National Sports

LOS ANGELES — Unbeaten Rafael Lovato Jr. is relinquishing his Bellator middleweight title due to health concerns.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry is expected to play Monday against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, but big man Serge Ibaka is sidelined with flu-like symptoms.

IRVINE, Calif. — First-round draft pick Ifunanyachi Achara scored as a young Toronto FC side defeated UC Irvine 2-0 on Monday.

TORONTO — With all the players missing from Monday's practice, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe joked at one point it felt like there were as many goalies as defencemen. The good news is one of those netminders was Frederik Andersen.

Canada will open against El Salvador at the CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship before facing Haiti and Honduras. The tournament draw was held Jan.

It was back to the books for Canadian teenager Leylah Annie Fernandez on Monday after a busy week capped by one of the most impressive performances of her young tennis career. The 17-year-old from Laval, Que.

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Philip Rivers' 16-year career with the Chargers has come to an end. The franchise announced Monday that Rivers will enter free agency and won't return to Los Angeles for the upcoming season.

TORONTO — Matt Nichols hasn't circled July 31 and Oct. 17 on his calendar. That's when Toronto faces the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers signed defenceman Darnell Nurse to a two-year contract extension Monday. The 25-year-old native of Hamilton, Ont., has 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) and 44 penalty minutes over 55 games this season.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes will have cheerleaders on the field this upcoming CFL season.