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Five-star athlete K.J. Bolden announced his commitment to Florida State on Saturday, choosing the Seminoles over Georgia and Auburn.

Bolden is the No. 16 prospect overall in the 2024 class and the No. 2 athlete. He’s a 6-foot-1, 190-pound recruit from Buford High School (Buford, Georgia) and had nearly every major program after him. Despite all the choices he had, Bolden believed Florida State was the best one.

“The culture and the history behind it,” Bolden said. “Deion [Sanders], Derwin [James], Jalen Ramsey, all the great guys that went to that program. They bring a lot of great experience from a defensive back spot and I wouldn’t mind being a part of that.”

Bolden is listed as an athlete, but was mainly recruited to play in the secondary and for kick returns. He is versatile enough that the Seminoles can try him in a few different spots on defense and see where he fits best.

Being an hour from the Georgia campus, Bolden thought he would end up as a Dawg when his recruiting process started, but as he got further into the relationship building process, he found that he was open to going farther away from home.

“I thought I was going to Georgia because it was the hometown,” Bolden said. “But, I had to get used to the recruiting process and learn a little more. Now that I’ve been in the process, I’ve seen different views of it and where I really see myself.”

He said his visit to Florida State with his family showed how much the Seminoles’ staff cared, and the hospitality he received put the school over the top.

“Coach [Mike] Norvell, he showed me that he was willing to do whatever to make me successful. He said he’ll do everything in his power and he’ll never give up on me,” Bolden said. “It’s not good to commit because of a coaching staff, but I feel like I’m close with all those guys. They’re always texting me, even if it’s offensive or defensive coaches, both sides, I just felt real close with that school.”

His commitment gives Florida State nine ESPN 300 commitments. Bolden is the Seminoles highest-ranked commitment in the class.

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Tigers’ Baddoo to miss start of regular season

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Tigers' Baddoo to miss start of regular season

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo had surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand and will miss the start of the regular season.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Baddoo had more tests done after some continued wrist soreness since the start of spring training. Those tests revealed the hamate hook fracture in his right hand that was surgically repaired Thursday.

Baddoo, 26, who has been with the Tigers since 2021, is at spring training as a non-roster player. He was designated for assignment in December after Detroit signed veteran right-hander Alex Cobb to a $15 million, one-year contract. Baddoo cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.

Cobb is expected to miss the start of the season after an injection to treat hip inflammation that developed as the right-hander was throwing at the start of camp. He has had hip surgery twice.

Baddoo hit .137 with two homers and five RBIs in 31 games last season. The left-hander has a .226 career average with 28 homers and 103 RBI in 340 games.

After the Tigers acquired him from Minnesota in the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings in December 2020, Baddoo hit .259 with 13 homers, 55 RBIs, 18 stolen bases and a .330 on-base percentage in 124 games as a rookie in 2021. Those are all career bests.

Baddoo went into camp in a crowded outfield. The six outfielders on Detroit’s 40-man roster include three other left-handed hitters (Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and Parker Meadows) and switch-hitter Wenceel Pérez. The other outfielders are right-handers Matt Vierling and Justyn-Henry Malloy.

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Dodgers’ Miller has no fracture after liner scare

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Dodgers' Miller has no fracture after liner scare

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller still had a bit of a headache but slept fine and felt much better a day after getting hit on the head by a line drive, manager Dave Roberts said Friday.

Roberts said he had spoken with Miller, who was still in concussion protocol after getting struck by a 105.5 mph liner hit by Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch in the first game of spring training Thursday.

The manager said Miller indicated that there was no fracture or any significant bruising.

“He said in his words, ‘I have a hard head.’ He was certainly in good spirits,” Roberts said.

Miller immediately fell to the ground while holding his head, but quickly got up on his knees as medical staff rushed onto the field. The 25-year-old right-hander was able to walk off the field on his own.

“He feels very confident that he can kind of pick up his throwing program soon,” said Roberts, who was unsure of that timing. “But he’s just got to keep going through the concussion protocol just to make sure that we stay on the right track.”

Miller entered spring training in the mix for a spot in the starting rotation. He had a 2-4 record with an 8.52 ERA over 13 starts last season, after going 11-4 with a 3.76 in 22 starts as a rookie in 2023.

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Brewers OF Perkins (shin) to miss start of season

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Brewers OF Perkins (shin) to miss start of season

PHOENIX — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins is expected to miss the first month of the season after fracturing his right shin during batting practice.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed the severity of Perkins’ injury before their Cactus League opener Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

“They’re estimating another three to four weeks to heal and a ramp-up of four to six weeks,” Murphy said. “So you’re probably looking at May.”

Perkins, 28, batted .240 with a .316 on-base percentage, six homers, 43 RBIs and 23 steals in 121 games last season. He also was a National League Gold Glove finalist at center field.

“Perkins is a big part of our team,” Murphy said. “The chemistry of the team, the whole thing, Perk’s huge. He’s one of the most loved guys on the club, and he’s a great defender, coming into his own as an offensive player. Yeah, it’s going to hurt us.”

Murphy also said right-handed pitcher J.B. Bukauskas has what appears to be a serious lat injury and is debating whether to undergo surgery. Bukauskas had a 1.50 ERA in six relief appearances last year but missed much of the season with a lat issue.

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