Soto progresses in Padres camp with optimism for WBC trip

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer

JUAN Soto ran sprints in the outfield, took some big swings in batting practice and signed a few autographs at the San Diego Padres spring training complex yesterday after the early workout to test a left calf that kept him in Arizona.

Soto, who has been dealing with calf tightness, could still join the Dominican Republic team in Miami before it begins group play in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday against Venezuela. He even did some outfield work during his workout.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said the team increased the progression of Soto’s work, and that the outfielder could play in a

“”B” game against Cleveland today.

“If he plays in that, hopefully we can get him cleared ... and optimistic for potentially getting him on the road Friday,” Melvin said. Soto remained in Peoria, Arizona, for treatment when Manny Machado, Luis García and Nelson Cruz left the Padres camp Monday to join the Dominican Republic. The 42-year-old Cruz, trying to make San Diego’s roster as a designated hitter/outfielder, is general manager for his country in the WBC. Melvin said he had spoken to Cruz, who was trying to get a feel for Soto’s status. Cruz also was expected to speak with Padres GM A.J. Preller. Once cleared, there would be no limits on Soto in the WBC.

“The plan is to get him get out in the field and let him play, and hopefully he can play in the field,” Melvin said. “But I think the backup plan would probably be DH.” San Diego obtained the 24-year-old Soto in a trade-deadline deal last season. The Washington Nationals traded the twotime All-Star and 2019 World Series champion after he turned down a $440 million, 15-year contract.

The appointment, which takes immediate effect, will run through 2025 as Burrows serves on the Umpiring Commission, which was formed by the nominations of the national federations and the evaluations of the executive committee.

Burrows, 57, said he was elated when he got the letter of confirmation from Bahamas Baseball Association secretary general Theodore ‘Teddy’ Sweeting.

“It’s a good achievement, but the work has just began,” said Burrows, who serves as the head of the newly formed Local Umpires Association –Academy (LUA-A).

“I have to keep working hard and pushing hard to get others up there. So I hope now that when the

PSG eliminated by Bayern in Champions League last 16

By J ELLINGWORTH AP Sports Writer

MUNICH (AP) — Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé will have to wait another year for a chance to win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayern Munich contained the World Cup stars and beat PSG 2-0 yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals 3-0 on aggregate.

After former PSG forward Kingsley Coman scored in the roundof-16 first leg, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting — another former PSG player — doubled the advantage before Serge Gnabry finished off the scoring at Allianz Stadium.

PSG had dominated the first half of the game and was only denied the lead by a goal-line clearance from Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt, but Bayern regained its focus in the second half to secure the win.

Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann had spoken previously of having a plan to shut down Messi and Mbappé and it seemed to work as Bayern’s defenders gradually squeezed them out of the game. All PSG can win this season is the French league title after being knocked out of the French