Responding to written questions from a US senator about the effects of concussions in hockey, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman continued to deny a link between concussions and the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, as reported by the New York Times. Bettman blamed the news media for fanning fear of the long-term effects of head injuries and defended the NHL’s “more measured approach’’ to the growing science of concussions. At least six deceased NHL players, along with roughly 100 former NFL players, have been diagnosed with CTE, which scientists believe is caused by repeated blows to the head. The NHL is fighting a class-action lawsuit against dozens of former players who say that the league did not warn them of the long-term effects of head injuries. “The science regarding CTE, including on the asserted ‘link’ to concussions that you reference, remains nascent, particularly with respect to what causes CTE and whether it can be diagnosed by specific clinical symptoms,’’ Bettman wrote. He added: “The relationship between concussions and the asserted clinical symptoms of CTE remains unknown.’’ In late June, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, a Democrat and a ranking member of the Senate’s Consumer Protection subcommittee, sent Bettman a letter asking pointed questions about the league’s position regarding concussions and CTE. He requested answers by July 22, and Bettman’s 24-page response was filed Tuesday in US District Court in Minneapolis as part of a so-called concussion lawsuit. “As the premier professional hockey league in the world, the NHL has an obligation not only to ensure the safety of your players, but to also engage in a productive dialogue about the safety of your sport at all levels,’’ Blumenthal wrote.

Wings give DeKeyser 6 years, $30m

The Detroit Red Wings avoided arbitration and signed defenseman Danny DeKeyser to a $30 million, six-year contract. DeKeyser will count $5 million against the salary cap throughout the length of the deal. The 26-year-old Western Michigan product has 14 goals and 61 assists in 234 regular-season NHL games and has averaged over 21 minutes of ice time . . . The Nashville Predators signed restricted free agent defenseman Petter Granberg to a two-year contract worth $575,000 at the NHL level and $175,000 at the AHL level in 2016-17 . . . The New York Rangers signed defenseman Sergey Zborovskiy, their third-round draft pick in 2015, to an entry-level contract.

BASEBALL

Padres trade Upton to Blue Jays

The San Diego Padres traded left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league righthander Hansel Rodriguez. Upton has had a big season for the Padres, who are mired in fourth place in the NL West. He is hitting .256 with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs, 46 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases. He’s hit three walkoff home runs. The 19-year-old Rodriguez was 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six starts for the Rookie-Level Bluefield Blue Jays . . . Robin Ventura insists he can work with Chris Sale despite the suspended ace’s critical comments about the White Sox manager. Sale is serving a five-day, unpaid ban after he destroyed throwback uniforms the team was supposed to wear for his start Saturday. Sale told MLB.com he doesn’t regret standing up for what he believed and said Ventura should have stood up for his players . . . The Texas Rangers recalled top prospect Joey Gallo from Triple A Round Rock. Gallo, a promising slugger, and righthander Nick Martinez were brought up before Tuesday night’s game against Oakland. Veteran righthander Kyle Lohse was designated for assignment and outfielder Jared Hoying was optioned to Round Rock . . . The Washington Nationals reinstated first baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the disabled list after he missed 13 games because of a strained left rib cage. Zimmerman was batting only .221 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs for Washington when he got hurt . . . The St. Louis Cardinals put reliever Trevor Rosenthal on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old righty is 2-4 with a 5.13 ERA and 14 saves in 18 chances . . . The Baltimore Orioles reinstated rookie outfielder Hyun Soo Kim from the 15-day disabled list and welcomed back pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez from paternity leave. Kim spent the minimum 15 days on the DL with a right hamstring strain. Kim is batting .329 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Jimenez missed three days to join his wife for the delivery of the couple’s first child, a daughter.

NBA

Stoudemire retires with Knicks

Amare Stoudemire, 33, retired from the NBA after signing his final contract with the New York Knicks. Stoudemire’s greatest team success came in Phoenix as Steve Nash’s pick-and-roll partner, but he chose to leave the NBA as a member of the Knicks, the team that had a lengthy playoff drought that ended after he signed there in 2010. Stoudemire was a six-time All-Star, but battled knee injuries after his sensational first season in New York . . . The Washington Wizards said they have re-signed shooting guard Bradley Beal but did not disclose terms. The AP reported earlier this month that Beal agreed to a five-year maximum contract worth $128 million . . . The Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a four-year deal with restricted free agent Maurice Harkless. The $40 million deal was first reported by Yahoo Sports . . . Shooting guard Dion Waiters signed a $5.93 million, two-year contract with the Miami Heat . . . The Detroit Pistons officially announced their one-year deal with guard Ray McCallum. McCallum averaged 3.3 points per game last season in 41 appearances for San Antonio and Memphis.

MISCELLANY

Schmid out as Sounders’ coach

The Seattle Sounders and coach Sigi Schmid, the only coach in the franchise’s MLS era, are parting ways after eight years. Longtime Sounders assistant Brian Schmetzer is immediately taking over as interim head coach . . . Eugenie Bouchard thrilled her hometown crowd in Montreal with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) victory over Lucie Safarova in the opening round of the Rogers Cup . . . The Hickok Belt, an ornate prize belt that has been awarded to some of America’s top professional athletes, was stolen from the Roger Maris Museum inside a Fargo, N.D., shopping mall. Maris, who grew up in Fargo, won the belt in 1961 after he hit a then-record 61 home runs for the Yankees. Police said that Maris’s 1960 American League Most Valuable Player plaque also was missing.