Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. MLB's quiet free agency period hits crescendo with Harper deal

Franchise-changing players do not often come up for grabs and so the glacial pace at which teams moved to snap up Bryce Harper and Manny Machado left many wondering why two huge talents were made to wait for their mega paydays. Both are elite hitters at the peak of their careers, the type of players that would normally have suitors begging for their services as part of a free agent feeding frenzy rather than have to endure an offseason in a market at a standstill. NFL notebook: TE Witten returns to Cowboys

Jason Witten agreed to a contract Thursday to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys for the 2019 season, the team announced. Witten, 36, made a surprise retirement announcement last spring and joined ESPN's "Monday Night Football" booth for the 2018 season. But the tight end, who is ranked fourth all-time in receptions, has decided to return to Dallas for a 16th NFL season. TE Witten ends retirement, will return to Cowboys

Jason Witten agreed to a contract Thursday to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys for the 2019 season, the team announced. Witten, 36, made a surprise retirement announcement last spring and joined ESPN's "Monday Night Football" booth for the 2018 season. Undecided Nowitzki admits he would 'love' another season playing with Mavs

Dirk Nowitzki never wanted a retirement tour this year, and now comes an indication that he would consider returning for a 22nd season, even as he is being saluted in arenas across the country. Belief around the NBA was that Nowitzki, 40, was wrapping up his career with the Dallas Mavericks. Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers got on the public-address microphone at Staples Center in the waning moments of a game Monday, imploring fans to give Nowitzki a salute. MLB notebook: Phillies reportedly win Harper sweepstakes

It appears Bryce Harper's major payday finally arrived Thursday, as the outfielder landed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to multiple reports. Such a contract, when signed, would be the largest guaranteed deal in North American professional sports. Spring training roundup: Nationals' Scherzer fans four

If Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer was down about former teammate Bryce Harper reportedly signing with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, he did not show it while striking out four batters over three innings in an eventual 13-5 victory by the Boston Red Sox at West Palm Beach, Fla. Brock Holt hit a three-run home run and drive in four runs for the Red Sox. Matt Adams had a home run and a double for the Nationals. Patriots owner Kraft pleads not guilty in Florida prostitution sting

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution in Florida, where police said he was captured on video engaging in sex acts with a worker at a massage parlor, according to court records. The court documents, which were filed on Tuesday in the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Palm Beach County, Florida, showed that Kraft's lawyers also requested a non-jury trial. Reports: Harper to join Phillies on $330 million deal

Bryce Harper's major payday finally arrived Thursday, as the outfielder landed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to multiple reports. The contract, when signed, would be the largest guaranteed deal in North American professional sports. Ware considers following in Witten’s NFL footsteps

Has superlative tight end Jason Witten's decision to leave Monday Night Football and return to play in Dallas influenced former Cowboys defensive star DeMarcus Ware to also consider a comeback? Ware took to Twitter to contemplate that question on Thursday after hearing from other former teammates who would like to see him back in the game. NBA notebook: Suns commit to keep head coach

The Phoenix Suns will not fire first-year head coach Igor Kokoskov during the season despite their NBA-worst record, their acting general manager said in an interview. "We're committed to Igor, and we're committed to finishing the season out on a high note," James Jones told Arizona Sports 98.7 on Wednesday. "We have room for improvement. That's the challenge across the organization for us to improve upstairs as well as downstairs, on the court, off the court. So we're going to push it. But Igor, like I said, it's a tough job, but he's up to the challenge."