Oblique could delay Yanks’ Bader
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that outfielder Harrison Bader has an oblique issue, putting Bader’s availability for opening day in doubt.
The Yankees already had said pitchers Carlos Rodón, Frankie Montas, Tommy Kahnle and Lou Trivino wouldn’t be ready for the March 30 opener against San Francisco.
Verlander faces his former team
Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who left Houston to sign an $86.7 million, two-year deal with the Mets, struck out five and allowed one run and three hits over 31⁄3 innings against his former team.
Mets outfielder Starling Marte played his first exhibition game and went 2-for-2 with a homer and a double in a 7-2 win. He underwent offseason core muscle surgery.
Miami gives Gurriel, Iglesias deals
JUPITER, Fla. — Infielders Yuli Gurriel and José Iglesias agreed to minor league deals with the Marlins.
Ohtani leads Japan over S. Korea
TOKYO — Shohei Ohtani doubled and singled for his second straight two-hit game, and Japan overcame a three-run deficit to beat South Korea 13-4 for its second straight win at the World Baseball Classic.
Elsewhere, Martin Muzik hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth and the all-amateur Czech Republic beat China 8-5. Cuba pounded out 21 hits and picked up its first win, 13-4 over Panama, after losing its first two games. Kuo-chen Fan broke a 7-7 tie with a run-scoring infield single in the seventh off Joey Marciano and Kungkuan Giljegiljaw hit a three-run homer in the eighth as host Taiwan overcame a three-run hole and improved to 1-1 with an 11-7 win over Italy.
Panthers acquire No. 1 overall pick
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers traded up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the draft from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Carolina’s No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a secondround pick in 2025 and star wide receiver D.J. Moore, two sources said.
Longtime K.C. WR Otis Taylor dies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Otis Taylor, the longtime Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver who along with quarterback Len Dawson formed one of the NFL’S dynamic duos, died after more than a decade of health problems. He was 80.
Patriots’ safety Mccourty retires
BOSTON — Patriots safety Devin Mccourty announced he is retiring after 13 seasons, three Super Bowl championships and two Pro Bowl nods.
Prescott, Martin free up cap space
The Cowboys freed up roughly $30 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and right guard Zack Martin.
Tagovailoa’s option picked up
MIAMI — The Dolphins are picking up the fifth-year option on QB Tua Tagovailoa’s contract, a source said.
49ers QB Purdy has surgery
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had surgery on his injured throwing elbow that should allow him to return to play possibly as early as the start of next season.
Mckeown sets record
SYDNEY — Threetime Olympic champion Kaylee Mckeown broke the world record in the 200-meter backstroke, finishing in 2 minutes, 03.14 seconds, taking 0.21 seconds off American swimmer Regan Smith’s mark from 2019.
Mavs’ Doncic ruled out Saturday
Luka Doncic’s thigh strain will force him to miss at least one Mavs game.
Flyers fire GM Fletcher, add Briere
PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers fired general manager Chuck Fletcher and promoted franchise great Danny Briere to the interim job.
Usyk OKS Fury’s terms for fight
Oleksandr Usyk accepted Tyson Fury’s terms for a fight to become undisputed world heavyweight champion in which Fury earns a 70-30 split.