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TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays say a series of anti-Muslim videos posted by Anthony Santander on the right-fielder's social media account do not represent the team's values and beliefs.
The team issued the statement after Santander posted the videos in the aftermath of the U.S. midterm elections. He deleted them on Thursday.
The videos included a Christian preacher saying, "There is no such thing as kind Muslims," with another suggesting Sharia law would be imposed on the U.S. after Abdul El-Sayed was elected to the senate in Michigan.
El-Sayed is the son of Egyptian immigrants and will become the first Muslim American U.S. senator. He was the target of Islamophobic rhetoric on the campaign trail, and often mocked his critics on the right while championing the Palestinian cause and leaning into his faith and heritage.
The 32-year-old Santander is from Venezuela and missed the entire year after having shoulder surgery following his first season in Toronto. He spent his first eight major league seasons with Baltimore before signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Toronto.
Alcaraz moves on to semifinals
ARIS -- Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points against Taylor Fritz to reach the Paris Masters semifinals on Friday and the field for the ATP Finals was settled.
Alcaraz was match point down in the second set at 5-3 and 5-4, saving the second with a forehand pass. He finally won 6-7 (10), 7-5, 6-3.
Alcaraz will feature in the Paris semifinals for the first time. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been hampered by injury and fatigue this year. But he won the Vienna title last week and looks fresher than many of his rivals at this stage of the season.
Ben Shelton also reached his first Paris semifinal after winning an all-American matchup against Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Shelton, with 19 aces, converted two of four break points. It was his third win in five meetings between them.
Shelton ended Paul's hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin this month. As a result, another American player, Frances Tiafoe, clinched a spot and will debut at the tournament. Fritz's loss qualified Rafael Jodar in the eighth and last spot.
Big birdies day for McIlroy
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Rory McIlroy rebounded from his first-round penalty controversy by making 11 birdies and shooting 9-under 63 at the Abu Dhabi Championship, leaving him one stroke off the lead.
Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta were all 12-under overall to share the lead after two rounds at Yas Links. On Thursday, McIlroy was handed a two-shot penalty after his first round when officials ruled he had improved his lie on a hole where he made double-bogey.
He posted a 2-under 70 to be eight shots back of first-round leader Laporta of Italy.
Infantino gets endorsement
The Caribbean Football Union has endorsed Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president in the 2027 election.
Infantino recently visited the Caribbean to secure support despite controversy over his World Cup investment plan. The CFU has emphasized that its decision was made through consultation with member associations.
"The CFU emphasizes that it determined its collective position through consultation with its member associations," the organization said in a statement. "In this same spirit the CFU continues to call for increased transparency, good governance, and meaningful reform within the football family."
This endorsement follows the Asian Football Confederation's support for Infantino. The FIFA election is set for March. The candidate filing deadline is Nov. 18. Infantino's reelection prospects have been boosted by FIFA's plans to increase financial contributions to member associations.