National Sports

TORONTO — Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro expressed support for general manager Ross Atkins on Thursday and acknowledged the need for improved communication and transparency with the team's players.

TORONTO — John Herdman is no stranger to rescue jobs. He took over a Canadian women's team that was broken after finishing last at the 2011 FIFA World Cup.

For Deontai Williams, father does indeed know best. Williams is in his first season as a defensive back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. But before the 27-year-old Jacksonville, Fla.

Roger Sloan and his team sat down earlier this year and re-examined his entire process as a golfer. How he practises, his nutrition, everything. Their goal was to make the 36-year-old from Merritt, B.C., the best player that he could be.

TORONTO — A team of 473 athletes will represent Canada at the upcoming Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. The quadrennial Pan Am Games featuring over 6,000 athletes from 41 countries in the Americas and Caribbean open Oct. 20 and close Nov. 5.

HAMILTON — It's taken longer — much longer — than expected but Bo Levi Mitchell will finally make a home start for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The veteran quarterback will be under centre Friday night when Hamilton (8-8) hosts the B.C. Lions (11-5).

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have entered into a multiyear agreement with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce that will see the bank's logo featured on the NHL club's home jersey.

HONG KONG — Canada's Leylah Fernandez advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Open with 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Russia's Mirra Andreeva on Thursday.

It's been quite a week for Luc de Fougerolles, and it's not over yet. The London-born defender, who qualifies for Canada through his Canadian-born father, turned 18 in Japan where he is wearing Canadian colours for the first time.

SHANGHAI (AP) — Maja Stark and Wichanee Meechai each shot 6-under 66 on Thursday to take a two-stroke first-round lead at the LPGA Shanghai event in the tour's return to China after the COVID-19 pandemic.