Rams add former All-Pro White to rebuilding secondary

The Rams made another veteran addition to their secondary Tuesday, agreeing to terms with cornerback Tre’Davious White on a one-year deal, a source confirmed.

White, 29, is a former firstround pick who was named a first-team All-Pro following the 2019 season and a second-teamer in 2020 with the Buffalo Bills. ESPN reported that the deal is worth $8.5 million, but can increase to $10 million with incentives.

White is the third addition to the Rams’ secondary this free agency. The team brought back cornerback Darious Williams on a threeyear deal after he spent the past two seasons in Jacksonville, then safety Kam Curl joined the Rams on a twoyear contract.

White is the addition with the highest upside, but also the biggest question marks. Injuries have been a major concern the past three seasons. He tore his ACL in 2021 and missed the first seven games of the following season as he recovered from the injury. In 2023, he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 4 and missed the rest of the season following surgery before being cut in March by the Bills for salary cap reasons.

The Rams may have some extra peace of mind regarding White’s Achilles surgery, however. The procedure was performed by Rams team physician Neal ElAttrache.

For a secondary that showed potential and inexperience in 2023, the Rams have found a potential leader in White, a seven-year veteran who led the NFL in interceptions in 2019. The Rams stand to lose three veterans from the secondary, with former team captain Jordan Fuller signing in Carolina and Ahkello Witherspoon and John Johnson III still free agents. White and Williams provide experience at the outside corner spots.

Mets release Bickford, an arbitration winner

Right-hander Phil Bickford

was released by the New York Mets after clearing waivers, the second major league player cut loose this month after winning in salary arbitration.

The 28-year-old reliever will receive $217,742 in termination pay rather than the $900,000 salary chosen by a three-person panel over the Mets’ $815,000 offer.

Under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, salaries determined in arbitration are not guaranteed. A player with a nonguaranteed contract receives 45 days’ termination pay if released within 15 days of opening day and 30 days’ pay if released earlier in spring training. Third baseman J.D. Davis was released by San Francisco on March 11 after winning $6.9 million in arbitration and got $1,112,903 in termination pay from the Giants. He agreed five days later to a $2.5 million, one-year contract with Oakland that allows him to earn $1 million more in performance bonuses.

Bickford was designated for assignment by the Mets on Sunday to open a roster spot for designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who agreed to a $12 million, one-year contract. Bickford was 3-2 with a 4.62 ERA and one save in 25 games with the Mets, who acquired him from the Dodgers on Aug.1. Overall, Bickford went 5-5 with a 4.95 ERA in 61 games last year, striking out 76 and walking 39 in 67 1/3 innings.

A four-year major league veteran, Bickford is 11-8 with a 4.43 ERA and two saves in 179 games for Milwaukee (2020-21), the Dodgers (202123) and the Mets.

The Mets also released first baseman Luke Voit from a minor league contract. The former AL home run champion hit .118 with one homer and four RBIs in 34 at-bats over 14 spring training games.

• St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Dylan Carlson will begin the season on the injured list with a sprained left shoulder, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. Carlson was injured in a collision Monday with right fielder Jordan Walker. Prospect Victor Scott will be the opening-day starter in center field.

• Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and the Colorado Rockies finalized a $63.5 million, seven-year contract, a deal that includes a team option for 2031.

• The Arizona Diamondbacks and pitcher Jordan Montgomery have agreed on a $25 million, one-year contract with a vesting option for 2025, according to a person familiar with the deal.

• Infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp agreed to a $1million, one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, one week after the 32-year-old was released from a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

Steelers acquire kick returner Patterson

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran running back/kickoff return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year deal. The contract carries a total value of $6 million, the AP reported.

The versatile Patterson, 33, spent the past three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. A four-time All-Pro, Patterson gives the Steelers a veteran to help them adjust to the league’s new kickoff rules designed to produce more returns.

Patterson has nine kickoff returns for a touchdown in his 11-year career with Minnesota, Oakland, New England, Chicago and Atlanta. Patterson has led the league in kickoff return average three times and has seven kickoff returns of 100 yards or more.

Medvedev eyes repeat title in Miami Open

Defending Miami Open champion Daniil Medvedev won his 350th career match to move into the quarterfinals for a fourth straight year, beating Dominik Koepfer 7-6 (5), 6-0.

Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz also advanced with ease in a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 23 seed Lorenzo Musetti.