Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as manager of Napoli on Tuesday after their 4-0 victory over Genk which confirmed their place in the Champions League knockout stage.

"Napoli has decided to revoke the position of first-team coach from Carlo Ancelotti," the club said in a statement.

"The relationship of friendship, esteem and mutual respect between the club, its president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Carlo Ancelotti remain intact."

Despite securing a spot among the competition's last-16, the club had suffered a dreadful run of domestic results.

Napoli had started the season among the Serie A title favourites and were close to a famous draw in their second match of the season when they came from 3-0 down to level it up at 3-3 away to Juventus, only to lose through a calamitous Kalidou Koulibaly own goal in stoppage time.

They won their next three matches in all competitions -- including a 2-0 victory over Champions League holders Liverpool -- before losing 1-0 at home to Cagliari. After winning two of their next three matches, they embarked on terrible run of form to fall off the pace in the hunt for the top four.

A 2-1 defeat away to Roma led president Aurelio De Laurentiis to order the players into a week-long retreat. However, after Ancelotti publicly said he was against the ideas, the players refused.

That decision saw the entire first team fined 25% of their monthly salary but results did not pick up.

Rodrigo scored the game's only goal as Valencia upset hosts Ajax Amsterdam 1-0 on Tuesday to finish top of Champions League Group H and eliminate the Dutch club from this season's competition.

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The 24th minute strike from the Brazil-born Spain international saw Valencia finish ahead of Chelsea, 2-1 victors over Lille, by virtue of the head-to-head result between the two, as both clubs ended on 11 points to Ajax's 10.

The Dutch giants, who were the fairytale story of last season's competition with their giant-slaying run from the early preliminary rounds to the semi-final, needed only to draw their last group game to advance to the last-16.

Yet they looked flat and listless in going down to the Spanish side, who ended with 10 men after the sending off of Gabriel Paulista in stoppage time, and now drop down to the Europa League after finishing third.

Rodrigo buried the ball into the top right-hand corner after being teed up by a clever dummy from Ferran Torres, who first feinted to shoot before passing.

Ajax began the game looking confident but were sloppy in their execution and failed to make adequate use of their dominance of possession with uncharacteristically slow build-ups.

It was only after 43 minutes that they threatened with Donny van de Beek trying to hook the ball in from a difficult angle but Valencia veteran Jose Gaya cleared off the goal line.

The half ended with Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana making a key save to deny Rodrigo a second after the Valencia striker had easily sold Daley Blind a dummy to set up a chance right in front of goal.

A halftime switch for Ajax allowed Hakim Ziyech more freedom to roam as flying fullback Sergino Dest came on but the Morocco international missed a golden 66th minute chance, scuffing a pass from Van de Beek with the Valencia defence at sea.

Ajax brought on 36-year-old targetman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to try and unlock the Valencia defence in the last 20 minutes but the closing stages were bogged down by squabbles and frequent stoppages, which worked in Valencia's favour.

Yet Valencia centre-back Paulista was sent off for an attempted headbutt in a petulant melee deep in stoppage time.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said he will play Thursday night against the New York Jets despite being limited the past two practices with a quad injury.

"I feel great. I feel good. I'm 100 [percent]," Jackson said after Tuesday's practice. "I'm going to be out there Thursday night."

After having a slight limp Monday, Jackson looked much better during the media viewing portion of Tuesday's practice. He moved well while dropping back for passes and didn't appear to be concerned with a leg injury, horsing around with wide receiver Marquise Brown.

On Monday, coach John Harbaugh said Jackson's injury wasn't serious but he considered him day-to-day.

There were no team drills during the media viewing period Tuesday, so it's unknown how many reps Jackson took. It didn't sound like the MVP front-runner expects to be limited for Thursday's game.

"I'm playing to win the game," Jackson said. "If I have to be out there all four quarters, that's what it's going to be."

Jackson made the point to say he was injured in the pocket and not when he was running with the ball. He acknowledged that teams are targeting his legs more the past two games.

