Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Monroe signs 10-day deal with Celtics: report

The Boston Celtics are bringing back a familiar face, signing center Greg Monroe to a 10-day deal on Saturday, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Monroe, 28, averaged just 11.1 minutes in 38 games (two starts) for the Raptors this season, tallying 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest, but was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February in exchange for cash considerations. The Nets then waived the ninth-year veteran. Spring training roundup: Goldschmidt has big day for Cardinals

Paul Goldschmidt had a double, a triple and a home run, and the St. Louis Cardinals cruised to a 15-5 win over the New York Mets on Friday in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Goldschmidt wrapped up his mammoth performance shortly after agreeing to a five-year, $130 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. The Cardinals acquired the 31-year-old slugger from the Arizona Diamondbacks during the offseason in exchange for pitcher Luke Weaver and a pair of minor-league prospects. Cycling: Favorite Alaphilippe wins Milan-San Remo

French all-rounder Julian Alaphilippe justified his tag as race favorite as he timed his sprint to perfection to claim his first Monument victory at Milan-San Remo on Saturday. With the field whittled down to a lead group of 11 riders after the Cipressa and Poggio ascents, Alaphilippe burst to the front with 100 meters to go and held on for victory in the Spring classic. Hurkacz stuns Thiem in Miami, Djokovic breezes through

Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem's bid for a 'Sunshine Slam' met with a quick end as he fell 6-4 6-4 to Hubert Hurkacz in the Miami Open second round on Friday, while world number one Novak Djokovic wasted little time in dispatching Bernard Tomic. The 22-year-old Hurkacz broke third seed Thiem four times, including in the final games of each set, to record the biggest win of his career. Golf: Elvira takes lead in Malaysia, in hunt for first European tour title

Spain's Nacho Elvira took a two-shot lead over American David Lipsky after the third round of the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur on a hot and humid Saturday to move one step closer to his first European Tour title. Back-to-back birdies on the final two holes and five birdies before that gave Elvira a six under-par 66 in the third round at the Saujana Golf and Country Club. 2017 runner-up Lipsky and Australian Scott Hend carded 67s. Red Sox announce Sale extension through 2024

The Boston Red Sox and ace left-hander Chris Sale have agreed to a long-term contract extension, the team announced on Saturday morning. The five-year deal is worth $145 million. It adds to Sale's current contract (one year remaining) and will go through the 2024 season. Cards announce five-year extension with Goldschmidt

The St. Louis Cardinals announced a five-year extension for newly acquired first baseman Paul Goldschmidt on Saturday. Financial terms were not revealed, but the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported that it will pay him "around $130 million." Verlander, Astros nearing extension: report

The Houston Astros are closing in on a two-year extension worth $66 million for ace pitcher Justin Verlander, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Verlander, 36, went 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA and an American League-leading 290 strikeout in 34 starts last season, his first full season in Houston since coming over from Detroit in a trade in 2017. Chen defends world figure skating title with record-setting skate

America's Nathan Chen successfully defended his world figure skating title on Saturday with a spectacular, record-setting free skate in a nail-biting contest with hometown favorite and Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan. Chen built on a strong lead in the short program with a dynamic free skate that included four clean quadruple jumps and had the crowd at Saitama Super Arena, just north of Tokyo, clapping along by the end. NBA roundup: Harden scores 61 as Rockets stop Spurs

James Harden matched his career high with 61 points, delivering early and late to bail out the host Houston Rockets in their 111-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Harden, who also scored 61 points on Jan. 23 at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, finished 19 of 34 from the floor while drilling 9 of 13 from 3-point range.