Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester is "doing very well" after suffering a cardiac episode on the bench during Tuesday night's game against the Ducks, St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong said on Wednesday.

Bouwmeester remained at the UC Irvine Medical Center on Wednesday and is undergoing a battery of tests to determine what happened, although Armstrong classified the early results as "very positive."

Armstrong said that Bouwmeester became unresponsive after he collapsed on the bench during the first period and medical personnel at the Honda Center used a defibrillator to revive him.

"Jay regained consciousness immediately and was transported directly to the hospital," Armstrong said. The game was postponed and Armstrong said the league is working to schedule a makeup date.

"It's hard to even explain. It happened so fast," Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said. "It felt like an eternity for us. We reacted as fast as we could. [The medical staff] was impressive to see. It's not easy to see anybody go through, let alone a close friend and teammate."

Pietrangelo visited Bouwmeester in the hospital on Tuesday night and said his teammate was in "good spirits."

Bouwmeester had recently completed a long shift and was on the bench when he appeared to reach for water and collapsed. Pietrangelo and teammate Vince Dunn were closest to Bouwmeester, and immediately began waving and yelling for help.

The Blues stayed overnight in Orange County but traveled to Las Vegas on Wednesday. St. Louis, which is currently hosting its annual Dad's Trip, play the Golden Knights on Thursday. Bouwmeester's father was on the trip. Armstrong said he called Bouwmeester's wife, immediately. She was not watching the game.

Armstrong said that Golden Knights president George McPhee helped arrange for counselors to be available to the Blues in Las Vegas as they processed the incident.

In his 17th NHL season, Bouwmeester ranks second among active defensemen with 1,241 career games played -- trailing only Zdeno Chara (1,540) -- and is fourth overall behind Patrick Marleau (1,709) and Joe Thornton (1,622).

Bouwmeester, a first-round pick of the Florida Panthers held one of the longest ironman streaks in NHL history, with 737 consecutive regular-season games played until a lower-body injury in 2014. He missed time in 2015-16 with a concussion, and a hip injury ended his 2017-18 season. He played all but four games last season and hasn't missed a game this season.

The Blues in April signed Bouwmeester to a one-year, $3.25 million deal for this season.

The NHL has a lengthy list of emergency medical standards, including language that require that at least two doctors must be in attendance for every game, and one must be within 50 feet of the bench. A defibrillator must also be available, as well as a triage room and ambulances on call.

The most recent player to collapse on an NHL bench was Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley in 2014. Peverley had an irregular heartbeat, and the quick response of emergency officials ensured he was OK. Detroit's Jiri Fischer collapsed in 2005, and medical personnel also needed to use a defibrillator.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

TAMPA, Fla. -- While his status with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers going into next season remains up in the air, quarterback Jameis Winston has taken steps to correct his nearsightedness, recently undergoing LASIK surgery.

"He had LASIK. And he didn't want to count out any options that he had that could possibly help him with the game he loves so much," Winston's publicist, Denise White, told ESPN. "He doesn't want to miss out on an opportunity that presents itself. This is the game he loves and he wants to be the best at it and if there are any options that can improve his game he is willing to do it."

Speculation about the surgery began when Winston posted a photo of himself on Instagram wearing optometry glasses with the caption, "They know!!!!"

Winston has struggled with nearsightedness throughout his career. When he was at Florida State, television cameras frequently panned to a squinting Winston.

"He can't read the scoreboard, but he can see the guys in front of him, so he's fine," Bucs coach Bruce Arians said at the end of the season.

When asked whether Winston considered wearing contact lenses, Arians said, "He's got goggles that he practices in sometimes."

It's unclear to what degree, if any, vision has affected Winston's accuracy issues. Interceptions have plagued him throughout his college and NFL career. He threw 30 interceptions in 2019 but still threw a league-high 5,109 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. His 19,737 passing yards are the seventh most of any quarterback in the league since 2015.

While Winston has kept a relatively low profile this offseason, he has been involved in charity work. Last month, he donated $100,000 to his hometown's athletic programs at Hueytown High School and Hueytown Middle School, and $50,000 to his mother, Loretta's alma mater, Miles College, where he has held his Dream Forever football camps.

The Minnesota Timberwolves say Karl-Anthony Towns will miss Wednesday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets due to a left wrist injury.

Towns had an MRI on the wrist Tuesday, which revealed the injury. He will be further evaluated over the All-Star break, according to the team.

Towns is averaging a career-best 26.5 points and 10.8 rebounds in 35 games this season. He missed 15 games earlier this season with a sprained left knee.

