Panthers:
The Chargers called it their “best offer.” And now, it is gone. San Diego offered No. 3 overall draft pick Joey Bosa on Tuesday the highest cash payout in the initial calendar year for a first-round draft pick in team history, a source said Wednesday. It was declined.
Having communicated to Bosa’s agent, Brian Ayrault, the offer was the best one coming, the Chargers rescinded the proposal, citing that Bosa’s ability to a contribute over a full 16-game season in 2016.
The Chargers and Ayrault have been unable to close the gap over how much of Bosa’s $17 million signing bonus will be paid out in 2016, the remainder being deferred into next March.
San Diego’s best offer featured an 85 percent cash payout in 2016, sources said, or $14,464,630. While a source said Ayrault has budged from seeking a 100 percent cash payout of Bosa’s bonus in 2016, it was felt the payout percentage was not large enough to end an impasse that has forced Bosa to miss all of training camp and now likely all of the preseason.
Acquired center Bryan Stork from the Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick. Stork appeared in 21 games the past two seasons, but started just six in 2015 after spending time on the physically unable to perform list with concussion and neck issues. The 25-year-old started the Super Bowl two seasons ago.
Stork, a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft, went into training camp in competition for the starting center job with the Patriots, but suffered his fourth concussion in four years. The trade opens the door for
Redskins:
second-year player David Andrews, who replaced Stork for 10 games last season.
Colin Kaepernick is on track to make his first appearance of the preseason Friday night against the Packers after his tired shoulder made it through a full week of practice without any limitations.
“Everything has been going great,” Kaepernick said. “Everything has been going as planned. I’m excited to get back out there Friday.”
49ers: Vikings:
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said he expects to play in Sunday’s U.S. Bank Stadium preseason opener. Bridgewater returned on a limited basis Tuesday during practice, taking part in short-yardage and red-zone situations while stepping aside when quarterbacks lined up for deep passes in individual drills. He was a last-minute scratch of last week’s preseason game in Seattle, reportedly dealing with a sore shoulder.
Coach Ron Rivera said defensive tackle Kawann Short is “too important a player” for the Panthers not to sign him to a long-term contract. Short has one year remaining on his rookie deal. He recorded 11 sacks last season while being named NFC Player of the Month twice.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has a policy of not negotiating once the regular season begins, so the Panthers essentially have two weeks to strike a deal.
A visibly shaken club owner John Mara said he was fine with the NFL’s suspension of kicker Josh Brown for one game, despite allegations Brown abused his ex-wife as many as 20 times prior to the Giants signing Brown to a two-year extension last spring.
“One of the things you learn is that there is a big difference between allegations and convictions,” Mara said in an emotional address to the media.
Giants:
Yoenis Cespedes said he has no plans to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract with the New York Mets.
The outfielder from Cuba is in the first year of a threeyear, $75 million deal that has an escape clause after the first season.
He said before Wednesday’s game at St. Louis he intended to honor the deal.
“I’ve said it before, my intentions of course are to be here for three years, and if I could spend the rest of my career with the Mets, I would,” Cespedes said.
Entering Wednesday’s game, Cespedes was batting .295 with 25 homers and 64 RBIs, second on the team in both categories.
■ Mets left-hander Jonathan Niese was put on the 15-day disabled list to undergo knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Right-hander Erik Goeddel was recalled from Triple-A.
Orioles:
Pitcher Chris Tillman (15-5, 3.76 ERA) was put on the 15-day DL with bursitis in his right shoulder. Right-hander Mike Wright was recalled from Triple-A.
Second baseman D J LeMahieu, second in the NL in batting at .344, missed his second consecutive game with inflammation in his left wrist. “He’s still available to do some of the other things, but I’m not going to use him to hit,” manager Walt Weiss said. “When you hurt your wrist, your fingers or anything to your hand as a hitter, it is going to take a while.”
Outfielder Gregor Blanco went on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury.
Rockies: Giants: Diamondbacks:
Team president and CEO Derrick Hall agreed to an eight-year contract extension.
Joe Girardi on Wednesday became the sixth manager in Yankees history to reach 800 wins, joining Joe McCarthy, Joe Torre, Casey Stengel, Miller Huggins and Ralph Houk.
Kyle Hendricks has not allowed more than three earned runs in 17 straight starts. Over that span, Hendricks has a 1.70 ERA.
■ The Cubs (81-45) are 36 games over .500 for the first time since ending the 1945 season at 98-56.
Outfielder Rob Segedin, who homered in the second inning Tuesday night, left on paternity leave after the eighth inning to be there for the birth of his son. Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Segedin will only be away from the team for one game.
Swimmer Katie Ledecky, who won four gold medals and one silver at the Rio Olympics, threw out the ceremonial first pitch Wednesday night at Nationals Park. The Bethesda, Md., native tossed the ball to Washington reliever Shawn Kelley as reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper held her medals.
The ballpark currently called U.S. Cellular Field will become known as Guaranteed Rate Field starting in November. The team and the mortgage company announced a 13-year naming rights deal Wednesday.
Major League Baseball agreed to hold games in Puerto Rico and will work with the players’ association to invest $5 million in developing baseball on the island. MLB didn’t announce any specific details on those future games.
Yankees: Cubs: Dodgers: Nationals: White Sox: Noteworthy: