American Coco Gauff became the youngest player in the professional era to eliminate the reigning women's champion at the Australian Open, beating former No. 1 Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-4 in the third round at Melbourne Park on Friday.

After the match, during her on-court interview, Gauff turned into a rather typical teen, joking about wanting to take "a selfie for Instagram" with Rod Laver, the 11-time major champion after whom the stadium is named.

"Honestly, like, what is my life? Like, oh, my gosh!" Gauff told the crowd. "Two years ago, I lost first round in juniors and now I'm here. This is crazy."

She is also the youngest player to beat a top-five opponent in a women's tour-level match since American Jennifer Capriati did it at 15 in 1991.

"You don't want to lose to a 15-year-old, you know?" Osaka said.

It was the second significant result of Day 5 in Melbourne: In the same quarter of the bracket, 23-time major champion Serena Williams lost to 27th-seeded Wang Qiang 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 earlier.

Gauff pulled this off with some big serving, consistent groundstrokes and by letting Osaka largely be her own undoing.

Osaka made 30 unforced errors, Gauff merely 17. This was a rematch from the third round at the US Open last September; Osaka won that one in straight sets, then consoled a crying Gauff afterward and encouraged her to speak to the fans.

"Her serve is way better," Osaka said Friday. "I feel like I wasn't really swinging freely, and she was."

So, Naomi, could you have done something differently?

"Put the ball in the court," came the reply.

Osaka, for her part, made her own rapid ascent to the top of tennis, claiming the trophies at the US Open in 2018 and Australian Open in 2019 to rise to No. 1 in the WTA rankings. She is only 22 herself.

Seems old by comparison, of course.

There were the occasional signs that Gauff is not a fully formed player -- or person -- just yet. For example, leading by a set and a break, serving at 1-0, 40-15, Gauff double-faulted twice in one game to get broken for the first time. It was a rare lapse, though -- and one to be expected at this stage of her life and career.

One reminder of just how young Gauff is: Most of the entrants in this year's junior Australian Open are older than she is.

Another: She is taking online classes and said she's been given permission to turn in homework late, "considering the circumstances."

Gauff is now the first American in 30 years to reach at least the third round in each of her first three major appearances.

Her next opponent will be either No. 14 seed Sofia Kenin or Zhang Shuai, who were scheduled to meet later Friday night.

So late, in fact, that Gauff said she would have to pass on scouting their match because she would "probably be asleep."

Osaka and Williams weren't the only former Australian Open champions to go down Friday. Caroline Wozniacki's farewell tour at the Australian Open is over. The 2018 champion lost her third-round match 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to Ons Jabeur at Melbourne Arena.

Wozniacki said late last year that she would retire from the game after the Australian Open in order to spend more time with her family and because she had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2018.

She sat in her court-side chair wiping tears from her eyes before doing an on-court television interview.

"I think it was only fitting that my last match ended with a forehand error," the former No. 1-ranked Wozniacki told the crowd, smiling through the tears.

Jabeur is into the fourth round for the first time in a major. She will play Wang, who upset Williams earlier Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Antonio Brown turned himself in to Broward County Jail on Thursday night in response to an arrest warrant filed against him on three charges.

Accompanied by lawyers and friends, Brown arrived in a turquoise suit at about 10 p.m. ET prepared to face his outstanding charges of felony burglary with battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief stemming from a Tuesday incident outside his home in which he allegedly assaulted a moving truck driver.

It marked the end of a multiday waiting period as police attempted to speak with Brown with no success and then waited all day Thursday for him to turn himself in.

Brown didn't respond to WFOR-TV's request for on-camera comment Thursday night, but his lawyer, Eric Schwartzreich, indicated that Brown would spend the night in jail in Fort Lauderdale.

Schwartzreich confirmed there will be a bond hearing Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Broward County Courthouse.

"He's innocent of these charges,'' he said.

Brown's trainer, Glenn Holt, was arrested Tuesday on a felony burglary with battery charge stemming from the incident. He was released Wednesday after posting a $20,000 bond.

