Update on the latest sports
APNFL-NEWS
Watt, Texans agree to split in latest team upheaval
UNDATED (AP) — J.J. Watt has suddenly become an intriguing free agent signing to NFL general managers.
The defensive end and the Houston Texans have “mutually agreed to part ways,” ending the tenure of the face of the franchise. Watt said in a video on social media Friday that he had asked for his release with one year remaining on a 6-year, $100 million contract.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year and 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year has spent his entire career with the Texans after being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft.
Watt is the only player in NFL history to have 20 or more sacks and 10 or more passes defended in a single season after doing it in both 2012 and 2014. He’s tied for fifth among defensive lineman in league history with six touchdowns in the regular season, including three TD catches.
In other NFL news:
— Mike and Maurkice Pouncey have retired after spending a decade among the best centers in the league. The 31-year-old twins made the announcement Friday on their respective Instagram pages. Maurkice Pouncey was a two-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh. Mike Pouncey reached four Pro Bowls while playing for Miami and the Los Angeles Chargers.
— A group whose mission is to increase diversity in the NFL has strongly criticized the Jaguars and new coach Urban Meyer for hiring assistant Chris Doyle. The Fritz Pollard Alliance cited issues involving Doyle when he worked at the University of Iowa. A statement by the alliance says “Doyle’s departure from the University of Iowa reflected a tenure riddled with poor judgment and mistreatment of Black players.”
NBA-NEWS
Durant, Herro cleared to return
UNDATED (AP) — Kevin Durant has rejoined the Brooklyn Nets and will be able to play Saturday in his return to Golden State.
Durant missed three games for coronavirus health and safety protocol reasons and faced a mandatory seven-day quarantine after being a close contact of a team employee who tested positive for the virus. The star forward continued to test negative during his absence and was able to return to practice Friday.
Tyler Herro was also cleared Friday to resume basketball activities with the Miami Heat. He had missed one game while dealing with the NBA’s health and safety protocols related to the pandemic.
NHL-COVID-19 LIST
Stamkos, Lindblom, Laughton on COVID list
UNDATED (AP) — Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is one of five players added to the NHL’s COVID-19 list, a day after he was unable to play in a 5-2 loss to Florida. The Lightning had listed Stamkos as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The Philadelphia Flyers now have seven players on the list with the additions of defenseman Oskar Lindblom and forward Scott Laughton.
MLB-NEWS
AP source: Panik agrees to minor league deal with Blue Jays
UNDATED (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the busy Blue Jays have agreed to a minor league contract to keep second baseman Joe Panik.
The 30-year-old hit .225 with one homer and seven RBIs in 120 at-bats during the pandemic-shortened season, his first with Toronto. The seven-year veteran has a .269 average, 39 homers and 240 RBIs for San Francisco, the Mets and Blue Jays.
Panik was an All-Star in 2015 and won a Gold Glove in 2016.
In other baseball news:
— Mike Soroka (sah-ROH’-kah) has argued his salary arbitration case with the Atlanta Braves today. Soroka argued for a raise from $583,500 to $2.8 million, while the team maintained the right-hander should be paid $2.1 million. The 23-year-old Soroka was 0-1 with a 3.95 ERA in three starts last season before tearing his right Achilles tendon while pitching on Aug. 3.
— Well-traveled right-handed reliever Dylan Floro has been traded by the Dodgers to the Marlins for left-handed reliever Alex Vesia and pitching prospect Kyle Hurt. Floro went 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in 25 games last year.
— Free agent infielder Brock Holt has agreed to a minor league contract with the Rangers that includes an invitation to big league spring training. Holt will get $1.75 million this year if added to the 40-man roster.
— Baseball’s Hall of Fame has canceled its traditional outdoor induction ceremony for the second straight summer because of the pandemic. Instead, there will be an indoor, televised event for Derek Jeter and other members of the Class of 2020 being honored. No new inductees were chosen for this year’s class.
— Major League Baseball has revamped its spring training exhibition schedule because of the pandemic, cutting travel for Florida-based teams in an effort to minimize virus risks. College baseball teams were dropped from the revised schedules because they are not subject to major league testing protocols. Also eliminated were split-squad games, which are traditionally used in the first half of the exhibition season to allow evaluation of more players.
TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Injury could force Djokovic to withdraw
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic’s (NOH’-vak JOH’-kuh-vich-ehz) bid for a ninth Australian Open championship has been thrown into doubt after he took a fall during a five-set victory in the third round. The top-ranked Djokovic says he tore a muscle and might not be able to play his next match.
Djokovic seemed to be cruising along to a 17th consecutive win when his left foot gave out from under him as he tried to change directions early in the third set against Taylor Fritz.
PGA-PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM
Spieth has first 36-hole lead since 2017
PEBBLE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jordan Spieth (speeth) shot a 5-under 67 at Spyglass Hill for a one-shot lead over Daniel Berger going into the third round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Spieth was at 12-under 132, his first 36-hole lead since capturing the 2017 British Open at Royal Birkdale. Berger shot a 66 at Pebble Beach by going 2-3-2 along the ocean, putting him two ahead of Henrik Norlander.
