Highlights from a busy weekend of road race action, both in the UK and overseas

Volkswagen Prague Marathon, Czech Republic, May 5

European 10,000m champion Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel broke the course record with 2:19:46 to move to third on the European marathon all-time list.

Only world record-holder Paula Radcliffe with 2:15:25 and Germany’s Irina Mikitenko with 2:19:19 have gone faster and it is the quickest time by a European athlete in more than 10 years.

Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete was second in 2:22:39 and Ethiopia’s Genet Yalew third in 2:24:34.

A group of five including Salpeter, Eshete, Yalew, Lucy Cheruiyot of Kenya and Kellyn Taylor from the USA followed a pacemaker through 5km in 16:42. By 20km Salpeter had gapped the other women and passed half way in 70:12 with a lead of a few seconds.

By 30km she had moved over one minute clear and was heading under the former event record of 2:21:57.

Although the wind increased in the latter stages of the race Salpeter continued to increase her pace in the second half for a negative split of 69:33.

Morocco’s Almahjoub Dazza won the men’s race in 2:05:58 for the event’s second-fastest ever time. Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde ran a PB of 2:06:18 for the runner-up spot, while his compatriot Bantiye Aychew was third in 2:06:23.

The first European finisher was Spain’s Hamid ben Daoud in sixth with 2:08:14, while another Israeli national record fell to Amare Girmaw, who finished eighth in 2:09:54.

With the event being an IAAF Gold Label race, the top five men and women finishers are now qualified for the Tokyo Olympics subject to selection by their national federations.

Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k, May 5

Chris Thompson and Kate Reed both continued to put their past injury struggles behind them to claim 10km victories in Bristol.

AFD’s Thompson, the 2010 European 10,000m silver medallist, broke the course record with his time of 29:35, ahead of Exmouth’s Tom Merson who crossed the line in 29:52.

They were followed by Jonathan Cornish from Hercules Wimbledon in third with a time of 30:34.

Local athlete Reed, who runs for Bristol & West AC, took first place in the women’s field in 33:11 and was followed by Annabel Gummow from Winchester & District AC in 34:16 and Laura Gent from AFD in 35:18.

Participants were set off by five-time Olympian and world, European and Commonwealth medallist Jo Pavey.

Pavey set the thousands of runners on their way before taking part in the Simplyhealth Great Bristol Family Run.

She attended the event as title sponsor Simplyhealth’s new active ambassador, to encourage other families to enjoy being active together.

Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, Northern Ireland, May 5

New route, new day but the same story as Kenyan athletes claimed the top prizes at the Belfast City Marathon, with Joel Kositany leading home a Kenyan 1-2-3 in the men’s race, Malcolm McCausland reports.

Kositany, a 2:09:50 man at his best, proved the strongest over the closing miles to claim a record fourth victory. He ran 2:18:41 to see off the challenge of 2018 winner Eric Koech by 1o seconds, with Bernard Rotich third in 2:18:55.

Caroline Jepchirchir made it back-to-back wins in the women’s race with a new record of 2:36:39. Ethiopia’s Shewaye Wolde Meskel occupied the runner-up spot in 2:37:35 after running shoulder-to-shoulder with Jepchirchir for most of the race. Ukraine’s Vira Ovcharuk took third in 2:38:59.

It was the first time the race had been held on a Sunday, as it had previously been a May bank holiday Monday fixture, increasing the entry by 60%. Feedback was also positive regarding the route which the vast majority of runners felt was a huge improvement on its predecessor.

What no-one liked was the extra distance added to the course when the field were misdirected after just two miles, missing out a left turn in east Belfast and adding 0.4 miles to the trip. It also meant that all the subsequent mile markers were out by that amount, adding to consternation as many like to pace themselves by the clock.

ABP Newport Wales Marathon, May 5

Chris Bird flew to victory in Newport, smashing the course record with his time of 2:31:34, James Candy reports.

The Chichester runner triumphed by two clear minutes ahead of Otley AC’s Scott Harrington.

“I was three seconds outside my PB in the Brighton Marathon three weeks ago and I wish I had waited for the Newport race to try to break it,” said Bird.

