Sports

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Heading into a season with a record payroll projected at $370 million, the New York Mets realize the expectations. Justin Verlander, the AL Cy Young Award winner signed to an $86.7 million, two-year contract, threw his first bullpen session for the Mets. New York won 101 games last year,

MILWAUKEE (AP) — All-Star forward Jayson Tatum joined the lengthy list of Boston players who weren’t available for the NBA-leading Celtics’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics announced Tuesday afternoon that Tatum wouldn’t play in Milwaukee. Tatum originally had been listed on the injury report as doubtful due to a non-COVID-19 illness. Boston also

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Two-time All-Star Corbin Burnes and the Milwaukee Brewers are going to salary arbitration. They are $740,000 apart. Burnes asked to go from $6.55 million to $10.75 million. The Brewers argued for $10.01 million. A decision is expected Wednesday. The 28-year-old right-hander went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA in a career-best

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — A lifetime ban against former Haitian soccer federation president Yves Jean-Bart over allegations he sexually abused female players has been overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court upheld Jean-Bart’s appeal after noting “inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the statements of the victims and witnesses presented by FIFA.” A FIFA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama center Charles Bediako’s status is uncertain for a top-10 matchup with Tennessee because of a minor knee injury. Coach Nate Oats says Bediako is “day to day.” No. 1 Alabama plays No. 10 Tennessee on Wednesday. Bediako has started all 25 games for the Crimson Tide, which got its first

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Getting to No. 1 in the world is difficult enough. Staying there for an entire year is even tougher. Unless your name is Tiger Woods. The change at the top of the world ranking means that Woods remains the last player to start the year

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tiger Woods is back on the PGA Tour and he’s wearing several hats. He’s a player at Riviera this week. He’s a tournament host. He’s also a big voice in another player meeting as the tour tries to create a model that brings together the

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference is implementing new rules in an effort to speed up league games. The SEC will put batters and pitchers on a 30-second timer after the conclusion of each play. The batter must be in the box and ready at the 10-second mark and the pitcher has to begin

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — A European soccer game in Moldova will be played in an empty stadium on Thursday amid concerns about alleged Russian-backed attempts to overthrow the national government. UEFA said Tuesday no fans will be allowed in the stadium when Sheriff hosts Serbian club Partizan in the first leg of a Europa Conference

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer Miami is hiring Houston assistant Shannon Dawson to be its offensive coordinator. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was still being finalized and needed approval from the university. Dawson

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid isn’t done yet. Patrick Mahomes isn’t going anywhere, either. Chad Henne is heading off in retirement but otherwise the Kansas City Chiefs have very few holes to address heading into the offseason, which is why they already have been tabbed the favorites

By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer QUEBEC CITY (AP) — The International Peewee Hockey Tournament is launching its first all-girls division in its 63-year history. It comes as there’s a global growth of girls and women’s hockey. The division features 12 teams representing the United States, Canada, England, France and Switzerland. Tournament GM Patrick Dom

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — FIFA plans to pick the 2030 World Cup hosts in the third quarter of next year, likely in September. FIFA’s ruling council confirmed a timetable for bidding and a vote to be held by around 200 member federations. Bids have have launched by Spain, Portugal and

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers are adding Jim Caldwell to new coach Frank Reich’s staff as a senior assistant. The 68-year-old brings a wealth of NFL experience, including head coaching stints with the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts. His hire comes just days after the Panthers added 72-year-old Dom Capers as a defensive

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have hired Georgia’s Todd Monken to be their new offensive coordinator. Monken arrives after three seasons in the same role at Georgia, which last month won its second consecutive national championship. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh says the team conducted 21 interviews with 14 candidates. The 57-year-old Monken

The South Carolina Secretary of State says law enforcement agents confiscated over 600 fake championship rings across four major U.S. professional sports leagues and the NCAA from a South Carolina memorabilia store as part of a seizure of counterfeit merchandise. The counterfeit goods could have fetched as much as $15 million at retail. Public Information

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers added some frontcourt depth for the playoffs and signed veteran center Dewayne Dedmon for the rest of the season. Dedmon averaged 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 30 games with the Miami Heat. The 7-footer spent the past three-plus seasons with Miami, averaging 6.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. He