in the NBA Finals that summer, giving impressive performances as the Cavs starting center.But he struggled to recapture that excellent form after offseason surgery to remove a cyst from his knee. Heading into his free-agent contract season, Mozgov perhaps pushed too aggressively to return from injury

MADRID -- Sergio Ramos only contribution to Spain in a World Cup qualifier this weekend will be a pep talk to his teammates.Ramos visited the teams training camp this week ahead of Saturdays match against Macedonia, but the captain wont be on the field in the southern city of Granada because of an injury -- one of the many players missing as Spain tries to defend its Group G lead in European qualifying.Spain coach Julen Lopetegui also wont be able to count on playmaker Andres Iniesta, striker Diego Costa, defender Gerard Pique, left back Jordi Alba and defensive midfielder Javi Martinez.Costa was the latest to be dropped from the squad on Thursday, being released because of a thigh injury that had kept him from practicing with the rest of the squad during the week. Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas was named as his replacement, joining the national team for the first time.We are going to try to turn difficulties into opportunities, Lopetegui said. We cant lament anything. Im happy with the players that we called up, and they are going to help us achieve victory in both matches.Three days after hosting Macedonia, Spain will play a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium.Lopetegui will have to work extra hard to set up his defense, which is not used to being without veteran central defenders Ramos and Pique at the same time. Ramos is nursing a left knee injury, while Pique is recovering from sprained ligaments in his right ankle.Weve had to restructure the defense the best way possible, Lopetegui said, not dismissing the possibility of having to improvise with right back Cesar Azpilicueta at center back.The Chelsea player has played in the position in the past.Other options for Lopetegui include Real Madrids Nacho Fernandez, Real Sociedads Inigo Martinez, Sevillas Sergio Escudero and Borussia Dortmunds Marc Bartra.With Costa not playing up front, Alvaro Morata and Aritz Aduriz should get a chance to perform alongside each other in the lineup. Other forwards in the squad include Lucas Vazquez, Manuel Nolito Agudo, Jose Callejon and Victor Vitolo Machin.Its great to have so many options, said Aduriz, who was called up after scoring five goals in an Athletic Bilbao win in the Europa League last week. We are all here to help.At midfield, it will be difficult to substitute for Iniesta, who has been sidelined because of right knee injury. Among the options available for Lopetegui are Juan Mata, Thiago Alcantara and Jorge Koke Resurreccion.Some important players couldnt come because of injuries, but that creates an opportunity to those who are here, reserve goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said.Spain and Italy have seven points each after three games in Group G, with the Spaniards ahead on goal difference. Albania and Israel are one point behind, while Macedonia and Liechtenstein have yet to earn points.Italy plays at Lichtenstein the same day that Spain hosts Macedonia.Only the group winner automatically secures a spot for the World Cup in Russia. The second-place team must go through a playoff to try to make it to the 2018 tournament.Spain is coming off a 2-0 win at Albania. Italy and Spain drew 1-1 in Turin in October.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoniHouston Astros Store . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Luis Gonzalez Astros Jersey . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. https://www.cheapastros.com/263o-joe-biagini-jersey-astros.html . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Houston Astros Gear .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. Roberto Osuna Astros Jersey . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview.LOS ANGELES -- Russian center Timofey Mozgov has agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal cant be signed until July 7.The Lakers moved swiftly in the opening minutes of the NBAs free agent signing period to use a big portion of their roughly $55 million in cap room on the 7-foot-1 Mozgov, a six-year NBA veteran.He won a ring with the Cleveland Cavaliers last month despite barely playing in the postseason, averaging 5.8 minutes in 13 appearances. He started 48 games for the Cavs during the regular season after returning from offseason knee surgery, averaging 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds while making 56.5 percent of his shots.The Lakers paid an eye-popping price for a soon-to-be 30-year-old center who made $4.95 million last year and has never averaged 11 points or eight rebounds per game in an NBA season.Yet the deal represents both the inflated realities of the NBAs increased salary cap and the necessity of overpayment by Los Angeles.The Lakers arent the most attractive free-agent destination in the wake of the worst season in franchise history and Kobe Bryants retirement. After going 17-65 last season, they realize theyre unlikely to land Kevin Durant or other top players eager to win championships now.Instead, theyre hoping to add veteran leaders and role players around their intriguing young core, which includes DAngelo Russell, Julius Randle, restricted free agent Jordan Clarkson and No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram.Mozgov began his NBA career with New York in 2010, but was traded to Denver at midseason. He spent the next four years with the Nuuggets, playing under Lakers lead assistant coach Brian Shaw, before a trade to Cleveland in January 2015.ddddddddddddMozgov averaged a career-best 10.6 points in that abbreviated season with the Cavaliers. He became the first Russian to play in the NBA Finals that summer, giving impressive performances as the Cavs starting center.But he struggled to recapture that excellent form after offseason surgery to remove a cyst from his knee. Heading into his free-agent contract season, Mozgov perhaps pushed too aggressively to return from injury, and Tristan Thompson became the Cavs starting center in the postseason.Mozgov is moving to the town where his last name became an unfortunate verb in November 2010 when the Clippers Blake Griffin threw down an astonishing rebound dunk on Mozgovs head at Staples Center. Ever since, a player who gets dunked on in such an outrageous fashion has been Mozgoved.Mozgovs arrival with the Lakers certainly means the departure of Roy Hibbert, who averaged a career-low 5.9 points in his only season with the Lakers. Los Angeles had only six players under contract heading into the weekend, although Ingram will sign along with the likely return of three restricted free agents: Clarkson, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas.Mozgov also could be a mentor to Ivica Zubac, the 7-foot Croatian teenager drafted by the Lakers with the 32nd overall pick last week. Zubac wants to play in the NBA next season, and his draft stock apparently slipped because he was unwilling to be stashed in Europe for another year.---AP Basketball Writer Jon Krawczynski contributed to this report. ' ' '