Asked if teams are trying to injure him, Jackson said, "I don't know. We're playing football. It's an aggressive game. They're trying to make a tackle and I'm trying to make them miss."

Safety Earl Thomas III said refs need to pay attention to where defenders are hitting Jackson and protect him more.

"I'm not saying they're trying to hurt Lamar, but they're definitely going at his legs more than they were doing at first," Thomas said.

The Ravens (11-2) can clinch their second straight AFC North title by beating the Jets (5-8).

Chicago Bulls swingman Otto Porter Jr. will miss at least another month after a foot and ankle specialist confirmed a small fracture in his left foot, the team announced Tuesday.

Porter was evaluated Monday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, by Dr. Bob Anderson, who confirmed the bone injury.

The injury was initially diagnosed as a bruise, but the small fracture became clear after repeated imaging tests over the past five weeks, the team said.

According to the Bulls, Porter "will continue his current period of immobilization and progress as tolerated over the next four weeks when he will be reassessed."

Porter suffered the injury against the Hawks on Nov. 6. He is averaging 11.2 points in nine games this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The San Francisco Giants have signed free-agent pitcher Kevin Gausman to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.

He will receive a $9 million contract, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney.

Gausman, a 28-year-old right-hander, was 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA in 31 games (17 starts) last season for the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, who picked him up off waivers in August. He was suspended five games in May after intentionally throwing a fastball over the head of the Miami Marlins' Jose Urena.

With an expected arbitration number of around $10 million, the Reds opted to move on and did not tender Gausman a contract, making him a free agent.

Gausman battled a foot injury early last season and was just 3-7 with a 6.19 ERA with Atlanta. After an encouraging performance in his first start off the injured list, Gausman was rocked in his final two starts for Atlanta, surrendering 11 earned runs, 17 hits and four homers in 10 2/3 innings.

The Braves acquired Gausman from the Baltimore Orioles at the 2018 trade deadline and he turned in some valuable innings -- going 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 10 starts -- as Atlanta won the NL East title.

Gausman owns a career record of 47-63 with a 4.30 ERA with 855 strikeouts in 925 2/3 innings.

The Philadelphia Phillies have reached agreement with former New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius on a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN's Buster Olney.

The deal is for $14 million, NBC Sports Philadelphia reported.

Gregorius, who turns 30 in February, came back from Tommy John surgery in early June and hit .238 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 82 games. He was arguably one of the Yankees' best players before needing ligament reconstruction in his right elbow after injuring himself while making a throw during the 2018 AL Division Series against the Boston Red Sox.

From 2016 to '18, Gregorius averaged over 20 home runs per season, and he broke his own club record for home runs by a shortstop with 27 in 2018. He drove in a career-high 87 runs in 2017 and 86 the next year.

The move, which reunites Gregorius with his former manager in New York and first-year Phillies skipper Joe Girardi, comes on the heels of Philadelphia signing free-agent pitcher Zack Wheeler.

Beyond his offensive stats, Gregorius -- popular with his teammates and a fan favorite -- was the anchor of the Yankees' infield and provided Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop. He will take over for Jean Segura, who could move to second or third base.

The Yankees acquired Gregorius in the 2014 three-way trade that saw Robbie Ray end up in Arizona and Shane Greene in Detroit.

Named Mariekson Julius Gregorius, he was born in the Netherlands and grew up in Curacao, a Dutch territory until 2010 that is now a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Among the active major leaguers from Curacao are Kenley Jansen, Ozzie Albies, Jurickson Profar, Jonathan Schoop and Andrelton Simmons.

The New York Post was first to report the Phillies' agreement with Gregorius.

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Asphalt late model star Ty Majeski is going full-time in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series next year with Nice Motorsports.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to race full time with Niece Motorsports,” said Majeski. “I’m appreciative of Al and everyone at the team for giving me this opportunity. We’re looking to continue to build on what Ross and the team accomplished this year. We expect to be contending for wins and ultimately the championship.”

