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Daniel Schneemann’s two-run home run off Tarik Skubal was the defining moment of Saturday afternoon, as the Cleveland Guardians handed the visiting Detroit Tigers a 3-1 defeat — and spoiled the American League Cy Young Award winner’s much-anticipated return from left elbow surgery.

Skubal, now 3-3 on the season, was making his first mound appearance since April 29. The impending free agent lasted just 4 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs — two of them earned — on five hits, while striking out four, walking one and hitting a batter over 80 pitches thrown.

Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo (5-3) was sharp down the stretch, retiring the final nine hitters he faced across a five-inning, one-run performance. The left-hander scattered six hits and punched out four without issuing a single walk, earning his first victory since May 21 against the Tigers.

Schneemann’s 417-foot blast to right field in the third inning gave Cleveland a 3-1 cushion, plating Jose Ramirez — who later exited the contest and is expected to be placed on the injured list after suffering a broken hamate bone in his left hand. For Detroit, Dillon Dingler drove in Gleyber Torres with a first-inning single, but handed the Guardians a gift in the second when his throw sailed into left field on an attempted steal of third base by Travis Bazzana, allowing the tying run to score.

Dodgers 7, White Sox 1

Yoshinobu Yamamoto came within one out of a complete-game shutout before Tristan Peters broke it up with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth, but Los Angeles still cruised past host Chicago. Yamamoto (7-4) retired the first 23 White Sox batters, finished with just the one home run allowed, walked nobody and struck out seven across 8 1/3 innings. Max Muncy went 3-for-3 with a pair of two-run home runs, while Shohei Ohtani homered, scored twice and drew three walks. Kyle Tucker chipped in two RBIs. Chicago starter Sean Burke (3-4) gave up four runs on six hits over four innings, and the White Sox saw their eight-game home winning streak come to an end.

Cardinals 9, Twins 6

Ivan Herrera slugged two home runs, with his second igniting a five-run seventh inning that carried St. Louis past Minnesota in Minneapolis. The Cardinals broke a 4-4 deadlock by scoring five times on five consecutive batters in the seventh. Herrera and Jordan Walker hit back-to-back solo shots with two outs before Blaze Jordan capped the inning with his first career major league home run — a three-run blast. Matt Svanson (2-1) was flawless in 1 2/3 innings of relief. For Minnesota, Royce Lewis homered for the third time in his last four games, Byron Buxton hit his 22nd long ball of the year and Luke Keaschall added a two-run shot. Justin Lawrence (0-3) fanned the first two Cardinals he faced in the seventh before allowing four of the five runs to cross.

Padres 9, Orioles 3

Jackson Merrill and Samad Taylor each hit two-run home runs in the first inning to set the tone as San Diego rolled past host Baltimore. Gavin Sheets, Rodolfo Duran and Manny Machado also went deep as part of a five-homer showing for the Padres, while starter Randy Vasquez (6-4) recovered from a shaky first inning to earn the win. Taylor finished with three of San Diego’s 10 hits and drove in three runs. Pete Alonso homered and added a run-scoring double for Baltimore, falling a triple short of the cycle. Blaze Alexander also had three hits for the Orioles, who saw a three-game winning streak snapped.

Yankees 3, Blue Jays 1

Paul Goldschmidt delivered a two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift visiting New York past Toronto. Louis Varland (3-2) surrendered a bloop single to center by Cody Bellinger to open the ninth, and Goldschmidt followed by driving an 0-1 knuckle curve to left for his ninth home run of the season. David Bednar then struck out the side in the bottom half to earn his 14th save, giving the Yankees a split of the first two games of the series. Fernando Cruz (4-1) navigated three walks in the eighth to pick up the win. Kazuma Okamoto hit a solo homer for Toronto.

Pirates 3, Marlins 2

A bases-loaded hit by pitch to Spencer Horwitz in the eighth inning made the difference as host Pittsburgh edged Miami. Tyler Callihan and Jake Mangum singled off Anthony Bender (1-1), and Jared Triolo drew a walk to load the bases before Bender hit Horwitz with the first pitch to hand the Pirates the lead. It was just Pittsburgh’s second win over its last eight games. Yohan Ramirez (4-2) allowed the first two batters he faced in the top of the eighth to reach base but escaped without giving up a run. The defeat ended Miami’s season-best six-game winning streak. Liam Hicks and Heriberto Hernandez each had RBI singles for the Marlins, while Otto Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk.

