Luis Suárez leads Inter Miami to 3-1 win over Pumas in Leagues Cup

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Luis Suárez scored and had two assists, and Inter Miami beat Pumas 3-1 on Wednesday night to advance in the Leagues Cup.

Miami played the match without Lionel Messi, who is sidelined indefinitely with what the team described as a minor muscle injury in his right leg.

Messi was hurt in the opening minutes of Inter Miami's win over Necaxa on Saturday. He was in attendance for Wednesday's match and watched from a suite at Chase Stadium.

Miami, which has eight points in the Major League Soccer Leagues Cup standings, is the first MLS club through to the tournament's knockout stages.

Rodrigo De Paul scored his first Inter Miami goal on an assist from Suárez in the 45th, tying the match after Pumas’ Jorge Ruvalcaba opened scoring in the 34th.

De Paul, the star Argentine midfielder who came to MLS to play with his national team friend Messi, made his club debut in Inter Miami's League's Cup opener against Atlas last Wednesday and had two assists against Necaxa.

Suárez put Inter Miami ahead 2-1 when he converted a penalty kick in the 59th after a handball was called on Pumas defender José Caicedo in the penalty area.

It was Suárez first goal since he scored in Inter Miami's Club World Cup match against Palmeiras on June 23.

Tadeo Allende finished Suárez's second assist of the night in the 69th.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The ball gets past Pumas UNAM Goalkeeper Miguel Paul (181) on a goal scored by Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, not shown, during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Pumas UNAM midfielder Jorge Ruvalcaba (17), right, scores a goal against Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo (34) during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Tadeo Allende (21) attempts a shot on the goal as Pumas UNAM defender Ruben Duarte (5) defends during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, sits with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, right, before a Leagues Cup soccer match against Pumas UNAM, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, left celebrates with forward Luis Suárez (9) after scoring a goal during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Puma UNAM, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

DENVER (AP) — Versatile infielder/outfielder Willi Castro and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $12.8 million, two-year deal Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Castro spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .226 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs. He played all three outfield spots last season in addition to seeing time at third and shortstop. He even pitched an inning while with the Twins.

The 28-year-old Castro made his major league debut on Aug. 24, 2019, while with Detroit. He spent four seasons with the Tigers before joining the Twins, where he was an All-Star in 2024. He was traded to the Cubs last July.

Earlier in the day, the Rockies finalized the signing of right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen to an $8 million, one-year contract. The deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027. Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Chicago Cubs' Willi Castro (1) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)