THE HOT CORNER

1 BASEBALL: George Springer, the World Series MVP of the tainted 2017 Houston Astros, and the team settled on a $21 million, one-year contract Thursday. Springer had asked for $22.5 million in salary arbitration last week and the Astros offered $17.5 million, making the settlement $1 million over the midpoint. He made $12.15 million last year. The 30-year-old outfielder set career highs last season, hitting 39 home runs with 96 RBIs while batting .292.

2 COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida could be without point guard Andrew Nembhard against No. 4 Auburn today. Coach Mike White said Nembhard has the flu and missed practice Thursday and Friday. The sophomore and Canadian national team player has started all 52 games in two seasons. He averages 11.1 points, 5.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds.

3 TENNIS: World No. 1 Ash Barty came from a set down to beat American Danielle Collins 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5) in the Adelaide International semifinals. Barty will meet world No. 24 Dayana Yastremska in today’s final after the 19-year-old Ukrainian beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 7-6 (4). In the men’s draw, South African Lloyd Harris reached his first ATP final by defeating fellow qualifier Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3.

4 SOCCER: Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, a 19-year-old son of U.S. national team coach Gregg Berhalter, signed with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew as a homegrown player. Gregg Berhalter coached the Crew from 2013-18 before he was hired by the U.S. Soccer Federation.

5 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Minnesota leading scorer Destiny Pitts said she is transferring after being suspended for unspecified “conduct unbecoming a member of the team.” Pitts was a first team All-Big Ten selection last season.