NFL

Branch fortifies Dolphins defense

The Miami Dolphins bolstered their defensive front on Wednesday by keeping one their own.

End Andre Branch agreed to a three-year contract worth $27 million to remain with Miami, a source familiar with the negotiations said.

The source confirmed the agreement to Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced by the Dolphins.

Branch is on the verge of becoming one of the top edge rushers on the market when free agency begins on Thursday. The five-year pro had 5 1/2 sacks last year, his first with the Dolphins.

BOXING

Half-mast flags for legendary Duva

The International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, is flying its flags at half-mast to mark the death of Lou Duva, who handled the careers of 19 champions including heavyweight titlist Evander Holyfield.

The colorful Duva died on Wednesday of natural causes at a hospital near his home in Paterson, New Jersey.

He was 94.

A gruff, down-to-earth manager and trainer who was generous with his pupils, Duva's career spanned seven decades.

Besides Holyfield, Duva handled welterweight champions Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor. His first titlist was middleweight Joey Giardiello, who won his crown in 1963.

GOLF

Schwartzel hit by stroke of bad luck

Defending champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa was struck on the left wrist by a golf ball on Wednesday and withdrew from a pro-am after 10 holes ahead of Thursday's start to the PGA Valspar Championship in Tampa, Florida.

A ball struck by one of Schwartzel's amateur playing partners on the first hole bounced off a tree and struck the 2011 Masters champion, causing his wrist to swell and his hand to briefly go numb.

"I've played golf for 28 years now and I've never been hit by a ball until this morning," Schwartzel said. "It was a bit of a fluke. Really bad luck."

ATHLETICS

Pregnancy dashes sprint star's plans

Jamaican sprinter and reigning 100m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce announced on Wednesday she is pregnant and will miss the August IAAF World Championships in London.

The two-time Olympic 100m gold medalist and three-time world 100m champion said she will return to competition in 2018.

"All my focus heading into training for my 2017 season was on getting healthy and putting myself in the best possible fitness to successfully defend my title in London," Fraser-Pryce, 30, wrote on Facebook.

BASKETBALL

Durant's cycle of rehab going well

Kevin Durant is riding a stationary bike as part of the rehab for his injured left knee and is doing well, but Golden State coach Steve Kerr said it will still be about a month before the superstar forward will be re-evaluated.

Durant returned from the Warriors' eastern road trip after hyperextending his knee early last week's 112-108 loss in Washington and later underwent an MRI exam, which revealed a grade two - or moderate - sprain in the knee as well as a bruised tibia.

Kerr regularly checked in with his injured star for the rest of the road trip, then spoke to Durant on Tuesday when the team returned to Oakland.

Agencies