Olynyk says he wants to retire with Raptors
Canadian centre Kelly Olynyk says signing a two-year extension with the Toronto Raptors was a priority.
Olynyk, who was born in Toronto and moved to Kamloops, B.C., when he was an adolescent, was dealt to the Raptors ahead of the NBA'S trade deadline a month ago.
He could have tested free agency this summer but instead chose to get a deal done quickly. The 32-year-old says he wants to retire with the Raptors.
Olynyk is also the captain of Canada's men's team that will compete at this summer's Paris Olympics.
He says he wanted to have the deal with the Raptors squared away so he could focus on the Olympics when the NBA season is over.
The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Olynyk is averaging 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 20.4 minutes in 59 games (eight starts) this season with the Utah Jazz and Toronto.
Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will open the season on the injured list after dealing with right shoulder inflammation during the off-season.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday the 41-yearold Verlander hasn't suffered any setbacks, but needs more time to become game ready.
The Boston Red Sox are likely to be without right-handed starter Lucas Giolito for opening day and potentially longer after he experienced discomfort in his elbow following his last outing.
Giolito signed a Us$38.5million, two-year deal with the Red Sox this off-season.
He made two starts in spring training. After getting roughed up for four runs and three walks in 21/3 innings against Minnesota last Friday, Giolito reported the discomfort.
National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to be ready for opening day with the Atlanta Braves after a more thorough examination of his sore right knee found no serious issues. Acuna left the Braves' spring training site in Florida to be examined by Dr. Neal Elattrache in Los Angeles.
The team announced Tuesday that Elattrache found only irritation in the meniscus of his right knee.
Acuna was a unanimous choice for NL MVP after hitting .337 with 41 homers, 106 RBIS and 73 stolen bases, leading Atlanta to its sixth straight NL East title last season.
Another chance for Toronto to get a WNBA team may have arrived. According to multiple reports, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum is in pursuit of a WNBA team for 2025 through his holding company Kilmer Group.
Scotiabank Arena played host to a sold-out WNBA pre-season game in May 2023, and at the time WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert said Toronto was on a shortlist of expansion cities.
However, according to reports, a potential MLSE bid for a team in Toronto was opposed by Edward Rogers, chairman of Rogers Communications.
Rogers is a part owner of MLSE.