Max Scherzer is joining the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a 15.5 million, one-year contract on Thursday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced and was pending a physical. The 40-year-old Scherzer was limited to nine starts with Texas last year, going 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA. The three-time Cy Young Award winner opened the season on the injured list while he recovered from lower back surgery. He also was on the IL from Aug. 2 to Sept. 13 because of shoulder fatigue, and he missed the end of the season because of a left hamstring strain. Scherzer joins a rotation that is fronted by Kevin Gausman, José Berríos and Chris Bassitt. The Blue Jays also have Bowden Francis coming off an impressive rookie season and Yariel Rodríguez, who signed a $32 million, five-year contract last February.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The chairman of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and his wife want to bring the WNBA to Music City and have teamed up with a star-filled investor group including Candace Parker, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and entertainers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The group led by Bill Haslam, a former Tennessee governor, submitted its bid to the WNBA on Thursday for a franchise that would start playing in 2028. The team also would be named the Tennessee Summitt in honor of the late Pat Summitt. Haslam said they see how women’s professional sports is emerging worldwide with a “void” “We believe a WNBA team, based in Nashville, could serve as a beacon for girls and women, young and old, across Tennessee, while also creating more opportunities for sports fans as our community continues to grow,” Haslam said. The Nashville bid also features a plan to build a practice facility for the WNBA team that also would be used for youth basketball.
NEW YORK (AP) — Dick Button was more than the most accomplished men’s figure skater in history. He was one of his sport’s great innovators and promoters, the man responsible not only for inventing the flying camel spin but describing it to generations of fans. He was an athlete and actor, a broadcaster and entrepreneur. “Dick was one of the most important figures in our sport,” said Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic champion. “There wasn’t a skater after Dick who wasn’t helped by him in some way.” The winner of two Olympic gold medals and five consecutive world championships, Button died Thursday in North Salem, New York, at age 95. His death was confirmed by his son, Edward, who did not provide a cause, though Button had been in declining health.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even on the road, Bronny James was quite a crowd favorite. Fans in Washington chanted for LeBron James’ son early and often, and with the Los Angeles Lakers way ahead of the Wizards on Thursday night, the younger James played the entire fourth quarter of his team’s 134-96 victory. Bronny James scored a career-high five points. He shot only 1 of 6 from the field, but he made a driving layup while being fouled and converted the free throw for a three-point play. “He did a lot of really good things tonight. I thought he made a couple really nice passes,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Defensively he was great. It’s building blocks for every young player, and I think tonight was a good, positive building block for him.” James’ night also included an air ball from 3-point range, two rebounds, two assists and two fouls. He came up with a steal and made a nice long pass to Dalton Knecht for a dunk. Shortly after his lone field goal, James drove to the basket again and lobbed an alley-oop to Christian Koloko for a dunk.
THURSDAY SCORES
NCAA MEN TOP 25
UCLA 78, No. 16 Oregon 52
Nebraska 80, No. 18 Illinois 74
No. 19 Memphis 68, Tulane 56
NCAA WOMEN TOP 25
No. 3 Notre Dame 77, Virginia Tech 61
No. 4 USC 82, Minnesota 69
No. 5 Texas 70, Missouri 61
No. 7 LSU 107, No. 13 Oklahoma 100
No. 11 Kansas State 87, Iowa State 79 OT
No. 12 Kentucky 65, No. 22 Alabama 56
No. 15 North Carolina 65, No. 19 California 52
Oregon 63, No. 16 Michigan State 69
No. 17 NC State 90, Wake Forest 83
No. 23 Vanderbilt 99, Florida 86
No. 25 Florida State 104, Boston College 80