“When I ran in Brighton I went off at 2:26.00 pace, but I had a bit of a cold and I suffered as a result. I was hoping to go even faster here, but I felt a little bit tired.

“Adam Holland went off hard, but I finished hard. I hit the front at around 21 miles and, even though I was tying up a bit in the end, I was able to stay clear of the rest.”

ABP Newport Wales Marathon Podium

? Chris Bird 02:31:34
? Scott Harrington 02:33:34
? Gwylym Gibson 02:36:28

? Carla Swithenbank 02:45:48
? Alaw Beynon-Thomas 02:58:07
? Francesca Rawlings 03:05:18 pic.twitter.com/rwAcLHvzti

— ABP Newport Wales Marathon (@NewportWales262) May 5, 2019

Carla Swithenbank won on her own doorstep as she moved up from third last year to triumph in the women’s race with a time of 2:45:48.

The 28-year-old former Police woman led from gun to tape as she knocked 24 seconds off her previous best time and made it a double for the Mickey Morris Racing Club as she followed in the footsteps of the inaugural champion, Natasha Cockram.

“I’m bouncing after that,” admitted Swithenbank. “I’m so proud to have won my local marathon.

“I’m from Newport, I live in Newport and I wanted to win this more than anything. It’s great to have gone from third last year to winning it this time.

“Last year’s race was my marathon debut and I nearly didn’t bother entering. But then I thought, this is in my home town, so I had to give it a go.”

Swithenbank has gone from strength-to-strength since her marathon debut a year ago. She won the European Police women’s title in Dublin in 2018 in 2:46:13 and is getting faster and faster.

A former Wales international footballer, she quit Cardiff City Ladies when she was 21 and has since been concentrating on running.

Swansea Harrier Alaw Beynon-Thomas came home second in 2:58:07 on her marathon debut.

ABP Newport Wales 10km, May 5

Matt Clowes claimed victory as he returned to racing after injury

The English international had been struggling with a hamstring injury since pulling out of the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run at the end of March and headed to Newport to assess his fitness.

He clocked 29:43 to equal the course record.

“The first 5km was slower than the second, but I’m happy with the result. I’m a racer and that’s what I do best, so winning was nice,” said Clowes.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be able to run a personal best time. My hamstring went at 9km in the Cardiff Bay race and this was my first chance to test it out after my rehab.

“I could feel it a little bit coming back, but it was okay in the end. I’m going to have a little run around in the Whitchurch 5K tonight and then I’ll be running in some more local races this summer as I build up to the Berlin Marathon.

“I made my marathon debut in London last year and it was a bit of a car crash. I finished in 2:43:16, but the goal is to run around 2:14 if I can get to Berlin in good shape.”

Bideford’s Shaun Antell also cracked the 30-minute barrier with 29:46 in second.

Our 2019 10K Champions / Ein Ennillwyr 10K 2019

? Matt Clowes 29:43
? Shaun Antell 29:46
? Daniel Rothwell 30:38

? Charlotte Taylor-Green 34:44 (Course Record Y Cwrs)
? Rachel Felton 35:02
? Lucy Marland 36:34 pic.twitter.com/Jf8YMGIkC6

— ABP Newport Wales Marathon (@NewportWales262) May 5, 2019

The women’s race had a new champion as Bristol & West AC’s Charlotte Taylor-Green proved her switch from track to road looks to be a good one. A week after acting as a pacemaker in the London Marathon she held off the 2018 winner, Rachel Fenton, to win in a course record 34:44.

“That was only two seconds outside my personal best, which isn’t bad after running to half-way in London last week,” said Taylor-Green.

“Because I’d run in London last week I wasn’t sure how my legs were going to feel so I just wanted to come out and enjoy myself today. I felt pretty good and, having run my 10km PB in Brighton three weeks ago, I’m starting to become consistent on the roads.

“My coach, James Thie, suggested the switch from 800m and 1500m to the roads this year and it is all very new at the moment.”

Run and Become Sri Chinmoy 5k, incorporating the Scottish 5km Championships, Silverknowes, May 3

Wales’ Kris Jones won for the second time in three years, leading a Dundee Hawkhill Harriers 1-2 ahead of James Donald, 14:26 to 14:31.

