[naviga:h3]NHL not ‘greedy’ about Olympic stance[/naviga:h3]

LONDON — The head of the Pyeongchang Olympics organizing committee said that the NHL isn’t being “greedy” preventing hockey stars going to the 2018 Games and he was willing to be flexible to meet its demands.

Organizing committee president Lee Hee-beom told The Associated Press that “we are ready to cooperate.” Lee says he’s doesn’t know what the NHL’s conditions are “but whatever they ask — if it is acceptable for us — we will do our best.”

The International Ice Hockey Federation also has been willing to discuss options, but acknowledged a “game-changer” offer was likely needed for NHL team owners to change their minds about halting the league schedule for three weeks.

[naviga:h3]MLB games getting even slower so far[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — Acknowledging that games have gotten even slower this season, Commissioner Rob Manfred says MLB with will meet with players in an attempt to find a solution.

The average time of a nine-inning game is a record 3 hours, 5 minutes this season, up from 3 hours last year and 2:56 in 2015, Manfred’s first season as commissioner.

“We’ve probably gone backwards a little bit,” Manfred said after an owners’ meeting.

[naviga:h3]Braves lose Freeman to fractured wrist[/naviga:h3]

ATLANTA — The Braves are looking for help at first base after losing Freddie Freeman for about 10 weeks due to a broken left wrist.

President of baseball operations John Hart says he knows no player can replace the production lost by the injury to Freeman, who shared the major league lead with 14 homers and was hitting .341.

Freeman was hurt when hit by a pitch from Toronto’s Aaron Loup during the fifth inning of an 8-4 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

[naviga:h3]Anti-gay slur gets Pillar suspended[/naviga:h3]

ATLANTA — Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar was suspended two games for yelling an anti-gay slur at a Braves pitcher.

The Blue Jays suspended Pillar without pay shortly after he apologized in a statement, saying he was “completely and utterly embarrassed” by the word he directed at Jason Motte.

Pillar was angry at Motte for allegedly quick-pitching him to get a strikeout that ended an inning.