Goalkeeper Jan Oblak has denied Atletico Madrid are facing a "crisis" after a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday saw the La Liga leaders lose back-to-back games for the first time this season.

The round-of-16 first leg result in Bucharest -- which saw Olivier Giroud's overhead kick give the Premier League team the advantage ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 17 -- followed Atletico's domestic loss to Levante on Saturday.

- Chelsea ratings: Tuchel, Giroud 8/10 in Chelsea win

"I don't think it's a crisis," Oblak said. "Yes it's different to what we've experienced over the rest of the season, but [football] is like that. This team is strong. We'll get through this. We weren't perfect in December and January and we aren't bad now."

Atetico have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight games in all competitions, their worst defensive run during coach Diego Simeone's decade in charge.

"We'll work on it," Simeone said. "We have an important game with Villarreal on Sunday. We aren't getting the results... Seeing the effort of the team, and knowing the explanation for the moment we're in, I feel good. I trust in the team that we have.

"If you'd said to me in September that we'd lose this first leg 1-0 and be top of the league, I'd have taken it for sure. We'll deal with it. It's clear that this isn't a good moment."

Atletico's lead over Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table was cut to three points -- with a game in hand -- when they were beaten by Levante, and the Chelsea loss is another blow to morale.

"Defeats are difficult, but we always get back up," captain Koke said. "We're the same team that went on a run of eight wins in the league... We've had a bad week, that's the reality, but we have to keep fighting. Atletico Madrid always get back up. We have to go out to win the second leg."

He refused to blame Atletico's need to play their "home" leg in Bucharest -- due to restrictions on UK flights arriving in Spain -- for the performance, which saw the team fail to land a single shot on target.

"We know how the world is right now," he said. "We didn't get to play at home, but it doesn't matter. We have to adapt. We have to go to London and win. If we score twice, we'll go through."

Seven West Media are entitled to a broadcast rights fee discount of as little as A$5 million from Cricket Australia due to changes in the schedule due to Covid-19, according to the independent arbitrator demanded by the free-to-air network.

In a draft outcome understood to have been delivered to the warring parties on Tuesday night, the arbitrator Justin Jameson, of Venture Consulting, concluded that Seven should get only a tiny portion of the A$70 million reduction the debt-laden network had been chasing. The figure would rise to around A$8 million if the rescheduled Test match between Australia and Afghanistan does not go ahead next summer prior to the Ashes.

While Jameson's formal finding is still to be tabled, the heads-up was a source of some relief to CA, after an ugly and protracted campaign by Seven for massive cuts to their A$82 million-a-year share of the A$1.18 billion deal signed alongside Foxtel in April 2018.

Led by their chief executive James Warburton, Seven have mounted all manner of arguments for a greater discount, from complaints about the quality of the BBL to allegations of a vast conspiracy between CA, the BCCI and Foxtel to move this summer's limited-overs fixtures from January to November.

Seven had embarked upon ambitious cost-cutting campaigns last year, designed in part to raise the long-sinking stock price of Seven West Media. Cricket's presence appears to have helped lift the network's value significantly over summer: shares valued at just 13 cents in October are now trading at a relatively princely 54 cents - Seven's highest share price since 2018.

Ironically, the finding for an A$5 million discount to Seven's fee would give it significantly less of a saving than the A$20 million believed to have been handed to Foxtel last year, an effective reduction of A$5 million a season for the remainder of the rights deal. CA has attempted to avoid slinging public mud back at Seven, particularly as the two organisations continued their operational relationship during the international and BBL schedules, but there has undoubtedly been a corrosive effect on relationships.

The dispute reached arguably its lowest point in November, when Seven lodged a legal affidavit as part of "pre-discovery" action aimed at targeting schedule changes as being the result of convenience for India, CA and Foxtel rather than Covid-19. Private exchanges between CA's head of commercial and broadcast, Steph Beltrame, and Seven's head of sport Lewis Martin, were printed in the document and widely reported.

That court action remains in play, although it remains to be seen how Seven's multibillionaire chairman Kerry Stokes reacts to the underwhelming outcome of Warburton's push for independent arbitration.