Brown threw a rock at the driver's moving truck before the alleged battery outside of Brown's home Tuesday, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

The documents allege Brown later forced his way into the driver's side of the main cabin of the truck and began to physically strike the driver after a disagreement over payment escalated. Brown was then restrained by his associates.

The court documents obtained by TMZ state that the moving company was hired by Brown to deliver belongings the receiver had stored in California to his home in Hollywood.

Brown, 31, allegedly refused to pay the $4,000 fee, which initially led the driver to attempt to leave with the property in his truck. According to the documents obtained by TMZ, Brown then threw the rock, denting and causing paint damage to the driver's side of the vehicle. The driver then called police to report the damage.

Later, the documents say, the moving company told the driver to drop off the goods because Brown agreed to pay the fee plus damages he caused. However, Brown paid the $4,000 fee but refused to pay more.

Another argument ensued, and that's when, the driver alleges, Brown assaulted him, and Holt attempted to grab his keys from the ignition to open the truck and get Brown's belongings, causing cuts and scratches on the driver.

A source told ESPN that Brown was upset because the shipment, which contained a large number of his designer clothes and shoes, took more than six weeks to arrive. He also had a now-fired associate sign for the shipment, and that person did not inform Brown that he would owe $4,000 upon arrival.

Brown's home is located in a gated community. Multiple neighbors told ESPN they are fed up with the antics taking place at the home, including multiple police encounters this month.

Brown, 31, is being investigated by the NFL under its personal conduct policy following a lawsuit filed by his former trainer that alleges she was sexually assaulted by Brown on multiple occasions. Brown also was accused of sexual misconduct at his home by an artist who was working there in 2017.

Brown has officially been served lawsuit papers from his former trainer, sources told ESPN, and has hired attorney Camille Blanton to handle his case.

Brown played in only one game this season -- for the New England Patriots in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. He was released by the Oakland Raiders before the season and by the Patriots before Week 3, after it was made known that he sent threatening text messages to the artist accusing him of misconduct.

Brown has filed eight grievances against the Raiders and Patriots, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano. He is seeking $39.775 million in lost salary, bonuses and guaranteed money.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

METAIRIE, La. -- It was business as usual for the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.

The team went through a normal practice the day after Wednesday's 121-117 loss to the San Antonio Spurs as they prepped for a Friday showdown against the Denver Nuggets.

But the extra eyes in the practice facility were focused on Zion Williamson, who had a sensational debut capped by a scoring stretch of 17 consecutive points in the fourth quarter.

Williamson was pulled at the 5:23 mark of the fourth quarter as a part of the medical team's plan to keep his playing time limited. Williamson didn't want to check out, but Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry stuck with the team's game plan despite the rookie's scorching stretch.

On Thursday, Gentry said Williamson went through a complete practice without restrictions.

"He is fine, really," Gentry said. "Practiced today and everything, so there was no soreness, and he said he was fine."

Against the Spurs, Williamson was limited to four "bursts" as he started each quarter but only played between three and four minutes in the first, second and third quarters. New Orleans let him play just over 6½ minutes in the fourth quarter as he went on his hot streak.

Gentry said the team won't know how long Williamson will be cleared to play against the Nuggets until Friday morning after the shootaround.

Williamson finished his NBA regular-season debut with 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 8-for-11 shooting while hitting all four of his 3-pointers in just 18 minutes.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, his 22 points are the most by a player in his NBA debut while playing fewer than 20 minutes in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55). Also, he became the first player in NBA history to go 4-for-4 (or better) from 3-point range in his NBA debut.

The game was a success in the ratings, too. According to overnight Nielsen numbers, it had 2.357 million viewers and peaked at 2.777 million, up 88% over last year's comparable game. It got a 1.6 rating, matching ESPN's highest-rated non-Christmas Day NBA game this season.

PORTLAND -- After his team's 133-125 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard expressed frustration with a no-call that eventually led to him receiving a technical foul in the game's closing seconds.

With 3 minutes, 42 seconds left and Portland down by 15, Lillard scored on a reverse layup but thought he had also drawn a foul on the Mavs' Luka Doncic.

