Update on the latest sports
APMLB-NEWS
Hall of Famer Alomar fired by MLB over sexual misconduct
UNDATED (AP) — Hall of Fame second baseman Roberto Alomar has been fired as a consultant by Major League Baseball and placed on the league’s ineligible list after an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the firing in a statement Friday. He 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.
MLB said it would not provide further details on the investigation 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, including removing him from their Level of Excellence and taking down his banner from Rogers Centre.
Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the board at the Hall of Fame, said the Hall was “shocked and saddened” by Alomar’s actions, but said his plaque will remain on display. Alomar was inducted in 2011.
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. They had three straight games postponed two weekends ago due to virus troubles. Kepler and Garlick will also get the Twins almost to full lineup strength, with only first baseman Miguel Sanó sidelined. He is out with a strained right hamstring.
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.
In other NFL moves:
— 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.
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.
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