Either way, the successful completion of the international home schedule, with vastly improved audiences for both Seven and Fox Cricket relative to India's previous visit in 2018-19, plus the staging of the BBL in its entirety, left the free-to-air network's protests largely in the realm of impressions and assertions rather than legally binding volumes of content.

"With so much positivity around Australian cricket, it is disappointing that Seven West Media has again chosen to use the media to talk our wonderful game down," CA's acting chief executive Nick Hockley said in November after the affidavit's release. "CA has maintained all along our commitment to delivering a thrilling summer of cricket and on behalf of all involved, be that governments, partners, players and staff, I'm proud to say we are doing just that. We remain confident in our contractual position.

"We continue to have tremendous respect for the hardworking people across Channel 7's cricket and news broadcast teams and congratulate them on the substantial increase in ratings cricket has delivered them to date this season. We have, and will continue to, fulfil our obligations to our partners and supporters by scheduling a brilliant summer of cricket, despite the cost and complexity of doing so given the current public health situation."

The NBA announced the reserve selections for next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta on Tuesday night, a list headlined by Brooklyn Nets star James Harden as well as center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell from the league-leading Utah Jazz.

Harden, the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2018, is representing Brooklyn for the first time in what will be his ninth consecutive All-Star appearance. The previous eight came with the Houston Rockets, who traded Harden to Brooklyn as part of a four-team deal last month. Since the trade, Harden has averaged 24.9 points and 11.4 assists per game in 18 games with Brooklyn. He will join teammates Kevin Durant -- one of two captains, alongside Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James -- and Kyrie Irving, both of whom were voted in as starters last week.

In addition to Harden, the six other selections from the Eastern Conference were: guard Jaylen Brown and forward Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons; and Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic.

Brown, the front-runner for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award this season, is averaging career highs across the board for the Celtics, including points (25.5), assists (3.9) and all three shooting percentage categories: field goal (49.7), 3-point (40.9) and free throw (76.6), helping him earn his first All-Star selection. Tatum, meanwhile, is averaging a career-high 26.4 points per game, and is making his second straight appearance in the league's midseason showcase.

Vucevic will make his second All-Star appearance, having made his first two seasons ago, and is averaging a career-high 24.1 points per game and shooting a career-best 40% from 3-point range. Simmons, meanwhile, will make his third consecutive All-Star appearance; the well-rounded guard is, alongside starter Joel Embiid, a huge reason the Sixers entered Tuesday with the Eastern Conference's best record.

They will be joined by a pair of first-time All-Stars from two of the league's flagship franchises in Randle and LaVine, both of whom are having career years. Randle, who has helped lead the 15-16 Knicks into surprising contention for a playoff berth, is averaging career bests in virtually every category playing under Tom Thibodeau, while LaVine is averaging career highs of 28.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

Over the past few weeks, there has been intense debate over who would merit the final couple of spots in the East, with a deep pool of candidates garnering support. Ultimately, though, the league's coaches wound up leaving off several of them, including: Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo and forward Jimmy Butler; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton; 76ers forward Tobias Harris; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet; Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon and forward Domantas Sabonis; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young; and Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward.

Out West, Gobert and Mitchell were the headliners, as they were the two representatives for the streaking Jazz, who go into Wednesday's showdown versus the Lakers on ESPN with the NBA's best record, and having won 20 of their past 22 games. Gobert, who is positioned to win his third Defensive Player of the Year award, makes his second straight All-Star appearance this season after a couple of near misses in previous seasons. It also is the second straight appearance for Mitchell, who is averaging career highs of 24.5 points and 5.2 assists this season.

They were joined by: Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard; LA Clippers forward Paul George; Lakers forward Anthony Davis; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.

Lillard easily could've been a starter, as he's having another stellar season, averaging 29.8 points and 7.7 assists and keeping Portland in the playoff picture even though guard CJ McCollum and center Jusuf Nurkic are out with long-term injuries. George, meanwhile, is back in the All-Star Game for the seventh time after missing it last year, his first in Los Angeles, after injuries delayed the start of his season. Davis, on the other hand, is all but certain to be replaced by someone ahead of the All-Star Game because of the calf strain that currently has the Lakers star sidelined.

