Rockets renew bid for Butler
The Rockets are making a renewed bid to acquire Timberwolves All-Star Jimmy Butler, including offering four future first-round draft picks.
The Rockets’ offer constitutes the maximum number of firstround picks allowable in a deal, factoring in league rules that necessitate no first-rounders can be conveyed in successive years, and no pick can be traded farther out than seven seasons.
The Timberwolves reportedly have continued to solicit offers on Butler since the start of the regular season.
Also, Rockets guard James Harden will miss at least the next two games with a strained left hamstring.
MLB Twins, Blue Jays hire managers
Seeking a fresh voice for their underachieving young players, the Twins made former Rays assistant coach Rocco Baldelli the youngest manager in the major leagues.
The 37-year-old Baldelli is the first hire outside of the Twins’ organization since 1985. Baldelli debuted with the Rays at age 21 in 2003, finishing third in the AL Rookie of the Year Award voting after batting .289 with 51 extra-base hits and 27 stolen bases.
♦ The Blue Jays hired Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo, 53, to be their new manager, making him the second member of Tampa Bay’s coaching staff to land a managerial position on Thursday. Montoyo received a three-year deal through the 2021 season with a team option for 2022.
♦ Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, right fielder Jason Heyward, second baseman Javy Baez and White Sox center fielder Adam Engel were named Gold Glove Award finalists.
♦ Darnell Coles resigned after four years as the Brewers’ hitting coach to seek other opportunities and bullpen coach Lee Tunnell was fired.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Notre Dame-Navy to play in Ireland in 2020
Navy and Notre Dame will play their annual rivalry game in Dublin, Ireland, to open the 2020 season. The game, originally scheduled to take place Sept. 5, also has been moved up a week to Aug. 29. Notre Dame and Navy also played in Ireland in 1996 and 2012.
♦ Will Grier threw three touchdown passes and No. 13 West Virginia used a big second quarter to cruise to a 58-14 victory over Baylor.
♦ A two-month investigation into allegations of abuse within Maryland’s football program found there was not a “toxic culture” under coach DJ Durkin, but troubling incidents occurred under Durkin’s leadership.