MLB bringing back auto runners in extras

Major League Baseball finalized the rules change Thursday to bring back automatic runners in extra innings for a third straight season.

Despite an easing of pandemic restrictions, MLB and the players’ association agreed to keep the controversial rule that starts each team with a runner on second base during extra innings for the 2022 regular season.

The “zombie” runner modification was applied to the 2020 and 2021 regular seasons as part of adjustments due to COVID-19.

„ The Royals exercised their club option on Mike Matheny for the 2023 season Thursday, eliminating any uncertainty over whether their manager will remain with the club after the coming season.

Men’s college basketball:

Purdue’s Jaden Ivey has entered his name in the NBA draft, forfeiting his final two seasons of college eligibility . ... Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis announced Thursday that he’s entering the NBA draft and hiring an agent. The 6-foot-5 guard is regarded as a likely lottery selection and could be Wisconsin’s first top-10 overall pick since the Hornets took Frank Kaminsky ninth overall in 2015.

Tennis: Unseeded Naomi Osaka defeated No. 22 Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Thursday in the Miami Open semifinals. She’s in a championship match for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open.

Women’s college basketball: Aliyah Boston was honored as The AP’s player of the year on Thursday. She is the second player from South Carolina to win the award, joining A’ja Wilson . ... Kim Mulkey, the longtime Baylor coach, was able to orchestrate an incredible turnaround for LSU, who won 26 games — 17 more than last season. Mulkey was honored Thursday as The AP’s coach of the year for the third time. Geno Auriemma and Muffet McGraw are the only other coaches to have accomplished the feat.