The final two spots out West went to one of the league's oldest stars in Paul and one of its youngest in Williamson. Paul, whom Phoenix acquired before the season, makes his 11th All-Star appearance and his second in a row after making the roster last year for Oklahoma City. Williamson, the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, makes his first appearance after averaging 25.1 points and shooting over 60% from the field.

Those two beat out a field of candidates for the final couple of spots that included: San Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan; Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Jazz guard Mike Conley, who continues to hold the unofficial title of best player never to make an All-Star team; Suns guard Devin Booker; and Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram.

Like in recent seasons, the NBA will combine the All-Stars into one pool, which will be divided into two teams by captains James and Durant. Jazz coach Quin Snyder will coach James' team, while Sixers coach Doc Rivers will helm Durant's squad.

The game will also, like last year, feature the Elam Ending, in which the teams play to a final score as opposed to a timed fourth quarter. Like last year, that final score will be determined by taking the combined score of the team that's ahead through three quarters and adding 24 points -- in honor of the late Kobe Bryant -- to that total.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Add Yankees ace Gerrit Cole to the growing list of major leaguers who have sounded off on the way some MLB teams think internally about players in the wake of former Mariners president Kevin Mather's inflammatory comments about service-time manipulation and free agency.

Speaking Tuesday afternoon after finishing pitchers and catchers workouts, Cole urged every player in the league to "wake up and read the news on the guy in the Mariners."

"It's just tired," said Cole, one of eight players on the MLB Players Association's executive subcommittee."It's tired, man, and I think players are over it. And if they haven't been awakened to that type of behavior, that's what goes on."

Mather, who resigned Monday, apologized for remarks made to a Rotary Club this month that surfaced when the video was posted online. In his wide-ranging comments, Mather criticized the English-speaking capabilities of two members of the organization, and he also spoke about some of the Mariners' top prospects not starting the season with the team as a way to manipulate their major league service time.

"Those conversations are being had, and unfortunately that's the kind of way a lot of clubs are acting," Cole said Tuesday afternoon after finishing pitchers and catchers workouts at the Yankees' minor league complex. "That's just not productive for anyone. It's not productive for the product. You're not putting the best players on the field for people to see. This guy's talking about players that are making him money. The product is the people that he's talking poorly about."

The players' association released a statement in which they described Mather's comments as offensive and as a "highly disturbing yet critically important window into how players are genuinely viewed by management."

"Not just because of what was said, but also because it represents an unfiltered look into club thinking," the statement read. "It is offensive, and it is not surprising that fans and others around the game are offended as well."

Finding ways to gain a financial advantage is part of the fabric of baseball, as much as it is for any industry. And more control tends to equal more financial return, which is why teams have been known to hold back a player in the minors to manipulate service time and push back his eligibility for free agency.

"I'm fortunate to be in an organization where we don't do that or play that. When guys are ready, or we feel like they're ready to impact the club, that's that. And that's how we treat things around here," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who spent 12 years in the big leagues. "If somebody is truly being held down, I think that's terrible. There are certain times where it's a little more gray, but purposely holding a guy down I don't think should have a place in our game."

Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge, who is two years away from free agency, also spoke out strongly about service-time manipulation, one of the topics poised to be front and center as the MLBPA and MLB negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. Their current CBA will expire on Dec. 1.

"It's tough to hear because, as a player, I've always wanted to have the best product out there on the field. This is about winning this championship. And it doesn't matter if you're 40 years old, if you're 18 years old, if you're the best player at that position, you should get that opportunity," Judge said after the Yankees' first full-squad workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

"It's saddening to hear those comments coming from a guy in that position. It's sad to see, and I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what comes out of this. It's tough. It's your dream to play professional baseball and play in the major leagues, and getting cut out of that based on certain manipulations, I don't think that's right."

DENVER -- Trevor Story's priority list this season includes being a more vocal leader, taking his base stealing to another level, crushing early count fastballs and honing his footwork in the field.

Not near the top of the list: Fretting about his long-term future with the Colorado Rockies. That's outside his base path.

The hard-swinging, smooth-fielding shortstop is in the last year of his deal and said he hasn't engaged in talks with the Rockies. He brings star power to a franchise that recently traded its biggest name, eight-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado, to St. Louis.

Story appears in line for a hefty payday, too, after San Diego and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. finalized a $340 million, 14-year contract.

