FOOTBALL
Prosecution rests
The prosecution has rested its case in the murder trial of former New England Patriots star tight end Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez has pleaded innocent in the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee. Lloyd was killed at an industrial park less than a mile from Hernandez's home. Before resting their case Thursday, prosecutors called more than 100 witnesses and submitted hundreds of pieces of evidence. Those included surveillance videos from inside Hernandez's home that showed him holding what appeared to be a gun less than 10 minutes after Lloyd's killing. A joint found near Lloyd's body had DNA from both men on it. The trial has lasted more than two months. Hernandez's lawyer has said he expects to rest the defense's case Monday.
• The College Football Playoff selection committee plans to release its first weekly rankings of the 2015 season on Nov. 3. Committee Chairman Jeff Long, athletic director for the University of Arkansas, said the committee will recommend to the conference commissioners that there should be no changes to the rankings routine. Following the ninth week of the regular season, the 13-member panel will meet in person in the Dallas area and the rankings will come out each Tuesday. The college football season starts a week later this season so there will be six total rankings instead of seven. The final rankings used to determine the four teams participating in the College Football Playoff will be released Dec. 6. Commissioners had previously talked about tweaking the schedule and paring back the frequency of the rankings.
BASEBALL
Verlander on DL
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is headed to the disabled list for the first time in his major league career. The Tigers said Thursday the 32-year-old right-hander won't be on the active roster for Monday's opener against Minnesota because of tightness in his right triceps. He was scratched from his Thursday start and no timetable has been announced for when he will pitch again. "I think they used the word strain," Verlander said. "It felt like just a little cramp but, obviously, with it taking a little longer to heal, it's probably a little bit more than that -- just take it day by day." Detroit will make his DL stint retroactive, making it possible the six-time All-Star could start the sixth game of the season, on April 12 at Cleveland. "If he does start on that Sunday, essentially he doesn't miss a start," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.
MOTOR SPORTS
RCR appeals penalties
Richard Childress Racing has appealed the penalties NASCAR levied against Ryan Newman's team for allegedly manipulating tires. NASCAR this week said tires taken from Newman after the March 22 race in California failed an independent inspection and had been altered to intentionally release air pressure during the race. Crew chief Luke Lambert was fined $125,000, suspended for the next six races and placed on probation through the end of the year. Tire technician James Bender and engineer Philip Surgen also were suspended six races and placed on probation through Dec. 31. Newman and car owner Richard Childress were docked 75 points each. No date for the appeal was set Thursday. NASCAR said RCR requested to have all the penalties deferred while the appeal takes place. The sanctioning body granted the deferral for the suspensions and fines, but did not reinstate the points for Newman and Childress. NASCAR said the points would be reinstated if RCR wins the appeal.
BOXING
PPV price sets record
Don't expect much change back from a $100 bill to watch the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight at home. The two cable networks broadcasting the fight said Thursday the suggested retail price for the May 2 pay-per-view will be $89.95. Many, though, will end up paying $99.95 because of a surcharge for high definition tacked on by many cable and satellite providers. Like almost everything else about the fight, the pay-per-view price is a record for boxing. The previous highest was the $64.95/$74.95 charged for the 2013 fight between Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. The welterweight title unification fight will be televised by HBO and Showtime. Depending on how the pay-per-view does, Mayweather could earn some $180 million and Pacquiao $120 million.
Sports on 04/03/2015