Wednesday's game is the Timberwolves' final game before the break. Minnesota's next game is Feb. 21 against Boston.

Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said prior to Wednesday's game that he did not know when or how Towns was injured. Towns had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in 37 minutes in Monday night's loss to Toronto.

"He's a guy who takes a lot of contact," Saunders said. "He's a guy who attacks the rim with force. There's been times where he's getting knocked to the floor. So we know that there is wear in that sense but no specific action."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game Wednesday, just days after his girlfriend gave birth to the couple's first child.

In addition to sitting out against the Indiana Pacers, Antetokounmpo also missed Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings.

Milwaukee (46-7) has the NBA's best record and has won all five games missed by its All-Star forward this season.

After Wednesday's game, the Bucks have eight days until their next game.

Antetokounmpo, last season's MVP, will be a team captain at this weekend's All-Star Game. He is averaging 30 points, 13.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Fernando Tatis Jr. will continue to make his diving, spinning moves at shortstop rather than in center field, rookie San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Wednesday.

Tingler said he has no plans to give the Padres' most dynamic player even a few spring training reps in center field. That thought popped up in the offseason when the Padres had preliminary talks with Cleveland about shortstop Francisco Lindor.

The rumors gained brief traction after the Padres traded center fielder Manuel Margot to Tampa Bay for reliever Emilio Pagan on Saturday.

"We have considered a couple center fielders; we never once discussed, honestly, Tatis being out there," Tingler said in his opening news conference of spring.

Tatis' aggressive style of play contributed to him playing only 84 games last year. He thrust himself into the race for National League Rookie of the Year with his spectacular play before a stress reaction in his lower back ended his season in mid-August. The 21-year-old also missed time early in the season with a hamstring injury.

Between the two injuries, he hit .317 with 22 home runs, 53 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and a .590 slugging percentage.

Tingler said all the medical reports on Tatis were positive and there will be no physical limitations on him during spring training.

"He's been out here early, he's swung the bat, he's running, he's playing defense, so we do not expect any limitations," the manager said.

Tatis was among numerous Padres who reported early. Pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday and position players officially report Monday. The first full-squad workout is Tuesday.

Tingler, who was hired on Oct. 24, praised Tatis' defense while noting the Padres' overall need for defensive improvement.

"The first thing that radiates out is just his talent," Tingler said. "It is really easy to go through a highlight video and just watch extraordinary play after extraordinary play. One thing we have to do as a group -- we're probably going to have to do a better job of taking care of the baseball, collectively with routine outs, catching the ball, throwing to the right base. If we can clean that up a little bit, not just at shortstop, on all areas, that's going to be one of the areas of emphasis and we believe that is part of winning baseball."

Tingler, 38, replaced Andy Green, who was fired with eight games to go last season, when the Padres finished last in the NL West at 70-92. He previously served in the Texas Rangers organization as an assistant general manager, big league coach, minor league field coordinator and minor league manager.

Along with having a rookie manager, the Padres have new brown and gold uniforms and new players, including Pagan, outfielder Tommy Pham, second baseman Jurickson Profar and left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz.

The Padres attempted to swing a trade for Mookie Betts, the 2018 American League MVP with Boston, but lost out to the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Preparing to return to the major leagues after a one-season absence, Salvador Perez caught a bullpen session from prospect Brady Singer in the Kansas City Royals' first spring training workout on Wednesday.

Perez hurt a ligament in his right elbow during drills in spring training last year, and Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed Tommy John surgery on the six-time All-Star on March 6. Perez is hitting and throwing to bases.

"I'm like 90 percent, very close to 100 to be able to do anything," Perez said. "We'll see what [the doctor] says, so I can do some more stuff on the field. I feel good."

Perez said it was difficult to watch last year and not play as the Royals skidded to their second straight 100-loss season.

"You start to think too much sometimes," Perez said. "It's a good thing I'm back. I'm ready. Hopefully, I can stay healthy for the opening day."

Approaching his 30th birthday in May, Perez is a five-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient and the 2015 World Series MVP. He has a .266 average with 141 homers and 503 RBIs in eight major league seasons.

"I really don't need to remind people," he said. "They already know. They know who I am. They know I love to play baseball. When the light is on, it's my time."

Manager Mike Matheny said he is not ruling out using Perez at first base at times.

"If they need me for a couple of games, I don't have any problem to do that," Perez said. "I don't like to think I'm going be the first baseman or DH. I'm the catcher. I prepare myself to catch 162 games, more than that if we're in the playoffs."

