MLB: Verlander becomes top-paid pitcher
Tigers ace Justin Verlander agreed yesterday to a $180 million, seven-year contract, topping Felix Hernandez for the richest deal for a pitcher in baseball history.
The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner had been signed through 2014 under an $80 million, five-year contract paying him $20 million in each of the next two seasons. The new deal keeps those salaries and adds $140 million in guaranteed money.
The Giants rewarded NL MVP and batting champion Buster Posey with a $167 million, nine-year contract, a deal that includes a club option for 2022 that could raise the value to $186 million over a decade.
Former AL MVP Miguel Tejada has made the Royals’ Opening Day roster.
GOLF: Qualifier Wheatcroft leads Houston Open
In Humble, Texas, Steve Wheatcroft, who narrowly qualified for the Houston Open, shot a 5-under 67 for a one-shot lead over D.A. Points and Jason Kokrak going into the weekend.
Rory McIlroy barely made the cut after a 70. Phil Mickelson gets to stay around also after his 71.
Marcel Siem of Germany shot a 4-under 68 to move to maintain his three-shot lead after the second round of the Hassan II Trophy tournament in Morocco.
ETC.: LeBron, Heat get back on track
In New Orleans, LeBron James scored 36 points, hitting six consecutive 3-pointers in the first half, and the Heat rebounded from their first loss in nearly two months to beat the Hornets, 108-89.
In San Antonio, Tim Duncan had a season-high 34 points, including a game-winning three-point play with 2.2 seconds left, and the Spurs outlasted the Clippers, 104-102.
In Boston, Paul Pierce had 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to carry the Celtics to a 118-107 win over the Hawks.
The Islanders agreed to terms on a two-year extension with defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky.