Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals Game Postponed
The St. Louis Cardinals are continuing to deal with a coronavirus outbreak, with their eighth player testing positive. As a result, the weekend series between the Cubs and the Cardinals has been postponed.
The Cardinals have not played since July 29, due to the positive tests and it remains to be seen what will happen with the rest of this weekend’s series against Chicago.
All-Star catcher Yadier Molina and All-Star shortstop Paul DeJong are among the players who confirmed they tested positive.
NFL Opt-Outs
The NFL’s opt-out deadline was yesterday and 69 total players have opted out of the 2020 season.
Players that would be considered high-risk for COVID-19 have the potential to earn $350,000 and an accrued season if they opted out, while those without risk can earn $150,000.
The New England Patriots had eight players opt out, while the Cleveland Browns had five. Of the other 30 teams, no one had more than three.
Bubbles Up
- The Los Angeles Lakers have clinched the #1 seed in the West, while the Milwaukee Bucks are #1 in the East.
- Philadelphia 76ers’ All-Star Ben Simmons was ruled out for today’s seeding game against the Orlando Magic, after suffering a left patella subluxation, or a partial dislocation of his kneecap. The timeline for his return is unknown.
- The New Orleans Pelicans are giving Zion Williamson a rest day and he will not play tonight against the Washington Wizards, as his minutes continue to be monitored since returning to action. The Pelicans are currently 2 ½ games behind the Memphis Grizzles for the eighth Western Conference playoff spot.
Charges in Tyler Skaggs’ Death
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has charged Eric Kay, a former Los Angeles Angels director of communications, with illegally supplying drugs to pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who was found dead in a Texas hotel room on July 1, 2019.
According to the autopsy report, Skaggs had fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol in system when he died. The affidavit charging Kay says that Skaggs had sent him text messages on June 30 asking for pills to be delivered to his hotel room.
In a statement earlier today, the Angels said:
“The Angels Organization has fully cooperated with Law Enforcement and Major League Baseball. Additionally, in order to comprehensively understand the circumstances that led to his death, we hired a former federal prosecutor to conduct an independent investigation. We learned that there was unacceptable behavior inconsistent with our code of conduct, and we took steps to address it. Our investigation also confirmed that no one in management was aware, or informed, of any employee providing opioids to any player, nor that Tyler was using opioids. As we try to heal from the loss of Tyler, we continue to work with authorities as they complete their investigation.”
The XFL Comeback
On April 13, which feels like a solid six years ago, the XFL declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Well, never fear, the Rock is here (my poetry skills are unmatched).
Actor and former WWE star Dwayne Johnson is part of a group that has agreed to purchase the XFL and the sale was approved this morning to the tune of $15 million.
Johnson and his business partners will officially take control of the league later this month.