LA’s Bauer banned 2 seasons
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was suspended Friday for two full seasons without pay by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, which he denies.
Bauer’s lengthy suspension comes after a San Diego woman, whom the pitcher had met through social media, alleged that Bauer beat and sexually abused her last year. She later sought — but was denied — a restraining order. Los Angeles prosecutors said in February there was insufficient evidence to prove the woman’s accusations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bauer repeatedly has said that everything that happened between the two was consensual.
“In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy,” he said Friday in a statement. “I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives and I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.”
If the suspension is upheld, Bauer will lose about $60 million in salary.
Golf
STRICKER SHARES THE LEAD AT INSPERITY » Steve Stricker played his first round in 201 days and it seemed as though he was healthy as ever, opening with a 5-under 67 to share the lead in the Insperity Invitational on the PGA Tour Champions.
Stricker dropped only one shot on a windy day at The Woodlands and was
tied with Steven Alker and Ernie Els, who drove into a hazard and took bogey on the final hole.
Stricker, captain of the winning U.S. Ryder Cup team at Whistling Straits last year, went through a health scare six months ago that left him hospitalized for nearly two weeks and caused him to lose 25 pounds.
NFL RAIDERS DECLINE OPTIONS ON THREE 2019 1ST-ROUND PICKS »
The Las Vegas Raiders are declining the fifth-year options on all three of their 2019 firstround picks as the new regime doesn’t want to commit to players inherited on the roster.
General manager Dave Ziegler announced that the team will let defensive end Clelin Ferrell, running back Josh Jacobs and safety Johnathan Abram play out the final year of their rookie contracts instead of extending them through 2023.
The options were worth $11.5 million for Ferrell, and about $8 million each for Jacobs and Abram.
“We look forward to working with all three players and we will evaluate each situation individually moving forward,” Ziegler said in a statement.
Tennis BECKER GETS 2 1⁄2 YEARS IN PRISON FOR BANKRUPTCY OFFENSES »
Tennis great Boris Becker was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison for illicitly transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets after he was declared bankrupt.
The three-time Wimbledon champion was convicted earlier this month on four charges under the Insolvency Act and had faced a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
Judge Deborah Taylor announced the sentence after hearing arguments from both the prosecutor and Becker’s attorney. She told the former top-ranked player that he’s shown no remorse.
“While I accept your humiliation as part of the proceedings, there has been no humility,” Taylor said.
Becker will have to serve at least 15 months before being eligible for release.
OSAKA WINS TO REACH 2ND ROUND AT MADRID OPEN »
Being more positive is paying off for former No. 1 Naomi Osaka early in her clay-court season.
Osaka kicked off her clay campaign with a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over qualifier Anastasia Potapova in the first round on the Madrid Open center court on Friday.
“I’m honestly trying to be more positive with myself,” the 36th-ranked Osaka said. “This year I came a week early to train on red clay, so just trying to give myself more chances to do better . ... To be able to do it in two sets, for me, it’s a really good starting block.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the French Open last year and took a break from competition after saying she “suffered long bouts of depression” and experienced “huge waves of anxiety” before speaking to the media. She was brought to tears this year at Indian Wells by a comment from a spectator.
Soccer RATCLIFFE RIVALS U.S. OFFERS WITH LATE $5B BID FOR CHELSEA »
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe launched a late bid to buy Chelsea for 4.25 billion pounds ($5.3 billion) as rival offers featuring American investors were already being assessed as the sale process nears a conclusion.
The offer from Ratcliffe would be the highest price ever paid for a sports team.
Chelsea was put up for sale in March after Russia owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government over his ties to President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.