Profar agrees to $42M, 3-year deal with Braves

ATLANTA>> Jurickson Profar agreed to a $42 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, less than a year after the outfielder got a $1 million deal from the San Diego Padres with spring training already underway.

Profar revived his career with the Padres last year when he hit .280 with 24 home runs. Profar scored 94 runs, drove in 85 runs and had 10 stolen bases.

“Tapping into his power was the one piece that was going to elevate his bat,” Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday night. “We believe what he did last year is who he is going forward.”

Lawsuit says ex-Yankee Rivera failed to protect girl from sexual abuse

NEW YORK>> Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife are accused in a lawsuit of failing to protect a young girl who was sexually abused by an older child during a summer camp trip sponsored by their church.

In a lawsuit filed this month, lawyers for the girl allege that the Hall of Fame pitcher and his wife Clara Rivera, a pastor at the Refuge of Hope Church, flew to Florida to investigate after the girl’s mother expressed concerns about her daughter’s safety during the 2018 trip.

But rather than take action, the couple “isolated and intimidated” the victim into remaining “silent about her negative experiences,” including the abuse, the lawsuit says.

Joseph A. Ruta, an attorney for the Riveras, said in a statement that any allegations that they “knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false.”

Left-hander Minter, Mets finalize $22M, 2-year deal

NEW YORK >> Left-hander A.J. Minter and the New York Mets finalized a $22 million, two-year contract on Thursday.

Minter can opt out after the 2025 World Series and become a free agent again.

The 31-year-old, coming off left hip surgery, has spent his entire eight-year major league career with the NL East rival Atlanta Braves, going 24-29 with a 3.28 ERA and 36 saves in 384 appearances — all in relief.

Belichick signs contract to coach at North Carolina

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick and school officials have signed his official employment contract, formalizing last month’s hiring after speculation that the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach might opt instead for a return to the NFL.

The school released the contract Thursday, which was signed by chancellor Lee Roberts and athletic director Bubba Cunningham and approved by university trustees earlier in the day. Belichick signed the deal Wednesday.

Kam and O’Shea dazzle in pairs competition at U.S. championships

WICHITA, Kan>> Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea made a fairly emphatic statement on Thursday night that they belong on the American team for next year’s Winter Olympics, putting together a near-flawless short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The defending national champions scored 77.19 points for their skate, set to “Rain, in Your Black Eyes” by the Italian composer Ezio Bosso. It was more than four points better than their best in international competition, and it put Kam and O’Shea more than eight points ahead of second-place Emily Chan and Spencer Howe heading into Saturday night’s free skate.

— The Associated Press