Central’s Morag Millar broke the course record with a PB of 15:49 ahead of Mhairi Maclennan with 15:55.

#CHAMPION @Thekrisjones takes the win @runandbecome1 @scotathletics 5km champs 14.26 followed by @JamesDonald_1 @Dhh_Official
Lachlan Oates @ShettlestonHarr Hamish Armitt @gnaac1 & @cstrachan91 @MetroAberdeenRC @AthleticsWeekly @FastRunning pic.twitter.com/f3d5Z5Tcd9

— Run and Become (@runandbecome1) May 4, 2019

Cardiff 5K 2019 Race For Victory, incorporating the Welsh 5km Championships, Whitchurch, May 5

Adam Hickey won the men’s race in 14:14 from Ieuan Thomas, who claimed the Welsh title after his time of 14:18.

Clara Evans won the women’s race and Welsh title in 16:04 from Jade Williams in 16:22.

ABP Southampton Marathon, Half and 10K, Hampshire, May 5

Local athlete Richard Waldron ran 2:39:43 to win the men’s title ahead of Frome RC’s Joseph Donworth in 2:43:04.

Denmead Striders’ Kirsty Aked won the women’s title with 3:08:15 ahead of RAF’s Sam Rose with 3:10:15.

Richard Lovejoy (75:35) and Cassie Thorp (85:17) won the half-marathon, while 10km titles were claimed by Isaac Farnworth (33:32) and Alice Burch (41:43).

Wings for Life World Run, worldwide, May 5

The fifth annual Wings for Life World Run saw 120,000 participants take part in 76 countries across the globe. The race raises awareness and much-needed funds for spinal cord research.

The UK hosted an organised app run in Chiswick Park, which was won by Owen Edwards with the virtual ‘catcher car’ finally catching him after he ran 33km. The women’s race was won by Sophie McKeeman who covered 32.1km.

In the global race, Ivan Motorin of Russia achieved 64.37km in Izmir, Turkey, to clinch the men’s title, while Nina Zarina of Russia took the global women’s title in Zug, Switzerland, covering a distance of 53.72km.

?2019 Global Champion is Ivan Motorin, RUS in #Turkey with an incredible distance of 64.3 km! ?
#WingsForLife #WorldRun #WingsForLifeWorldRun pic.twitter.com/25wMNKCQfi

— WFL World Run (@WFLWorldRun) May 5, 2019

You can watch back live stream footage of the event here.

USATF Half Marathon Championships, Pittsburgh, May 5

Leonard Korir won the men’s title in 61:53 ahead of Stanley Kebenei (61:57).

Stephanie Bruce claimed the women’s win in 70:43 from Sara Hall (71:04).

Kenya’s Boniface Kongin (2:10:34) and Ethiopia’s Bizuwork Getahun (2:35:42) won the full marathon.

BMO Vancouver Marathon, Canada, May 5

Yuki Kawauchi won the men’s title in 2:15:01, while the women’s title was claimed by his partner Yuko Mizuguchi in 2:41:28.

British number one Johanna Konta began her Madrid Open campaign with a 6-4 6-1 win over American Alison Riske.

Only a day after losing the Morocco Open final to Maria Sakkari in three sets in Rabat, the world number 47 faced Riske, ranked two places lower.

From 4-1, she was pulled back to 4-4 but took the next five games and sealed the match in an hour and 14 minutes.

In round two, the 27-year-old faces world number three Simona Halep, who beat Margarita Gasparyan 6-0 6-4.

Konta, seeking her fourth WTA title, had won her only previous meeting with 28-year-old Riske and a superb angled forehand return gave her set point, which she duly secured with a backhand of precision into the corner.

A Riske double-fault gave Konta a 2-0 lead at the start of the second set and the Briton sealed victory with an ace at just after 9pm local time.

Unseeded Pauline Parmentier of France eliminated sixth seed Elina Svitolina, who had been struggling with a knee injury, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), while 13th seed Madison Keys lost 3-6 6-4 6-1 to Sorana Cirstea of Romania.

Former world number one and fourth seed Karolina Pliskova saved five match points to deny Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.

The 11th seed Caroline Wozniacki was trailing 3-0 when she retired with a lower back injury from her first-round match against world number 54 Alize Cornet of France.

