Tampa Bay puts Franco on leave
Tampa Bay All-Star shortstop Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave through June 1 under an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association while the investigation continues into an alleged relationship with a minor.
Administrative leave is not disciplinary under the sport’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, and a player continues to be paid. Franco, who has a $2-million salary this year, has remained in his native Dominican Republic while authorities there investigate and he did not report to spring training.
The Rays opened the season Thursday against Toronto, forcing MLB and the union to make a decision on Franco’s roster status.
“I don’t have any comment. …. I’m really focused on the guys that are here,” manager Kevin Cash said before Thursday’s game at Tropicana Field.
The San Francisco Giants released infielder Pablo Sandoval from his minor league contract, hours before the season opener against the San Diego Padres . ... New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation . ... Pitcher Stephen Strasburg was put on the 60-day injured list by the Washington Nationals . ... The Brewers designated catcher Eric Haase for assignment as they made their final roster moves before Friday’s opener at the New York Mets . ... Reliever Naoyuki Uwasawa was traded to the Boston Red Sox from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.
Veteran kicker Greg Joseph signed with the Green Bay Packers after spending the last three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings . ... Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit agreed to a contract with the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, a person with knowledge of the contract told the AP. Rees-Zammit, 23, projects as a returner/running back/wide receiver.
Eastern Michigan hired Sahar Nusseibeh to take over as the Mid-American Conference school’s women’s basketball coach . ... Caitlin Clark was invited to participate in the USA Basketball national team training camp during the Final Four in Cleveland, contingent on Iowa’s season being over.
Santa Anita has canceled racing on Saturday and Sunday because of the expected rain. The track will add a race card on Thursday, which will include the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes and Grade 3 American Stakes, both originally scheduled for this weekend. The biggest race of the season, the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby is scheduled for next Saturday.
— John Cherwa
Ivan Fedotov has had his contract in Russia’s KHL terminated by CSKA Moscow, a move that could potentially pave the way for him to join the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. CSKA announced the termination with one year left on it, saying it keeps his KHL rights and “the club thanks Ivan Fedotov and wishes him good luck in further career.”
Fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina defeated No. 27 Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in the semifinals of the Miami Open. Rybakina, ranked fourth on the WTA Tour, will face No. 14 Ekaterina Alexandrova or unseeded Danielle Collins in Saturday's final.
Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert underwent surgery after suffering multiple fractures in a crash that has put his Giro d’Italia entry in doubt, his team said.