2:10 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Major League Baseball Players Association said Thursday the 2020 average would have been $3.89 million if a full season had been played. That
2:15 PM ET Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets placed goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on injured reserve after he was injured during practice. The move came hours before Merzlikins was scheduled to start Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars. Joonas Korpisalo likely will start in his place. The Blue Jackets said Merzlikins, who
2:28 PM GMT Franco Smith has named a relatively inexperienced side for Italy’s opening Six Nations game against France on Saturday, with 10 of the starting XV having fewer than 10 caps. Smith has handed Juan Ignacio Brex his first cap for Italy and he will be partnered by Marco Zanon who has just four
12:16 PM ET Representatives from the Major League Baseball Players Association spoke with White House officials Thursday morning about the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic amid ongoing discussions about the health and safety protocols for the start of spring training and the regular season. A players association spokesman told ESPN that the conversation was
9:42 AM ET After a cluster of postponements this week, the NHL has mandated additional in-arena protocols to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to deputy commissioner Bill Daly. Beginning with Thursday’s games, the glass will be removed behind the teams’ benches. The belief is this measure will help increase airflow in arenas. In
News Offspinner says he still has “aspirations to play for South Africa” after end of Kolpak status Simon Harmer has confirmed his hopes for a South Africa comeback after signing to play for the Titans in the domestic T20 competition. Harmer turned his back on international cricket when signing on a Kolpak deal with Essex
1:02 PM ET A new federal bill introduced Thursday would make it illegal for the NCAA or other college sports associations to place any restrictions on the type or size of endorsements deals that college athletes could sign in the future. The bill, co-authored by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Massachusetts), is
12:09 PM GMT Fabien Galthie has named a more experienced side compared to last year’s Six Nations for his side’s opening game against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. The main names missing are Romain Ntamack and Virimi Vakatawa who are injured. – Play ESPN’s Rugby Pick’em for FREE Mattieu Jalibert will replace the
12:20 PM GMT Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has named Finn Russell in his team to face England after the fly-half missed the Autumn Nations Cup through injury. Full-back Stuart Hogg will lead the side with Cameron Redpath making his debut for the national side. – Play ESPN’s Rugby Pick’em for FREE “We learned a lot
11:47 AM ET Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger has tested positive for the coronavirus and is entering the league’s COVID-19 protocol. It’s the latest setback for a team that has had its games postponed at least through Monday. The team has four players on the COVID-19 list, including star winger Taylor Hall. Two other teams