Eagles trade QB Wentz to Colts for 2 draft picks
Carson Wentz helped steer the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title and later received the richest contract in team history.
He’s already gone before that deal even kicked in.
The Eagles agreed to trade Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person familiar with the deal. Philadelphia receives a third-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional second-round pick in 2022 that can turn into a first-round pick if Wentz plays 75% of the snaps this year or 70% and the Colts make the playoffs.
NFL INCREASES SALARY CAP MINIMUM TO $180 MILLION >> The NFL has increased the salary cap to a minimum of $180 million for the 2021 season.
The league and the NFL Players Association had previously set a minimum of $175 million because of revenue losses incurred during the coronavirus pandemic. In a memo sent to clubs Thursday and obtained by The Associated Press, the league says a decision to increase the floor by $5 million came after discussion with the union about 2020 revenues and projected attendance for 2021.
The final cap number will be determined following further review of revenue figures for 2020 and other accounting. The cap was $198 million last season.
Baseball
PADRES RAVE ABOUT TATIS JR.’S CONTRACT >> Fernando Tatis Jr. has yet to take a ground ball or swing a bat at spring training and he’s already the talk of the San
Diego Padres’ clubhouse.
The electrifying shortstop and the Padres agreed Wednesday to a $340 million, 14-year deal, according to two people familiar with the situation, giving San Diego’s camp even more buzz than it already hadaftertheteammadea number of high-profile offseason moves.
“There’s great excitement around here,” manager Jayce Tingler said on a videoconference from Peoria, Arizona.
INDIANS’ BIEBER SLOWED BY COVID-19, NOT YET AT TRAINING CAMP >> Indians ace Shane Bieber tested positive with COVID-19, delaying the AL Cy Young winner’s arrival at training camp. President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti anticipates that Bieber, who had been working out at the team’s training complex in Goodyear, Arizona, will join the club
in the next few days.
Antonetti would not disclose when Bieber tested positive.
PHILLIES CATCHER REALMUTO HAS THUMB FRACTURE >> Philadelphia Phillies two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto has a small fracture in his right thumb and will be evaluated again in two weeks.
Realmuto was injured while blocking a pitch six days ago. He practiced on the first day of spring training Wednesday but an MRI later revealed the break. His hand will be immobilized but it’s possible he’ll still catch pitchers during bullpen sessions.
BLUE JAYS EXPECT TO PLAY IN FLORIDA, BUFFALO AND TORONTO >> The Blue Jays expect to split the home portion of this year’s regular-schedule among their spring training complex in Dunedin, Florida, their Triple-A
ballpark in Buffalo, New York, and the Rogers Center in Toronto.
Toronto announced it will play the first two homestands of the season in Dunedin because of Canadian government restrictions during the pandemic.
Team president Mark Shapiro said a return to Buffalo is a likely option in June because of the heat and humidity in Florida.
Golf
FITZPATRICK TAKES EARLY LEAD AT GENESIS >> Matt Fitzpatrick had the early lead at the Genesis Invitational at 5-under 66, courtesy of a 25-foot eagle putt and a 45-foot birdie putt.
Patrick Cantlay, coming off chances to win in Palm Springs and Pebble Beach, extended his run of good play with four birdies on his back nine and was in a large group at 67.