LEXINGTON, Ohio – It was a dominating effort for a pair of first-time IMSA race winners in Sunday’s IMSA Prototype Challenge race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Dakota Dickerson and Dylan Murry, both relatively new to the series’ LMP3 platform, teamed up for the first time this season and immediately gave the No. 54 MLT Motorsports Ligier JS P3 team its first win in its second start.

There was no magic pit strategy or luck involved as the two youngsters led the majority of the one-hour, 45-minute race. Dickerson, 22, needed just 10 minutes to move from fourth to first at the start of the race and held that position until he pitted with 50 minutes remaining. From there he handed the car to Murry, 18, who held off a hard-charging Neil Alberico in the No. 4 ANSA Motorsports Ligier JS P3 during the closing laps to secure the victory.

The win caps off a career weekend for Murry, who one day ago finished a career-best second in the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge race in a Mercedes-AMG GT4 for Riley Motorsports. He debuted in the MLT Motorsports LMP3 one race ago at Sebring Int’l Raceway alongside his father David Murry.

“We just started the team, this is incredible,” said Murry. “Dakota was in the lead, came in and we put new Michelin tires on and I went out and just kept it in that position. The car was fantastic. This means a lot to me. I saw the 4 car kind of catch me. Every now and then he’d make a little mistake, fall back and then catch me again. It feels awesome.”

For Dickerson, it was his first career IMSA win after starting his career in open-wheel cars. The 2018 F4 US champion was introduced to the LMP3 platform at the Michelin IMSA SportsCar Encore at Sebring in November when he drove in that event for ANSA Motorsports.

“I can’t wipe the smile off my face,” added Dickerson. “The Ligier LMP3 car is fantastic to drive. Driving their F3 car and their LMP3 car, you can tell they know what they’re doing building cars. I’d love to come back to IMSA. It’s so much fun. The different mindset and doing endurance racing versus sprint racing is fantastic. Hopefully I’ll be here for the rest of this season, if not next season.”

Alberico made a few late runs at Murry in the closing laps, but ultimately finished 1.046 seconds back in second with co-driver Leo Lamelas. It was a good points day for the duo after entering the race second in points behind the No. 47 Forty7 Motorsports duo of Austin McCusker and Rodrigo Pflucker, who finished fourth.

“It started off as a rough weekend with all of the difficult conditions, but Leo did a great job moving from ninth and getting us to the front,” said Alberico, who set the fastest lap of the race on the 65th and final lap. “I know we’re racing for the championship and we didn’t need to risk the car with a DNF. At the end of the day a podium is a great result and we’re chipping away.”

It was also an impressive performance for the No. 60 Wulver Racing team of Bruce Hamilton and Tonis Kasemets. The duo started in the 20th position and executed a flawless race, ultimately moving to the third position for their second podium of the season.

Finishing 13th but winning the Bronze Cup for the highest-running Bronze-only driver lineup was Joe Robillard. It was the second consecutive winning weekend for Robillard. The Robillard Racing team owner watched as Stevan McAleer won overall at Sebring Int’l Raceway one race ago before winning the Bronze Cup at Mid-Ohio.

“As a new group, putting this together has been really rewarding,” said Robillard. “To have Stevan win at Sebring and me win Bronze here, it’s really exciting. The guys did such a great job this weekend. It was tough out there. There was a lot of traffic, there were a lot of spins and it was a very treacherous, but it sure was a lot of fun.”

The top-five positions were made up of five different teams, with Forty7 Motorsports fourth and the No. 9 JDC MotorSports Norma M30 of Gerry Kraut and Scott Andrews rounding out the top-five.

DOVER, Del. – Mother Nature simply wasn’t going to cooperate Sunday afternoon at Dover Int’l Speedway.

Despite the best efforts of track and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series officials, the Gander RV 400 at Dover Int’l Speedway was postponed to Monday because of rain.

NASCAR officials worked hard to get the track in suitable condition to race Sunday and at one point it appeared the race would start shortly after 4 p.m. The field filed onto the track and began pace laps, but just as quickly as the rain stopped it began again.