"I'm focused on personally being the best teammate I can be," Story said Tuesday as the Rockies began full-squad workouts in Scottsdale, Arizona. "I try not to look too far ahead.

"I'm trying to be where my feet are, which is right here in spring training with the Rockies."

This version of the Rockies will certainly have a different look. In addition to Arenado's departure, they're without outfielder David Dahl (now with Texas) and versatile veteran Ian Desmond, who opted out for a second straight season.

"It's a good vibe, though," said Story, who's scheduled to make around $18.5 million this season. "I feel like guys are excited to play ball. It opens up a lot of opportunities for some young guys. I think they're ready to step into that challenge."

It wasn't too long ago that he was the one meeting that challenge. The season after the Rockies traded away disgruntled shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Story stepped in and claimed the position (he hit six homers over his first four games). Story has blossomed into a two-time All-Star.

The 28-year-old is always looking for ways to take his game to an even higher plateau. This season, that includes improving his footwork at shortstop (he was none too pleased with a career-low .961 fielding percentage) and jumping on more fastballs (he's already an aggressive hitter). He also has an eye on earning a membership in the 30-homer, 30-stolen base club, which he nearly achieved in 2018 (37 homers, 27 stolen bases) and '19 (35, 23).

Recently, the MLB Network aired the "Top 10 Players Right Now" for each position and Story checked in at No. 1, ahead of Tatis, Boston's Xander Bogaerts and Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets.

"It feels good," Story said of the ranking. "But I've never been motivated by anything other than myself or my own thoughts. I really try to make it about myself and how I can improve my game each year.

"It's a super-competitive, super-talented (list of) shortstops. I think we all push each other in one way or another, even if we know it or not."

This will take some getting used to: Arenado not being on the left side of the infield with him. Arenado requested a trade after growing increasingly unhappy with the front office for not improving the roster with an eye toward catching perennial NL West-power the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Sad for sure to lose a guy like that, lose a player like that," Story said. "Happy for him that he's going to be in a spot that he's happy. A lot of whirlwind emotions. It's tough to lose a guy like that."

As for how Arenado's situation may impact Story's eventual decision, he explained that it's "separate."

"Obviously, two different situations. I'm not here to just speak on what happened with Nolan or any type of things that went on with him and the front office or whatever it may be," said Story, who hit .289 with 11 homers, 28 RBI and 15 stolen bases last year in an abbreviated season due to the pandemic. "It's a separate situation for sure. ... We'll see where it goes."

After years of being mentored by the likes of Arenado, outfielder Charlie Blackmon and Desmond, Story's looking to pay the knowledge forward anyway he can.

"That's something that I'm going to embrace," Story said. "I'm going to talk to the young guys and let them know that I'm here for them."

He understands that in light of the Arenado trade, the Rockies are already being dismissed. They're embracing the underdog role as they try to make it back to the playoffs after missing out the past two seasons.

"I feel like you count a group of competitors out like that at this level, at the major league level, you instantly put a chip on their shoulder," Story said. "That's kind of the attitude we're coming in with."

Chelsea's Champions League Round-of-16 match against Atletico Madrid in Bucharest was always going to be a tight affair, and that's exactly how it turned out.

It was the Blues who managed to get the foothold in the game, as Olivier Giroud's superb overhead kick in the 71st minute was given after a lengthy VAR check, with the goal initially ruled out for offside.

They managed to see out the game from there and take a 1-0 advantage -- and an away goal -- into the second leg.

Positives

Chelsea were able to get plenty of good possession of the ball, with Diego Simeone's side dropping deep for large periods. Chelsea had the better of the game's chances, and it is a massive bonus that Giroud managed to get on the scoresheet. Despite Atletico also getting half-chances, there weren't too many clear openings for the home side and Edouard Mendy was rarely worked.

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Negatives

Chelsea were absolutely awful at the beginning of the game and could have easily found themselves a goal down within the first couple of minutes. Part of this was due to them giving the ball away in dangerous areas. Lastly, Mason Mount and Jorginho will miss the second leg due to bookings picked up in this game.

