Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Padres' Jackson Merrill suffers apparent back injury

San Diego Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill left Wednesday ​night's game against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers after four innings with an apparent back ​injury. Merrill looked to sustain the injury while leaping to catch ‌Shohei ​Ohtani's first-pitch homer to start the game. Merrill was seen stretching his back on multiple occasions during the next three innings.

Rockies place RHP Victor Vodnik (elbow) on 15-day IL

The Colorado Rockies placed closer Victor Vodnik on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday because of inflammation of the right ulnar nerve, also ‌known as the funny bone. In a corresponding move, the Rockies selected the contract of right-hander Keegan Thompson from Triple-A Albuquerque. They also designated first baseman Blaine Crim for assignment to clear a spot for Thompson on the 40-man roster.

MLB roundup: Shohei Ohtani (HR, 5 shutout innings) dazzles Padres

Shohei Ohtani homered on the first pitch Wednesday night and tossed five scoreless innings to lead the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Diego Padres ‌4-0. Ohtani (4-2) permitted three hits and walked two while striking out four in an 88-pitch effort. Four relievers finished up the five-hitter, enabling Los Angeles to win the first series of the year ‌between the National League West rivals.

Tennis-Djokovic names compatriot Troicki as coach ahead of French Open

Novak Djokovic has confirmed long-time friend and compatriot Viktor Troicki as his head coach ahead of next week's French Open where the Serb will bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

"Welcome my friend, teammate and now coach... Viktor Troicki," former world number one Djokovic wrote on Instagram.

Blue Jays RHP Jose Berrios undergoes Tommy John surgery

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios will miss at least another year of action after ⁠undergoing Tommy ​John surgery on Wednesday. Dr. Keith Meister performed the procedure ⁠in Texas, beginning with the hope that only a minor removal of "loose bodies" in the elbow would be required. However, the ultimate diagnosis was that a full elbow ligament reconstruction was required.

Ed Orgeron joins Lane Kiffin staff, reunites with LSU

LSU reached ⁠an agreement with Ed Orgeron on Wednesday to join Lane Kiffin's current staff in Baton Rouge, reuniting the school with its former head football coach. Orgeron, 64, will be serving as a special assistant to recruiting and defense, ​per the school's social media.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder get past Spurs, level series 1-1

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was blunt when breaking down his struggles in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. "I ⁠have sucked when I get too long of a break," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I don't think it's anything other than that. I guess I gotta do a better job with my breaks."

NHLCA monitoring Vegas' 'unprecedented' denial of Bruce Cassidy interviews

The NHL Coaches Association is speaking out against ⁠the Vegas ​Golden Knights' refusal to let former head coach Bruce Cassidy interview for other head coach positions. Cassidy, who led the Golden Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup championship, was fired near the end of his fourth season with Vegas on March 29. He was replaced by journeyman head coach John Tortorella.

Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel highlight first-team All-Rookie squad

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, the NBA Rookie of the Year ⁠and No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, highlighted the Kia NBA All-Rookie first team, which was announced Wednesday night after voting from a panel of 100 global media members. Flagg was ⁠joined by Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, Philadelphia 76ers guard ⁠VJ Edgecombe, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward.

NFL-'This is it': Steelers quarterback Rodgers will retire after 2026 season

Four-times NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will retire after the 2026 season, drawing a curtain on a glittering 22-year career, he said on Wednesday. The 42-year-old quarterback inked a one-year contract ‌with the Pittsburgh Steelers this ‌week that reunited him with coach Mike McCarthy. Rodgers played 13 seasons under McCarthy with the Green Bay ​Packers, winning the Super Bowl after the 2010 season.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)