it! No one ever feels bad after coming back from a run, it’s the getting started bit which is the hardest. Establish a weekly routine which includes one or two runs a week and try stick to that routine. Finding a running group, partner or club will also help!

Iona Lake – Commonwealth Games steeplechaser and Saucony ambassador

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?
I’ve never had just one woman that has inspired me. There are so many both in sport and out. I always find it mad that women are still treated and looked upon differently. Although there is a long way to go, I am glad things are changing. The women’s steeplechase only became an Olympic event in 2008. It’s mind-blowing that it took that long for misconceptions about women’s strength to be realised.

How did you get into running?
I started running because my sister did and when you are young you want to do everything your big sister does! I was not the most talented at a young age. In most of the big events I rarely came in the top 100. I made English Schools once on the track and it wasn’t until my sixth form years that things started to click. With endurance running, persistence and patience is definitely key!

What one tip would you give to other runners looking to get into the sport?
Mix your runs up! Endurance running isn’t always ‘fun’ and it can be hard to get out of the door. For me, meeting a friend for some runs or harder sessions not only holds me accountable but makes the runs more social and something to look forward to. However, some runs I crave nothing more than a bit of solitude and escaping into nature. For some sessions you just have to embrace the toughness ahead. The joy in these sessions comes from the ability to overcome. It comes from knowing that you got out of your comfort zone, pushed through the pain and came out the other side. The realisation that you can overcome adversity and pain builds confidence in yourself and your abilities that will carry into everyday life. You can use every run for a different purpose, it is so simple. You just need yourself, some good trainers and off you go; and that is why I love it!

Movement for mental wellbeing

Over a half of UK women use movement to aid their mental wellbeing, according to new research.

The independent research, which was commissioned on behalf of ASICS for International Women’s Day, found that 61% of women felt exercising was an important way to improve their mental health.

When it came to the biggest barriers to physical movement, concerns around body image and confidence were the greatest – with over a third of UK women stating that body image (32%) and feeling self-conscious or embarrassed (32%) were their main barriers. A further (27%) admitted that exercising in public was their most significant barrier to movement.

“I’ve been everything from a size 22 to a size 6 but never felt happy in my own skin until I started running,” said Becca Burns, a UK ASICS FrontRunner. “I don’t see my body for what it looks like, I see my body for what it has achieved.”

Speaking on what International Women’s Day means, Burns added: “It’s a chance for women to celebrate women – to stand up as one and celebrate how incredible we are. Sometimes I don’t think we take enough time to value each other. It’s a day to push for change, equality and to draw attention to where we go next.”

Multiple national best marks are set at Lee Valley

The top class performances continued at Lee Valley on day two of the British Masters Indoor Championships.

After setting a 400m world record on day one, Kathleen Stewart maintained her record-breaking form as the W80 first broke her own 200m mark of 40.90 by a huge margin in the morning with a time of 39.13.

Then in the afternoon the North Shields Poly athlete rewrote the 800m mark in the W60 plus race. Chasing Anne Martin’s 4:07.36, she took over 10 seconds off the previous record mark with 3:57.33.

Kathleen Stewart (red vest) wins the W80 800m in the British Masters Indoor Champs in a British record 3:57.33 having earlier set a 200m record in 39.13 and a world 400m record on Saturday pic.twitter.com/qDoHbT7o7H

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 8, 2020

The race was won easily by W60 Karen Brooks in 2:39.48 from one of the greatest British women masters of all-time, W70 Pat Gallagher who passed Stewart on the last lap.

Another to maintain his record-breaking was M75 Peter Giles.

The bass guitarist had set a British 1500m mark the day before and he warmed up for the 3000m by first winning the 800m with the bare minimum of effort in 3:15.12, taking the title by only half a second.

80 minutes later he lined up for the 3000m and ran almost an identical pace to his 800m.

He managed a 4 minute per kilometre pace for most of the 15 laps and finished with a 12:07.38 to add the indoor record to his outdoor record.

Peter Giles sets his second British M75 record of the BMAF Indoor Championship in the 3000m in 12:07.08 having set a 1500m record Saturday and also won the 800m earlier in the afternoon pic.twitter.com/pM13TMyAXn

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 8, 2020

The previous indoor record of 12.12.72 was set by Jimmy Todd 23 years ago.

The quality of Giles’ mark was emphasised by the fact he also easily beat all the younger M70 age group too which Mike Mann won after John Exley, who had beaten him in the 800m and 1500m, faded in the last few laps.