Manager rating out of 10

8 -- Thomas Tuchel's decision-making was questioned after he harshly took off Callum Hudson-Odoi in the last game, but it certainly won't be here. The German's side came up against a very resolute Atletico Madrid side and showed plenty of discipline, while also bagging the goal that gives them an advantage heading into the second leg.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Edouard Mendy, 5 -- Often looked uncomfortable. Was let off after a poor touch two minutes in and some of his kicking wasn't the best. His shot-stopping wasn't tested too much.

DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 8 -- Stepped up out of the backline well when Chelsea had the ball or when he had to follow a home attacker dropping deep. Did a good job of keeping Joao Felix quiet.

DF Andreas Christensen, 7 -- Occasionally gave away silly fouls but was disciplined and resolute in his defending.

DF Antonio Rudiger, 8 -- Played some wonderful long passes and held his own defensively, making a superb block shortly after Giroud's goal -- though he did have a scare when Luis Suarez dispossessed him early on. Almost lost his cool with the Uruguayan.

MF Callum Hudson-Odoi, 7 -- Had a fascinating battle with Thomas Lemar, with the pair both doing well in their defensive responsibilities. The Londoner also offered a threat going forward.

MF Jorginho, 6 -- Had plenty of good ideas with his passing, but the execution was just off, as was the case on the occasions when he tried to release Mount and Hudson-Odoi. Booked for a foul on Felix.

MF Mateo Kovacic, 6 -- The Croatian put in a combative performance and made some good runs forward, but his decision-making could have been slightly better at points.

MF Marcos Alonso, 7 -- There are questions over his defensive capabilities at times, but Alonso was brilliant in that regard. He got his head onto some awkward balls and remained composed in 1v1s. Provided real quality with some of his crossing.

FW Mason Mount, 7 -- Booked a minute in for a foul on Felix, but continued to make an impact for Chelsea. Linked the play wonderfully at points and his battling led to Giroud's goal.

FW Olivier Giroud, 8 -- Held the ball up well at points but was always surrounded whenever he had it in a decent position. However, he made the most of his best chance with a wonderful overhead kick.

FW Timo Werner, 6 -- Missed a decent chance early on, but was always showing for the ball and looked very sharp in a lot of his play.

Substitutes

MF Hakim Ziyech, N/R -- Replaced Kovacic in the 74th minute and saw his best effort from range blocked.

MF N'Golo Kante, N/R -- Replaced Mount in the 74th minute and got to work breaking down Atletico's play immediately.

DF Reece James, N/R -- Came on for Hudson-Odoi in the 80th minute and filled in to make it more of a back five as Chelsea saw out the game.

MF Kai Havertz, N/R -- Provided some clever touches in his three minutes on the pitch to help Chelsea see out the game.

MF Christian Pulisic, N/R -- The American got a late run-out and was intelligent in his play, drawing a foul from Lemar.

New Zealand has already played a significant part in Hannah Darlington's cricket journey. Two years ago she toured with the Australia Under-19 squad and last season played for Otago in the Super Smash, her performances helping her secure a state contract with New South Wales.

Now it could be the scene of her international debut after being named in Australia's squad for the ODI and T20I tour next month. Darlington, who has been a star of the last two WBBL seasons with Sydney Thunder, is one of two uncapped players on the trip alongside Darcie Brown, the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia quick, who was her roommate on the U-19 tour.

Darlington was named the female young cricketer of the year earlier this month after a WBBL campaign with the Thunder that brought 19 at 13.68 and economy rate of 6.19 for the champions. That followed 16 wickets in the previous season, although after that she was overlooked for New South Wales Breakers which is how she found herself back in New Zealand.

She took 13 wickets for Otago, with an economy rate of 5.75, and on returning to Australia was selected by NSW then during the off-season earned a full contract. This summer she was named vice-captain, although the plan for her to potentially lead the side when Alyssa Healy departed on tour will now have to shelved with her on the same flight.

"I'm pretty shocked at the moment, it hasn't sunk in yet and not sure when it will," she said. "To think I was struggling to get a run in the Thunder squad, couldn't get a contract with the NSW Breakers last year, it was a tough couple of months to bounce back. After putting in that hard work I can now sit back and think it was all worth it. Everyday I'm pinching myself that this is happening.

