Kimbrel, Upton head to Padres from the Braves
SANDIEGO — The San Diego Padres have pulled off another blockbuster trade, acquiring closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton from the Atlanta Braves for outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin, plus two minor leaguers and a draft pick.
The trade announced Sunday reunites Upton with his younger brother, Justin, who was obtained by the Padres in one of several trades general manager A.J. Preller made in a dramatic December makeover. Justin Upton is San Diego’s starting left fielder.
The Padres had a glut of outfielders after Preller obtained Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers in December.
Ottawa rallies around Burris
OTTAWA —Ottawa Red blacks quarter back Henry Burris won’t be sacked by Citizenship and Immigration officials in his bid to gain permanent residence status after the minister’s office said Sunday it would help the longtime CFL player.
A spokesman for Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Alexander said the ministry intends to “work with” the former CFL Most Outstanding Player in sorting out his status after the 39-year-old Burris reportedly spent three years and $7,000 on lawyers trying to make sure he would be allowed to stay after he retires.
Burris and his wife, Nicole, have two children who were born here. He said in media reports that the holdup is that immigration officials don’t consider playing in the CFL full-time work.
Harrison tweets apology
INDIANAPOLIS — Kentucky guard Andrew Harrison apologized Sunday for directing an obscenity and a racial slur at Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky during a post-game conference at the Final Four.
Harrison muttered “F--- that n----” into a live microphone when another player was asked a question about Kaminsky after Kentucky lost to the Badgers Saturday.
The comment came as a reporter asked Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns about defending the 7-foot Kaminsky. He muttered it with his hand in front of his mouth, but the microphone picked up the comments.
Harrison didn’t explain why he made the comments, but said in a series of tweets his comments were a “poor choice of words used in jest towards a player I respect and know.”
Djokovic loves Key Biscayne
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Novak Djokovic earned his fifth Key Biscayne title Sunday, beating Andy Murray for the seventh straight time and showing superior stamina in the heat to win the Miami Open final 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-0.
The top-ranked Djokovic became the first man to complete the Indian Wells-Key Biscayne spring sweep three times.