The track was soon saturated again and with no lights at Dover Int’l Speedway for night racing, NASCAR and track officials were forced to postpone the race until Monday.

The green flag is scheduled to wave around Noon EST Monday afternoon, with television coverage on FS1. Chase Elliott and William Byron will lead the field to the green flag.

HUDDERSFIELD, England -- The most worrying thing for Manchester United right now, as their last hope of qualifying for the Champions League slipped away at Huddersfield with Sunday's 1-1 draw, is that there is no guarantee things will get better any time soon.

Players will come and go over the summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's gets his first real chance to shape his squad, but we have been here before. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all been given money to spend -- more than £600 million between them -- since Sir Alex Ferguson retired but for the fourth time in six years since the Scot departed, United will finish the season outside of the Premier League's top four.

-- Man United's top-4 hopes vanish with draw
-- Ratings: Juan Mata the lone bright spot
-- Sanchez has been a disaster
-- Man United Keep/Dump: Assessing Solskjaer's squad

It was just what they deserved, too. A bright opening 15 minutes saw them take the lead through Scott McTominay's second goal of the season but by the time Lee Mason blew the final whistle, United were genuinely hanging on. Isaac Mbenza scored the equaliser in the second half after a long punt from goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The ball was in David De Gea's net just 13 seconds after a United corner thanks, in part, to Luke Shaw's mis-kick at the loose ball as it travelled more than 60 yards beyond him. The goal stung even more as Mbenza coolly finished between De Gea's legs.

Huddersfield had lost 22 of the last 24 games in all competitions but ended the afternoon feeling disappointed they had been unable to find a winner. Solskjaer said afterwards that his team "had not been good enough." He was right, but it was an assessment that could easily be applied to most of the games played since Ferguson signed off.

The summer promises a fresh start but just a week away from the end of the season, there are far more questions than answers. De Gea is on the verge of entering the final year of his contract. There are doubts about Paul Pogba's future. There is still no technical director in place, leaving Solskjaer to orchestrate the recruitment drive alongside executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

There are deficiencies in every area of the squad. The defence has conceded a goal in each of their past 14 games: United's worst run since 1970. At the other end, they've managed to score two goals in a game just once in the last two months, contributing to a dismal run of just two wins from their last 11 games in all competitions.

Watching it unravel again at Huddersfield, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was scathing. "This is not a team," said the former United defender, "and the more I watch this, it's not a team.

"Do you know what it reminds me of? It reminds me of the Tottenham team that Mauricio Pochettino picked up. A group of players that looked like individuals, nothing there, no real spirit and he dismantled it piece by piece and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to dismantle this piece by piece." Whether you agree with Neville or not, it at least reflects the challenge facing the Norwegian as he aims to revive a club that still consider themselves to be one of the biggest in the world.

Solskjaer, at least, is trying to be realistic. He branded the Europa League "the right place" for United and has already questioned whether they can get anywhere near Manchester City and Liverpool next season. They've averaged around 70 points a season since 2013 and this year Liverpool could rack up 97 and still finish second.

Debate about when they will be ready to challenge for the Premier League or the Champions League again is, for now, pointless. Solskjaer's first job is to get United back into the top four and judging by the performance at Huddersfield on Sunday, that is easier said than done. It is a club without direction, seemingly lurching from one crisis to another.

It's tempting to think that a chance to throw money at the problems during the transfer window will fix everything but there is nothing from the recent past to suggest that is the case. Brazilian midfielder Fred was signed for £48 million a year ago but was an unused substitute at the John Smith's Stadium. Alexis Sanchez, who arrived six months earlier on wages that have crippled the wage structure, limped off after 55 minutes to restart the conversation about whether he is the worst signing in the club's history.

It's difficult to think of the last signing who has been an out-and-out success. Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Robin van Persie in 2012? It is an uncomfortable truth for Woodward and the scouts, analysts and deal-makers who have been tasked with spending the money.

For Solskjaer, there is one more game left to suffer through this season when Cardiff visit Old Trafford next Sunday and after that, there will be talk of optimism and fresh starts. Unfortunately for United, it won't be the first time. History suggests it will not be the last, either.

