Dodgers announce Jansen deal
A month after the terms were initially agreed upon, the Dodgers formally announced a fiveyear, $80-million contract with closer Kenley Jansen on Tuesday afternoon.
Jansen had embarked on his honeymoon shortly after the two sides reached a deal.
The team is expected to hold a news conference with Jansen and third baseman Justin Turner on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have spent $192 million this winter on contracts for Jansen, Turner and pitcher Rich Hill. Jansen can opt out of his deal after 2019.
By re-signing the trio in December, the Dodgers accomplished a significant amount of their off-season shopping. But the club still desires a second baseman, in addition to relief pitchers.
For weeks, the Dodgers have haggled with Minnesota over second baseman Brian Dozier, according to people familiar with the situation. The Dodgers appear willing to part with top pitching prospect Jose De Leon, but the Twins seek a larger package, and the Dodgers lack interest in dealing prospects like first baseman Cody Bellinger and outfielder Alex Verdugo.
Fox Sports reported Tuesday that the two sides have reached an “impasse.” If the discussions remain stalled, the Dodgers could pivot to other infielders, like Detroit’s Ian Kinsler or Tampa Bay’s Logan Forsythe. The team also maintained dialogue with veteran second baseman Chase Utley during the winter meetings. — Andy McCullough
Scarbrough broke leg in title game
Alabama tailback Bo Scarbrough fractured a bone in his lower right leg in the national championship game Monday night against Clemson, Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban said. The injury won't require surgery and Scarbrough is expected to fully recover, Saban added.
Scarbrough, a sophomore, was injured late in the third quarter in the 35-31 loss to the Tigers and didn’t return. He rushed for 93 yards with first-half touchdown runs of 25 and 37 yards.
Jabrill Peppers has decided to enter the NFL draft and skip his senior season at Michigan. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Peppers, a Heisman Trophy finalist, is projected to be a first-round pick in April.
The Oakland Raiders are making changes on their coaching staff after their first playoff berth in 14 years. A person familiar with the plans said that quarterbacks coach Todd Downing will replace offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave next season on Coach Jack Del Rio’s staff. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the changes had not been announced by the team. Musgrave’s contract was up and will not be renewed by the team.
Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin called the arrest of outside linebackers coach Joey Porter “disappointing” and “unfortunate” and said there was no limit to how long he would remain on leave from the team, even indicating he could return for Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game in Kansas City. Porter was arrested outside a Pittsburgh bar Sunday night following the Steelers’ 30-12 playoff victory against visiting Miami. According to a police report, Porter appeared to be intoxicated when he assaulted a doorman and a police officer who intervened.
Rose returns to Knicks, is fined
Derrick Rose returned to practice Tuesday with the New York Knicks after missing their game the night before for what he described as family reasons.
The Knicks’ public relations department posted a photo on Twitter that showed Rose in his No. 25 practice jersey, standing with his teammates at their training facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. The team later announced he had been fined for missing the 110-96 loss to New Orleans on Monday and said he was expected to be in uniform Wednesday night in Philadelphia.
Rose told reporters he had returned to Chicago for family reasons and that his absence had nothing to do with basketball. He said he apologized to his teammates and Knicks management, telling them it wouldn’t happen again.
In a stunning decision, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards is walking away from the final year of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing less than two months after nearly winning his first Cup championship, two people with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press. The 37year-old Edwards informed team owner Joe Gibbs right before Christmas that he no longer wanted to compete, the people told the AP.
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will fight littleknown Australian Jeff Horn on April 22 as part of a planned fourfight farewell world tour, said Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter. Arum said he has agreed to terms with Horn and is entertaining site offers in Australia and the United Arab Emirates and will meet with Pacquiao, 38, in the Philippines once that part of the deal is complete. Horn (16-0, 11 knockouts) is ranked second by the WBO. — Lance Pugmire
Trainer Ron Ellis has been banned from entering any horses in the Breeders’ Cup world championships this fall after being sanctioned by the event for a positive drug test involving his horse that finished second in last year’s BC Sprint. Breeders’ Cup officials said that the ban also applies to the horse Masochistic, who tested positive for a trace amount of an anabolic steroid after last year’s event at Santa Anita. The horse was disqualified from the Sprint and his purse earnings were redistributed.