"The guy smacked me in the head, and the referee is right there," Lillard said. "I ask him, 'How are you going to make that call?' He tells me, 'We all agreed that you leaned in.' That's an insult, man. 'You leaned into him?' He smacked me in the head. That's frustrating as hell, man. And then you get that type of explanation."

Immediately after the play, Lillard gestured at his head, then yelled at referee Ray Acosta, who had the clearest view of the play on the baseline.

Despite Lillard's 47 points, giving him a combined 108 in two games this week after he scored a career-high 61 in Monday's win over the Golden State Warriors, the Blazers got no closer than 10 over the final four minutes of the game.

As Lillard was set to check out with 13.7 seconds remaining, he confronted Acosta about the call and received his third technical foul of the season.

"I went right up to him and I said something," Lillard said afterward. "I said if you say, 'I didn't see it,' that's one thing. Whatever. They say that all the time. It's just a way to get out of that conversation. But you can't tell me, 'All three of us agreed you leaned in,' when I'm doing a reverse layup. I don't have time to lean back and try to get fouled while I'm looking at the rim, making a reverse layup and the guy's smacking me in my head. Don't insult me like that. Just say, 'I didn't see it.'"

Steph Curry has three championship rings, two MVP trophies and five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors.

But if Curry'd had his way, he would have gone to the New York Knicks, not the Warriors, in the 2009 NBA draft.

"I wanted to go to New York and thought I was going to New York," Curry said on Showtime's "All the Smoke" podcast. "At the draft in the green room, I was like, 'Oh, get to the eight spot and New York can get me.'

"And then I got the call from [former Warriors GM] Larry Riley, like 'We're going to pick you in the seventh spot.'"

The Warriors had been to the playoffs only once in the previous 15 seasons. But with Curry and then Klay Thompson, who was drafted in 2011, they began to turn things around, later adding Draymond Green and building a championship mentality.

Curry, 31, who is recovering from a broken hand, now says he never wants to leave the Warriors. "I don't want to move anywhere," he told hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. "I love the Bay."

With the No. 8 pick in 2009, the Knicks took forward Jordan Hill, who was traded to the Houston Rockets after 24 games in a deal that brought Tracy McGrady to New York.

.

Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James again were named captains for the NBA All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday night.

Antetokounmpo and James earned the honors after leading their respective conferences in fan votes and will be two of the 10 starters for the game, which will be held Feb. 16 in Chicago. They will next draft the rosters for the All-Star Game from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference.

The East starter pool also includes Kemba Walker, Trae Young, Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid, while the West starter pool includes James Harden, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic. The reserves will be announced next Thursday.

James, who led all players in voting, was named to his 16th All-Star team, breaking a tie with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett for the third-most selections in NBA history. He trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) and Kobe Bryant (18). Assuming he plays in next month's game, James will trail only Abdul-Jabbar (18) in All-Star Game appearances; Bryant missed three All-Star Games due to injury.

With Lakers coach Frank Vogel announced Thursday as the coach of Team LeBron and center Dwight Howard also participating in All-Star weekend festivities, James raved about how the Lakers and their fans should be excited.

"When you have something like this, the byproduct, we should all be proud of it," James said. "Laker faithful should be proud to have two All-Stars in the game, another guy in the dunk contest on Saturday and the coaching staff coaching the game on Sunday. So it's pretty, pretty, pretty cool."

After a close race, James stayed ahead of Doncic in the final round of fan voting to claim the West captaincy. James finished with 6,275,459 fan votes; Doncic had 6,111,735.

The two could partner up in Chicago if James takes Doncic with one of his captain selections.

"It would be amazing," said Doncic, who expressed doubt that he'd be selected with the first pick. "Everybody knows what LeBron means to me. It would be special for me."

Doncic, who will be 20 years, 353 days on Feb. 16, will be the sixth-youngest player to start in an All-Star Game. Bryant was the youngest, at 19 years, 169 days.

The Mavericks star said he grew up watching the All-Star Game in his native Slovenia.

"I used to wake up at 3, 4 in the morning and watch it, and now I'm here," he said. "It's just a blessing. I never really thought I would be here. It's a dream come true."

