Sports briefs 0124

UNM Track and Field opens at home

New Mexico runners and NCAA cross country runner-ups Habtom Samuel and Pamela Kosgei will both race in the mile at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational held on Friday and Saturday at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Among the most decorated young runners in college track, Samuel and Kosgei will race in the men’s and women’s miles, respectively, on Saturday afternoon. The pair represent two of 71 Lobo athletes set to compete across 30 events as the UNM-hosted invitational spans two days for the first time in the meet’s history.

All events can be streamed via paid subscription on FloTrack.

Suit: Rivera did not protect girl

NEW YORK — New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife are accused in a lawsuit of failing to protect a young girl who was sexually abused by an older child during a summer camp trip sponsored by their church.

In a lawsuit filed in this month, lawyers for the girl allege that the Hall of Fame pitcher and his wife, Clara Rivera, flew from New York to Florida to investigate after the girl’s mother expressed concerns about her daughter’s safety. But rather than take action, the lawsuit says the couple “isolated and intimidated” the victim into remaining silent.

The Riveras’ lawyer says any allegations that they “knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false.”

Tape: Interpreter tried to be OhtaniFederal prosecutors say a nearly four-minute audio recording allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating the baseball star on a call with a bank as he attempted to transfer $200,000.

The recording referenced in a court filing Thursday by federal prosecutors is being used to back up a push for a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara.

Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to spending millions from Ohtani’s Arizona bank account to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker.

Profar signs with Braves

Jurickson Profar agreed to a $42 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

Profar revived his career with the San Diego Padres last year when he hit .280 with 24 home runs. Profar scored 94 runs, drove in 85 runs and had 10 stolen bases.

Profar, a switch-hitter, will join Michael Harris, Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz and Eli White as Atlanta’s top outfielders to start the season. Ronald Acuña Jr., the 2023 NL MVP, is recovering from ACL surgery and could be ready to join the team in May or June.

METS: Left-hander A.J. Minter and the New York Mets finalized a $22 million, two-year contract on Thursday. Minter can opt out after the 2025 World Series and become a free agent again.

The 31-year-old is 24-29 with a 3.28 ERA and 36 saves in 384 appearances — all in relief for the Atlanta Braves