Clemson has landed yet another top-50 recruit in its 2020 class, this time with quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. The No. 50 ranked prospect is the top pocket passer in the class and chose the Tigers over Oregon and Mt. San Antonio College.

Mt. SAC made his top list as an homage to his uncles who coached and played at the college; it was his way of acknowledging the school's significance for his family.

The choice came down to Clemson or Oregon. Now that he is committed to the Tigers, he is the eighth recruit ranked in the top-50 to commit in what is turning out to be a potential top-ranked class.

"My faith is important to me, and the first time I went out there was in June (2018) and that's what sold me, knowing they're all big Christians," Uiagalelei said. "I didn't commit when I was out there, but that's when I told myself that's where I wanted to be."

Uiagalelei is a 6-foot-5, 243-pound quarterback from St. John Bosco high school in Bellflower, California, and could have had his choice of college. Nearly every major program was after him, but Clemson was the school he felt fit him best and gave him the best chance at developing into the player and person he wants to be.

The fact that Trevor Lawrence is on the roster, and will be entering his third year on campus when Uiagalelei is a freshman, didn't scare the talented California recruit. He welcomed the idea of sitting behind Lawrence and learning, rather than suggesting he wants to come in and play right away.

"Learning is not a bad thing for me," Uiagalelei said. "I want to be out there and compete, but if that means I have to sit behind a leader, I'm fine with that."

He has been in that situation before, so he has some experience in waiting his turn, developing and competing. When he and his family chose St. John Bosco over other schools, Uiagalelei had quarterback Re'Al Mitchell ahead of him on the roster.

Uiagalelei was only a freshman and Mitchell had won a state championship for Bosco, but Uiagaleli waited his turn and eventually beat out Mitchell for his job. Uiagalelei's father, Dave, said that experience helped the family figure out which school would be best for his son and also prepared him for his future.

"Why did we go to Bosco, because we knew they had a coach there that got Josh Rosen ready and it was all about development," Dave said. "People don't know that D.J. didn't play a whole lot of years in youth football -- he only played in third, fifth and seventh grade -- so coming into high school the main goal was to try to get D.J. developed. That's the same goal we're going to use when he goes to college, and we know Clemson can get D.J. ready for the next level."

When Uiagalelei wasn't playing football in his youth, he was playing baseball and has also become a top pitching prospect along the way. He has a 95 mph fastball and can hit, so he plans on playing both sports at Clemson.

St. John Bosco linebackers coach and recruiting assistant Terry Bullock is a close friend of the family and has helped Uiagalelei in his recruitment. Bullock says Uiagalelei looks NFL ready right now, and could have had a chance to enter the MLB draft this year, but decided to go to college instead.

After meeting with people associated with MLB and being counseled on where Uiagalelei could potentially fall in the baseball draft, the family thought it was best for him to wait and continue to develop in football.

Dabo Swinney and his staff are thankful for that decision as they are now jockeying for the top-ranked class in the country, currently sitting at No. 2 behind Alabama. With Uiagalelei in the class, Clemson now has 14 total commitments, 13 of which are ranked in the ESPN 300.

The class is led by five-stars Bryan Bresee and Mitchell Mayes and all 13 of the ESPN 300 prospects are ranked in the top-150. That is an incredible stat, but the staff isn't done yet.

In landing some of these top prospects, including Uiagalelei, the coaches have now gained a few extra recruiters as well.

"Right now, the guys I'm going to try to recruit are receivers, like Julian Fleming and E.J. Williams," Uiagalelei said. "My guy Johnny Wilson from California, there's a bunch of guys I'm after. We're going to have the best class, it's already starting to shape up that way."

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed catcher Travis d'Arnaud to a one-year contract Sunday.

The New York Mets had designated d'Arnaud for assignment on April 28 and released him on Friday.

D'Arnaud missed most of last season because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He had gotten off to a slow start this season, with only two hits in his first 23 at-bats.

D'Arnaud, 30, had signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal this past offseason to stay with the Mets and serve as a backup catcher to Wilson Ramos. He had played his entire seven-year career with the Mets, batting .242 with 47 home runs in 407 games.

He becomes the third catcher on the Dodgers' roster, joining Austin Barnes and Russell Martin.