Perez hit 27 home runs in both 2017 and 2018, his fourth straight season with at least 21 homers.

"He looks great and ready to go," Matheny said.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Shohei Ohtani has no problem with the Los Angeles Angels' plan to delay his return to the mound so they can preserve his pitching arm for later in the season.

The two-way star also wouldn't have minded if the Angels wanted him to start on Opening Day, either.

Ohtani reacted positively Wednesday to the Angels' announcement of their plan to delay his return to the mound until mid-May.

"I was getting prepared to start the year on Opening Day," Ohtani said through his interpreter. "But if that's what the team wants me to do, then I'll be prepared to delay my debut. I don't see any problems."

The Angels are exercising caution with the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year, who hasn't pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery after his rookie season stateside.

The team is also apparently planning to keep Ohtani to an innings limit over the season, and delaying his return to the mound allows the Angels to concentrate his innings later in the regular season, when the team hopes to be in a pennant race.

Ohtani declined to specify his innings limit, but acknowledged he is unlikely to hit it.

"Since I'm going to be waiting until mid-May, I won't be close to [throwing] 200 innings," said Ohtani, who pitched at least 140 innings in three straight seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. "From there on out, I'm planning on finishing out the year. I think that's one of the biggest responsibilities of a pitcher, to stay in the rotation healthy and try to finish out the year."

Ohtani finished his elbow rehabilitation in December, completing a process that was delayed by knee surgery three months earlier.

Ohtani will be ready to resume his everyday role as the Angels' designated hitter from opening day, however. He will take days away from the Angels early in the season to pitch in minor league starts designed to build his arm strength, general manager Billy Eppler said Tuesday.

Thanks to a baseball rule change confirmed Wednesday, Ohtani won't count against the limit of 13 pitchers on a 26-man roster. Ohtani will qualify for a special designation as a two-way player.

Ohtani isn't neglecting his hitting while he prepares for his pitching return. He reported to spring training with plans to hone his swing after he batted .286 with 18 homers, 62 RBI and a .848 OPS last season.

"There's some stuff I need to work on," Ohtani said. "I'm trying to use spring training to get over those hurdles. We also added three position players, so I don't know where I'm going to be hitting in the lineup. ... I think we made a lot of good additions. Our team is growing in the right direction."

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The rebuild may not be quite over yet but the Chicago White Sox hope the fun is already beginning.

Three years of rebuilding and overhauling the roster have brought in young players who are developing into stars. The offseason was highlighted by the additions of All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal and former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.

By all indications, the players couldn't wait to get to Camelback Ranch this spring. On the day when pitchers and catchers reported, there were plenty of infielders and outfielders as well.

For a team that hasn't had a winning season since 2012 and been absent from the postseason since 2008, it can't come soon enough.

"You can see the entirety of it coming together," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday. "We are not certain how quickly it's all going to click on all cylinders the way we want. When we started this process, it was about putting ourselves in position for annual contention."

But for manager Rick Renteria and some of the players, the expectations are high now. The playoffs are a goal, and the phrase "World Series" was even uttered a time or two -- a big leap for a team that won 72 games last season and finished 28 1/2 games out in the AL Central.

"We talked about this today," Hahn said. "The coaches and the players, everyone in uniform being focused on it's time, this year, let's go. That's fantastic. That's great. That's where you want their mindset."

All-Star Lucas Giolito heads a rotation that now includes Keuchel and another free-agent lefty, Gio Gonzalez. Dylan Cease will be in there somewhere, with Reynaldo Lopez likely the No. 5 man at least until Michael Kopech or Carlos Rodon return from arm injuries later this season.

Offensively, the Sox featured slugging first baseman Jose Abreu, batting champion Tim Anderson and emerging young hitters Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez. Add to that Grandal, DH Edwin Encarnacion and highly regarded rookie center fielder Luis Robert, and they figure improvement is not far away.

"Putting the expectation in there that this is a team ready to win and we expect to win or we are a playoff-caliber club, it raises the focus for everyone around here," Hahn said.

Renteria, in his fourth year at the helm, has not been shy about proclaiming that this can be the year the White Sox take the big jump into postseason contention.

"We want to play to put ourselves in position to give ourselves a chance to get to the dance. That's what it's about," Renteria said. "If people say I'm scared to say that you're looking at the wrong guy."

British number one Dan Evans is into the Rotterdam Open last eight after coming from a set down to defeat world number 17 Karen Khachanov 4-6 6-3 6-4.

