Notice: Undefined variable: paywall_console_msg in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/single_post_meta_query.php on line 71
Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 18
Notice: Trying to get property 'cat_ID' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 18
Sports briefs
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
Frazier agrees to contract with Pirates
Infielder Todd Frazier agreed to a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates that includes an invitation to big league spring training.
If Frazier is added to the 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract paying a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues, as part of the agreement announced Friday.
Pittsburgh is in need of depth at both corner infield spots after trading first baseman Josh Bell to Washington in the offseason. Colin Moran will move from third base to first full-time, with Ke’Bryan Hayes projected to start at third.
The 35-year-old Frazier is a career .242 hitter with 218 home runs and 636 RBIs while playing for five teams, including Cincinnati, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. Frazier split time with Texas and the Mets in 2020, hitting .236 with four home runs and 12 RBIs.
Frazier is expected to join the Pirates in time to be on the field for the first day of workouts for position players on Monday.
Limited attendance for NCAA games
The NCAA will allow a limited number of fans to attend all rounds of next month’s men’s basketball tournament in Indiana.
The governing body said Friday it is permitting 25% capacity at the venues to allow for social distancing. That figure will include all participants and essential staff along with the family members of team players and coaches.
Attendees must wear face coverings, and cleaning and disinfecting efforts will be emphasized at venues in keeping with COVID-19 safety protocols.
The NCAA had previously announced the 68-team tournament will be played entirely in Indiana because of the pandemic, with most games in Indianapolis. The tournament will begin with First Four games March 18 at home arenas for Big Ten Conference schools Purdue and Indiana, with those venues located about a one-hour drive from Indianapolis.
Former MLB all-star Damon arrested
Former All-Star baseball player Johnny Damon was arrested Friday in central Florida on a charge of resisting an officer after he was pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence, according to court and jail records.
Damon, 47, was booked into the Orange County Jail early Friday after an incident in Windermere, Fla., a wealthy suburb of Orlando popular with professional athletes. He is charged with resisting an officer without violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Jail records show that Damon’s wife, Michelle Mangan-Damon, also was arrested. She is facing charges of battery on an officer and resisting with violence.
A police officer pulled over Damon’s SUV after it swerved, hit a curb and drove past a stop sign, according to a police report.
Robert Morris loses
Antoine Davis had 26 points as Detroit Mercy topped Robert Morris 85-74 Friday night.
Davis made all 10 of his free throws. He added eight assists.
Noah Waterman had 19 points for Detroit Mercy (9-6 Horizona League, 10-9), which earned its fifth consecutive home victory. Bul Kuol added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Chris Brandon had 14 points.
Charles Bain had 19 points for the Colonials (3-11, 4-13). Cameron Wilbon added 15 points and six rebounds, and Jon Williams had 14 points.
In the NHL
Patric Hornqvist scored in the first and third periods to help the Florida Panthers start and finish strong in a 7-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Friday night.