Arenado sticking with Cardinals

All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado will not exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with the Cardinals, keeping him in St. Louis through the end of the 2027 season. Arenado had until five days after the World Series to decide whether to opt out of the remaining five years and $144 million on his contract. He originally signed an eight-year, $260 million pact with the Rockies in 2019 before getting sent to the NL Central champions, where he is set to make a base salary of $35 million next season. Cardinals president John Mozeliak said earlier in the week that he flew to Southern California to meet with Arenado and that he was “optimistic” that things would work out. The 31-year-old Arenado, a seventime All-Star, also had been hearing from longtime ace Adam Wainwright, who announced earlier this week that he would return for one last season in St. Louis. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who might be Arenado’s biggest competition in the NL MVP race, also has been peppering him with text messages. “Goldy and I have been on him” Wainwright said.

Wallace says penalty was warranted

Bubba Wallace returned to NASCAR competition Saturday and said last week’s one-race suspension was difficult, but he recognizes that the penalty was warranted. Going forward, though, Wallace wants NASCAR to be consistent in officiating. Wallace was suspended one week under NASCAR’s behavioral policy for intentionally wrecking Kyle Larson, walking on a live track and then attempting to fight the reigning Cup champion. He missed last week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway — which was won by Larson — and will return in Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. “‘Hey, I’m good with being the example if we can keep this consistent moving forward because it’s happened multiple times this year and it’s something that may continue to happen you know, for other drivers down the road.’” Wallace said he told top NASCAR officials. Wallace termed his discussion with NASCAR “a good conversation” and said he regrets putting himself, 23XI Racing and his sponsors in a bad light. “You have to think before you do,” he said.

Titans’ Tannehill out; Willis to start

Rookie quarterback Malik Willis will make his first NFL start Sunday for the Titans in Houston against the Texans. The Titans downgraded 11-year veteran Ryan Tannehill on Saturday from questionable to out because of illness and the right ankle he injured in last week’s win over the Colts. Tannehill missed only one snap but left the stadium wearing a walking boot. He did not practice Wednesday or Friday for the Titans (4-2). Willis was the 86th pick overall in the third round in April with the Titans trading up to draft the quarterback out of Liberty. Willis has appeared in two games this season, mopping up in the Titans’ Week 2 loss in Buffalo and last week when he also had two snaps with Tannehill on the field. Tannehill hasn’t missed a start since the seventh game of the 2019 season. He’s currently tied with George Blanda for the most wins by a quarterback through their first four seasons with the franchise at 36. Tannehill is 34-15 in the regular season and 36-18 including the playoffs. The Titans have won four straight behind NFL rushing champ Derrick Henry. —AP