The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Andrew Wiggins can play all Warriors games after vaccination
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has received his COVID-19 vaccine and will be eligible to play in all games, the Warriors said. Wiggins, who previously said he did not plan to receive the vaccination, faced the possibility of not being allowed into Golden State’s home building at Chase Center for games starting Oct. 13 when the San Francisco Department of Public Health begins requiring proof of vaccination for large indoor events.
Last Monday, Wiggins had said he would stick to his beliefs regarding the vaccine but noted: “Back is definitely against the wall, but I’m just going to keep fighting for what I believe . ... What’s right to one person isn’t right to the other and vice versa.” The NBA said it “reviewed and denied” Wiggins’ request for a religious exemption and that he would not be able to play in Warriors home games until he fulfilled the vaccine mandate. Wiggins stood to lose more than $350,000 per game, and if he didn’t play in any home games would have surrendered half of his $31.6 million salary.
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The Braves can now focus on the playoffs. The Mets and manager Luis Rojas face an uncertain future.
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Austin Riley drove in two runs with two hits and the Braves looked postseason ready in a 5-0 win over Noah Syndergaard and the Mets in Sunday’s final regular-season game for both teams.
The Mets (77-85) were held to three hits. They suffered one final letdown in their disappointing year as they failed to win the season series against the Braves.
After leading the NL East for most of the first half of the season and as late as Aug. 5, the Mets finished 11½ games behind Atlanta, third in the division. Rojas said he felt responsible “for a lot of what happened this year.” He said he didn’t know when he would discuss his future with team president Sandy Alderson, who already has said he intends
to hire a president of baseball operations.
Syndergaard (0-1) allowed two runs, including a leadoff homer to Jorge Soler, in his one scheduled inning. It was his second start after returning from Tommy John surgery. He said he proved he is healthy.
The Braves already had clinched their fourth consecutive NL East title before winning two of three on the weekend to take the season series 10-9. Manager Brian Snitker used his normal lineup.
Braves right-hander Charlie Morton allowed one hit in 2⅔ scoreless innings. Morton is scheduled to start in Friday’s opener of the NL Division Series at Milwaukee.
Morton said the short start was designed to keep him in his routine. “Just so there wasn’t that much of a layoff,” he said.
Soler lined the homer to left on Syndergaard’s second pitch. With one out,
Ozzie Albies doubled and scored on Riley’s single. Riley was thrown out attempting to advance to second on a review after being called safe at second on the field.
Trevor Williams allowed three runs in five innings for the Mets. Riley hit an RBI double off Williams in Atlanta’s three-run third.
Spencer Strider (1-0) threw 1⅓ scoreless innings in his second appearance after rising through four levels of the Braves’ minor leagues this season.
Trainer’s room
Braves LHP Tucker Davidson (left forearm inflammation) was expected to throw three innings for Triple-a Gwinnett on Sunday. Davidson had a 3.60 ERA in four starts with Atlanta before landing on the injured list on June 16. “Hopefully we continue on and have a need to keep getting him stretched out just in case,” Snitker said.
Braves rule RBI leaderboard
Riley finished second in the NL with 107 RBIS, behind teammate Adam Duvall (113). Including Ozzie Albies’ 106, the Braves have three of the top four RBI leaders in the league. “That is just unbelievable,” Snitker said.
40-double milestone for Albies
With his 40th double of the season, Albies became the 10th player in major league history with at least 40 doubles, 20 homers and five triples. He has 30 homers and seven triples. Albies is the third Braves hitter with at least 40 doubles, 20 homers and 100 RBIS, joining Hank Aaron (1959) and Chipper Jones (1999).
Pitching plans
Left-hander Max Fried, Atlanta’s scheduled Game 2 starter for Saturday, might throw a simulated game today. Otherwise, Snitker said he wasn’t concerned about his pitchers’ extra rest.
“I don’t worry about that,” Snitker said. “They don’t forget how to pitch.”
The Braves will work out Wednesday in Atlanta and Thursday in Milwaukee.
By Janie Mccauley
SAN FRANCISCO — Manager Joe Maddon has long been a believer in the importance of rest and recharging. Each year, he provides his players with an extended mental and physical break by putting them through “American Legion Week” — that is, show up, lace up the cleats and take the field.
Players can appreciate some lighter, stress-free afternoons compared to the typical daily grind of early hitting in the cage, fielding drills and rounds of batting practice.
And as the playoffs near, the teams that are fresh and injury-free might be the ones with enough stamina to reach the World Series.
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