Report: Computer plate umps part of labor deal
Computer plate umpires could be called up to the major leagues at some point during the next five seasons.
Umpires agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball in the development and testing of an automated ball-strike system as part of a five-year labor contract announced Saturday, The Associated Press reported. The Major League Baseball Umpires Association also agreed to cooperate and assist if Commissioner Rob Manfred decides to utilize the system at the major league level.
The independent Atlantic League became the first American pro league to let a computer call balls and strikes at its All-Star Game on July 10.
The White Sox and LHP Dallas Keuchel agreed to a three-year deal worth $55.5 million, ESPN reported. The 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, who turns 32 on Jan. 1, went 8-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 112 innings over 19 starts last season for the Braves . ... Yoenis Cespedes’ salary next year was cut to $6 million from its original $29.5 million as part of an amended contract with the Mets that avoided a grievance hearing.
College football: Chris Robison passed for 305 yards and two TDs and Florida Atlantic scored twice in a 24-second span late in the first half en route to a 52-28 win over SMU in the Boca Raton Bowl in Boca Raton, Fla. It was the Owls’ first game since coach Lane Kiffin left for Mississippi. FAU (11-3) tied a school record for wins in a season . ... Ryan Agnew passed for 287 yards and three TDs, Jesse Matthews caught three passes for 111 yards and two scores, and San Diego State (10-3) routed Central Michigan 48-11 in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque. ... Frankie Hickson picked up 120 yards rushing on 22 carries, Stephen Calvert went 16 of 35 passing for 270 yards and two TDs, and Liberty beat Georgia Southern 23-16 in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Liberty (8-5) joined Georgia Southern and Appalachian State as the only teams to move from FCS to FBS and win a bowl game in its first season of eligibility . ... Kylil Carter passed for six TDs and North Carolina A&T beat Alcorn State 64-44 in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. It was the Aggies’ third consecutive HBCU national championship title.
NFL: Eagles RB Darren Sproles retired, ending a 15-year career for the three-time Pro Bowl player. Sproles, 36, who ranks fifth on the NFL’s career list for all-purpose yards with 19,696, had been out since early November with an injury . ... RB Dalvin Cook will miss the Vikings’ game against the Packers on Monday with a shoulder injury . ... Clayton Beathard, the 22-year-old brother of 49ers reserve QB C.J. Beathard and grandson of Hall of Fame executive Bobby Beathard, was fatally stabbed during a fight outside a bar in Nashville, Tenn.
Also: Roberto Firmino scored in extra time to lift Liverpool to a 1-0 win over Flamengo in the Club World Cup final in Doha, Qatar . ... Adam Scott led by one after three rounds at the Australian PGA championship.