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 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.
Baseball Hall of Fame board chairman Jane Forbes Clark 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:
— The Cardinals are hopeful of getting Adam Wainwright back from the COVID-19 injured list on Monday, allowing him to start that night against the Mets. The veteran right-hander was placed on the IL Thursday. Wainwright has been vaccinated, but he came in close contact with a family member who has tested positive for the virus.
— Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar (tay-AHS’-kur) Hernández returned to the starting lineup Friday night 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.
— Jon Lester has been reinstated from the injured list. The move comes hours before the left-hander was to make his Nationals debut against the Marlins on Friday night. Lester was one of nine players quarantined before the season because of COVID-19 protocols. 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.
— 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.
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. 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.
NFL-PANTHERS-DARNOLD
Panthers pick up Darnold’s 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 option.
The Panthers showed their faith in Darnold by passing on a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday. They acquired him in a trade with the New York Jets this offseason.
In other NFL moves:
— The Ravens have exercised the fifth-year option for quarterback Lamar Jackson. The NFL’s 2019 MVP threw for 2,757 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year. He also became the first quarterback in league history to have two 1,000-yard rushing seasons, but he has struggled in the playoffs.
— The Broncos have exercised the fifth-year option on linebacker Bradley Chubb. He earned a Pro Bowl berth last season after bouncing back from a torn ACL with 7½ sacks and more than 60 quarterback knockdowns and hits.
— The Falcons have added depth at quarterback by signing free agent A.J. McCarron to a one-year deal. McCarron was a backup in Houston the last two seasons and gives the Falcons an experienced backup behind starter Matt Ryan.
— Former Jets tight end Pete Lammons drowned Thursday morning at age 77. Major League Fishing announced in a statement that Lammons was participating in an event in Texas on Thursday morning when he slipped from his boat and fell into the water. He was drafted in 1966 and played six seasons in New York, helping deliver the franchise its first and still only Super Bowl title after the 1968 season.
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, who left the program after two losing seasons amid allegations of sexual harassment dating to his time at LSU.
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
Co-leaders through 36
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Sam Burns and Keegan Bradley share the lead at the midway point of the PGA’s Valspar Championship in Florida.
Burns surged up the leaderboard with an 8-under 63 to catch up with Bradley who carded a 66. Bradley ended his 65 by holing out for eagle from 100 yards in the ninth fairway, over a deep bunker to the elevated green. The shot left him guessing until he saw the fans jump out of their seats. They are four strokes ahead of Lucas Glover, Max Homa and Charley Hoffman.
Phil Mickelson bogeyed two of his final three holes to miss the cut by one shot.
NASCAR-ATLANTA-CROWD SIZE
Atlanta Motor Speedway dropping capacity limits
UNDATED (AP) — Atlanta Motor Speedway is following the league of other major sports facilities in the area by opening its grandstands to full capacity for the July NASCAR weekend.
The 1.54-mile trioval in suburban Hampton, Georgia, is planning to fill as many seats as possible for its next major event.
Baseball’s Atlanta Braves and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United both announced this week that they plan to resume 100% capacity for games in May.
