ROCKIES NON-TENDER LEFTY HOWARD; ROSTER NOW AT 39
As expected, the Rockies kept their 40-man roster largely intact as Friday’s non-tenure deadline came and went. The club did not offer a contract to left-handed reliever Sam Howard, making him a free agent.
The move reduced Colorado’s 40man roster to 39.
All of Colorado’s arbitration-eligible players received 2019 contract offers. That list includes: third basemen Nolan Arenado; catcher Tony Wolters; right-handers Chad Bettis, Jon Gray and Scott Oberg; and lefthander Tyler Anderson. Lefty reliever Chris Rusin avoided arbitration on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.69 million contract.
Hamilton, Garcia, Schoop cut loose.
YORK» Speedy outfielder NEW
Billy Hamilton and 2017 All-Stars Avisail Garcia and Jonathan Schoop became free agents Friday when they were among 43 players cut loose by teams that failed to offer 2019 contracts, but the Chicago Cubs hung onto shortstop Addison Russell despite his 40-game domestic violence suspension that extends until May.
Teams had a deadline Friday to offer contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.
Indians trade All-Star Gomes to Nationals for prospects.
CLEVELAND»
The Cleveland Indians dealt All-Star catcher Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals for outfielder Daniel Jonson, right-hander Jefry Rodriguez and a player to be named. Gomes was a steady player for Cleveland since coming over from Toronto in 2012. The 31-year-old had one of his best offensive seasons in 2018, batting .266 with a career-high 26 doubles, 16 homers and 48 RBIs in 112 games.
Stenson, Rahm tied for lead in the Bahamas.
BAHAMAS» Jon NASSAU,
Rahm hardly missed a shot and found golf easy Friday on his way to a 9-under 63, giving him a share of the lead with Henrik Stenson at the Hero World Challenge.
Tiger Woods stayed eight shots behind, and an 18-month-old rules decision kept him from being a further stroke back. He hit into a palm bush on the 18th hole on his way to a double bogey. Video evidence revealed he hit the ball more than once, but Woods wasn’t given an additional penalty shot because of the rule that players aren’t penalized if it can’t be seen by the naked eye. He shot 69.
Ledecky wins again at USA Swimming Winter Nationals.
» Katie Ledecky won the 200-meter freestyle Friday night at the USA Swimming Winter National Championships, holding off Olympic teammate and training partner Simone Manuel for her third title in three days. Ledecky finished in 1 minute 55.32 seconds, more than two seconds clear of Manuel (1:57.92).
FanDuel pays out bets on Alabama to win title ahead of game.
N.J.» Roll in dough, Tide! FanDuel CITY, sportsbook is paying out bets from people who picked Alabama to win the college football national championship — over a month before the game will be played.
The company announced Friday night it is treating the top-ranked Crimson Tide as the winners already, and paid out single-game bets to customers’ online or mobile accounts. Those who made bets in person can bring their winning slips to that location to be paid. FanDuel says the move could cost it $400,000.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez rides 6,000th win.
YORK» Hall NEW of Fame jockey John Velazquez rode his 6,000th career winner in North America, guiding Singapore Trader to victory Friday at Aqueduct.
He joins Hall of Famer Edgar Prado, Mario Pino and Perry Wayne Ouzts as the only active riders to reach the milestone and the 18th overall.
Velazquez says reaching the plateau on Friday was “just another number.” — The Associated Press