MLB vote delayed
Spike in COVID-19 cases brings uncertainty
A vote by Major League Baseball players on whether to accept the owners’ latest proposal to play the 2020 season has again been delayed, several media outlets reported Sunday, though when the vote will take place — and the exact parameters of the owners’ proposal — remain in flux.
ESPN reported Sunday morning that the players were expected to vote on the owners’ proposal later in the day. But numerous reports surfaced later in the day that the vote had yet to take place, with COVID-19 apparently the main sticking point.
USA Today’s Bob
Nightengale reported that the players halted the vote on the owners’ latest proposal — a 60-game season with fully prorated salaries — because “there may be a modified proposal submitted (today)” MLB Network’s Jon
Heyman added: “MLB players are delaying the vote a bit today as MLB is suggesting it’s willing to make a couple changes in light of recent COVID cases. Sides are in contact and situation is fluid. Players are concerned that if this year is cancelled owners end up reaping the benefits in ’21.”
And ESPN’s Jeff Passan added that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wrote a letter to MLBPA executive director
Tony Clark offering to cancel expanded playoffs and the universal designated hitter for 2021 (the owners’ latest proposal had those elements in place for 2020 and ’21).
DIMITROV TESTS POSITIVE
Grigor Dimitrov announced that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to the cancellation of an exhibition tennis event in Croatia where top-ranked Novak Djokovic was slated to play.
Dimitrov, who is ranked No. 19 in the world, played a match against Borna Coric on Saturday in the second leg of the Adria Tour exhibition series. That contest was two days removed from Dimitrov joining Djokovic and other tennis players in a pickup basketball game.
Dimitrov announced his condition over Instagram.
NBA WORRIED
The NBA is concerned about the growing number of coronavirus cases in Florida but intends to go ahead with its plan to restart the season in a “bubble” in the state, ESPN reported Sunday.
Florida has experienced record number of daily diagnoses of COVID-19 the past three days, with Saturday’s number of new cases at 4,049 — a single-day record. The NBA plans to host players at The Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., where 22 teams with playoff chances will finish the regular season. The postseason will follow at the same site.
ESPN said commissioner
Adam Silver recently held a conference call with NBA team executives and addressed the Florida outbreak. The report said Silver was “resolute but sombre” and was confident that keeping players together in the bubble would help prevent coronavirus outbreaks.
PRESCOTT TO SIGN TAG
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott is expected to sign his $31.4-million exclusive franchise tender by today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday.
Prescott, 26, and the Cowboys have until July 15 to iron out a long-term extension, or he will be locked into the one-year deal and again reach free agency in March 2021.
Prescott reportedly turned down a five-year, $175-million contract this off-season.
GOEDERT SUCKER-PUNCHED
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert was reportedly hospitalized after being sucker punched during an incident in Aberdeen, S.D. either late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
NJ Advance Media and ESPN reported Saturday evening that Goedert was taken to the hospital and later returned home and is doing fine.
The New Jersey publication reported that the incident happened when Goedert was out for dinner with his family on Friday night.