3-batter minimum among changes proposed in MLB
Major League Baseball and its players are discussing bold changes to spark the sport that include a three-batter minimum before a pitching change except at the start of an inning, a single trade deadline set before the All-Star break and expanded rosters. The union renewed its push to extend the designated hitter to the National League, suggested amateur draft incentives for winning records and penalties for losing records and proposed a change in service-time rules that would lead to faster free agency for top rookies held in the minor leagues early in the season. Management proposed expanding minimum time on the disabled list and optional assignments to the minor leagues to 15 days. The talks are an expansion of the ones last offseason. Management made its proposal on Jan. 14, the union responded last Friday and discussions are ongoing. Some of the most interesting changes appear likely to be put off until 2020 at the earliest.
West Virginia forward suspended for tripping
West Virginia reserve forward Logan Routt has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Texas for tripping a Texas Tech player this week. Routt was ejected early in the second half of Monday's 81-50 loss at Texas Tech. While sitting on the bench, Routt tripped Texas Tech's Matt Mooney, who fell to the floor.
Mayfield named top pro athlete in Cleveland
Browns quarterback and former Oklahoma star Baker Mayfield was named Cleveland's top professional athlete at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Wednesday night. Mayfield was selected over Indians All-Stars Corey Kluber and Jose Ramirez and Browns cornerback Denzel Ward.
Elsewhere ...
• The Atlanta Falcons released kicker Matt Bryant on Wednesday, ending the 10-year run of the team's all-time leading scorer. The decision to not renew the team's option on the 43-year-old Bryant comes despite another strong season in 2018, when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 33 of 35 extra points. • Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs will meet May 4 in a middleweight title unification fight in Las Vegas. Promoters announced Wednesday that Alvarez, the Mexican star who beat Gennady Golovkin in September, will fight Jacobs in a scheduled 12-round fight at the T-Mobile Arena to unify most of the major middleweight titles. The fight will be aired on the streaming service DAZN, which recently signed Alvarez to a long-term deal.