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Hearing on Bauer restraining order delayed again
The civil hearing for the temporary restraining order obtained against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer has been moved to Aug. 16-19.
The hearing, expected to last between two and three days, was originally scheduled for Aug. 3, 4 and 19, but Bauer's side once again asked for a continuance, sources told ESPN.
Bauer's administrative leave has been extended three times and currently runs through Aug. 6, but Major League Baseball can continue to extend it with consent from the MLB Players Association. Doing so is mutually beneficial because it allows more time for investigations while players continue to be paid.
The initial hearing -- attended by Bauer and his accuser -- took place Friday at L.A. County Superior Court and was delayed an additional six business days after Bauer's attorneys requested more time to prepare a defense against witnesses and exhibits they claimed to have not received until the night before the hearing.
Further delaying the hearing would allow Bauer's team more time to prepare to cross-examine witnesses -- the woman's team previously stated it would call as many as six -- and perhaps give the ongoing criminal investigation a chance to conclude before then.
One of Bauer's lawyers, Shawn Holley, who defended Lindsay Lohan, told the judge during Friday's hearing that she has advised her client not to testify given the concurrent criminal investigation. But the petitioner's side stated that Bauer must take the stand, even if he invokes his Fifth Amendment right not to answer.
Bauer's legal team is expected to call three to four witnesses.
MLB and the City of Pasadena Police Department are conducting separate investigations into Bauer, who has been accused by a woman of choking her until she lost consciousness on multiple occasions, punching her in several areas of her body and leaving her with injuries that required hospitalization over the course of two sexual encounters this year, according to a domestic violence restraining order that was filed in L.A. County Superior Court on June 28, copies of which were obtained by ESPN.
The temporary restraining order was executed ex parte, which can be attained without input from the other party. Bauer's side has strongly denied the allegations of sexual assault, calling the interactions between him and the woman "wholly consensual" and saying in a prior statement that Bauer "vehemently denies her account of their two meetings."
Bauer hasn't been with the Dodgers since initially being placed on leave July 2. The Dodgers have canceled Bauer's bobblehead night, which was scheduled for Aug. 19, and have removed all of his merchandise from the team and online stores, saying they "did not feel it was appropriate" given the investigations.
MLB can unilaterally place players on seven-day administrative leave under its domestic violence policy, but must seek consent from the MLBPA to extend it thereafter.
Bauer, the 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, joined the Dodgers with a record-setting three-year, $102 million contract in February that includes two opt-out clauses.
ESPN's Jeff Passan contributed to this report.
Wednesday's game between the Nationals and Phillies in Philadelphia has been postponed as Washington deals with a COVID-19 outbreak, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
According to sources, multiple players and coaches tested positive Wednesday, a day after Nationals All-Star shortstop Trea Turner was pulled in the first inning of Tuesday's game after returning a positive test.
The timeline for Turner's positive result suggests his test was taken Monday.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters that he couldn't comment on whether Turner has been vaccinated.
Washington also dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak ahead of Opening Day, forcing the team to start its season five days later than it was supposed to.
Review Day Five: Yu Mengyu continues to upset the odds
The no.26 seed, at the quarter-final stage she beat Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.5 seed (8-11, 11-5, 14-12, 11-6, 11-2), to reserve her last four place.
An upset but history suggests otherwise; since their first encounter at the 2007 ITTF World Tour Brazil Open in Belo Horizonte, they have now met 16 times in international events. It is eight wins apiece.
Progress per status
Otherwise, the quarter-final encounters in the women’s singles event went as status predicted; China’s Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha, in particular, imposed their authority on proceedings.
Chen Meng, the top seed, beat Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem, the no.8 seed (6-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-1, 11-8) and thus maintained tradition. In all four international meetings, Chen Meng has won in six games!
Later in the day, Sun Yingsha proved too consistent for the defensive skills of Germany’s Han Ying, the no.12 seed (11-8, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6).
Success for the top two names, there was success for the third and more than hope for the host nation. Mima Ito, the no.3 seed, accounted for Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee, the no.7 seed (11-5, 11-1, 12-10, 11-6).
- 11.00 Chen Meng (CHN) v Yu Mengyu (SGP)
- 12.00 Mima Ito (JPN) v Sun Yingsha (CHN)
- 20.00 Bronze Medal Match
- 21.00 Gold Medal Match
Similar scenario
Progress in style for Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha; in the men’s singles it was the same for compatriots Fan Zhendong and Ma Long.
Fan Zhendong, the top seed, accounted for Korea Republic’s Jeoung Youngsik, the no.10 seed (12-10, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5); Ma Long, the no.2 seed, overcame Egypt’s Omar Assar, the no.28 seed (11-7, 11-9, 11-6, 11-13, 11-6). Ma Long has now won all three encounters at international level against Omar Assar, the previous engagements being at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in 2015 in Halmstad and 2017 in Liège.
