Digest: Capitals acquire defenseman Jakub Jerabek for 5th-round pick

The Washington Capitals continued to tweak their defense, trading a 2019 fifth-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Jakub Jerabek. The 26-year-old Czech has a left-handed shot, and as he's played just 25 games in the NHL , it's unclear where he fits in the Capitals' plans. He will compete for playing time with rookies Christian Djoos and Madison Bowey, as well as veteran Brooks Orpik . Jerabek, who has one goal and three assists in 25 appearances this season, averaging 17:21 in ice time, will hit unrestricted free agency after the season. The move came less than 30 minutes after depth defenseman Taylor Chorney was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets . Chorney's departure cleared $800,000 in salary cap space, but Jerabek's addition added another $925,000, so the Capitals now have roughly $617,000 in room. With Jerabek, the team has the maximum 23 players on the roster, so another trade would require a corresponding move. The trade deadline isn't until Monday.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan, The Washington Post

Maryland football

3-star cornerback Gater is Terps' first commit in Class of '19

Three-star athlete Lavonte Gater committed to Maryland on Wednesday, becoming the Terps' first pledge in the Class of 2019. The Ballou (D.C.) standout, who's expected to play cornerback at Maryland, also had offers from Rutgers and Temple, among others. Gater, who received an offer early this month, was recruited by defensive backs coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, a Washington native and Dunbar graduate who later coached at Friendship Collegiate, both schools in the District. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Gater is rated the No. 87 athlete and No. 6 Washington prospect in the 247Sports.com Composite rankings. He had 30 catches for 693 yards and 17 touchdowns total as a receiver and all-purpose threat as well as six interceptions and 28 tackles as a defender last season.

— Jonas Shaffer

Et cetera

National Women's Soccer League: The Washington Spirit will play their next-to-last match of the 2018 season Aug. 25 at home against the Portland Thorns, the NWSL reigning champions. The location, however, remains undecided. Spirit management says it's weighing whether to play at Maryland SoccerPlex, its suburban home for the past five seasons, or at Audi Field, the new D.C. United stadium opening this summer near Nationals Park. United, which owns the stadium, said it's hopeful of striking a deal with the women's organization. No decision is expected for a few weeks.

— Steven Goff, The Washington Post

Major League Soccer: D.C. United's regular-season match at Los Angeles Football Club has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 29 after originally being set for Monday, May 28. Kickoff has changed from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Banc of California Stadium on ESPN2.

Baseball: The 65th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Brehms Boys Club will be held Saturday, April 7, from noon to 4 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Park. Activities will include honoring Fred Kacher, who founded and led Brehms for 25 years. Registration includes food, beverages and a commemorative 65th anniversary BBC t-shirt. For registration details or questions about the celebration, contact Chris Piercy at 443-544-7522 or George Fortuna at 443-831-5597.

Men's junior college basketball: Montgomery College sophomore guard Collin Turner was selected Maryland JUCO Conference Player of the Year. Harford Community College's Mike Smelkinson was named the conference's Coach of the Year. Frederick Community College's Emonte Hill was picked Coach of the Year by the conference's coaches association.

Women's junior college basketball: Harford CC sophomore guard Ryan Holder, who will play next season for Towson University, was picked as Maryland JUCO Conference Player of the Year. Harford CC's Mike Seney was named Coach of the Year by the conference. Baltimore City Community College's Tara Owens was selected Coach of the Year by the conference's coaches association.

— From Sun staff and news services