"[Otago] came up because I wasn't going to be in the Breakers squad so to be able to go across and get a bit of experience in New Zealand in another T20 competition, after the success I'd had in the Big Bash was a no-brainer. I wasn't even 18 and living by myself and traveling so probably one of the best experiences I've had."

When the call came from selector Shawn Flegler, Darlington was in the middle of a bike session in the gym and after getting the good news gave herself 15 minutes to take it all in and call her family before resuming training and trying not to let the news slip out.

"It was a really nice phonecall, I've have had a lot to do with Flegs in the under-age pathway," she said. "I've had a few calls from him but wasn't sure if this would be the one that [says] you are a reserve or not selected, but to get the news I was in the squad was special."

Flegler has said that Darlington's selection is primarily with an eye on the T20s - the format where she has excelled - as Australia start to have one eye on the future following last year's T20 World Cup victory on home soil.

Darlington, who would be the third Indigenous female player for Australia if she debuted, is still learning the ropes in the 50-over game but believes her skills are transferable and is eager to soak up as much as she can from the senior bowlers.

"As a bowler you have a lot more time and think that's something I'm getting used to," she said. "I've had five games for the Breakers now and finding my way with that format. Finding myself comfortable with a bit of a middle-overs role and at the death which is similar to what I do in Big Bash. It's still quite fresh and probably something I can take away from this tour is learning off how those girls go about bowling in 50-over cricket

"It will be a massive experience allround, it's a dream come true to have them as team-mates. Weird to think a couple of years ago I was a kid watching the Australian team and hoping to even meet them one day, but to be playing alongside is a real dream."

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith said his comeback threw a "wrench" into the team's plans this season and that he didn't feel wanted by the organization this summer.

Smith, the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year, told GQ Magazine that he surprised the organization by being able to play.

"They didn't see it, didn't want me there, didn't want me to be a part of it, didn't want me to be on the team, the roster, didn't want to give me a chance," Smith told the magazine. "Mind you, it was a whole new regime, they came in; I'm like the leftovers and I'm hurt and I'm this liability.

"Heck no, they didn't want me there. At that point, as you can imagine, everything I'd been through, I couldn't have cared less about all that. Whether you like it or not, I'm giving this a go at this point."

Smith's words call into question his desire to remain with the organization and how much frustration he still harbors. Washington is open to retaining Smith and building up more of the offense, but the team is also exploring other options at quarterback because of the question of whether Smith can remain healthy for a full season.

Smith has a $24.4 million cap hit and Washington would save $13.8 million if it released him.

"We're still in a situation where we are looking at all of our options," coach Ron Rivera said earlier this month.

Smith has not said for certain that he's going to return, but sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that he wanted to continue playing. And Smith's own words in multiple interviews strongly suggest that's the case. He and Rivera had multiple conversations earlier this month, although neither has said much about them.

"I got more left," Smith said in the GQ interview. "I got more to get there, too. So I really do really wanna get in the meat of this offseason and see where I'm at and push it. I want to push my body harder. I want to push my leg harder. The harder I push it, it does respond. At some point, I'm obviously going to have to sit down with my wife and have a very real conversation, and do we want to do this? She deserves a ton of input. So we'll see."

The team declined to respond to Smith's comments.

In training camp, Rivera said he was going by what doctors told him about Smith's recovery. Also, Washington was entering what it thought was going to be a rebuilding year and a 35-year-old quarterback in Smith's situation, coming off a broken right tibia and fibula, did not mesh with trying to plan for the future. Rivera inherited a 3-13 team and wanted to see if second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins could develop into a long-term starter.

Washington wanted to place Smith on injured reserve before final cuts, which would have ended his season. That week, Smith and Rivera had a long meeting, and then Smith met the next day with Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner to convince them he should be on the roster.

The doubts were widespread. Smith admitted there was a "very small group" of people that thought he could do this. Multiple sources in the organization said after watching his documentary on ESPN that they didn't think a doctor would clear him for contact.

Smith opened camp on the physically unable to perform list, although his personal doctors had cleared him to return. One of those doctors, Robin West, serves as Washington's head orthopedist.

