LB Wagner joins Rams on 5-year, $50M deal
Longtime Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner agreed to terms Thursday on a fiveyear contract to join the reigning Super Bowl champion Rams. ESPN reported the deal is worth $50 million.
Wagner, a six-time All-Pro who was born in Los Angeles, became one of the NFL’s top linebackers during a decade with the Seahawks, who released him March 9. He joins former Bears receiver Allen Robinson as prominent offseason additions to the Rams.
◆ Caesars Sportsbook in Las Vegas set the over/under for victories by the Bears at 6.5, third in the NFC North behind the Packers (11) and Vikings (nine).
BASKETBALL Giannis scores 44 in Bucks’ victory
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points, including the tying and go-ahead free throws with three seconds left in overtime, to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for first place on the Bucks’ all-time scoring list in their 120-119 victory against the host Nets.
Antetokounmpo, who also had 14 rebounds, now has 14,216 points, five more than AbdulJabbar scored for the Bucks in 1969-75.
◆ The Athletic reported former NBA players Manu Ginobili and Tim Hardaway, former WNBA player Swin Cash and longtime coaches George Karl and Bob Huggins will be part of the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022.
†ESPN reported Lakers star LeBron James, who leads the NBA in scoring at 30.1 points per game, hopes to return from a twogame absence caused by a sprained left ankle Friday against the Pelicans.
MLB Runner to start at 2nd in extra innings
A week before Opening Day, Major League Baseball finalized the rules change to bring back automatic runners in extra innings for a third consecutive season.
Despite an easing of pandemic restrictions, MLB and the players’ union agreed to keep the controversial rule that starts each team with a runner on second base during extra innings for the 2022 regular season.
◆ Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber will make his third consecutive Opening Day start Thursday against the Royals, and the Twins said rookie right-hander Joe Ryan will start their opener against the Mariners.
◆ The Royals exercised their 2023 option on manager Mike Matheny.
GOLF Knox leads PGA Tour stop in Texas
Russell Knox, who needs a victory to qualify for the Masters next week, shot a 7-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Rasmus Hojgaard after the first round of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.