There was little drama in the West, with the five selections all far outpacing the rest of the field in the fan vote (50% of the final tally) as well as the player and media votes (25% each). In all three, James finished ahead of Davis and Leonard among forwards, while Doncic and Harden were first and second, respectively, among guards.

The East selections, however, were a different story. Antetokounmpo and Embiid took two of the starting spots in the frontcourt, as expected, and Walker was the clear choice for the first starting spot in the East's backcourt in his first season in Boston.

The two most hotly debated spots on the ballot were the final frontcourt spot in the East -- which was a two-man race between Siakam and Jimmy Butler -- and the other starting guard spot next to Walker, with a fleet of candidates -- from Young to Kyrie Irving to Ben Simmons to Kyle Lowry to Bradley Beal -- each having his own argument.

In the end, though, it was Siakam who wound up edging out Butler, while Young won the fight to start in the backcourt.

Siakam finished second in the fan vote, ahead of Embiid and Butler. In the backcourt race, Young benefited from winning the fan vote and finishing second in the media balloting.

.@TheTraeYoung was overcome with emotion when he found out he was selected as an All-Star starter ?

(via @goodysav) pic.twitter.com/tPU7z5aIRi

— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2020

Vogel was announced as Team LeBron's coach after the Lakers clinched the best record in the Western Conference by the Feb. 2 cutoff with a win in Brooklyn on Thursday night. The Lakers are 36-9, second-best in the NBA behind only Milwaukee.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is ineligible to coach the All-Star Game because he did the job last year. The coach of Team Giannis will be the coach of the team with the Eastern Conference's best record -- not including Milwaukee -- through games played on Feb. 2.

Thursday was just the first of three consecutive weeks of All-Star announcements. Next Thursday, the league will announce the seven reserve selections from each conference, which are made by the league's head coaches (who are not allowed to vote for their own players). Then, on Feb. 6, James and Antetokounmpo will draft their rosters for the game from the pool of 22 players, regardless of conference affiliation.

James said the thing he was most looking forward to on All-Star weekend in Chicago was "being there with my brother AD."

"Being with a local kid, from Chicago, I can only imagine having an All-Star Game in my backyard where I grew up," he said of Davis. "So I think this is going to be an unbelievable moment for AD and his family. So I'm looking forward to being there with him, seeing him being in his hometown and being part of the Lakers. I think that's pretty amazing."

Asked if it was a no-brainer for him to draft Davis, James joked, "Yeah, it is a brainer. I don't have to pick him. I don't even like him."

Davis said he didn't know whether he'd be James' first pick.

"I'm not sure what he's thinking," he said. "He hasn't talked about it, so probably won't take me. I've probably played with him enough this year, so he probably won't. But we've been winning, so he probably will."

Information from ESPN's Kevin Pelton and Dave McMenamin and The Associated Press was used in this report.

The starters are set for the 2020 All-Star Game in Chicago. Now comes the fun part.

And while LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo -- both are reprising their roles as team captains -- won't be making their draft selections until Feb. 6, our panel of NBA experts is already answering the biggest questions surrounding the All-Star starter selections.

Who should be the No. 1 overall pick? Which players are our panel most excited to see team up Feb. 16 inside the United Center? How should the league tweak the selection process?

Let's dive in.

MORE: Everything to know for NBA All-Star 2020

1. LeBron is on the clock. Who should be his first pick in the All-Star draft?

Bobby Marks: The No. 1 choice is all about Luka Doncic. While the Dallas Mavericks guard missed out on being selected as captain, falling short by just more than 160,000 votes, Doncic should be the clear choice by James when the teams are selected on Feb. 6. If he isn't, the only logical choice would be for James to pick his Lakers teammate Anthony Davis.

Kevin Pelton: With depth at every position, there's no obvious need to fill immediately. I might be inclined to take Kawhi Leonard, the best perimeter defender of this group, but I don't think James will hurt his team at all if he feels compelled to take Lakers teammate Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick.

Jorge Sedano: This one is easy: Luka Doncic should be the first pick in the draft. He's an MVP candidate and is averaging 29.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists for the Dallas Mavericks this season. Doncic has 10 30-point triple-doubles, already as many as James (five), Oscar Robertson (three) and Magic Johnson (two) combined before turning 22 years old.

