Fernandez earns honor posthumously
Jose Fernandez, the former Miami Marlins star pitcher who died in a boating accident in September, was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year by his peers at the MLB Players Choice Awards.
Fernandez missed the first half of the 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and returned in July. In 2016, the 24-year-old was 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA and a career-high 253 strikeouts in 29 starts before his death.
Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year. Trumbo, 30, led the majors with 47 home runs in 2016. He hit 22 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners the season prior.
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was named the Player of the Year and the AL’s outstanding player after the 26-year-old hit an AL-leading .338 with 24 home runs, 96 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 2016.
Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy was the NL’s outstanding player, batting .347 with 25 homers and 104 RBIs.
Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks (16-8, NL-leading 2.13 ERA) was the NL’s outstanding pitcher while Boston Red Sox starter Rick Porcello (major-league-leading 22 wins, 3.15 ERA) was the AL’s outstanding pitcher.
Detroit Tigers starter Michael Fulmer (11-7, 3.06 ERA) was the AL’s top rookie and Los Angeles Dodger shortstop Corey Seager (.308, 26 HR, 72 RBIs) was the NL’s top newcomer.
NFL fines Sherman $9,115
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was fined $9,115 by the NFL for his hit on Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter during Monday night’s game.
Sherman jumped offside prior to the snap on a field-goal attempt and ran into Carpenter. Sherman received the hit to his wallet due to the predetermined schedule of penalties for on-field infractions.
Sherman did not receive a penalty on the field, however, although NFL senior vice president of officiating tweeted during the game that he should have been flagged for unnecessary roughness for the hit that transpired after officials failed to stop the play.
Saints’ Vaccaro facing suspension
New Orleans Saints starting safety Kenny Vaccaro is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the NFL Network reported Thursday.
Vaccaro, 25, plans to appeal the suspension, according to the report, so he will be eligible to play in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. The specific drug that led to the potential suspension is Adderall.
The Saints cannot afford to lose players on defense. They rank 29th among the 32 NFL teams in scoring defense and are last in pass defense.
Vaccaro started all seven games in which he played this season and started all 16 games a year ago.
Braves sign Dickey
Former National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey is returning to the Senior Circuit after agreeing to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.
Financial terms were not disclosed for the 42-year-old knuckleballer, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the deal includes a team option for 2018.
Dickey recorded a 10-15 mark with a 4.46 ERA in 30 appearances last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander has logged at least 200 innings in each of the past five campaigns.
Dickey won the 2012 Cy Young Award while posting a 20-6 mark and 2.73 ERA in his third and final season with the New York Mets.
Steelers’ Williams has knee surgery
Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams underwent knee surgery earlier this week, according to the NFL Network, which also reported that Williams will likely be sidelined for two to three weeks.
The type of procedure Williams underwent wasn’t immediately known. It was previously reported that he was being examined by a doctor on Tuesday.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey indicated he will play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday despite undergoing surgery earlier this week to repair his dislocated right thumb.
“I’m playing 100 percent, never any doubt,” Pouncey told reporters.
Vikings sign Pruitt
The Minnesota Vikings signed tight end MyCole Pruitt to and released offensive tackle Sean Hickey from their practice squad.
Pruitt, a 24-year-old and former fifth-round draft pick (No. 143 overall) of the Vikings in 2015, was released by Minnesota on Nov. 8.
After being drafted, Pruitt signed a four-year, $2.5 million deal with $230,588 guaranteed with the team. Over two seasons with the Vikings, Pruitt had 11 catches for 96 yards in 18 games.