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MLB-NATIONALS-STRASBURG
Strasburg signs record-high contract to stay with Nationals
WASHINGTON (AP) — World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg is staying with the Washington Nationals.
A person familiar with the negotiations says Strasburg has agreed to a record $245 million, seven-year contract. The deal is the highest for a pitcher in total dollars and average annual value at $35 million. The largest contract for a pitcher had been David Price's $217 million, seven-year deal with Boston that began in 2016.
The 31-year-old Strasburg was drafted by Washington first overall in 2009 and has spent his entire career with the Nationals.
He was 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA this season, topping 30 starts for the second time in his career and leading the NL with 209 innings, before helping win the first World Series title in the 51-season history of the Montreal-Washington franchise. He went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in five postseason starts and one relief appearance, including wins in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series against Houston.
MLB-NEWS
Phillies finalize deal with Wheeler
UNDATED (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler have finalized their $118 million, five-year contract. Wheeler agreed to the deal last Thursday subject to a successful physical. The 29-year-old stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery. He joins a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta.
Elsewhere in the majors:
— The Chicago Cubs have named former San Diego Padres manager Andy Green as bench coach. Green will join the staff of first-year manager David Ross after being fired by San Diego in September. The former big league infielder spent four seasons leading the Padres. Mike Napoli, a 12-year major league veteran who retired after the 2017 season, joined Ross' staff as a quality assurance coach. Former Philadelphia Phillies pitching coach Chris Young was hired as bullpen coach, and Craig Driver will be the first base coach.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL-POLL Ohio State jumps three spots
UNDATED (AP) — Louisville and Kansas remain atop the Associated Press college basketball Top 25 this week.
Ohio State jumped three spots to No. 3 after routing then-No. 7 North Carolina and blowing out Penn State.
Maryland dropped one spot to fourth despite continuing to pile up wins. Michigan slid one spot to round out the top five after its first loss of the season.
Xavier joined the rankings at No. 22 and San Diego State entered at No. 25.
NBA-CELTICS-HAYWARD
Hayward could return against Cavs
BOSTON (AP) — Celtics forward Gordon Hayward made it through practice without problems and is expected to return for Boston's game against Cleveland tonight.
Hayward broke his hand Nov. 9 and was expected to miss about six weeks.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens says Hayward was a full participant in the morning shootaround. He's scheduled to meet with the medical staff, and if he has no problems he will play against the Cavaliers.
NFL-SCHEDULE
Giants and Eagles in Monday Night Football
UNDATED (AP) — It's the New York Giants at Philadelphia in Monday Night Football tonight.
Eli Manning makes his first start since Week 2 for the reeling Giants, who have lost eight in a row.
Despite entering with a 5-7 record, the Philadelphia Eagles are still in the race for the NFC East title with the Dallas Cowboys (6-7).
NFL-COWBOYS-MAHER
Cowboys waive struggling kicker Maher
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have waived struggling kicker Brett Maher and replaced him with eight-year veteran Kai Forbath.
Maher is the only kicker in NFL history with three field goals of at least 60 yards. But the Cowboys couldn't count on him for the shorter ones that are often more critical.
It's the second time Forbath has replaced a struggling kicker midseason. The 32-year-old did it with Minnesota in 2016. Forbath took over for Blair Walsh and made all 15 field goals that season.
OLY-RUSSIAN-DOPING
World Anti-Doping Agency imposes 4-year ban on Russia
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia has been slapped with a four-year ban from international sports events, including next summer's Tokyo Olympics, over a longstanding doping scandal.
But its athletes will still be able to compete if they can show they are clean competitors.
The ruling by the World Anti-Doping Agency's executive committee means that Russia's flag, name and anthem will not appear at the Tokyo Games, and the country also could be stripped of hosting world championships in Olympic sports.
The sanctions are the harshest punishment yet for Russian state authorities tampering with a Moscow lab database. Russia can appeal the decision within 21 days.
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