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Right-hander Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a four-year, $44 million contract, sources told ESPN, with the plan being to convert him from the bullpen into a full-time starter.

Hicks, 27, has experience as a starter, working there almost exclusively in his two minor league seasons and spending eight games in the rotation with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, he has a starter’s build, and even if his velocity recedes with the move, he will still be among the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball.

A source said Hicks can also make up to $2 million per year in performance bonuses.

Perhaps the most sought-after relief pitcher at the 2023 trade deadline, Hicks was dealt from the Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays for two prospects. He finished the season with 81 strikeouts in 65⅔ innings between the two teams, allowing just four home runs while saving 12 games.

Among all qualified pitchers, his 100.3 mph average on his four-seam fastball was second in the majors to Jhoan Duran (101.8 mph) and his 101.1 mph average on his sinker was second only to Aroldis Chapman, according to Statcast.

The deal, which is pending a physical, adds Hicks to a deep complement of starting options. Ace Logan Webb is the only guarantee in San Francisco’s rotation, with Hicks, right-hander Ross Stripling, left-handed prospect Kyle Harrison and right-hander Keaton Winn also vying for spots. San Francisco traded for former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, who is expected back from Tommy John surgery after the All-Star break, while veteran Alex Cobb is expected to miss the beginning of the season following hip surgery.

Hicks is best known for his blazing fastball, a pitch that dips and darts with uncommon movement for its velocity. He debuted in St. Louis’ bullpen at 21, less than three years after the Cardinals chose him in the third round out of a Houston-area high school.

He had Tommy John surgery in June 2019 after saving 14 games in 15 opportunities for the Cardinals. Hicks then opted out of the COVID-shortened 2020 season, citing preexisting health concerns, as he was diagnosed in high school with Type 1 diabetes. He returned in 2021, only to experience another setback with right elbow discomfort. He went on the injured list in early May and did not pitch again that season.

When he came back in 2022, Hicks built up to start, throwing 24⅔ innings over seven games with a 5.84 ERA before going on the injured list. He returned as a reliever — and opened one July game — and stayed in the bullpen through the end of last season. In his 25 games with Toronto, Hicks posted a 2.63 ERA and finished strong in the best season of his big league career.

San Francisco has cycled through a litany of starting pitchers in recent years, with Stripling, Winn, Sean Manaea, Alex Wood and Jakob Junis all pitching out of the bullpen as well last season as the Giants went 79-83 and fired manager Gabe Kapler. If Hicks doesn’t remain in the rotation, he would join Camilo Doval and make up the hardest-throwing back end of a bullpen in baseball.

Hicks is the third free agent to sign with the Giants this winter, joining center fielder Jung Hoo Lee (six years, $113 million) and catcher Tom Murphy (two years, $8.25 million).

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Canes’ Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

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Canes' Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season, worth $2.75 million for the 35-year-old veteran.

General manager Eric Tulsky announced the deal Saturday, a little over 48 hours before his team starts the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals.

Andersen could earn up to $750,000 in incentives for games played and his participation in a potential run to the Eastern Conference finals next season. He would get $250,000 for playing 35 or more games, another $250,000 for getting to 40 and $250,000 if the Hurricanes reach the East finals and he plays in at least half of the playoff games.

“Frederik has played extremely well for us and ranks in the top 10 all-time for winning percentage by an NHL goalie,” Tulsky said. “We’re excited that he will be staying with the team for next season.”

Andersen and the Hurricanes, the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, advanced past the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 last week. They will meet the Capitals, who won the division crown, for the right to make the NHL’s final four.

Extending Andersen could give the team a goaltending tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov for less than $6 million combined.

Anderson, a Denmark native who previously played for the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, has become coach Rod Brind’Amour’s most trusted option in net. He is expected to return to the starting role for Game 1 of the Capitals series after getting injured in the first round against New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday.

Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay.

This time, he knew right away.

Sovereignty won by 1½ lengths and snapped an 0-for-13 Derby skid for owner Godolphin, the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It was quite a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court won the 2,000 Guineas in Britain.

Sovereignty covered 1¼ miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds.

Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.

Baeza was third, Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth.

Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

FORT WORTH, Texas — Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old driver already with two NASCAR Xfinity Series race wins, will miss Saturday’s race at Texas because of lower back injuries sustained in a last-lap wreck at Talladega.

Trackhouse Racing said Wednesday that its development driver will return as soon as possible to the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The team didn’t provide any additional details about Zilisch’s injuries.

Cup Series regular Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 in Texas. After that, the Xfinity Series has a two-week break before racing again May 24 at Charlotte.

Zilisch, sixth in points through the first 11 races, was driving for the win at Talladega Superspeedway when contact on the backstretch sent his car spinning, and head-on into inside wall.

Zilisch won in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen last Sept. 14. He added another win this year at Austin, the same weekend that he made his Cup Series debut. He has six top-10 finishes in his 15 Xfinity races.

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