Red Sox 6, Rangers 3

Ceddanne Rafaela came through with a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning to power Boston past visiting Texas. Jarren Duran contributed a two-run home run, and Rafaela finished with two hits and two RBIs. Isiah Kiner-Falefa had two hits and scored twice, while Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double for the Red Sox. Garrett Whitlock (4-1) earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief, and Aroldis Chapman worked a clean ninth for his 14th save. For Texas, Jake Burger hit his 12th home run, Wyatt Langford went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Nicky Lopez had two hits.

Nationals 8, Mariners 3

Luis Garcia Jr. broke a tie with a two-run homer in the fifth inning as Washington defeated visiting Seattle. CJ Abrams collected three hits, drove in two runs and scored twice for the Nationals, who had dropped their previous two games. Starter Cade Cavalli (4-4) earned the win, allowing three runs on four hits over five innings. For Seattle, Colt Emerson hit his second home run in as many days — and sixth of the season — as part of a three-run fifth inning that briefly tied the game. Luis Castillo (2-6) gave up five runs, two of them earned, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1

Noelvi Marte crushed a tie-breaking solo home run in the eighth inning to give Cincinnati a win over visiting Arizona in game two of their three-game series. Juan Morillo (1-3) entered to start the eighth and gave up Marte’s second homer of the season — a shot to left-center with one out — to break a 1-1 tie. Reds starter Rhett Lowder went 5 2/3 innings, surrendering one run and five hits while striking out six and walking two. Caleb Ferguson and Chase Petty (1-1) combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings before Tony Santillan closed it out in the ninth for his third save. Cincinnati had lost seven of its previous eight games.

Braves 3, Mets 1

Martin Perez turned in another strong outing, holding the opposition to one run over 5 1/3 innings as Atlanta edged host New York in the middle contest of a three-game series between National League East rivals. Eli White went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, while Michael Harris II added a solo shot in the eighth for the Braves, snapping a three-game skid. Perez (5-3) gave up one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Mark Vientos had an RBI single in the sixth for the Mets, who fell to 2-3 on their current homestand. New York starter Sean Manaea (1-2) — making just his second career start after 14 bullpen appearances this season — gave up two runs on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts over six innings.

Phillies 9, Brewers 8

J.T. Realmuto homered and drove in four runs as Philadelphia held on to beat Milwaukee on the road. Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Edmundo Sosa and Realmuto each had three hits for the Phillies, who racked up a season-high 17 hits after being held to just one hit by Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski the night before. Bryson Stott contributed two hits, two RBIs and two runs. Left-hander Tim Mayza (2-1) allowed one hit in one-third of an inning to earn the win for Philadelphia, which has now won eight of its last 11 games. Jackson Chourio went 4-for-5 with two home runs for the Brewers, while Garrett Mitchell also homered and William Contreras had three hits. Shane Drohan (3-2) was tagged for four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings.

Angels 8, Rays 0

Jo Adell went 4-for-5 with a double and three runs scored, and Jose Siri added a two-run homer as Los Angeles pounded out 15 hits in an 8-0 shutout of Tampa Bay in Anaheim. Denzer Guzman went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and Donovan Walton contributed three hits, a double and two RBIs. Nolan Schanuel had two hits and scored twice for the Angels, who have now won four straight and five of their last six. Jose Soriano (8-4) allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five. Tampa Bay starter Griffin Jax (1-5) took the loss despite surrendering just one unearned run on five hits over five innings. The victory gave Los Angeles back-to-back home series wins — the first time that has happened since June 5-11, 2025.

Athletics 7, Rockies 5

Zack Gelof homered and singled to extend his hitting streak to 17 games as the surging Athletics topped Colorado in Las Vegas. Alika Williams had three hits, Henry Bolte added two and Jose Suarez (1-2) worked 1 2/3 innings of relief for the A’s, who have won four straight during their first homestand in their future home city. Elvis Alvarado retired the final three batters for his second save. Brett Sullivan homered for Colorado, while TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston each had two hits. Starter Kyle Freeland (1-7) gave up six runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings. The Rockies have now dropped three straight and seven of nine.

