AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:44 p.m. EST

Mat Ishbia agrees to buy Suns, Mercury for $4 billion

Mortgage executive Mat Ishbia has agreed in principle to buy the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury from embattled owner Robert Sarver for $4 billion. The sale is expected to take several weeks to complete. Ishbia is chairman, president and chief executive of United Wholesale Mortgage. He also is a former Michigan State basketball player and a member of the Spartans’ NCAA championship team in 2000. Sarver was suspended by the NBA in September over workplace misconduct that included racist speech and hostile behavior toward employees.

AP sources: Giants postpone Correa intro for medical concern

Two people with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the San Francisco Giants postponed a news conference Tuesday to introduce Carlos Correa after a medical concern arose during the All-Star shortstop’s physical. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the Giants have not announced publicly any details regarding Correa’s $350 million, 13-year agreement, not even that Tuesday’s availability was to introduce the prized free agent. One person confirmed that Tuesday’s conference to welcome Correa was put on hold because the sides were awaiting the results of testing. A second person said that a medical issue was flagged during Correa’s physical.

Chiefs’ Mahomes making MVP bid with more balanced approach

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making another run at the MVP award, but he’s doing it in a different manner than in 2018, when he won his first trophy. Back then, he was airing the ball out in an offense predicated on big plays, even if it often led to interceptions and other mistakes. Mahomes still has that aggressiveness in his game, and he said Tuesday that he probably always will. But he’s also learned to take his game to the limit without going over the proverbial line, and that’s a big reason why he’s on pace to break Peyton Manning’s NFL single-season yardage record.

Millions jam Buenos Aires streets to celebrate World Cup win

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A parade in Buenos Aires to celebrate the return of Argentina’s World Cup champion team was abruptly cut short as millions of people poured onto streets, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of team members. So many jubilant fans swarmed the Argentine capital on Tuesday that the players were forced to abandon the open-air bus taking them to Buenos Aires. They instead boarded helicopters for a capital flyover that the government billed as an aerial parade. The success of the Lionel Messi-led squad brought much-needed good news for the soccer-crazed but economically hurting neation, where mearly 4-in-10 live in poverty.

Masters to keep criteria, invite all eligible players in ’23

The Masters is keeping its criteria the same for next year. That means 16 players from Saudi-funded LIV Golf will be at Augusta National to compete for a green jacket. Club chairman Fred Ridley says he’s disappointed in the fractured nature of golf. But he says the focus of the Masters is to bring the top players together from around the world. The 16 players from LIV Golf include six former champions and six who qualify by being in the top 50 in the world ranking. Ridley said the club still reserves the right to alter its criteria for 2024.

Jalen hurts: Eagles QB Hurts has ‘chance’ to play at Dallas

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts still has a chance he could play Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. Hurts sprained his right shoulder in Sunday’s win against Chicago. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni did not rule out Hurts on Tuesday. Sirianni said there’s a chance Hurts could play this week. The Eagles need one more win to clinch the NFC East and secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They would turn to backup QB Gardner Minshew to start Saturday’s game against the Cowboys if Hurts isn’t ready to play.

Wilson to start at QB for Jets vs. Jaguars on Thursday night

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Zach Wilson will start at quarterback for the New York Jets against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Robert Saleh says Mike White still hasn’t been cleared by doctors to play as he recovers from broken ribs. Wilson has been taking the snaps with the starters during walkthrough practices this week. Wilson had been benched for three games to work on his mechanics and mental approach. He had an up-and-down performance in his return last Sunday in the Jets’ 20-17 loss to Detroit. He was 18 of 35 for 317 yards and two touchdowns.

Verlander: Cohen persuaded him Mets are building a winner

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Verlander says owner Steve Cohen and his willingness to spend his hedge-fund fortune on building a World Series-contender is the reason he joined the New York Mets. The team introduced Verlander at a news conference on Tuesday. Verlander agreed to a $86.7 million, two-year contract on Dec. 5. It’s part of an offseason spending spree in which the Mets have committed $476.7 million on seven free agents and added starting pitchers Kodei Senga and José Quintana. Verlander turns 40 in February and will take Jacob deGrom’s spot in the rotation.

Column: Tiger has shots and a limp to keep everyone guessing

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — It took just two days at the PNC Championship for Tiger Woods to show he can still hit all the shots. He just can’t walk to them at the moment. A few shots stood out to him. One was a 3-iron into the 18th green on Saturday. Another was the drive he hit some 15 yards past Justin Thomas. That prompted Woods to leave a note for Thomas in the fairway to remind him the old guy can still play. It was enough to raise the possibility of Woods doing something special after he recovers from plantar fasciitis.