Padres, Fernando tatis Jr. sign 14-year “statue contract”

SAN DIEGO» In discussing options for a long-term deal with electrifying young shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., the San Diego Padres brought up the concept of “a statue contract.”

As in, if the kid is as good as Hall of Famers Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman were, maybe in 15 or 20 years there will be a statue of “El Niño” alongside those Padres greats in a grassy area just beyond Petco Park.

The options were year-to-year, a multi-year deal that bought out a year or two of Tatis’ free agency or a contract in which Tatis was with the Padres for likely the rest of his career.

“In typical Tati fashion, his only real comment was, ‘Why not my whole career?’” general manager A.J. Preller said Monday in announcing the two sides had finalized Tatis’ $340 million, 14-year contract.

Plans to host fans materializing. While the Minnesota Twins are working out in Florida, the club back in Minneapolis is laying plans to bring twins back to Target Field this season — and the Twins are not alone.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the team is hoping to persuade state officials that they can safely host about 10,000 fans, or about 25% of the park’s capacity, for each game.

Ohio’s major league sports teams beginning their seasons this spring could be allowed up to 30% of fan capacity under approved pandemic plans, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said.

Panarin denies Russian report, takes time away from Rangers. New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin took a leave of absence from the team after a Russian tabloid printed allegations from a former coach that he attacked a woman in Latvia almost a decade ago, which he denies.

Andrei Nazarov, a former NHL enforcer who coached Panarin in the Kontinental Hockey League, said Panarin attacked an 18-year-old Latvian woman in a hotel bar in the Latvian capital of Riga following a game in December 2011.

Sabres D McCabe to miss rest of season with knee injury.

UNIONDA LE , N .Y. » Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe will miss the rest of the season after he injured his right knee Saturday. The 27-year-old McCabe was diagnosed Monday with ligament and meniscus damage.

Closer Rosenthal finalizes 1-year deal with A’s.

OA KL A ND, CA LIF.» Right-hander Trevor Rosenthal finalized an $11 million, one-year contract with Oakland on Monday, providing manager Bob Melvin with a new reliable ninth-inning option. The 30-yearold Rosenthal went 1-0 with a 1.90 ERA with 11 saves over 23M innings for Kansas City and San Diego last season.

Pujols’ wife suggests slugger to retire after season.

ANAHEIM , CALIF.» Albert Pujols’ wife apparently disclosed that the Los Angeles Angels slugger intends to retire after this season, although she later amended her social media post to be less definitive.

Steelers coach Tomlin has COVID. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday he’s experienced “minimal symptoms” and remains in “good health” after testing positive for COVID-19.

Four-time Pro Bowl guard Iupati retires. Four-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Mike Iupati says he’s retiring after 11 seasons in the NFL with three NFC West teams — San Francisco, Arizona and Seattle.

Kansas City QB Mahomes, fiancee welcome baby.

K A NSA S CITY, MO.» Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his fiancee, Brittany Matthews, are parents to a girl. Matthews announced the Sunday birth of Sterling Skye Mahomes in a tweet.

Ganassi suspended, fined for bringing guest to pits.

DAYTON A BE ACH, FLA.» Chip Ganassi was fined $30,000 and suspended one race for bringing a guest into the NASCAR pit area at Daytona International Speedway.