National Sports

ATLANTA — Nick Markakis promised before Thursday night's game that hitting was “the least of my worries” in his first start of the season. He then showed why.

SAN FRANCISCO — Jason Day took his first step toward a return to the spotlight in the majors Thursday at the PGA Championship. Brooks Koepka never seems to leave.

ATLANTA — An apparent roster snafu forced the Toronto Blue Jays to change their pitching plans for Thursday night’s game at the Atlanta Braves.

Canadian featherweight Kyle (The Monster) Nelson, whose last fight was derailed by visa issues, will face Billy Quarantillo on a Sept. 12 UFC card in Las Vegas. The 29-year-old from Huntsville, Ont.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers unveiled their 2019 Grey Cup championship rings on Thursday night.

EDMONTON — Men's and women's hockey at the University of Alberta has been reinstated for next season because of financial contributions from donors.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation says its server provider has increased capacity for its online 50/50 raffle for Friday's hockey game.

TORONTO — Discussions continue between the CFL and federal government on a $30-million, interest-free loan that, if granted, would allow the league to stage an abbreviated 2020 season.

EDMONTON — Jacob Markstrom got the shutout and Brock Boeser scored one for a fallen friend Thursday as the Vancouver Canucks pushed the Minnesota Wild to the brink of elimination in NHL qualifying play.

Canadian striker Jonathan David is close to finalizing a deal to join France's Lille, according to L'Equipe. The French sports newspaper reported Thursday an agreement with Belgium's KAA Gent could be finalized by the end of the week.