THE HOT CORNER

1 PRO TENNIS:

The Australian Open says prize money for the first Grand Slam tournament of next year will increase by 13.6% to 71 million Australian dollars ($49.1 million). Tournament organizers said in a statement that the women’s and men’s singles winners will each receive A$4.12 million, or US$2.85 million based on current exchange rates. Prize money has increased 61.4% at the Australian Open over the last five years. The Australian Open begins Jan. 20 at Melbourne Park.

2 PRO BASEBALL:

Catcher Francisco Cervelli agreed to terms on a $2 million, one-year contract with the Marlins, where he’ll reunite with his former New York Yankees teammate, Marlins CEO Derek Jeter. Cervelli, who played in 48 games this year for the Pirates and Braves, is expected to back up Jorge Alfaro.

3 PRO BASEBALL:

The Astros signed catcher Martin Maldonado to a two-year, $7 million contract. The 33-year-old spent the second half of the last two seasons with the Astros after being traded in July in both 2018 and 2019. Maldonado hit .219 with 10 homers in 2019 with the Astros.

4 PRO BASEBALL:

The Padres added a reliever who excelled in Japan, signing RHP Pierce Johnson to a two-year contract. He spent last season as a setup man for the Hanshin Tigers, with a 1.38 ERA and 40 holds in 58 appearances.

5 PRO SOCCER:

When FIFA asked every competition to enforce a three-step procedure in response to racism at matches, the English Premier League did not follow the advice. That disregard of the protocols has created confusion as English soccer reels from another marquee game being tarnished by racism. Tottenham has asked the Premier League to clarify the procedures it follows after Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger reporting being subjected to monkey noises from the home fans in Sunday’s London derby.