Astros 8, Royals 7

Christian Walker was part of a four-homer effort for Houston and reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed the go-ahead run to score in the ninth as the Astros edged host Kansas City. Jose Altuve, Jake Meyers, Brice Matthews and Walker all went deep for Houston, while Yordan Alvarez had three hits. In the ninth, with runners on first and third and one out, Alex Lange (0-4) got Walker to hit what looked like a potential double-play grounder, but second baseman Nick Loftin’s throw sailed wide of first base, allowing the tiebreaking run to score. Bryan King (1-1) worked a scoreless inning with a strikeout to earn the win. Carter Jensen’s three-run double in the sixth had given Kansas City a 7-5 lead. Bobby Witt Jr. doubled for his third hit of the game in the ninth but was doubled off second base when Isaac Collins lined out to end the contest.

Cubs 6, Giants 1

Pete Crow-Armstrong homered on the very first pitch of the game, Ben Brown delivered five solid innings and visiting Chicago beat San Francisco for the second straight time in their three-game series. Rookie Pedro Ramirez hit his first career home run and Ian Happ added another as the Cubs collected 11 hits, including four doubles. Brown (3-2) worked in and out of trouble to record 15 outs, allowing just one run despite giving up seven hits and three walks. San Francisco went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position while Brown was on the mound. The Giants’ only run came in the third when Drew Gilbert walked and eventually scored on a Luis Arraez triple. Trevor McDonald (2-4) was charged with four runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings.

The Chicago Cubs wasted no time making their presence felt Saturday night, as Pete Crow-Armstrong sent the game’s opening pitch over the fence in left-center field for his 12th home run of the season. From there, Chicago never slowed down, cruising to a 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants to claim back-to-back wins in their three-game series.

Crow-Armstrong’s leadoff blast came off a slider from Trevor McDonald and set the tone for an evening that saw the Cubs collect 11 total hits, including four doubles and three home runs. Crow-Armstrong finished the night with a double and a single as well, giving him a three-hit performance overall.

Chicago extended its lead in the third inning when Crow-Armstrong’s double helped ignite a two-run rally. He came home on a single by Seiya Suzuki, and Michael Busch pushed the score to 3-0 by stealing home as part of a double steal with Ian Happ.

McDonald ran into further trouble in the fourth, exiting with the bases loaded and two outs. Reliever Reiver Sanmartin then walked Busch to push the Cubs’ advantage to 4-0. McDonald finished the night charged with four runs on six hits across 3 2/3 innings, walking three batters and striking out four to fall to 2-4 on the season.

The Cubs wrapped up their scoring in the fifth inning on home runs by Happ, his 16th of the year, and rookie Pedro Ramirez, who connected for the first home run of his major league career in just his 29th plate appearance. Ramirez also added a double on the night.

On the mound, Ben Brown was the story for Chicago. The right-hander worked through several jams over five innings, surrendering just one run despite giving up seven hits and three walks. He struck out three and improved his record to 3-2. Brown has now allowed one run or fewer in six of his seven starts this season and finished the night with the same ERA he carried into the game — a sharp 1.74.

San Francisco’s lone run came in the third inning when Drew Gilbert drew a walk and eventually scored on a triple by Luis Arraez. The Giants struggled with runners on base all night, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position during Brown’s time on the mound.

Gilbert walked three times for San Francisco, and Rafael Devers contributed a double and a single. The loss dropped the Giants to 1-4 on their current six-game homestand.

Turkey’s long-awaited return to the World Cup ended in disappointment Saturday, as Australia walked away with a 2-0 Group D victory in Vancouver, ending a 24-year absence from the tournament’s biggest stage for the Turkish side on a sour note.

It wasn’t a dominant performance from the Australians — they generated few opportunities — but they converted the chances they did get with clinical precision. Meanwhile, their disciplined defensive unit turned away wave after wave of Turkish pressure to preserve the result.

Turkey, appearing at the World Cup finals for the first time since finishing third back in 2002, leaned heavily on 21-year-old creative midfielder Arda Guler to spark their attack. He tested the Australian goalkeeper as early as the seventh minute, though his first attempt sailed over the crossbar without threatening.

The Australians took notice and worked to limit Guler’s influence. He eventually got a shot on frame in the 27th minute with a struck volley, but goalkeeper Patrick Beach came up with the stop.

Australia then broke the deadlock on their very next offensive push. Speedy forward Nestory Irankunda chased a through ball from Paul Okon-Engstler along the left side, cut toward goal, and slipped the ball past Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to put his team ahead.