The 29-year-old will now face Gilles Simon or Gael Monfils in his second quarter-final appearance this season.

After going a set down, Evans broke early before taking the second set and then sealed victory on his serve in the 10th game of the deciding set.

Sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut was knocked out by Pablo Carreno Busta.

The Spaniard suffered a 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-4) defeat by his compatriot.

Taulupe Faletau winces a little as he looks at a photograph of Wales' players celebrating their 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam.

It is a typical scene of triumph; squad members drenched in champagne, the trophy thrust into the air by their beaming captain Sam Warburton.

But the number eight who had played such a prominent role in Wales' success is conspicuous by his absence. You need to examine the picture closely to find Faletau, barely visible behind his team-mates.

"It's what I tend to do," the 29-year-old tells S4C's Clwb Rygbi.

"Looking back now, I wish I wasn't at the back because I didn't realise at the time they [Grand Slams] don't come around that often.

"I was talking to Sam about it, four years ago maybe. My first couple of years with Wales, we got to the semis [of the 2011 World Cup], won the Grand Slam, won the [2013] Six Nations.

"I haven't won anything since so I wish I'd made the most of it then or tried to soak up the whole occasion back then, rather than trying to think of it now.

"It sounds stupid now but I didn't realise a Grand Slam was such a big thing at the time. I'm a bit gutted I didn't soak it up more than I did."

Eight years have passed since he last won a Grand Slam, though it feels like no time since a 20-year-old Faletau was bounding around the pitch on his Test debut, a face of youthful innocence belying a ferocious physicality leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Wales did secure another Grand Slam last year, but Faletau missed the entire campaign because of injury.

Twice a British and Irish Lions tourist and renowned as one of the world's most accomplished number eights, you would expect a player of his calibre to be missed in any team.

But Wales coped with his absence, their enviable back-row strength in depth coming to the fore. True to form, Faletau simply faded from view.

Injuries kept him out of international rugby for two years but now the Bath player is back and has played in both of Wales' opening two Six Nations fixtures.

There has been little fanfare, Faletau slotting back into the Welsh pack with understated class.

And while he may have returned quietly, Faletau is looking to make up for lost time after suffering from knee injuries, two broken arms and a broken collarbone since moving to Bath in 2016.

'Family got me through my injuries'

"I can't fault the boys and the club. It's a good place to be. It just hasn't been what I wanted - injuries have had a big impact on that," he says.

"I don't feel like I've been able to show what I can do for the club so I'm looking forward to hopefully doing that."

The silver lining of Faletau's long periods on the sidelines is that he has been able to spend more time with his wife Charlotte and their sons, three-year-old Israel and Ezekiel, who celebrated his first birthday last month.

"Kids make it a lot easier than it would be without them," Faletau says, smiling.

"They help you take your mind off it - they have their own needs. We're there to just give them what they want so I've got to put my difficulties aside.

"If they're happy, I'm happy. I try and make the most of my time with them.

"The eldest is more aware of rugby now. I've spent a lot more time with him with my recent injury and he's been to a lot of Bath games.

"He likes rugby and he likes sport in general but, at one point, he was like 'Dad, do you play rugby?' because I'd been taking him without actually being on there. He said: 'Dad, you don't play rugby!' So I said: 'I will soon, boy!'"

Famous fans

Ezekiel can at least watch his father play for Wales again, and one day he may have a famous family member for company at the Principality Stadium.

Faletau credits his "amazing" wife Charlotte for helping him during his recent injury struggles, adding he "couldn't have asked for a better person to pull me through that time".

And it is through Charlotte that Faletau is connected to arguably the biggest Welsh sport star of them all.

"Charlotte's sister is married to Gareth Bale and that's where the connection is," Faletau explains, before adding with a laugh: "They've done well there, the girls, haven't they?

"I went to watch the Euros in 2016 - that was an amazing experience actually, being a fan and following the football. Well, jumping on the bandwagon really!

"That was amazing. I don't think he's been to a rugby game so it's just been me watching him!"

That could change. Although Bale is often busy playing for Real Madrid, he has taken the time to show his support for Wales' rugby players while watching matches such as their 2015 World Cup win over England.

Perhaps if his schedule allows, the Welsh galactico might be back in Cardiff for this year's Six Nations.

And although a Grand Slam is not possible for Wales this year, there is still a chance Faletau could win his third title.

If he does, this time he will celebrate it properly.

"I'll be there," he grins. "At the front with a champagne bottle!"