Homecoming: LB Wagner agrees to deal with Rams
LOS ANGELES >> Linebacker Bobby Wagner has agreed to a five-year deal to join his hometown Los Angeles Rams.
The Super Bowl champions outmaneuvered several suitors for Wagner, one of the NFL's top inside linebackers after his decade with the Seattle Seahawks. ESPN reported Wagner's deal contains $50 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $65 million.
The Seahawks released the six-time All-Pro anchor of their defense on March 9. Just over three weeks later, Wagner agreed to join Seattle's NFC West rivals, providing the force at inside linebacker that the Rams have lacked for several seasons.
Wagner was born in Los Angeles, and he graduated from high school in suburban Ontario.
Wagner has been selected to the past eight consecutive Pro Bowls, and he has racked up 1,383 total tackles — the most by any active player. He set a career high last season with 170 tackles for struggling Seattle.
Baseball
MLB, PLAYERS KEEP AUTOMATIC RUNNERS IN EXTRAS FOR 2022 >>
Major League Baseball finalized the rules change 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 agreement regarding on-field rules modifications also includes expanding active rosters from 26
players to 28 from opening day on April 7 through May 1 this year, due to the delayed start of spring training.
Another new rule benefits Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani. With the designated hitter adopted in both leagues, pitchers who start games in the batting order can remain in the game as a DH after leaving the mound. A DH can also enter the game to pitch. That change will apply to multiple seasons.
ROYALS EXERCISE OPTION TO KEEP MATHENY >>
The Kansas City Royals exercised their club option on Mike Matheny for the 2023 season, eliminating any uncertainty over whether their manager will remain with the club after the coming season.
Matheny is entering his third season with the Royals, which includes the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and his first 162game run as the manager last season.
Soccer
FIFA SETS WORLD CUP DRAW SEEDINGS WITH UPDATED RANKINGS >>
The United States received a boost for the World Cup draw and
Canada took a hit in the updated FIFA rankings.
The Americans, who failed to qualify for the last World Cup, will be in Pot 2 after being ranked 15th in the world.
Canada, which won the North American qualifying group and will play at the tournament for the first time in 36 years, missed a chance for a rankings boost by losing at Panama 1-0 in its final qualifier.
Instead, Canada will be among the lowest seeded teams in Pot 4.
The eight groups for the tournament in Qatar will be drawn Friday from four pots.
Tennis
OSAKA RALLIES, TOPS BENCIC TO MAKE MIAMI OPEN WOMEN'S FINAL >> Unseeded Naomi Osaka defeated No. 22 Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Miami Open semifinals. She's in a championship match for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open, and will meet either No. 16 Jessica Pegula or No. 2 Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
Osaka entered this tournament ranked No. 77 in the world, will leave Miami no worse than 36th and would be back in the top 30 if she wins the title.
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev came into the tournament as the No. 2-ranked men's player in the world. Hubert Hurkacz ensured he will stay there.
Hurkacz — the No. 8 seed and defending Miami champion — wore down the top-seeded and crampriddled Medvedev 7-6 (7), 6-3 in a men's quarterfinal.
Golf
KNOX USES 4-BIRDIE RUN FOR A ONE-STROKE LEAD AT TEXAS OPEN >> Russell Knox recorded four straight birdies on the back nine and fired a 7-under 65 for a oneshot lead after the opening round of the Valero Texas Open.
Knox closed out his round with a seven-foot putt to save par at the par-5 18th at TPC San Antonio, and was one shot ahead of Rasmus Hojgaard.
Hojgaard fired a 66 despite a double bogey on his final hole. Matt Kuchar is another stroke back after an opening 5-under 67 and is among a group that includes Denny McCarthy, Aaron Rei and J.J. Spaun. KUPCHO, LEE SHARE LEAD >> Jennifer Kupcho shared the lead in The Chevron Championship in her second — and last — start at Mission Hills, the tree-lined layout she has quickly fallen in love with.
Kupcho shot a 6-under 66 in sunny and calm morning conditions to join fellow early starter Minjee Lee atop the leaderboard after the first round of the final edition of the major championship at Mission Hills.
Unable to find a sponsor willing to remain at Mission Hills, the tournament that started in 1972 as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle and became a major in 1983 is shifting to Houston next year under a deal with Chevron.