Eric Woodyard: Anthony Davis should be the No. 1 pick. He's coming home to Chicago, so I'm sure that'll be some extra motivation to show out for family and friends. Also, don't forget that AD still holds the All-Star record for most points in a game with 52 as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans inside Smoothie King Center, where he won MVP. He's more than capable of going off again.

Royce Young: It's pretty easy to guess that Anthony Davis will be pick No. 1. But both Luka Doncic and Trae Young could be fantastic All-Star Game players. Doncic is a matchup nightmare, an isolation monster and a solid shooter. Young is a magician passer with range to 40 feet. And remember, defense doesn't matter in the All-Star Game.

2. Who is the most controversial starter choice?

Pelton: Pascal Siakam. This doesn't always happen, but I agree with Charles Barkley: Jimmy Butler deserved to start. Among East players, only Antetokounmpo has been more valuable by my wins above replacement player (WARP) metric. Same with FiveThirtyEight's RAPTOR ratings. To me, Butler was an easy choice, and Siakam got his spot.

Young: Pascal Siakam. It certainly feels wrong that Jimmy Butler isn't a starter after the first half the Miami Heat have had. Siakam is well-deserving, but he also has missed a couple of weeks due to injury. Flipping Butler for him makes some sense.

Woodyard: Trae Young. This is no knock on Young because I love his game, but I could see how Atlanta's 11-34 record could raise concern. I have no problem seeing "Ice Trae" represent the Eastern Conference as a starter where, outside of the top teams, there are a bunch that really aren't very good. Why not bring some excitement?

Sedano: Trae Young. I'm OK with him being an All-Star. He's as exciting a player to watch as there is in the game. However, the Hawks are the worst team in the Eastern Conference. I get this is a glorified pick-up game, but winning has to matter a little. I take exception with Jimmy Butler being labeled a frontcourt player -- he deserves to be a starter. He's the most important player on a Miami Heat team that's the biggest surprise in the East.

Marks: Kawhi Leonard. Despite All-NBA credentials for when he is on the court, Leonard is my pick. The reason? The popular term load management (or injury prevention) that hovers around him for each game. Leonard has missed 11 games this season and is on pace to appear in only 60.

3. Which player combo do you most want to see as teammates in the game?

Pelton: Luka Doncic and Trae Young have been compared since they were traded for each other on draft night in 2018, so it would be nice to see them on the same side of things for once.

Young: Doncic and Young together would be really fun. That's a storyline that's always going to be interesting, but we've seen them against each other before. How about on the same side? Or James picking Young and Doncic, assembling an All-World passing and ballhandling team that would just be nonstop nutmegs and no-looks.

Woodyard: I'm looking forward to the potential of Trae Young and LeBron James joining forces as the perfect mix of old and new. Plus, they're two of the best passers in the league, so I could see some great dimes being thrown. It's always fun to watch the new evolution of stars and how they're able to arrive on that All-Star stage. I'm sure James would welcome Young with open arms.

Marks: As a tribute following the recent death of David Stern, who turned the NBA into the global behemoth it is today, let's see the All-World frontcourt of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid. The pool of players might not be big enough yet to go the full USA vs. the World route, but putting those three together would show how much this game has grown internationally.

Sedano: Because of all the drama the two L.A. teams have caused at the beginning of the season, I would love to see the All-L.A. quartet of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Considering how much those two fan bases dislike each other, it would be a pretty funny sight. And maybe even an unstoppable one.

4. What would you change about the All-Star voting process?

Young: Doing the draft right before the game, playground style, would be pretty awesome. It would take some adjusting in terms of logistics, but it could easily be done. Picture James and Antetokounmpo at midcourt, picking players one by one, until one is standing there all by himself as the last choice. It would be fantastic.

Pelton: Stop using conferences and pick the best players regardless of where they play, as we've seen the WNBA do since moving to drafted teams for its All-Star Game. That's not as big of an issue this season, with the gulf between the West and the East narrowing, but I still don't understand the point of choosing by conference if they are no longer playing each other.

