AP Sports Summary for Friday Morning
Trevor Bauer reinstated by MLB's independent arbitrator
NEW YORK (AP) — Trevor Bauer has been reinstated by Major League Baseball's independent arbitrator, allowing the pitcher to resume his career at the start of the 2023 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher was given an unprecedented two-season suspension without pay by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on April 29. The suspension was for violating the league's domestic violence and sexual assault policy after a San Diego woman said Bauer beat and sexually abused her last year. Bauer denied the accusation. Major League Baseball said arbitrator Martin Scheinman upheld a 194-game suspension but reinstated Bauer immediately. The suspension will cost Bauer more than $37 million in salary.
Lawrence, Jaguars continue playoff push, outclass Jets 19-3
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence leaped for a touchdown and the Jacksonville Jaguars continued their push toward the playoffs with their third straight victory, 19-3 over an embarrassed Zach Wilson and the New York Jets on a rainy, windy night. Lawrence finished 20 of 31 for 229 yards and ran for 51 yards and the score on seven carries for the Jaguars. Wilson was booed frequently before he was replaced in the third quarter by Chris Streveler, elevated from the practice squad before the game. Jacksonville would win the AFC South title with victories in its final two games.
Boras: Giants wouldn't seal Correa deal, so he called Mets
NEW YORK (AP) — Agent Scott Boras says the San Francisco Giants asked for more time to investigate and discuss medical records of Carlos Correa and let a 1 p.m. PST deadline Tuesday pass to finalize that deal. Boras then struck a $315 million, 12-year deal with the free-spending Mets and Correa headed to New York for a physical Thursday. Boras said results usually come back within 24-48 hours and timing of an announcement was up to the team. A news conference likely won't be scheduled until next month, after the holiday break.
Sports unraveled, collided with politics, racism in 2022
Hardly a day passed in 2022 when a headline that ran across the ticker on ESPN wouldn't have been out of place on CNN or Fox Business. There was the saga of basketball player Brittney Griner, Russia's invasion and war on Ukraine and the struggle over transgender athletes among other topics that laid bare the intersection between sports and real life. There were also toxic workplace environments in the NBA and NFL, alleged sexual misconduct by an NFL player, countries using sports to cover up their perceived sins, a cryptocurrency influx and crash and the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply, sports offered another window into the world.
England World Cup winner George Cohen dies at 83
LONDON (AP) — The English Football Association says World Cup winner George Cohen has died. He was 83. Cohen played on England's World Cup-winning team in 1966. The right back played every minute of the victorious campaign on home soil. He made 37 appearances for his national team. A cause of death was not announced. The defender played his entire club career for Fulham. He made 459 appearances for the team between 1956 and 1969. He retired from playing at 29 after a serious knee injury. He was the vice-captain for England when the team beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
NFL 'Sunday Ticket' headed to YouTube beginning next season
The NFL has announced a multiyear agreement with Google for "NFL Sunday Ticket." The package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games will be distributed on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels. The NFL was seeking $2.5 billion per season for the package, which has been on DirecTV since 1994. The satellite provider has paid $1.5 billion per year on an eight-year contract that expires at the end of this season. Besides Amazon, Apple and ESPN also expressed interest in "NFL Sunday Ticket."
EXPLAINER: Why are baseball teams spending so much money?
It has been an epic holiday season already for several major league teams and players a year after baseball trudged through an ugly labor dispute. Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa and Trea Turner combined for almost $1 billion in player contracts. Xander Bogaerts, Jacob deGrom, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Rodón, Brandon Nimmo and Willson Contreras added up to another billion. Major League Baseball's March labor deal with the players' union is a major engine behind the spending, along with a deep group of free agent options.
Injured Eagles QB Hurts expected to be sidelined at Dallas
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is not expected to play Saturday against Dallas because of a sprained right shoulder. Philadelphia will instead start Gardner Minshew. Hurts was injured on a hard tackle in Sunday's win at Chicago. The Eagles have the best record in the NFL at 13-1 and can clinch the NFC East title and the No. 1 seed in the conference with a win against the Cowboys.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett ready to go after 2nd concussion
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is taking extra precautions as he returns from the concussion protocol for a second time this season. Pickett will wear a larger helmet that offers more protection for the back of his head when the Steelers face Las Vegas on Christmas Eve. Pickett says each of the two concussions he's sustained this season came when the back of his head hit the Acrisure Stadium turf. Pickett added he's not worried that he's become concussion prone and believes the decision to have him miss a win over Carolina on Dec. 18 was the right call.
Titans' Tannehill out vs. Texans, rookie QB Willis to start
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee rookie Malik Willis will start his third NFL game Saturday against the Houston Texans with veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill ruled out with an injured right ankle. Titans coach Mike Vrabel refused to discuss Tannehill's future beyond this game. Vrabel said Thursday that Tannehill is only out this week. The Titans coach said he doesn't have to issue an injury report for next week until next week. The Titans (7-7) sit atop the AFC South looking for a third straight division title, yet their once four-game lead is down to one with three games remaining.