SPORTS SHORTS
MLB: League incentivizes vaccines
MLB and the MLB Players Association are hoping inducements lead to inoculations.
In a joint memo distributed to teams on Monday, the league and union stated that fully vaccinated personnel and teams that reach 85 percent vaccination of its Tier 1 members (players and those who come into close contact with players such as coaches, managers, trainers, etc.) would have protocol restrictions loosened.
The league and the union are not mandating that all Tier 1 personnel get vaccinated, but the memo states that, “All players and staff are strongly encouraged to receive one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines where eligible.” — Joel Sherman
Anthony Rizzo is cutting off talks with the Cubs on a new contract and is prepared to play the season as free agency looms after the World Series.
NBA: Agent sues over Knicks’ big
A sports agent alleges a rival “lured” away one-time client Mitchell Robinson with a $35,000 pickup truck — right before he was drafted by the Knicks, according to a new lawsuit.
David Lee, who signed Robinson on Sept. 19, 2017, filed a suit against agent Raymond Brothers in Manhattan Supreme Court, accusing him of offering Robinson a brand-new Chevy Silverado pickup truck worth $34,464 to get him to leave Lee on March 28, 2018. — Priscilla DeGregory
With the modified NBA season scheduled to run deep into July, the league announced that the 2021 draft will be held July 29. The league also announced that the draft lottery will be held June 22, with the NBA combine set for June 21-27.
In Boston’s first game in front of home fans since before the pandemic, Zion Williamson scored 28 points and the Pelicans held on after blowing most of a 17-point, fourth-quarter lead to beat the Celtics, 115-109. NHL: Quick strike lifts Oilers in OT
In Toronto, Darnell Nurse scored 17 seconds into overtime and the Oilers beat the Maple Leafs, 3-2.
In Buffalo, Ivan Provorov scored 42 seconds into overtime, and the Flyers overcame a three-goal deficit to pull out a 4-3 win and hand the Sabres their 18th consecutive loss.
NASCAR: Logano wins on dirt track
Joey Logano took the lead with 57 laps to go, survived a restart in overtime and went on to win Monday’s weather-postponed NASCAR Cup Series Food City Dirt Race at dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished second, .55 seconds behind Logano.
ETC.: Johnson pulls out of Texas
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson withdrew from this week’s Valero Texas Open in order to prepare for next week’s Masters. Ryan Brehm will replace Johnson in the field.
Oklahoma State announced a seven-year contract extension with basketball coach Mike Boynton, a deal that will increase his compensation to $3 million annually.
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City’s record scorer, will leave the English club after 10 years when his contract expires at the end of the season.