Woodyard: If you glance at where basketball is headed, it would be a no-brainer to make the All-Star Game positionless -- why not? Without limiting the selections to frontcourt or backcourt, it would put the most exciting players in the league at center stage. Currently, I have no issue with the voting and selection process, but this move would shake things up. I'm all for it.

Sedano: We play in an era of positionless basketball. Why are we even still using frontcourt and backcourt designations? Give me the best five on each side.

Marks: Nothing. Yes, the optics don't look great when Tacko Fall and Alex Caruso are in the top 10 in fan voting, but remember, this game is just an exhibition. Though neither player was selected when you combine the media and player voting, let the fans continue to be part of the process.

NEW YORK -- The Mets made it official, hiring Luis Rojas as their manager to replace Carlos Beltran.

New York announced the move Thursday, a week after Beltran departed without managing a game. Rojas, who had been the Mets' quality-control coach, was given a multiyear contract.

"I will work tirelessly to help this team win," Rojas said in a statement. "I believe this team and coaching staff can do special things, and I look forward to working together with everyone to reach our goals."

Rojas became New York's fourth manager in the past 2½ years -- and third in four months. He is to be introduced Friday at a Citi Field news conference.

"He has a good finger on the pulse of this particular team. He was part of it last year," general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Wednesday. "He knows these guys, and he knows how to communicate to them. Every returning player on the roster has a relationship with him, and that's valuable to us at this time."

Beltran was let go last week as part of the fallout from the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal.

The 38-year-old Rojas is the son of former Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou and the brother of ex-big league outfielder Moises Alou, who spent his final two pro seasons with the Mets from 2007-08.

"Luis has grown up with baseball in his blood, as his family is part of baseball royalty," Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said in a statement.

A minor league manager for eight years, Rojas has worked in the organization since 2007 but had never coached in the majors before joining Mickey Callaway's staff last season.

"Luis earned this job. He has literally trained his whole life to be a manager," Van Wagenen said. "He is considered one of the better in-game decision-makers simply that we have in the organization."

Rojas' duties in the dugout as quality-control coach included serving as "a conduit between the front office and coaching staff on all issues including game preparation, strategy and analytics," according to the team's media guide. He also was New York's outfield coach in 2019 and led the effort in preparing hitters for opposing pitchers, Van Wagenen said.

Callaway was fired after the season, and Rojas interviewed for the vacancy before New York hired Beltran on Nov. 1. Van Wagenen said Rojas knew he was "a serious candidate" back in October.

"It's always helpful to have familiarity," Van Wagenen said. "The fact that he was so actively involved with the coaches this fall in preparation for spring training, in preparation for the season -- he was already asserting himself more in a leadership role with this new coaching staff and helping Carlos learn some of the managerial things that he hadn't been exposed to before."

That played "a significant role" in the Mets choosing Rojas, according to Van Wagenen. The team decided against external options such as ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez, who interviewed for the job last fall.

"I think it's the fit, it's where the team is, it's what culture we're trying to create," Van Wagenen said, pointing out that most of New York's homegrown talent played for Rojas in the minors. "He's respected by the players, he's trusted by the players and he's someone that we have great confidence in."

Beltran's tenure lasted just two-plus months and ended after commissioner Rob Manfred singled him out last week in a report on a cheating scheme used by the Astros during their World Series championship season in 2017, when Beltran played for them.

No players were disciplined by Major League Baseball, but three days later the Mets announced Beltran was out as manager. The sides said it was a mutual decision, and Beltran apologized for his role in the scam. He said he didn't want to be a distraction to the Mets.

Less than a week afterward, they transitioned to Rojas.

"When it came to this unfortunate circumstance, we didn't want to change the values that we outlined for ourselves in the initial process," Van Wagenen said. "We wanted to continue the momentum that we have with the work that's been done in preparation for spring training, and we felt like Luis was in a position to be a leader of that group."

Houston manager AJ Hinch and Boston skipper Alex Cora also were let go after being implicated in MLB's sign-stealing report. Neither the Astros nor Red Sox have named replacements.

