MLB sets vaccine standard for relaxing COVID-19 protocols

Card games, car pools and eating at restaurants may be back in the major leagues later this season. Trips to church and sponsor events may return, too.

Mask use would be dropped from dugouts and bullpens, and electronic tracing devices would be eliminated when 85% of major league players and primary field staff are vaccinated against the coronavirus. Communal clubhouse video would return before and after games. Pool tables would be restored, along with team saunas.

A three-page memorandum from Major League Baseball and the players’ association sent to players and staff and obtained by The Associated Press also stated “all players and staff are strongly encouraged to receive one of the approved coronavirus vaccines when eligible.”

GIANTS VACCINE » Giants manager Gabe Kapler, some of his players and staff received the coronavirus vaccine that’s more readily available in Arizona before the club departed the desert. Kapler said he experienced no side effects from his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Opening day is April 1 at Seattle, and Kapler says any of his players who need some downtime before then will have it.

Anthony Rizzo is cutting off talks with the Cubs on a new contract and is prepared to play the season as free agency looms after

NO MORE TALKS »

the World Series. He has a $16.5 million salary this season and set a deadline of opening day for a new agreement.

RANGERS CUTTING ODOR »

Rougned Odor, the Rangers’ starting second baseman the past seven seasons, has been told he won’t be on the opening day roster after switching to third base this spring training. President of baseball operations Jon Daniels said the Rangers don’t have an everyday role for Odor.

NBA

DRAFT DATE SET » The NBA has scheduled this year’s draft for July 29, though it has yet to announce the location for the event. Other key dates going into the draft were also revealed: The draft combine is scheduled for June 21 through June 27, the draft lottery will be held June 22 and July 19 is the deadline for early-entry candidates to withdraw from the draft.

SPURS SIGN BIG MAN »

The Spurs have signed center Gorgui Dieng, adding a nine-year veteran to the front line following the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge.

NFL BILLS STADIUM NAME »

The Buffalo Bills’ home has a new name: Highmark Stadium. The newly rebranded health insurer, Highmark BlueCross, BlueShield of Western New York, has purchased the naming rights for what was simply known as Bills Stadium last season, the team announced.