Sox acquire reliever German
The White Sox made a minor trade Friday, acquiring right-handed reliever Franklin German from the Red Sox for righty Theo Denlinger. Right-hander Jason Bilous was designated for assignment to make room for German on the 40-man roster.
German, 25, was named Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2022 after posting a 2.72 ERA and seven saves for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, his first season as a reliever. He struck out 11.6 batters per nine innings and owned a 0.91 WHIP over 43 appearances.
German had a rough debut with the Red Sox in September, allowing eight earned runs and seven hits, including two home runs in five appearances.
German, who possesses 97-98 mph velocity, likely will start the season at Triple-A Charlotte. He has a 3.93 ERA with 264 strikeouts over 245⅓ innings in 97 games in five minor-league seasons.
Denlinger, 26, owned a 4.47 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 48⅓ innings with HighA Winston Salem and Double-A Birmingham last season.
Bilous, 25, split the 2022 season between Birmingham and Charlotte, posting a 7.15 ERA in 31 games (21 starts).
Daryl Van Schouwen
† Braves starting pitcher Max Fried
went to salary arbitration with the team for the second straight year, asking for $15 million instead of the team’s $13.5 million offer.
NBA Irving wants out of brooklyn
All-Star guard Kyrie Irving reportedly has asked the Nets for a trade, preferably before next week’s deadline. Irving made the request after talks about a new contract did not go to his liking.
Irving, who’s in the final year of a deal that pays him $36.9 million, reportedly has been seeking around a four-year, $198.5 million maximum extension available to him until June 30.
If traded, he’s eligible to sign a two-year $78.6 million extension with his new team until June 30.
The Lakers and Suns already are expressing interest in discussing a trade for Irving, and the Mavericks are expected to do so soon, according to multiple reports.
† Five players were ejected after a brawl between the Magic and Timberwolves,
which started in front of the Orlando bench late in the third quarter. Austin Rivers, Jaden McDaniels and Taurean Prince were ejected from the Timberwolves. Mo Bamba and Jalen Suggs were tossed for the Magic.
† Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks was suspended one game without pay by the NBA and Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell fined $20,000 for their roles in an on-court incident on Thursday night.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Rees LEAVING notre dame for alabama
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees reportedly will become Alabama’s offensive coordinator. The opportunity to work for coach Nick Saban proved to be a deciding factor for Rees.
The former Irish quarterback spent the last three years as the offensive coordinator after joining the program as
quarterbacks coach for the 2017 season.
Notre Dame’s offense has been solid statistically under Rees, ranking 45th (last season), 43rd (2021) and 39th (2020) nationally in yards per play.
HOCKEY
CAPS GIVE STROME 5-YEAR EXTENSION
The Capitals signed forward Dylan Strome to a five-year, $25 million contract extension. Strome is getting a raise from the $3.5 million deal he signed with the Capitals after the Blackhawks opted not to tender him a qualifying offer and made him a free agent.
† The Wolves opened a two-game weekend trip to Cleveland with a 2-1 loss to the Monsters. The Wolves’ Tuukka Tieksola scored midway through the third period to tie it at 1-1, but Roman Ahcan’s goal with 16.5 seconds left sealed the win for the Monsters. ✶