Rojas, born in the Dominican Republic, played in the minors with the Orioles, Marlins and Expos/Nationals from 2000-05 but never got above rookie ball.

He is entering his 14th season working in the Mets organization, including those eight as a minor league manager. He coached for New York in the Dominican Summer League in 2007, got his first managerial role with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League team in 2011 and also managed at Class A and Double-A. In the Dominican Winter League, he won a 2016 championship with the Leones del Escogido.

Notably, he was the manager at Double-A Binghamton during Pete Alonso's breakout 2018 season, when he led the minors with 36 home runs.

"Loved having Luis in '17 and '18 as my AA manager!" Alonso tweeted. "It's awesome playing under him and having him on staff last year as well!!! Super pumped to have him as the Jeffe. Also he throws some damn good bp."

New York rode a strong second half to an 86-76 record last season but missed the playoffs, finishing third in the National League East behind Atlanta and World Series champion Washington.

Islington’s Business Design Centre welcomes runners for the inaugural London event in June

Following the success of the annual National Running Show at the NEC in Birmingham, the organiser, Raccoon Events, is extending the brand in 2020 to its first London event to be held at the Business Design Centre in Islington on the weekend of June 13-14.

The event’s first big announcement is a partnership with retailers Runners Need, who will be bringing some of the leading brands in running to the event.

The format for the event will mirror the flagship show in Birmingham with an Inspiration Stage hosting a line-up of some of the best running athletes. Already confirmed for London are Dame Kelly Holmes, Roger Black, Nell McAndrew, Danny Bent and Susie Chan.

Other features include a Running Skills Theatre, Ask the Experts sessions, zones focusing on nutrition, community, injury fix and prevention and new initiatives including the running cinema and a Run The Dark experience sponsored by LightUp.

Andrew Wood, head of marketing at Runners Need, said: “At Runners Need we believe it’s never too late to start running. Since 1982, through our nationwide stores we’ve been inspiring people to get out there and run. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the National Running Show so that we can give hands on advice to thousands of runners about the leading brands on the market.”

Nathalie Davies, event director, commented: “We are thrilled to be working with Runners Need, who are a great fit with our brand and the communities we work with. Since launching the National Running Show in Birmingham, we have seen a huge demand for a London edition and we are busy confirming a host of brands as part of the exhibition. Watch this space for further announcements coming soon”.

For more information on the show go to www.nationalrunningshowlondon.com. Stand space is selling fast, if you are interested in participating you can contact Nathalie on [email protected]

UK Athletics appoint experienced sports administrator as temporary chief executive until a full-time successor to Niels de Vos is found

Nic Coward will steer UK Athletics through the coming months in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics as its interim chief executive.

An experienced sports administrator, he was general secretary of the Premier League from 2011-15, CEO of the British Horseracing Authority from 2007-11 and has twice been acting CEO of the Football Association, whereas his current roles include being chair of England Golf and the England & Wales Cricket Board Regulatory Committee.

Since Niels de Vos resigned as UKA’s chief executive in autumn 2018, the governing body was steered by interim CEO Nigel Holl, although he left the governing body last year. Zara Hyde Peters was then due to start as chief executive in November but the appointment fell through due to much publicised safeguarding issues.

UKA say they are still recruiting for a full-time successor to De Vos but that Coward will fulfil the role in the meantime and the governing body says Coward has “considerable experience navigating the complexity of international and domestic stakeholders within the sporting landscape”.

“Athletics is a sport that captures the nation’s imagination each and every year, but Olympic and Paralympic year is even more special,” he says. “I’m looking forward to working with the board and all the team, across the organisation, at such an important time for the sport.”

Chris Clark, chair of UKA, added: “Olympic and Paralympic year is always hugely important for the sport and it’s essential we continue to make progress in these final few months in the approach to the Games. Appointing an interim CEO is the first important step to ensure we have strong leadership for the sport working alongside our management team and the board, and ultimately supporting our world class programme so they all give their very best in Tokyo.

“Nic is a highly experienced sport executive and will provide an important leadership role until such time our next CEO, currently being recruited, can start.”

Among its many challenges, UKA is currently dealing with a critical review of its elite athlete support set-up and performance coaching.