Update on the latest sports
APMLB-NEWS
Hall of Famer Alomar fired by MLB over sexual misconduct
UNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball has fired Hall of Fame second baseman Roberto Alomar. He had served as a league consultant until placed on the ineligible list after an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the firing in a statement. Manfred said a baseball industry employee reported an incident earlier this year involving Alomar from 2014. The league hired an external legal firm to investigate the matter. But no further details on the investigation were released to protect the individual who came forward.
Alomar said on Twitter that he was “disappointed, surprised, and upset” by MLB’s decision. Alomar also lost his position as a special assistant with the Toronto Blue Jays. The club said in a statement it is severing ties with Alomar immediately. In addition to being fired, the Blue Jays are also removing Alomar from their Level of Excellence and taking down his banner from Rogers Centre.
In other MLB news:
— Major League Baseball says nine teams have had 85% of players, coaches and others with Tier 1 access receive their final dose of the coronavirus vaccine, allowing those clubs to ease some health and safety protocols. Four of those teams have already begun relaxing some protocols after 85% or more of Tier 1 individuals reached full vaccination. Another five teams have surpassed the 85% threshold for vaccine injections within the past two weeks and can ease standards once that waiting period passes.
—Jon Lester has been reinstated from the injured list. The move comes hours before the left-hander was to make his Washington Nationals debut against the Miami Marlins on Friday night. Lester was one of nine players quarantined before the season because of COVID-19 protocols. Four players tested positive while five others were put under quarantine after contact tracing determined they might have been exposed. The 37-year-old Lester signed a one-year contract with Washington in January.
—The Minnesota Twins have reinstated outfielders Max Kepler and Kyle Garlick from the COVID-19 injured list. They also recalled catcher Ben Rortvedt from Triple-A St. Paul before beginning a three-game series against Kansas City. The return of Kepler and Garlick cleared the last of the quarantines for the Twins.
—Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernández is in the starting lineup tonight against Atlanta after missing three weeks because of a positive test for the coronavirus. Hernández went on the injured list April 9 after he was exposed to an infected person outside the team. He started experiencing COVID-19 symptoms a few days later and tested positive.
The St. Louis Cardinals are hopeful of getting Adam Wainwright back from the COVID-19 injured list on Monday. The veteran right-hander was placed on the IL Thursday. Though Wainwright has been vaccinated, he came in close contact with a family member who has tested positive for the virus. Manager Mike Shildt declined to go into detail about Wainwright’s situation, citing privacy issues.
NBA-NUGGETS-RIVERS
Nuggets sign Austin Rivers for rest of the season
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets have extended the deal for guard Austin Rivers through the rest of the season.
Rivers has averaged 6.2 points, two assists and 1.2 steals since signing a 10-day contract on April 20. He has helped fill the void left by Jamal Murray, who is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee on April 12.
Denver also is without guards Monte Morris and Will Barton due to hamstring injuries. Both are expected to return this season.
NFL-PANTHERS-DARNOLD
Darnold to make $18.9 million after Panthers pick up option
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have upped their commitment to Sam Darnold, picking up the fifth-year option on the quarterback’s rookie contract.
Darnold will now make $18.9 million for the 2022 season. His contract would have expired after the 2021 season and he would have become an unrestricted free agent if the Panthers had not picked up the fifth-year option. With the move, the Panthers now have solidified their quarterback position for the next two seasons.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
—The Baltimore Ravens have exercised the fifth-year option for quarterback Lamar Jackson. He will make $23.02 million as part of a tiered system under the new collective bargaining agreement. Jackson, the NFL MVP for the 2019 season, threw for 2,757 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions (99.3 rating) last year. He also became the first quarterback in league history to have two 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Jackson has struggled in the playoffs
— The Atlanta Falcons have added depth at quarterback by signing free agent A.J. McCarron to a one-year deal. McCarron, who was a backup in Houston the last two seasons, gives the Falcons an experienced backup behind starter Matt Ryan. The Falcons entered the NFL draft with only Ryan on their depth chart at the position, and they selected Florida tight end Kyle Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick on Thursday night. The Falcons could still add a developmental player at quarterback in the draft.
—The Denver Broncos are picking up the fifth-year option on Bradley Chubb. The linebacker who was selected fifth overall in the 2018 draft is coming off a bounce-back season in which he earned his first Pro Bowl berth. Chubb missed most of the 2019 season with a torn ligament in his left knee.
Pete Lammons, a tight end on the New York Jets’ Super Bowl-winning team in 1969, has died by drowning after he fell off a fishing boat. He was 77. Major League Fishing announced in a statement that Lammons was participating in an event in Texas on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. He played six seasons in New York and helped deliver the franchise its first and still only Super Bowl title. Lammons caught two passes from Joe Namath for 13 yards in the upset win over Baltimore in 1969.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-KANSAS-LEIPOLD
Kansas hires Buffalo’s Lance Leipold as football coach
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has hired Buffalo’s Lance Leipold as its next football coach. The Jayhawks are turning over one of college football’s worst programs to a longtime Division III coach with Midwestern roots.
Leipold signed a six-year contract and takes over for Les Miles. Miles, who won a title at LSU, parted with the Jayhawks after two losing seasons amid allegations of sexual harassment dating to his time with the Tigers.
Leipold won six Division III national titles in eight seasons before going to the Bulls, where he was 37-33 the past six years.
PGA-VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Keegan Bradley fires 64 to get to 12-under and tie with Sam Burns at Valspar
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Keegan Bradley fired a 64, including holing out from the fairway on the 18th and remains atop the scoreboard at the Valspar Championship.
Sam Burns fired a 63 and matched Bradley at 12 under at steamy Innisbrook.
Phil Mikelson had hiccups on the closing holes and missed the cut by a stroke.
