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(AP) -- The Pac-12 hired George Kliavkoff to be the conference's next commissioner on Thursday, replacing Larry Scott with another college sports outsider and charging him with rebuilding the league's football brand.

Kliavkoff has been the president of MGM Sports & Entertainment in Las Vegas since 2018.

Michael H. Schill, the University of Oregon president and chairman of the five-member search committee, called Kliavkoff "a highly experienced and pioneering sports, entertainment and digital media executive."

T-wolves sale to A-Rod up for approval

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has reached agreement on his $1.5 billion sale of the club to e-commerce mogul Marc Lore and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez, a person with knowledge of the negotiation told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because league approval was still pending and neither side had publicly announced an agreement. (MORE)

Burnes sets mark with 58 Ks before 1 BB
MILWAUKEE (AP) St. Louis Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty put his frustrating history at Milwaukee's American Family Field behind him. These days, Flaherty is finding a way to win just about anywhere. (MORE)

Torres positive despite being vaccinated
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated and having previously contracted the coronavirus during the offseason. Torres is among eight so-called breakthrough positives among the Yankees - people who tested positive despite being fully vaccinated. (MORE)

Packers sign Bortles amid Rodgers saga

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers have signed Blake Bortles as they attempt to add quarterback depth while MVP Aaron Rodgers' future with the team remains uncertain.

Rodgers, who has reportedly expressed his desire not to return to Green Bay, had been one of two quarterbacks on the roster along with 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love. General manager Brian Gutekunst said after the draft that "we'll add a third arm and maybe a fourth arm as we go through." (MORE)

M's top prospect Kelenic set for debut
SEATTLE (AP) Jerry Dipoto couldn't help but chuckle when Jarred Kelenic went deep in his first at-bat at the Triple-A level. It was yet more evidence Kelenic was ready for the big leagues. (MORE)

White Sox beat Twins to push streak to 6

Tigers hold on, Royals lose 11th in row
DETROIT (AP) Michael Fulmer shut down Kansas City's ninth-inning rally for his second save, and the Detroit Tigers' 4-3 win Thursday to extend the Royals' losing streak to 11 games. Detroit led 4-1 entering the ninth, but Kansas City scored twice of Gregory Soto on a groundout by Carlos Santana and an RBI single from Salvador Perez. (MORE)

Jays score 4 in 9th, beat Braves again
ATLANTA (AP) Bo Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays are making comeback wins routine. Bichette hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied yet again to beat Atlanta 8-4 on Thursday and sweep six games from the Braves this season. (MORE)

Braves' Acuña hurts ankle, will avoid IL
ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. will avoid the injured list after leaving Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a left ankle injury. X-rays on Acuna's ankle were negative. Manager Brian Snitker said Acuna is day to day. (MORE)