INDIANS PLESAC SENT HOME AFTER GOING OUT WITH FRIENDS
Zach Plesac understood the importance of players behaving in order for baseball to have its season amid a global pandemic.
He broke the rules anyway.
The Indians sent Plesac back to Cleveland on Sunday in a rental car after the young right-hander violated team rules and Major League Baseball’s coronavirus protocols, a club official told the Associated Press.
The official said the 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the team got Plesac a car so he wouldn’t be on a plane with teammates and staff in the event he contracted the virus.
College football players push to play. The Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, and players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play.
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said no decisions on the season have been made, but conceded the outlook has not improved. “Are we in a better place today than two weeks, ago?” he said. “No, we’re not.”
Bowlsby cited “growing evidence and the growing pool of data around myocarditis.” Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart and it has been found in some COVID-19 patients. There is concern it could be a longterm complication of contracting the virus even in young, healthy people, a group that has usually avoided severe cardiovascular symptoms.
Green gets $50,000 fine for comments.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.» Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green’s suggestion for Devin Booker’s future did not amuse the NBA.
The league fined Green $50,000 on Sunday for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule with his comments about Booker, the Suns’ star guard.
“Get my man out of Phoenix,” Green said Saturday during an appearance as an analyst for TNT. “It’s not good for him. It’s not good for his career.” Asked on-air if he was tampering, Green replied, “maybe.”
NFL, referees have deal.
WASHINGTON» The NFL Referees Association has reached an agreement with the NFL for health protections along with a program allowing game and replay officials to opt out of the season until Thursday.
Under the agreement, any game or replay official can voluntarily take a leave of absence for the upcoming season and be paid $30,000 with their job guaranteed for 2021.
Baseball cutout a baby announcement.
CINCINNATI, OHIO» This surprise baby reveal was a home run.
When Aaron Nemo was asked to help his brother and sister-in-law announce they were expecting their first child, he wanted to hit it out of the park. So he decided to cut out their sonogram picture and submit it as a fan cutout at the Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ballpark, WXIX-TV reports.
Verstappen beats Hamilton.
SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND» Max Verstappen sprung what could be the surprise of the Formula One season by beating Lewis Hamilton to win the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix on Sunday.
Kang wins on Ko’s collapse.
SYLVANIA, OHIO» Five shots behind with six holes to play, Danielle Kang won her second straight LPGA Tour event on Sunday when Lydia Ko took double bogey on the final hole in the Marathon Classic.
2 on Atlético Madrid test positive. MADRID» Two members of Atlético Madrid’s group set to travel to Portugal for the Champions League quarterfinals have tested positive for the coronavirus. The Spanish club did not name those who tested positive and did not say if a player was involved.