Giles’ run came in the M65 and over race and the race was won by Nigel Gates by well over a minute.

The all-time great still holds the British records for a M40 (8:20.16), M45 (8:45.19) and M50 (8:49.37) and last year Gates added the M65 record (10:16.02).

He looked on target for that latter mark until halfway but the complete lack of opposition and the constant lapping took its toll and he won in a still fast 10:26.83.

Mick Hill won the M40 3000m by 20 seconds in 8:58.82.

There was also a lot of lapping in the women’s 3000m where to save time all age groups were combined in the final race of the championships.

Louise Rudd, who set a W45 mile record earlier in the winter, led the first kilometre before W55 world champion Clare Elms took over the pace. Elms had earlier in the afternoon received her British masters athlete of the year award and had set a world record last year but here was content to just to win her age group.

Rudd overtook her as they approached the final lap and won in 10:28.01 with Elms’ 10:30.05 winning her age-group gold in setting the fastest W55 time in the world this year and yielding one of the highest age-gradings of the weekend (101.06%).

Louise Rudd wins the BMAF Indoor W45 and overall women’s 3000m in 10:28.01 ahead of W55 winner Clare Elms with the pair a minute ahead of the rest pic.twitter.com/xmE2jwd44D

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 8, 2020

The male British athlete of the year Ian Richards was also in action in the afternoon and the M70 remarkably won the overall 3000m walk in 16:01.29 from first woman W40 Carolyn Derbyshire (16:07.57).

All the walkers were in one event and controversially all the W35-W55 800m runners combined in another bid to reduce the timetable.

There Fiona de Mauny followed up her 400m win of the day before with a well paced W35 win in a championship record 2:11.88.

The equivalent men’s race was nowhere near the same quality but a much closer race as Paul Howard just edged Richard Clayton on the line with both timed at 2:06.66.

The fastest 800m time went to M40 Keith Hutchinson whose 1:59.81 denied Andrew Brown (2:00.42) a double after his 1500m win.

Brown’s 800m PB is 1:48.30 but the fastest all-time 800m runner in action was former Commonwealth finalist Paul Forbes.

The Scot with a 1:45.66 PB, won the M60 title in 2:20.02.

One of Britain’s greatest ever masters 800m runners, Dave Wilcock, won the M65 title and after winning the 400m and 1500m on day one, there were hopes for a British record. However, with no one within 10 seconds of him, he just missed Pete Molloy’s record of 2:24.48 by less than half a second with his 2:24.93.

World M50 champion Mark Symes and M55 Gary Ironmonger completed middle distance doubles with strong finishes and respective wins in 2:08.52 and 2:17.63.

The 200m races, not helped by a far from flat track, saw a few surprises with Pat Logan shocking European master sprinter of the year Donald Brown as he ran 25.41 to Brown’s 25.46 after the latter had won the 60m and 60m hurdles the day before.

Others to impress included M50 European outdoor champion Guiseppe Minetti (24.18), new M75 Victor Novell (a championship record 30.25), W45 Michelle Thomas (27.13) and M40 European and world masters medallist Dominic Bradley (23.06).

The outdoor throws were not helped by heavy rain for some of the afternoon but in earlier better conditions Geoff Tyler set a British M70 record of 43.56m in the discus.

M55 Steve Whyte won the hammer in 54.47m, the weight with a 17.00m throw and took the shot with a 12.97m effort.

Mark Johnson won the overall pole vault with a 4.30m leap and the M55 had some good attempts at a world record 4.53m.

M55 Mark Johnson wins the Overall men’s pole vault in the BMAF indoor Champs with a 4.30m leap and goes very close to a world record 4.53m with his second attempt pic.twitter.com/0p3J7T4JqL

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 8, 2020

Tennis players will be asked not to hand out used towels and sweatbands to fans as part of further action to try to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The ATP and WTA have jointly announced precautionary measures to be implemented at tournaments including Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

Players will also not accept pens, tennis balls or other items from fans for autograph signing.

In a joint statement, the ATP and WTA said health and safety is "paramount".

"As the outbreak of COVID-19 continues, these are common sense precautions for us to take," the statement added.

"We continue to monitor this closely on a daily basis, working with our players and tournaments, as well as public health authorities as the situation evolves globally."

Other measures implemented include:

The measures will be implemented at all ATP and WTA tournaments during the 2020 spring season with "a further review to follow".

Indian Wells organisers had previously introduced precautionary measures, with qualifying for the tournament starting on Monday in California.