The Dodgers optioned infielder Matt Beaty to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday in a corresponding move.

NEW YORK -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Sunday that the club was expecting ace Luis Severino to remain on the injured list through the first half of the season.

"You won't see him until after the All-Star break, in our minds," Cashman said, speaking on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio's "The Front Office" show.

The Yankees hadn't previously issued a timeline for Severino's return, but it seemed likely that it would occur close to the All-Star break. Severino is resting from the right lat strain he was diagnosed with last month.

Severino is in the middle of the fourth week of six during which he isn't allowed to throw. He will resume a throwing program thereafter.

It was on April 10, while continuing rehab on a separate injury -- right rotator cuff inflammation -- when Severino underwent an MRI to figure out why he hadn't been able to get back from the rotator cuff issue as quickly as anticipated. The lat strain was found on that MRI. Severino later said he believed the injury happened at the same time as the initial rotator cuff injury, which he felt while warming up for a spring training game March 5.

Along with the timeline on Severino, Cashman breezed through a few other injury updates Sunday:

• Outfielder Clint Frazier, sidelined the past two weeks with a right ankle sprain, will rejoin the Yankees on Monday or Tuesday.

The timing of Frazier's return depended primarily upon how he fared in a rehab game Sunday with Double-A Trenton, Cashman said. Inclement weather, however, forced the game into being postponed.

• Starting pitcher James Paxton, placed on the IL on Saturday due to left knee inflammation, is looking at a "three-week-at-max" situation, according to Cashman. The left-hander received a cortisone shot this weekend and won't be doing any throwing for the next four to six days.

"He's gone through this before where he has to take a timeout and get an injection and then get going again," Cashman said, referencing an injury he said Paxton had while in Seattle a few seasons ago.

• Another pitcher, reliever Dellin Betances, will resume a throwing program Monday. He recently received a cortisone shot, too, as he continued his comeback from a right-shoulder impingement. The injury has had him on the IL since spring training.

Cashman believes it will be "sometime in June" before Betances is back in pinstripes.

"He's still a ways away," the GM said.

• Giancarlo Stanton, on the IL since April 1, will be wrapping up his rehab from biceps and shoulder injuries this week, Cashman added. Manager Aaron Boone said the power-hitting outfielder/designated hitter did tee and soft-toss drill work Saturday and Sunday, and by Monday or Tuesday, he'll start ramping up to the point that he eventually takes batting practice on the field.

By next weekend, the Yankees could start getting Stanton into rehab games.

• Aaron Hicks, who signed a seven-year, $70 million contract extension near the start of spring training, has been shelved with lower-back tightness since the beginning of March. At the time, the Yankees believed he would be down for only a couple of days. That later turned into a longer-term injury that included a pair of cortisone shots as part of the recovery process.

The center fielder is currently in extended spring training games at the Yankees' facility in Tampa, Florida. As early as this week, Hicks could begin a rehab assignment with the High-A Tampa Tarpons, Cashman said.

"We're hopeful as early as next weekend he could get activated [with the Yankees]," Cashman added.

• Shortstop Didi Gregorius, who had offseason Tommy John surgery, has progressed much more quickly than expected. He could be looking at his own set of extended spring training games as early as the next two weeks. Later this week, he'll complete his rehab throwing program.

With his team at 18-14 entering play Sunday, Cashman said he was pleased with the way the Yankees have weathered their early-season injury storm.

"The record where we stand despite that kind of adversity on the injured list, we'll certainly take and sign up for every day of the week," he said.

World number 10 Stefanos Tsitsipas captured his third ATP title after beating Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to win the Estoril Open.

The 20-year-old top seed was coasting to the title leading by a set, up a break and serving at 4-3 in the second.

He was broken for the first time, losing nine consecutive points, but saved a set point and went on to wrap up the match in an hour and 43 minutes.

It was his first clay court title, his second this season and first outdoors.

Tsitsipas, who beat Roger Federer en route to the Australian Open semi-finals in January, became the first Greek player to win an ATP World Tour title when he claimed the Stockholm Open in October and he added the Open 13 Provence title in Marseille in February.

Victory in his second meeting with Cuevas maintained his 100% record against the Uruguayan, who was seeking a seventh ATP title.