Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin waits on deck during the second inning against the San Diego Padres in Pittsburgh on Monday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Griffin signs

Pirates’ offer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Konnor Griffin has signed a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This deal with the 19-year-old shortstop is the largest in club history.

The announcement comes after Griffin made his big league debut. The contract includes escalators that could increase its value to $150 million.

Owner Bob Nutting says the deal is a “meaningful commitment” by the team to a player who’s expected to play a significant role in the club’s long-term future. Griffin agreed to the deal hours after producing the first multi-hit game of his young career in a 7-1 victory over San Diego that gave the Pirates their sixth win in seven games.

Davey Lopes

dies at 80

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Davey Lopes, a Los Angeles Dodgers infielder and base stealer, has died. He was 80. The Dodgers say they learned of his death on Wednesday from his former wife, Lin Lopes.

Lopes was a four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Dodgers, playing in four World Series and winning the 1981 championship. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base and was known for his base-stealing prowess, with 418 steals for the Dodgers.

After his playing career, Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers and coached for several teams, winning another World Series with the Phillies.

Pearce fails

to attend

(AP) — Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski says James Pearce Jr. has not reported to Atlanta’s voluntary workouts. Stefanski says the program is voluntary, and they’re in constant communication with Pearce’s representation. Pearce was arrested in February near Miami after an incident involving his former girlfriend. He faces several charges, including aggravated battery and stalking. His status with the Falcons has been uncertain since the arrest. The Falcons’ front office remains tight-lipped during the ongoing investigation. Pearce led the team with 10.5 sacks in 2025, significantly boosting their pass rush.

WNBA free

agency opens

NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum were all extended franchise tags by their WNBA teams worth potentially $1.4 million as free agency opened up.

By giving the “core” designation to those players, their teams have exclusive negotiating rights. Players can negotiate different terms to help their teams sign other players to fit under the new salary cap. Other players giving the “core” designation include Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell, Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale, Atlanta’s Allisha Gray, Chicago’s Ariel Atkins and Seattle Ezi Magbegor.

Expansion franchises Portland and Toronto offered franchise tags to Bridget Carleton and Marina Mabrey, respectively.

NBC hires

Sue Bird

NEW YORK (AP) — Hall of Famer Sue Bird watched the WNBA on NBC growing up. Now she’ll be part of the WNBA broadcasts on the network for this upcoming season.

The four-time WNBA champion will be a studio analyst and host a series of feature stories throughout the league’s 30th season which begins on May 8.

The NBC broadcasts will also feature “Roundball Rock” — John Tesh’s iconic theme song that was the soundtrack of the network’s coverage of the NBA from 1990 until 2002. NBC brought the song back this year when it took over broadcasting the NBA again.