Yankees obtain pitcher Taillon from Pirates
The New York Yankees made another high-risk offseason addition to their starting rotation, acquiring righthander Jameson Taillon from the Pittsburgh Pirates for four prospects.
Pittsburgh received right-handers Roansy Contreras and Miguel Yajure, infielder Maikol Escotto and outfielder Canaan Smith. Taillon, 29, has not pitched since May 2019, missing last season after Tommy John surgery.
New York also has a pending oneyear, $11-million deal with right-hander Corey Kluber, who has pitched one inning since May 2019 because of injuries.
All-Star closer Brad Hand agreed to a one-year, $10.5-million deal with the Washington Nationals, according to multiple reports. The contract was pending a physical exam. Hand, a 30year-old left-hander, led the majors with 16 saves for the Cleveland Indians during the shortened 2020 season.
George Armstrong, who captained Toronto to four Stanley Cups in the 1960s, died at age 90. His death was announced by the Maple Leafs, who said he died of heart complications. Known as the “Chief,” Armstrong, a right wing, was one of the first players of Indigenous descent to play pro hockey.
Four soccer players from Brazilian fourth-division club Palmas died in a plane crash while traveling separately from the team after testing positive for the coronavirus, the club said. The club’s president also died in the crash after the plane plunged to the ground at the end of the runway while on takeoff in the northern state of Tocantins, the team reported. The pilot also died.
The victims were identified as President Lucas Meira and players Lucas Praxedes, Guilherme Noe, Ranule and Marcus Molinari, the club said. The pilot was not identified. There were no survivors. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.
Bruno Fernandes bent in a free kick in the 78th minute to send Manchester United into the fifth round of the English FA Cup with a 3-2 home win over Liverpool. United was joined by Chelsea, Everton, Leicester and Burnley in advancing to the round of 16 . ... Midfielder Andres Perea was among 16 young players added to the United States’ roster for its exhibition against Trinidad and Tobago next Sunday in Orlando, Fla., after he was approved for a switch of affiliation from Colombia.
Action Express Racing put its Cadillac featuring NASCAR champion Chase Elliott on the pole for the Rolex 24 at Daytona (Fla.) by winning a qualifying race for the endurance event. The No. 31 Cadillac DPi will be driven next weekend by Felipe Nasr, Pipo Derani, Mike Conway and Elliott.
Olympic champion Ryan Crouser broke the world indoor shot put record at an American Track League meet in Fayetteville, Ark. He tossed the shot put 74 feet 101⁄2 inches to break the mark of 74-41⁄4 set by Randy Barnes in 1989.