Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
UNDATED (AP) — Utah center Rudy Gobert is standing tall, even after having coronavirus and dealing with an enormous amount of scorn after being diagnosed. Gobert was the first NBA player to test positive for the virus and that prompted many to blame him for the league’s shutdown in response to the pandemic. Plenty of eyes will be on Gobert when the NBA season takes a giant step toward returning by having teams gather at the Disney complex in Central Florida over the next few days.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus. The seven-time champion will miss what was supposed to be his final Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. He will be sidelined and miss testing an Indy car on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next week. Johnson had talked about the test and the possibility of running the Indianapolis 500. Hours later, he said he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
UNDATED (AP) — The Indiana Pacers will finish this season without Victor Oladipo after the two-time All-Star decided to sit out because of the risk of re-injuring his right knee. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said Friday that the timing of the league’s restart and Oladipo’s lack of 5-on-5 activity makes it difficult for the guard to commit to play “at the high level he expects with regards to further injury.”
NEW YORK(AP) — New Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is a new dad. Cole and his wife, Amy, celebrated the birth of their first child on Tuesday. Cole has been working out at Yankee Stadium. After a near-miss in the World Series last year with Houston, the All-Star right-hander is hoping to help pitch the Yankees to their first championship since 2009. He signed to a $324 million, nine-year contract that set a record as the highest for a pitcher. Cole says the delay caused by the pandemic might benefit the Yankees because it allowed many to heal. The Yankees open on July 23 at Washington.
UNDATED (AP) — Prized shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. wore a facemask throughout the reboot of spring training for the San Diego Padres, who reported that outfielder Tommy Pham tested positive for COVID-19 and is asymptomatic. General manager A.J. Preller said another test is pending but didn’t identify the player. Preller said Pham has begun self-isolation and feels fine. Pham will be able to return when he clears the protocol. Pham was obtained in an offseason trade with Tampa Bay in exchange for outfielder Hunter Renfroe. Tatis and outfielder Franchy Cordero appeared to be the only players who wore a mask through the whole workout at Petco Park.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
