THE HOT CORNER

1 PRO BASEBALL: The Phillies are leaving open the possibility for Bryce Harper to return to their lineup much sooner than the All-star break, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a quicker-thanexpected return for the slugger from reconstructive right elbow surgery. While Harper will begin the season on the injured list, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday the two-time National League MVP will not, for now, be placed on the 60-day IL that would mean he couldn’t be activated before the end of May.

2 PRO FOOTBALL: The Bills restocked their offensive backfield by signing free agent Damien Harris to a one-year contract. Harris spent his first four NFL seasons with the division-rival Patriots, and his signing came a day after Buffalo lost starter Devin Singletary, who agreed to a deal with Houston.

3 PRO BASEBALL: Apple TV+ will begin its second season of “Friday Night Baseball” on April 7. The Cubs will host the Rangers in a day game, followed by the Padres facing the Braves. Apple will carry twin bills over 25 weeks with no local blackout restrictions. In a change from last year, when there were doubleheaders on the East and West coasts, both games will be going on simultaneously.

4 PRO TENNIS: Defending champion Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Miami Open on Wednesday because of a rib injury that she is hoping will heal during a break from competition. The No. 1-ranked Swiatek, a 21-yearold from Poland, also will sit out her country’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier matches against Kazakhstan on April 13-14.

5 COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Wichita State hired Paul Mills away from Oral Roberts on Wednesday to turn around its languishing men’s program, landing what has been one of the hottest names among mid-major coaches.