D’backs sign Marte to extension
The Diamondbacks have decided to anchor their offensive future around Ketel Marte’s ample talents.
The club announced on Tuesday that it had finalized a $76 million, five-year contract with Marte that begins in the 2023 season and includes a team option for the 2028 that could be worth up to $13 million.
The 28-year-old Marte has clearly been the D-backs’ best player over the past few seasons. The only problem has been keeping him on the field. Marte batted .318 with 29 doubles and 14 homers last season despite being limited to 90 games because of hamstring injuries.
Giants 3B Evan Longoria was scheduled for surgery to repair a ligament in his right index finger. A timeline for his return isn’t immediately clear because Longoria must keep the finger immobilized for at least 10 days after surgery before he is re-evaluated. Longoria, 36, was limited to 81 games last season for the 107-win NL West champions because of a sprained left shoulder when he collided with SS Brandon Crawford on July 5. Longoria batted .261 with 13 homers and 46 RBIs . ... RHP Corbin Burnes’ Cy Young Award-winning performance last year has resulted in him getting the opening day assignment for the Brewers this season. Manager Craig Counsell said Burnes would start the Brewers’ April 7 opener against the Cubs. Burnes, 27, has been one of baseball’s top pitchers the last two seasons. Last season, Burnes went 11-5 with a 2.43 ERA and struck out 234 with just 34 walks in 167 innings . ... Still sporting a 0.00 ERA after three spring starts, Astros ace Justin Verlander won’t start on opening day as the team plans around the early-season schedule. Returning from Tommy John surgery, Verlander, 39, hasn’t pitched since the delayed opening day of the COVID-19shortened 2020 season.
College basketball: Iowa All-American Keegan Murray has announced he will declare for the NBA draft. Murray tweeted on Tuesday that he would leave the Hawkeyes after a sophomore season in which he was the Big Ten scoring leader, a consensus All-American and unanimous pick to AP’s All-Big Ten team. Murray’s average of 23.5 points per game was best among players from Power Five schools . ... Colgate coach Matt Langel agreed to a contract extension through 2030. Langel guided the Raiders to their third 20-win season and third Patriot League regular-season and tournament championships in four years.
NBA: Cavaliers F Evan Mobley will miss Wednesday’s game against the Mavericks — and maybe more — with a sprained left ankle as the injury-plagued team fights for a playoff spot. Mobley got hurt in the first half of Monday’s win over the Magic. Mobley, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, is averaging 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 67 starts and is a contender for Rookie of the Year honors.
NFL: A resolution to the NFL’s investigation into QB Deshaun Watson’s conduct could take some time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said. Watson, now with the Browns after a trade from the Texans, will not be indicted on criminal sexual misconduct charges brought by 22 women. He still faces 22 civil lawsuits . ... The Saints signed veteran QB Andy Dalton to back up returning starter Jameis Winston . ... The Ravens signed coach John Harbaugh to a threeyear contract extension through 2025. The Ravens are 148-96 under Harbaugh, plus a Super Bowl victory at the end of the 2012 season . ... The Jaguars received formal approval to move forward with a threeyear contract to play annually at Wembley Stadium through the 2024 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in men’s international soccer will get to play in his fifth World Cup after Portugal defeated North Macedonia 2-0 in the European qualifying playoffs on Tuesday.