Astros lefty Valdez won’t pitch in World Baseball Classic

Upon recommendation from the Astros and their front office, lefthander Framber Valdez will not pitch in next month’s World Baseball Classic, general manager Dana

Brown said on Wednesday.

“He really wanted to pitch, but we recommended that he not,” Brown said.

Valdez had committed to pitch for the Dominican Republic alongside a handful of his Astros teammates. Valdez’s workload last season, coupled with a shortened winter after Houston’s World Series win, contributed to the decision.

Including the playoffs, Valdez threw a careerhigh 226 1⁄3 innings last season, including 25 during the Astros’ World Series run. Chandler Rome

Moore signs threeyear deal:

The Seattle Mariners and utilityman Dylan Moore finalized a three-year contract worth $8,875,000.

He gets a $250,000 signing bonus as part of the deal and salaries of $2 million this year, $3.05 million in 2024 and $3,575,000 in 2025.

Cards deal for lefty: The St. Louis Cardinals acquired lefthander Anthony Misiewicz from their cross-state rival Kansas City Royals for cash considerations.

St. Louis designated James Naile for assignment on the Missouri native's 30th birthday.

Reds acquire Benson: The Cleveland Guardians traded outfielder Will Benson to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Justin Boyd.

The defending AL Central champions also will get a player to be named.

WINTER SPORTS Shiffrin takes silver at worlds

Marta Bassino beat Mikaela Shiffrin to win the women’s super-G on Wednesday and give Italy its second gold medal at the Alpine skiing world championships, with her American rival settling for silver.

Shiffrin, who won super-G gold in 2019 and bronze two years ago, led Bassino by three-tenths of a second at the second split but couldn’t match the Italian’s pace in the last part of the Roc de Fer course and finished second, 0.11 seconds behind.

Cornelia Huetter of Austria and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway both came 0.33 behind to share the bronze medal.

Fanchini dies at 37: Italian skier Elena Fanchini, whose career was cut short by a tumor, died Wednesday at 37. at her home in Solato.

NFL

Networks bench analyst Irvin

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin will not make any of his scheduled NFL Network or ESPN appearances for the remainder of Super Bowl week after a woman complained about his conduct during an encounter Sunday evening at his hotel in Arizona.

Irvin works for NFL Media but also makes guest appearances on ESPN. Neither organization commented on the exact nature of the woman’s accusation.

“Honestly, I’m a bit baffled with it all,” Irvin said. “This all happened in a 45-second conversation in the lobby. When I got back after going out … I came into the lobby, and I talked to somebody. I talked to this girl. I don’t know her, and I talked to her for about 45 seconds.”

Hamlin attends Super Bowl event: Damar Hamlin made a brief appearance in Phoenix during Super Bowl week to receive the NFLPA's Alan Page Community Award.

The Buffalo Bills safety received the award at the Phoenix Convention Center, a little over a month after he went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati. Purdy set for elbow surgery: 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will undergo surgery on his injured elbow later this month and should be fully recovered by training camp.

A person familiar with the decision said Purdy will undergo the surgery on Feb. 22.

BASKETBALL WNBA launches Hamby inquiry

The WNBA is investigating Dearica Hamby's allegations that the Las Vegas Aces bullied and manipulated her for being pregnant, the league said.

It was the first time the league acknowledged it was looking into the situation. The players' union had pushed for an inquiry into whether Hamby’s rights under the league’s 2020 labor agreement were violated, as well as state and federal laws.

Hamby made her allegations after being traded Jan. 21 to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Aces were trying to clear up salarycap room to sign two-time Most Valuable Player Candace Parker, who agreed to a deal Jan. 28.

Lue joins Team USA staff: Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue will replace Phoenix’s Monty Williams on the USA Basketball men’s national team coaching staff for this year’s World Cup and next year’s Paris Olympics.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL Florida State extends Norvell

Florida State football coach Mike Norvell, whose team ended last season with a six-game winning streak, was rewarded with a three-year contract extension that will pay him an average of $8.05 million annually through 2029.

The school released the contract Wednesday. It will pay Norvell $5.6 million in 2023, $7.6 million in 2024, $7.8 million in 2025, $8.1 million in 2026, $8.3 million in 2027, $8.6 million in 2028 and $8.8 million in 2029.