Pirates Game Moved up to 5:05 PM Due to Weather Concerns

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Tonight’s final exhibition game between the Pittsburgh  Pirates and Cleveland Indians is being moved from 7:05 to 5:05 pm due to weather concerns.

The game will no be televised and and can be heard on the Pirates Radio Network and on Beaver County Radio 1230 WBVP , 1460 WMBA, and 99.3 FM.

Ben’s back: Roethlisberger’s return to hit full go at camp

Ben’s back: Roethlisberger’s return to hit full go at camp
By The Associated Press undefined
The Pittsburgh Steelers will stay at home during training camp for the first time in 54 years. The team opted not to train at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All eyes will be on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he returns from a right elbow injury that ended his 2019 season at halftime of Week 2. The team focused on giving Roethlisberger more playmakers in 2020, drafting wide receiver Chase Claypool and signing tight end Eric Ebron in free agency. Roethlisberger drew raves from teammates during informal workouts but coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t seen Roethlisberger throw a pass in 10 months.

No Canada: Blue Jays barred from playing games in Toronto

No Canada: Blue Jays barred from playing games in Toronto
By ROB GILLIES Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays won’t play their home games in Toronto this year because Canada’s government doesn’t think it’s safe for players to travel back and forth from the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic. Canada has flattened the curve of virus infections, while the U.S. is one of the world’s hardest-hit countries. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said Saturday the federal government had denied the Blue Jays’ request to play at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays’ spring training facility is in Florida, which is a virus hotspot. The team has been examining the possibility of playing in Buffalo, New York.

Penguins star Crosby misses practice with undisclosed issue

Penguins star Crosby misses practice with undisclosed issue
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is dealing with an unspecified health issue. Crosby left an intrasquad scrimmage early on Saturday and then was held out of practice a day later. Neither head coach Mike Sullivan nor assistant coach Mark Recchi offered any detail on what might be ailing Crosby. Crosby did score a goal during the scrimmage before exiting. The Penguins have about two weeks to get ready to face Montreal in the qualifying round of the playoffs.

Busch disqualified after Xfinity win, Cindric 3rd win in row

Busch disqualified after Xfinity win, Cindric 3rd win in row
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Kyle Busch celebrated a 10th NASCAR Xfinity win at Texas and then had it taken away when he failed postrace inspection. Busch finished nearly a second ahead of Austin Cindric, who was declared the winner. That gives Cindric three wins in a row after winning both races last weekend at Kentucky. NASCAR said Busch’s No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was disqualified because the left rear was too low. Busch came back through the field three times in the race. He built a 3.3 second-lead before a final caution flag set up a two-lap sprint to the checkered flag.

Musgrove to start opener, Polanco and Kela likely out for Pirates

Musgrove in, Polanco and Kela likely out for Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joe Musgrove will be the opening day starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates when the club opens the 2020 season in St. Louis. First-year manager Derek Shelton credited Musgrove for the way he’s embraced a leadership role in recent months for a rotation missing Jameson Taillon and Chris Archer. While Musgrove is eager to make it the first opening day start of many, the Pirates will likely begin the season without closer Keone Kela and right fielder Gregory Polanco. Polanco has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus while Kela is dealing with an undisclosed health issue.

MLB releases 2021 schedule; all 30 teams to open on April 1

MLB releases 2021 schedule; all 30 teams to open on April 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball will open the 2021 season on April 1 and hopes to have every team play its first game on the same day for the first time since 1968. The league released the full schedule Thursday, two weeks before it plans to begin a 2020 season that’s been delayed and shortened by the coronavirus pandemic. MLB intended to start this season on March 26, its earliest opening date ever except for international games. The league also hoped to have all 30 clubs play on the same opening day this season, but that was spoiled when Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended spring training in March.

NASCAR 7-Time Champ Jimmie Johnson cleared to race after 2 negative coronavirus tests

Johnson cleared to race after 2 negative coronavirus tests
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has twice tested negative for the coronavirus and has been cleared to race Sunday at Kentucky Speedway. Johnson missed the first race of his Cup career when he tested positive last Friday. He was tested after his wife received a positive result. Hendrick Motorsports says Johnson tested negative on Monday and Tuesday and will return to the No. 48 Chevrolet. Johnson’s streak of 663 consecutive starts — most among active drivers — was snapped when he didn’t race Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

NHL, players’ union announce plan to resume play on Aug. 1

NHL, players’ union announce plan to resume play on Aug. 1
By JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writers
The National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association have reached a tentative agreement to return to play this season and extend their collective bargaining agreement by four years. Training camps would open July 13 and games would resume Aug. 1 if approved by the league’s board of governors and players’ executive committee and full membership. The NHL is going straight to the playoffs with 24 teams resuming play. Those teams will travel to one of two “hub” cities July 26. A person with direct knowledge of the agreements told The Associated Press that the NHL has selected Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, to be the hub cities in hosting the qualifying round and at least first two playoff rounds.

Harvick knocks off Pocono from winless list

Late scratch: Harvick knocks off Pocono from winless list
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Kevin Harvick snapped an 0-for-38 drought at Pocono Raceway, taking the checkered flag Saturday at one of two tracks where victory had eluded him. Harvick won the first of two NASCAR Cup races in front of no fans this weekend at Pocono and will start 20th on Sunday with the field set by inverting the lead-lap finishers. Harvick has won at every active track except Kentucky Speedway (nine tries) and the 2014 series champion has three wins overall for Stewart-Haas Racing this season. Harvick held off a hard-charging Denny Hamlin for his 52nd career Cup victory. He had 12 top-five finishes in his other 38 starts at Pocono.