Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — For the first time in his career, Bryson DeChambeau will enter a tournament looking to defend a title. DeChambeau’s breakthrough on the PGA Tour came last year in the Quad Cities at the John Deere Classic, which tees off on Thursday. After entering the final round four strokes off the pace, DeChambeau birdied six of his final nine holes for a one-shot win over Patrick Rodgers.

CHICAGO (AP) — Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas has been removed from the National League’s active roster for the All-Star Game next Tuesday because he is scheduled to start Sunday for St. Louis against the Cincinnati Reds. Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling was added to the NL pitching staff as Mikolas’ replacement.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brian Dozier hit a two-run home run, going deep for the second straight game to give the Minnesota Twins a boost on their way to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Twins starter Lance Lynn recovered from a three-run homer by Salvador Perez in the first inning to win his second straight start. The Twins used the bottom third of their lineup to launch rallies in the second and the fourth against Royals starter Burch Smith.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa typically asks a ton out of its running backs. The problem is that the Hawkeyes don’t have a ton of proven backs these days _ which is why the offseason has been so crucial for the youngsters they hope will be ready by September. Iowa has a pair of sophomores atop its depth chart, the bruising Toren Young and the speedy Ivory Kelly-Martin. Behind them are redshirt freshman Camron Harrell and Kyshaun Bryan, true freshman Henry Geil and junior college transfer Mehki Sargent.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An Ohio man has admitted defrauding NFL players out of money meant for charities. Thirty-nine-year-old Camario Richardson, of Maple Heights, Ohio, pleaded guilty Monday to mail fraud in federal court in Kansas City. Prosecutors say Richardson told the players he could deliver Nike-branded merchandise to charitable events but didn’t deliver the goods. The five players involved weren’t identified in the indictment.