Slowly, their minds changed. Smith stayed on the PUP list until Aug. 16 as he was showing coaches that he was no longer injured and simply needed to test himself on the field. Still, there were sources close to him at the time who also wondered if Smith would be able to play -- or to what level. His injury left him with drop foot, which cause his foot to drag at times. It also required special orthotics in his cleats.

Washington gradually had him do more in practices, but did not put him in 11-on-11 full-padded workouts until late in training camp -- after he pressed the coaches to give him a chance.

"I felt like I still hadn't had my fair shake at that point," Smith told GQ. "I wanted to see if I could play quarterback and play football, and I feel like I hadn't been given that opportunity yet to find that out. It's like getting this close to the end line of a marathon and they're telling you that you can't finish the race. It's like, f--- that. I'm finishing this thing. At least I'm going to see if I can. So, I'm thankful we worked through all that stuff but no, it wasn't like open arms coming back after two years."

Smith was the No. 3 quarterback for the first four games but was elevated to No. 2 when Rivera benched Dwayne Haskins. Smith returned to the field after Kyle Allen suffered a concussion against the Los Angeles Rams and was sacked six times. Allen suffered a season-ending ankle injury three weeks later against the New York Giants, forcing Smith into the starting lineup the next week against the Detroit Lions.

Washington went 5-1 in games started by Smith. His stats were modest -- he threw five touchdowns to five interceptions as a starter. It was six and eight, respectively, overall. But his impact was evident to a young team in need of on-field guidance. Smith was a near unanimous pick as the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.

Smith suffered a bone bruise on Dec. 13 and played only one more game, a division-title clinching win over Philadelphia in the regular-season finale. He lobbied hard to play in the wild-card playoff game against Tampa Bay, but Rivera opted for Taylor Heinicke, fearing that Smith's lack of mobility with the lingering leg issue would result in problems vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense.

Whatever the coaches felt about Smith in August, their thoughts evolved as the season unfolded.

"When you see what Alex has gone through and just his desire and drive to get back and the joy and thrill he gets from playing, it's been very inspirational for me to watch him," Rivera said in December.

He also praised Smith's leadership.

"There's an intangible that some guys have and possess," Rivera said. "Alex has it. Can it be replaced? Well, you're going to have to find a guy that has those same types of intangibles. Those guys are special. They only come around every once in a while."

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Taijuan Walker is taking a back seat on his new team -- to Mr. Met.

A day after the Mets finalized his $23 million, three-year contract, Walker said he was aced out of his preferred jersey number by the rotund mascot with the baseball-shaped head.

"I was 44 growing up, and I finally got it with the Mariners in 2016," Walker said Tuesday. "And then I ended up getting traded at the end of the year, and when I got traded to the Diamondbacks, Paul Goldschmidt was No. 44. So I was, OK, I'm never going to get that again."

So Walker thought: "What number can wear that not a lot of people in the league have it?"

He chose 99.

"And I think the only way I don't wear 99 is if I get traded to the Yankees," he said. "So I was, OK, 99 is a safe bet and live with that."

"And then, of course, last year I got traded to Toronto and (Hyun Jin) Ryu wears 99. So, I was like, OK, well, that didn't work out. So I'm wearing 00. Something different, again."

"And, of course, this year, Mr. Met is 00. So I just went back to wearing 99."

The only previous Mets No. 99 was Turk Wendell from 1997-2001, according to Baseball Reference.

Britain's Andy Murray lost in straight sets to Egor Gerasimov in his first ATP Tour match for four months at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.

Former world number one Murray, currently ranked 121st, has lost his last four matches on the ATP Tour.

Murray began his season in Biella, Italy on the ATP Challenger Tour, losing in the final to Ukraine's Illya Marchenko on 14 February.

Murray, who missed the year's opening Grand Slam in Australia following a positive test for coronavirus, last played on the ATP Tour in Cologne in October when he suffered a first-round defeat by Fernando Verdasco.

Gerasimov, knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open, made the first break of serve to lead 4-3, and though Murray responded immediately his opponent eventually took his fourth set point to prevail 10-8 in the tie-break.

Murray, who missed a set-point opportunity of his own when 7-6 ahead in the tie-break, was unable to launch a comeback as Gerasimov comfortably won the second set in 35 minutes.

He faces Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene or Italy's Jannik Sinner in the second round.