(Undated) — MLB and its players association have agreed to deal surrounding the league stoppage due to COVID-19, according to reports. Players have voted and owners are expected to ratify a deal that will cover an advance in salary for players along with the right to shorten the MLB Draft and honor full service time for 2020 if no season occurs.

Calhoun Cleared To Resume Baseball Activities; Rangers Option Two

(Arlington, TX) — Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun announced on Twitter he has been cleared to resume baseball activities after recovering from surgery to repair a broken jaw. He was hit in the face by a pitch on March 8th. The Rangers also optioned outfielder Scott Heineman and pitcher Taylor Hearn to Triple-A Nashville.

Astros Hall Of Famer Wynn Dies

(Houston, TX) — The Astros announced former player and front office member Jimmy Wynn has died. He was 78. The three-time All-Star played with the Astros and Dodgers in the 1960s-and-70s. He was nicknamed ‘The Toy Cannon’ for being a power hitter, while standing only 5-foot-9. He hit 37 homers as a 1967 All-Star with Houston. Wynn is in the Astros Hall of Fame and his number 24 is retired. He was employed by the team as Community Outreach Executive after his playing career.

Report: MLB Is On Threshold Of Delaying, Shortening Draft

(Undated) — Major League Baseball and the Players Association are reportedly near an agreement on delaying the draft until July and shortening it, ESPN reports. The Rangers have the 14th overall pick, while Houston forfeited its first-round pick from the sign stealing punishment. The 2020 draft could also be shortened from 40 rounds to five. The agreement could include up to 90 percent of bonuses for players drafted this year be in deferred payments. Plus there would be a maximum bonus of 10-thousand dollars for undrafted players.

Cowboys Could Make Prescott Highest Paid NFL Player

(Frisco, TX) — While nothing is imminent yet, the Cowboys are seemingly prepared to make Dak Prescott the highest paid player in the NFL, according to ESPN.com’s Ed Werder. The two sides reopened negotiations this week for the first time since Dallas put the exclusive franchise tag on the quarterback. Prescott earlier rejected a Cowboys’ offer of 33-million dollars per year, but an average of 35-million a year reportedly emerged in the renewed negotiations. The Cowboys’ price for Prescott would set the market for Deshaun Watson of the Texans and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs.

NFL Draft Is Set

(Undated) — The NFL Draft will go on with its original date. Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo around the league stating the draft will keep its dates from April 23rd to 25th. According to ESPN, the memo warns of punishment for anyone that criticizes the league’s decision. The commissioner also told teams to prepare for conducting the draft process outside of their facilities, which have closed amid the ongoing coronavirus.

Browns Nab Talent From Baylor, SMU

(Cleveland, OH) — The Browns announced they have signed former Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings after four seasons with the Bengals. He started 30 games and appeared in all 32 the last two years with Cincinnati. The Browns also signed SMU center Evan Brown, who spent last season with the Giants and Dolphins.

Indy 500 Postponed Until August 23

(Indianapolis, IN) — The Indianapolis 500 is the latest major sports event to fall victim to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Tom Roberts explains.

Former Harlem Globetrotter Fred “Curly” Neal Dies

(Houston, TX) — Legendary Harlem Globetrotter Fred “Curly” Neal is dead at the age of 77. For over 20 years, the basketball legend displayed slick dribbling skills while sporting his signature shaved head and bright smile. Neal became the face of the team as he played in over six-thousand games across 97 countries. His number 22 is one of only five Globetrotters jerseys to be retired at Madison Square Garden. Team general manager Jeff Munn said Neal was “one of the most genuine human beings the world has ever known.”

Former UT All-American Lineman Dies

(Plano, TX) — Former Texas offensive lineman Terry Tausch died at his home in Plano. He was 61. He was a consensus All-American in 1980-and-81 with the Longhorns and inducted into the UT Athletics Hall of Honor in 2021. He was a 1982 second-round pick of the Vikings and played eight years in the NFL, including obtaining a Super Bowl ring with San Francisco after the 1989 season.

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