OSU: Elliott remains eligible for Fiesta Bowl

December 29, 2015 at 12:06a.m.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

A university spokesman said Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott’s status for Friday’s BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame will not be affected after he was at fault during a Sunday afternoon car crash.

Police told The Columbus Dispatch the junior was cited for driving under suspension, operating without a license and failure to control. Elliott told police his car hit a puddle and hydroplaned before colliding with a vehicle carrying two people on Route 315 at Lane Avenue. The Buckeyes were about to leave for their flight to Phoenix.

According to the website ElevenWarriors.com, two of Elliott’s citations stemmed from a May 13 speeding ticket he received on Interstate 670 for driving 59 mph in a 55 mph zone. The site said Elliott elected to fight the ticket, but after twice failing to show up for his arraignment, he reached a plea deal to pay a fine and court costs of $132. He failed to pay by the Dec. 1 deadline, resulting in a block on his license. His new court date is Jan. 26 at 9 a.m., according to ElevenWarriors.

“He’s all right, I talked to him yesterday,” OSU junior safety Vonn Bell said Monday during pre-bowl interviews at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn. “Hopefully he’ll be ready to play in the game. Big-time game right now. We’ve got to be ready to go.”

Yankees get Chapman for 4 minor leaguers

NEW YORK

The New York Yankees have bolstered an already dominant bullpen, acquiring hard-throwing All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds for four minor leaguers.

Chapman became available after the Reds’ deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers fell through during baseball’s winter meetings three weeks ago when it was learned Florida police investigated an accusation of domestic violence involving the Cuban left-hander.

Major League Baseball is investigating and Chapman could face suspension under the league’s new domestic violence policy.

The Reds, who have shed several veterans in the past six months, get right-handers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis and infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda from New York in the deal announced Monday.

Packers angry over HGH accusations

GREEN BAY, Wis.

Members of the Packers defense strongly denied any ties to performance-enhancing drugs after they were named in a report by Al Jazeera on doping.

The report that aired Sunday was based on secret recordings of Charles Sly, a former intern at an Indianapolis anti-aging institute who now says he fabricated the allegations. The report named several athletes, including Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and three Green Bay defensive players: Clay Matthews, Gary Neal and Julius Peppers.

Matthews called the allegations “100 percent false.”

“I work hard on my reputation, and really that’s all I have,” Matthews said after the team’s loss in Arizona on Sunday. “For seven years, I worked my ass off, you know, for this guy to say those types of things, it’s not true. And especially for him to recant everything that he said, too, I think it really just goes to show this source as well.”

Peppers said he was a little shocked by the report.

“It’s completely erroneous and I think it’s irresponsible journalism, in my opinion,” said Peppers.

Athletics, Alvarez agree to 1-year deal

OAKLAND, Calif.

The Oakland Athletics and pitcher Henderson Alvarez have agreed to a one-year contract.

Alvarez went 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA in four starts for Miami during a 2015 season shortened by two stints on the disabled list for injuries to his right shoulder. He had season-ending surgery July 28 and became a free agent early this month when the Marlins declined to offer him a 2016 contract. Otherwise, he would have been eligible for arbitration.

The 25-year-old Alvarez is 27-34 with 3.80 ERA in 92 career starts over five seasons with Toronto and Miami.

Combined dispatches