Imposing performances, it was the same from Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju, the no.5 seed, he abruptly ended the ambitions of Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic, the no.18 seed (11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6). Thus, he reversed the decision of their one previous international meeting. At the 2016 World Junior Championships in Cape Town, Darko Jorgic had prevailed.
Not to be outdone, Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the no.7 seed, ended the hopes of Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the no.4 seed (7-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8, 11-2); a surprise according to status but not when considering history. Dimitrij Ovtcharov had won both prior international exchanges; on the ITTF World Tour he prevailed in 2014 in Qatar and in 2019 in the Czech Republic.
- 15.00 Fan Zhendong (CHN) v Lin Yun-Ju (TPE)
- 16.00 Dimitrij Ovtcharov (GER) v Ma Long (CHN)
Medal matches
The semi-finals of the women’s singles will be played on Thursday 29th July followed by the bronze medal and gold medal matches; also, the men’s singles semi-finals will be played.
However, the bronze and gold medal men’s singles contests will be staged on Friday 30th July.
Opening day surprises, girls’ team event provides upsets
In the girls’ team event, contrary to expectations, they secured first place in their respective initial stage group fixtures.
Represented by Veronika Matiunina and Sofia Sheredeha, Ukraine recorded a 3-0 success in opposition to the second seeds, the Belarus combination of Ulyana Miashchanskaya and Veronika Varabyova.
Belarus duly finished in second position and, like Ukraine, advance to the main draw.
Similarly, Poland, with Natalia Bogdanowicz and Wiktoria Wrobel on duty, posted a 3-0 win when facing the third seeds, the Russian combination of Ekaterina Ivanova, Anastasiia Ivanova and Zlata Terekhova.
Proving the only defeat the Russians would suffer, they progressed, keeping medal hopes alive.
However, for the fourth seeds, the Slovakian outfit formed by Mihaela Bitoova, Nina Daracova and Dominika Wiltschkova, it was third place in the initial phase group. They must now compete in the play-off rounds.
France, who selected from Gaetane Bled, Leana Hochart, Clea de Stoppeleire and Agathe Avezou topped the group ahead of Belgium’s Eloise Duvivier and Lilou Massart.
Testing times for prominent teams; for the top seeds, there were no such travails. Germany, selecting from Annett Kaufmann, Mia Griesel, Josephina Neumann and Faustyna Stefanska, remained unbeaten to secure top spot in the group.
Conversely, in the boys’ team competition, the top four seeded outfits, all ended their group phase fixtures in first position.
Top seeds, Romania’s Dragos Alexander Bujor and Iulian Chirita stamped their authority on proceedings as did the next in line, the French selection of Flavien Coton, Felix Lebrun, Elian Zemmal and Antoine Noirault,
Likewise, it was first place for the third seeds, Czech Republic’s Martin Sip and Stean Brhel, a situation that applied also to the fourth seeds, Poland’s Michal Wandachowicz and Alan Kulczycki.
Play in the team events continues on Wednesday 28th July.
Gazprom 2021 European Youth Championships results
Faster, higher, stronger; Olympic Games motto never more true
On Wednesday 21st July, those ideals were very much the theme for Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of the World Health Organisation, in his keynote speech at the 138th International Olympic Committee Session.
He came with a very clear message.
Most importantly he addressed the most topical subject of the pandemic and did not mince words; he was crystal clear.
Alarming figures, equally the figures relating to vaccines are most disturbing. They have been focused on the privileged. He underlined the fact that 75 per cent of vaccines had been administered in just 10 countries. In low income countries, only one per cent of people have received at least one dose.
Quite simply, the longer the situation persists, the longer the pandemic will continue; the more extreme will be the social and economic effects. Furthermore, the greater is the possibility of more variants.
In conjunction with the heads of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus aims to institute a policy to vaccinate at least 10 per cent of the population of every country by September, at least 40 per cent by the end of this year, and 70 per cent by mid-next year.
Control
There is no magical solution, no immediate end; the task is one of control, one of using common sense, one of not taking a selfish approach believing you will not be affected. Control is the key word, and it is the key word at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games; the efforts made receiving applause from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Now the Tokyo Olympic Games Organising Committee faces the test, perhaps the most severe examination any such group has ever faced in sporting history. Crucial is the fact that everyone complies, everyone supports; it is no time for detractors.
No zero risk
We cannot anticipate perfection; the task is to make sure a situation is in place that keeps any problems in whatever sphere to a minimum. Elimination is not a realistic option, a situation which Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed
Well aware of the efforts made by Japan and the need to follow health protocols, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of the Games in a wider sphere.
Million dollar question
An end to the pandemic is the million dollar question. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that such a goal is in our hands, in the hands governments, companies that produce vaccines, society in general and in particular individuals.
