National Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. — Major League Baseball will change rules to speed games next year with or without an agreement with the players' association.

Captain Laura Russell leads a green starting 15, featuring nine players making their test debut or first start, when Canada takes on second-ranked England on Friday in the first of a three-match women's rugby series.

TORONTO — Injured Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews will miss a fourth straight game tonight when Toronto hosts the New Jersey Devils.

MONTREAL — Only five days after winning the International Boxing Federation light heavyweight title, Artur Beterbiev was back at work. It seems that the Russian, who has been based in Montreal since 2013, is not big on partying.

ASUNCION, Paraguay — A judge in Paraguay approved the extradition of Nicolas Leoz, the former president of South America's soccer confederation, on Thursday. The 89-year-old Leoz is charged in a corruption scandal being investigated by the U.S.

PARIS — Former French minister for health and sport Roselyne Bachelot was ordered to pay 10,000 euros ($11,800) in damages to Rafael Nadal on Thursday after accusing him of doping.

Canada coach Kingsley Jones remembers making short work of Spain during his days with Gloucester. Then captain of the English club side, Jones enjoyed 42-19 and 47-7 wins over the Spaniards in European Shield play during the 1999-2000 season.

SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of — The World Anti-Doping Agency placed Russia's fate for the upcoming Winter Olympics on perilous ground, refusing to reinstate the country's suspended anti-doping operation while Russia remained insistent the government is n

GENEVA — FIFA was judged wrong to fine Mexico's soccer federation for fans chanting gay slurs at opposition goalkeepers at World Cup qualifying games.

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders are aware of the doubts. After all, they created them.