Turkey nearly pulled level just three minutes afterward. Defender Abdulkerim Bardakci brought the ball down with his chest and unleashed a curling shot off the outside of his left foot, but Beach produced a brilliant fingertip save to redirect the ball onto the post and keep Australia’s lead intact.

The Socceroos carried their one-goal advantage into halftime, and the second half followed a familiar script — Turkey holding the ball and pressing forward, while Australia sat deep, ceded space on the wings, and packed the center of the field to deny Guler and his teammates room to operate.

Despite Turkey’s sustained pressure in search of an equalizer, Australia delivered a knockout blow in the 75th minute. Midfielder Connor Metcalfe pounced on a loose ball and launched a shot from well outside the box. The bouncing effort found the back of the net, putting the match firmly out of reach.

With the win, Australia moves into second place in Group D. The United States, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, leads the group after crushing Paraguay 4-1 on Friday.

The Detroit Tigers announced Saturday that right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty has been sidelined, landing on the 15-day injured list due to a peroneal tendon strain along the outer side of his left ankle and foot.

The timing adds to the team’s pitching challenges, arriving just as ace Tarik Skubal — who had been recovering from left elbow surgery — was activated from the 15-day IL and returned to the mound for the first time since April 29. Skubal’s comeback start ended in a 3-1 defeat to the host Cleveland Guardians.

Flaherty, who turns 30, made his most recent appearance Friday, surrendering two runs on three hits across three innings before leaving the game with the leg issue. The trouble began in the first inning when his left cleat appeared to slip during his follow-through as he faced batter Chase DeLauter.

Speaking Saturday, Flaherty described how the injury progressed during the game. “Kind of tightened up between the first and second,” he said. “Didn’t feel great. When I went over to cover first, it tightened up on me even more. … I wasn’t finishing the same way after the first. My mechanics weren’t the same. There was a lot of discomfort.”

Before leaving the game, Flaherty switched cleats heading into the third inning. He made one final notable play — lunging to field a comebacker off the bat of Kyle Manzardo to record the last out of the inning — before Detroit ultimately fell 3-2.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed what everyone in the ballpark witnessed. “He slipped on the mound. We all saw that,” Hinch said. “And then he was able to recover and tolerate it. He talked a little bit about it in the second inning, and then the (comebacker in the third) really irritated him. We’re going to get tests and get him worked up and looked at and all that.”

Through 15 starts this season, Flaherty carries a 1-8 record — tied for the most losses in the major leagues — along with a 5.35 ERA. He has walked 34 batters and struck out 78 in 65 and two-thirds innings pitched.

Over the course of his career, Flaherty owns a 64-64 record with a 3.89 ERA, 385 walks, and 1,208 strikeouts across 1,056 and one-third innings in 205 regular-season appearances — 199 of them starts. He has suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2017 through 2023, the Baltimore Orioles in 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, and the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and into the current season. In postseason play, he is 2-6 with a 5.05 ERA in 13 playoff games, including 11 starts.

The Tigers also made two additional roster moves Saturday. Right-hander Ty Madden, 26, was optioned down to Triple-A Toledo. He posted a 0-0 record with a 3.15 ERA, five walks, and 23 strikeouts across 20 innings in seven appearances — one of them a start — for Detroit this season. Taking his roster spot, infielder Hao-Yu Lee, 23, was recalled from Toledo. Lee is hitting .212, going 18-for-85 with two home runs and nine RBIs across 33 games with the Tigers this year.

Looking ahead, manager Hinch indicated Friday that starting right-hander Casey Mize, currently on the 15-day IL with an adductor injury, is expected to be activated and take the mound Sunday against Cleveland.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jalen Brunson knew exactly how much fans were shelling out to witness the New York Knicks capture an NBA championship. Finals tickets were going for $5,000, $50,000, and in some cases even more.

But no one in those seats gave up more money than Brunson himself.

Brunson walked away from this season as both an NBA champion and the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player — a reward built largely on his performance against the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals, but more importantly on a financial sacrifice he made back in 2024. That year, Brunson voluntarily left as much as $113 million in potential earnings on the table, giving the Knicks the salary cap room they needed to assemble a championship-caliber team around him.

It was called an unprecedented move at the time.

It turned out to be the right one.

With a championship now in hand, Brunson has earned a place among New York’s all-time sports legends — a group that includes the likes of Derek Jeter, Eli Manning, and Mark Messier. Brunson, by most accounts, is someone who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. But when you deliver a first title in more than 50 years to one of sports’ most storied franchises, the attention is unavoidable.