He thanked Japan for co-hosting the COVAX AMC Summit last month (Covax is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines) and for contributing one billion U.S. dollars to the COVAX Facility. Furthermore, he underlined the fact any individual, organization or business can contribute to saving the lives of others by making a donation to the WHO Foundation’s Solidarity Response Fund.
Most significantly, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the fact that the Olympic Games motto “faster, higher, stronger” is now more relevant than ever.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is a celebration, not just one of sport but most importantly one of humanity, one of expectation, promise and hope for the future.
Preview Day Six: Another champion to be crowned as women’s singles race concludes
We’re now approaching the business end of the first week at Tokyo 2020, with both singles events entering the closing stages.
Thursday’s programme opens with back-to-back semi-final encounters in the Women’s Singles draw with China’s Chen Meng and Singapore’s Yu Mengyu clashing at 11.00 local time. Then, from 12.00, we’ll see two of the sport’s most exciting young talents in action as China’s Sun Yingsha and Japan’s Mima Ito meet face-to-face in what promises to be another dynamic contest between the two.
The edge of the seat drama continues as China’s Fan Zhendong and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju take centre stage in the first Men’s Singles semi-final at 15.00, with Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Rio 2016 gold medallist Ma Long facing off at 16.00.
There are also two Women’s Singles medal opportunities on day six, with the bronze medal match taking place from 20.00 before we find out which player will leave Tokyo with the gold medal around their neck at 21.00.
Details for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, including scheduling information, can also be accessed here.
For all the latest Tokyo 2020 news on ITTF.com & Worldtabletennnis.com
The Nashville Predators liked what Mikael Granlund did down the stretch last season to help them make the playoffs, so they rewarded the unrestricted free agent with a four-year, $20 million deal.
"Signing Mikael to a contract that will keep him here in Nashville was a priority for us as we entered the free agency period," general manager David Poile said in a statement. "He has been one of our most consistent players since he joined the Predators, played a crucial role in helping turn our team around last season and fits in extremely well with our team chemistry and the identity we are trying to build."
Granlund had seasons with 69 points and 67 points before a trade to Nashville in February 2019 for Kevin Fiala. After that the players went in opposite directions. Fiala has scored more than 20 goals in each of the last two seasons. Granlund had 30 points two seasons ago and 27 last season.
After the 30-point campaign Granlund took a paycut on a one-year deal to stay in Nashville.
Under coach John Hynes, though, Granlund did show more consistency. He also stepped into the center spot when Matt Duchene was injured and won almost 52% of his faceoffs.
NHL free agency grades: Why Coleman makes sense for the Flames
The NHL free agency signing period for 2021 is officially open.
For each key player who signs a deal, we'll assess the player's fit with his new team, weigh whether the terms of the deal make sense, and serve up an overall grade for the team.
We'll continue to grade the most notable moves through the offseason, so check back for fresh grades as deals are consummated; the newest grades will be up top.
More: Free-agency tracker
Draft recap: Every pick | Takeaways
Note: Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Wild, unless otherwise noted.
A medal for Korea's Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im is about more than glory and country
KAWAGOE, Japan – There is no shortage of reasons to want to represent your country in the Olympics, but for Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im this week’s golf competition is about more than glory and country.
Kim and Im, who both skipped this month’s Open Championship in order to prepare for the Games, can earn an exemption from two years of mandatory military service in South Korea by winning a medal in Tokyo.
Although that’s a special kind of pressure, both players dismissed the notion that it will make things more difficult.
“I know it's true that if we earn a medal the Korean government will exempt us from serving in the military, but I don't really, like, focus or think about the service in the military,” Kim said. “My only goal is to win the championship and get medal and be honored.”
Im added, “I only think focus and think about the winning games, not the military problem.”
As for skipping The Open, the players explained the goal was to adjust to the new time zone before play started. “I made myself so comfortable and relaxed and prepared for the Olympic games,” Im said.
U.S. Olympic golfers pick the brains of the U.S. men's basketball team and vice versa
KAWAGOE, Japan – For golfers, the highlight of the Olympics is the chance to mix with world-class athletes from other sports. And while that opportunity may be diminished this year because of COVID-19 restrictions, there are still opportunities to savor the experience.
On Tuesday three of the four members of Team USA spent time with players and coaches from the American basketball team, including head coach Gregg Popovich. Patrick Reed was not present with his three teammates as he didn’t arrive in Japan until Wednesday afternoon.
“We spent a lot of time with the coaches, which was really cool. Draymond [Green] sat with us for a little bit. But for the most part we were just hanging out with Jay [Wright] and Steve Kerr and [Popovich] came in for a little bit,” Justin Thomas said. “It was cool just to talk to those guys because you could tell they're such big golf fans.”
Thomas said he and the other members of the U.S. golf team had plenty of questions for their basketball counterparts and that curiosity was returned.
“All the questions that we want to ask them about basketball they're asking us about golf, so it's almost like the other one doesn't really feel bad because we're just kind of going back and forth,” Thomas said.
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