National Sports

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and the players' association will discuss the possibility of more widespread testing for opioids following the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

NEW YORK — Before the U.S. Open began, Patrick Mouratoglou predicted Bianca Andreescu would be in the final. He was right. Serena Williams's coach also is confident the rising Canadian tennis star will be No. 1 in the world one day.

OTTAWA — With eight games remaining, the struggling Ottawa Redblacks know time is running short to turn the season around and make a run at the playoffs.

WINNIPEG — Willie Jefferson is always a formidable foe, but on Saturday there may be a bit more fire in his belly.

Canada wraps up its Rugby World Cup preparations against the U.S. on Saturday with coach Kingsley Jones fielding a strong side for the game at B.C. Place Stadium.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed former Toronto defenceman Jake Gardiner to a four-year contract. Under terms of the deal announced Friday by Carolina general manager Don Waddell, Gardiner will make an average of $4.

CHICAGO — Not usually one to shy away from the limelight, Auston Matthews is more than happy to sit this one out.

BRUSSELS — Canada's Sage Watson won the women's 400-metre hurdles on Friday at the Diamond League finals. The native of Medicine Hat, Alta., finished in 55.58 seconds, more than one second ahead of runner-up Paulien Couckuyt of Belgium (56.68).

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos can take a big step toward silencing critics who say they haven't beaten anybody of significance with a win over the Calgary Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Joe Thornton is coming back for another season at age 40, signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday after briefly contemplating retirement at the end of last season.