SAN DIEGO (AP) β Let the dominos start to fall. Free agent pitcher Jon Lester, the prize in this year’s free agent class, agreed to a six-year, $155 million deal with the Cubs overnight, opening the gates for more free agent signings. Lester, who began last season with the Red Sox, was traded mid-season to the Athletics. He finished last season with a career-best earned run average of 2.46 and a record of 16-11.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Carolina Panthers will update the status of quarterback Cam Newton today. He spent the night in a Charlotte area hospital after suffering fractures to his lower back in a two-car crash near the team’s stadium yesterday. Team spokesman Charlie Dayton said yesterday that Newton was in fair condition and had no other internal injuries.
CLEVELAND (AP) β Brian Hoyer is out as starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns and rookie Johnny Manziel (man-ZEHL’) is in. The former Heisman Trophy winner was named the team’s starter for this week’s game with Cincinnati by coach Mike Pettine (PET’-ihn). The 22nd player taken in the NFL draft this year, Manziel has been on the field for just 18 plays this season.
CLEVELAND (AP) β The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games with a 105-101 win last night over Toronto. The victory over the winningest team in the Eastern Conference was the second in just a few days for the Cavs. LeBron James led the Cleveland attack with 35 points including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 48 seconds left.
UNDATED (AP) β The nation’s No. 1 men’s college basketball team is home for a game tonight. Kentucky’s Wildcats are playing host to Columbia and with a win would go to 10-0.
