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Diamars 19 Januari 2021

Wizards see a 5th consecutive game postponed by virus issues

(AP) — The Washington so far. In addition to the 14
Wizards are now assured in recent days, the other was
of going at least 11 days a planned Dec. 23 matchup
between games, after yet between Oklahoma City and
another postponement Houston that was pushed
while the team deals with back because the Rockets
COVID-19 issues. did not have enough eligible
players.
The Wizards' game that
was scheduled to be played Delaying the Heat-Pistons
Wednesday in Charlotte is start time did not affect De-
now off, the NBA said Mon- troit’s travel schedule. The
day. That is the 14th post- team was already planning to
ponement since Jan. 10 — remain in Miami until Tues-
and no team has had more day.
games called off than the
Wizards. Postponed games, when pos-
sible, will be made up in the
Washington has seen five second half of the season,
consecutive games pushed which will take place from
back, and the earliest the March 11 — the one-year
Wizards will play again is anniversary of last season
Friday at Milwaukee. The shutting down because of the
Wizards revealed late last pandemic — through May
week that six players were Charlotte game been played play Monday in Memphis, 16. The league has not yet re-
positive for COVID-19 and as planned — seemed highly The 14 postponements in a ending a weeklong un- leased that half of the sched-
three others were ruled out problematic given the lack of little over a week have now planned break for the Suns. ule and isn’t expected to do
because contact tracing said practice time. involved 19 of the league's 30 Phoenix had three games de- so until late February at the
they may have been exposed teams. One of those match- layed because of virus-related earliest.
to the virus. Also Monday, the game in ups was to have taken place issues, which can include
Miami between the Heat on Monday’s Martin Luther players dealing with positive Players who test positive
Pushing the Wizards' return and the Detroit Pistons was King Jr. Day game schedule COVID-19 tests, inconclu- have to undergo a battery of
back appears to make sense pushed back five hours, with — Cleveland at Washington. sive tests or having to quar- exams before being cleared
for multiple reasons, includ- the league and teams making antine because contact trac- to return to play, such as car-
ing the fact that the team has that decision so additional The NBA has added more ing indicated they could have diac tests. Those ruled out
been unable to even practice. COVID-19 testing could be testing and stiffened proto- been exposed to someone by contact tracing have been
Some players returned to the processed. cols in recent days with the who tested positive. able, in most circumstances,
team facility this weekend hopes of getting as many to return after a quarantine
for 1-on-0 work, but what The game was scheduled to games in as possible. There have been a total of 15 period provided that they
would have been a five-game, begin at 3 p.m. EST and was games called this season for continue to test negative for
eight-day road trip — had the pushed back to 8 p.m. Phoenix was scheduled to coronavirus-related reasons COVID-19.

Archie Bradley, Phillies finalize $6 million, 1-year deal

(AP) — Archie Bradley ingratiat- throw to him this year.” page.”
ed himself with fans immediately “Hopefully, me being on board, we Bradley was 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA
after finalizing a $6 million, one- can get our guy J.T. back,” Bradley Phillies slugger Bryce Harper began and six saves in 16 games last season
year contract with the Philadel- said Monday during a video news campaigning for the team to re-sign with Arizona and Cincinnati, and
phia Phillies. conference. “I know him very well. Realmuto last season. A few times af- he earned $1,518,519 prorated from
Obviously, unbelieveable big leaguer. ter he crossed the plate on Realmu- a $4.1 million salary. Bradley had a
“SignJT,” Bradley wrote on Twitter. I’ve played with a lot of guys who to homers, Harper looked up in an career-best 18 saves in 2019.
have played with him that have done empty stadium and screamed: “Sign
The right-hander then expanded on nothing but speak so high of what him!” The 28-year-old right-hander joins
his desire for the Phillies bring back J.T. brings to the table not only on a bullpen that was among the worst
two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Real- the field but off the field. Great dude. Phillies President of Baseball Opera- in Major League Baseball. Philadel-
muto. I hope he’s a Phillie. I hope I get to tions Dave Dombrowski didn’t com- phia’s relievers combined for a 7.06
ment on a report the team has offered ERA, and the team blew three-run
Realmuto a five-year contract worth leads eight separate times. The Phil-
more than $100 million. He also said lies ended up one win shy of quali-
he doesn’t feel extra pressure to sign fying for the postseason for the first
Realmuto because Bradley, Harper time since 2011.
and others have made it clear they
want him. Bradley is 23-25 with a 3.91 ERA
and 28 saves in six seasons. He has
“No, I don’t really feel any pressure 425 strikeouts in 412 innings. Phil-
by those comments,” Dombrowski lies manager Joe Girardi didn’t say
said. “I think everybody knows that whether Bradley will be used as a
you’d like to bring him back – that’s closer or a set-up man. Hector Neris
not a secret. So, no, I don’t feel any is Philadelphia’s other option.
extra pressure in that regard. We want
to do everything we can to make our “I’m going to have a lot of opportu-
club better and I think we’ve ex- nities to contribute, and ultimately,
pressed our desires in doing so, so that’s what I want to do,” Bradley
we’ll do our best in that regard. But said. “I don’t care what role it’s in,
I don’t really feel extra pressure and I but I want to take the ball, and I want
don’t blame them – we feel the same to provide quality innings for this
way as they do, so we’re on the same team.”