In a "rare statement" on the eve of MICHAEL SCHUMACHER's 50th birthday, his wife, CORINNA, said that the family is "doing everything humanly possible to help" the seven-time Formula 1 champion in his "struggle to recover from a devastating ski accident" in Dec. '14. As Ferrari, with whom Schumacher won five consecutive titles from '00, prepares to open an exhibition celebrating his career at its HQ in Maranello, she promised that the Schumachers would be toasting his "victories, records and jubilation" as he turned 50 (London TELEGRAPH, 1/2). ... The MLB Seattle Mariners appear to have "reached an agreement" to acquire Japanese pitcher YUSEI KIKUCHI in which the left-hander is "guaranteed four years" -- three years for a total of $43M and a player option for '22 at $13M per year. The Mariners "can also extend him for four more years" at $66M after the first three years of the deal, "making it a seven-year contract" (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/2). ... Team Sky announced four-time Tour de France winner CHRIS FROOME plans to ride in this year's Tour de Yorkshire (Tour de Yorkshire). ... RAFAEL NADAL pulled out of the Brisbane Int'l with a left thigh strain but "hopes to be fit for the Australian Open this month." The World No. 2 said that he wanted to play but that after an MRI scan his doctors "advised him not to." Nadal: "They say if I play here, there is a risk ... to not have the chance to play Melbourne" (BBC, 1/2).