Niece Motorsports recently completed its most successful season to date. With Ross Chastain at the wheel the team earned one pole, three wins and 10 top-five finishes. In addition, Chastain captured the most stage wins and led the most laps throughout the season. Chastain and the No. 45 team finished second in both the driver and owner point standings.

“Last season was really a dream come true for me and this team,” said team owner Al Niece. “No one expected us to be contending for a championship in Homestead – but there we were. We’re confident that we can do the same next season. Ty is clearly extremely talented – he’s won in everything he’s driven. I’m excited to have him join the team full time. We’re looking forward to great things in 2020.”

This year Majeski competed in six ARCA Menards Series events, earning wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway. Majeski also earned top-five finishes in all six starts and led 112 laps.

Majeski earned four wins in the ARCA Midwest Tour in 2019. He teamed up with Niece Motorsports to make his first Truck Series start at ISM Raceway in November.

“Ross is a wheelman, and his skill helped us to elevate our program and continue to build faster trucks,” said general manager Cody Efaw. “We’re really proud of everything we accomplished last season, and excited to continue to build on that with Ty. Any time you get a chance to put a driver like Ty or Ross in your trucks, you don’t pass that up. Ty is a tremendous talent and we are looking forward to a successful season with him.”

Majeski competed in 15 NASCAR Xfinity Series races for Roush Fenway Racing in 2017 and 2018, with his best finish of seventh coming at Iowa Speedway in 2018.

Majeski, who started his racing career in go-karts at the age of nine, is one of the most successful late model racers in recent memory. He has won three ARCA Midwest Tour championships and scored victories in several marquee events, including the Governor’s Cup and he is the 2016 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway champion.

The remainder of Niece Motorsports’ driver lineup for 2020 will be announced at a later date.

SALEM, Ind. – Salem Speedway fueled by the Hoosier Lottery is coming under new management.

Longtime track owner Owen Thompson has leased the property to Pekin, Ind., general contractor Bill Kniesly.

“I’m really excited about the future of Salem Speedway fueled by the Hoosier Lottery,” said Thompson. “Bill (Kniesly) is the young man who, in short order, organized and promoted the first ever West End Drag races this past October on the air strip next door. The event was a huge success, and I believe he can bring that same energy and excitement to Salem Speedway and the adjoining property.”

Kniesly, 37, manages construction crews across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. During the last half dozen years, he’s also been promoting a variety of outdoor events to include mud drag racing, music and more.

“Salem Speedway and the beautiful property around it has so much potential,” said Kniesly. “I saw it first-hand last year during the annual Halloween 200 race weekend. The West End Drags we had the day before went off really well, beyond our expectations, and the Halloween 200 finale packed the house on the High-Banks. I’m confident there’s so much more we can do with the properties. For one, we could really enhance the incredible camping area out front to help create a memorable and festive multi-event experience. I’m super excited about the possibilities and the future of Salem Speedway.”

Salem Speedway officials also announced that they would retain the services of the track’s Multi-Media Director, Don Radebaugh.

MULINO, Ore. – Justin Duty has announced plans to tackle the Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Ass’n schedule next year.

“I’d like to follow a series, and with me working full-time for the family business I can’t commit to a national tour,” Duty said. “It’s much more feasible for me to travel a weekend here and there throughout the summer rather than nine months out of the year.

“They say to be the best, you have to race with the best. The competition on the MLRA is among the strongest of any regional tour. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to further my career in racing. A special thanks goes out to family, my crew and all of my sponsors for everything that they do to make this possible.”

During his MLRA stint, Duty and his Don Frank Floors No. 15 XR1 Rocket Chassis/Pro Power Racing Engine Super Late Model will operate from the Moscow, Iowa, located shop of fellow racer, Nick Marolf.

Duty will kick off his pursuit of the Lucas Oil MLRA Rookie of the Year, April 9th-11th at Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, Mo.). The seventh annual Spring Nationals will begin with an practice on Thursday, followed by back-to-back $3,000-to-win programs on Friday-Saturday.