Category: Saturday Sports Slam

Penguins Star Malkin Undergoes Elbow Surgery

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has undergone surgery to repair a left elbow injury. The team did not provide specifics on the nature of Malkin’s injury or when it occurred. The 34-year-old Malkin led the Penguins with 74 points during the regular season but was ineffective during a four-game loss to Montreal in the qualifying round of the playoffs. Malkin recorded just one assist during the series and had a minus-3 rating. The expected recovery time for Malkin is about a month, meaning he should be available whenever training camp for the 2020-21 season opens.

Reds, Pirates won’t play Monday, awaiting COVID test results

Reds, Pirates won’t play Monday, awaiting COVID test results
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds players and staff were tested for COVID-19 again as Major League Baseball tried to determine if more than one Cincinnati player has been exposed to the coronavirus. The last two games of a series between the Reds and Pirates were postponed Saturday after the player tested positive. The Pirates worked out Sunday at Great American Ball Park and returned to Pittsburgh, where they will start a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. The Reds expected to get results of their latest tests on Monday, when a decision will be made whether they can travel to Kansas City for a series that’s scheduled to begin Tuesday night.

Crowded house: Steelers backfield eyes consistency in 2020

Crowded house: Steelers backfield eyes consistency in 2020
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping their running game can take a step forward following a miserable 2019. The Steelers finished 29th in the league in rushing last season. Defenses ganged up to stop the run after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went down in Week 2 with a season-ending right elbow injury. James Conner, a Pro Bowler in 2018, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Conner has struggled with injuries during his career. The former Pitt star understands he needs to prove his durability in 2020.

Pirates connect 3 times off DeSclafani, roll 9-6 over Reds

Pirates connect 3 times off DeSclafani, roll 9-6 over Reds
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) — Adam Frazier hit the first of three homers off Anthony DeSclafani, who hasn’t beaten Pittsburgh in his last seven tries, and the Pirates returned from a three-day layoff with a flourish, beating the Cincinnati Reds 9-6. Pittsburgh’s three-game series in St. Louis was called off because of the Cardinals’ COVID-19 outbreak. The Pirates showed no rust against a pitcher they’ve dominated. Frazier connected on DeSclafani’s second pitch, and the rout was on. DeSclafani hasn’t beaten the Pirates since June 17, 2018, at PNC Park. Since then, he’s 0-5 in seven starts — all Pirates wins.

Bubba Wallace, Columbia Sportswear sign sponsorship deal

Bubba Wallace, Columbia Sportswear sign sponsorship deal
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
Corporate interest in Bubba Wallace has picked up momentum and NASCAR’s only Black full-time driver has signed a new sponsor that includes funding for his Richard Petty Motorports team. Columbia Sportswear signed a multiyear sponsorship with Wallace as a brand ambassador that will also put the company on the No. 43 at Dover later this month. Columbia was drawn to Wallace as he took on a larger role as a social activist then learned Wallace also pursues outdoor activities for pleasure. If Wallace does not return to RPM next season, Columbia would follow him to a new team.

Pirates opening day starter Musgrove heads to injured list

Pirates opening day starter Musgrove heads to injured list
PITTSBURGH (AP) — An unexpected break didn’t stop the steady stream of pitchers to the injured list for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team has placed opening day starter Joe Musgrove on the 10-day IL with what manager Derek Shelton called a right triceps issue. The Pirates scratched Musgrove before a start against Detroit with what Shelton called an ankle injury. Musgrove is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA. He is the sixth Pittsburgh pitcher to be placed on the injured list this season. The list includes starter Mitch Keller and relievers Nick Burdi, Clay Holmes, Michael Feliz and Kyle Crick.

Penguins fire 3 assistants following quick playoff exit

Penguins fire 3 assistants following quick playoff exit
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins’ qualifying round loss to the Montreal Canadiens cost assistant coaches Sergei Gonchar, Jacques Martin and Mark Recchi their jobs. The club opted not to renew the contracts for all three coaches after the fifth-seeded Penguins fell to the 12th-seeded Canadiens in four games. Head coach Mike Sullivan’s job is safe, but he will have to move forward with a new coaching staff after Pittsburgh lost in its opening-round postseason series for the second time in as many years.

GM Rutherford looks to retool after “puzzling” Pens exit

GM Rutherford looks to retool after “puzzling” Pens exit
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford says he still believes the championship window is open for his club but changes need to be made following a quick playoff exit. The Penguins were stunned in four games by the underdog Montreal Canadiens in the qualifying round of the NHL playoffs. It marked the second straight early exit by Pittsburgh, which was swept by the New York Islanders in the first round in 2019. Rutherford said the team will need to get younger in the offseason. Goaltender Matt Murray and defenseman Justin Schultz will both likely leave in free agency.

Big Ten pulls plug on fall football amid COVID-19 concerns

Big Ten pulls plug on fall football amid COVID-19 concerns
By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer
The Big Ten Conference won’t be playing football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19. The move comes six day after the conference that includes historic programs such as Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska and Penn State had released a revised conference-only schedule that it hoped would help it navigate a fall season with potential COVID-19 disruptions.

Francona returning to manage Indians after week of rest

Francona returning to manage Indians after week of rest
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona will return to the team Tuesday after missing more than a week so he could rest while dealing with a gastrointestinal condition. The team says Francona will be in the dugout when the Indians open a two-game home series against the Chicago Cubs. Francona has missed Cleveland’s past eight games with the gastrointestinal issue, which has bothered him since spring training. The 61-year-old skipped the Indians’ weekend trip to Chicago to get extra rest. Francona is in his eighth season with Cleveland.