The Knicks’ turnaround over the past four seasons has many contributors, but Brunson sits at the top of that list. Before he arrived, New York had managed just four winning seasons over a 21-year stretch. Since Brunson joined the team, the Knicks have posted four winning seasons in four years. They have won eight playoff series with him in uniform; in the 24 years from 1998 through 2022, the franchise won just seven total.

His individual credentials are equally impressive. Brunson has earned three straight All-Star selections and has averaged at least 26 points per game in each of the past three seasons. The only other players to accomplish both of those things over that same three-year stretch are Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo — all NBA champions. Brunson now joins that club.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson offered high praise during the series. “He’s a tremendous player that’s skilled, picks his spots, knows his angles, shoots contested shots without being sped up,” Johnson said. “He’s a phenomenal player.”

Interestingly, the state of Texas has been a lucky destination for Brunson when it comes to winning titles. His Villanova squad claimed the 2016 national championship in Houston, and the 2018 title came in San Antonio — at the Alamodome, just a short distance from the arena where the Spurs play.

Texas as a professional stop, however, was a different story — and that’s ultimately what brought Brunson to New York.

After departing Dallas in 2022 following a contract dispute in which the team failed to offer him what he believed he was worth, Brunson signed with the Knicks.

Two years later, he made another financial decision that raised eyebrows across the league.

In 2024, Brunson agreed to a four-year contract extension with New York valued at up to $156.5 million — if he exercises his option for the 2028-29 season. Had he waited until 2025 to sign an extension, he would have been eligible for a five-year deal worth $269 million.

The expectation is that Brunson will more than make up for the difference in his next contract, which could exceed $300 million — perhaps by a significant margin. But by accepting the smaller deal when he did, he freed up the money the Knicks needed to make additional moves. Following his June 2024 decision, New York added starters Mikal Bridges — a former Villanova teammate — and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Whether those additions could have happened without Brunson’s sacrifice is debatable, but most would say it was unlikely.

Knicks forward Josh Hart — part of what fans have dubbed the ‘Nova Knicks, the nickname for the trio of Hart, Brunson, and Bridges, all of whom won NCAA championships at Villanova and have now won an NBA title in New York — reflected on what Brunson means to the team.

“I think he’s still underrated in the league, and he keeps proving people wrong, game by game, series by series, playoff appearance by playoff appearance,” Hart said. “As a friend, as a teammate, it’s funny because you know he’s one of the best players in the league, and you’re happy that he’s starting to get some recognition.”

Recognition doesn’t quite cover it anymore. Now, he has a ring.

The New York Knicks are NBA champions once again — ending a 53-year title drought with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, June 13.

Star guard Jalen Brunson was the standout performer of the night, pouring in a game-high 45 points to help New York close out the best-of-seven NBA Finals in just five games. The series wrapped up only days after the Knicks completed what has been called the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history.

San Antonio came out firing and built multiple double-digit advantages throughout the game, keeping the pressure on New York for much of the night. But the Knicks refused to fold, chipping away at the deficit before finally grabbing their first lead of the game with 3 minutes and 40 seconds remaining.

The Spurs could not answer, and New York held on to seal the championship. The Knicks’ postseason run was remarkably efficient — they lost just three games across the entire playoff stretch on their way to claiming the franchise’s first title since 1973.

BOSTON — Scotland’s long-suffering fans finally had something to cheer about Saturday, as their national team ended a 36-year World Cup winning drought with a hard-fought 1-0 result against Haiti in Group C action.

The victory — Scotland’s first at the World Cup since a 2-1 win over Sweden back in 1990 — was far from elegant, but it was enough to send the Tartan Army of traveling supporters into celebration mode.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Che Adams got off a close-range attempt that Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide managed to stop, but the rebound landed at the feet of John McGinn, whose shot deflected off a defender and found the back of the net.

Earlier in the match, Scott McTominay came close when his strike rattled the post in the 17th minute. Despite some late pressure from Haiti — who showed bursts of speed in the closing minutes — Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn was rarely tested throughout the contest.

The three points vault Scotland to the top of Group C, ahead of five-time world champions Brazil and 2022 semifinalists Morocco, who played to a 1-1 draw earlier Saturday.

Head coach Steve Clarke acknowledged the performance wasn’t flawless but didn’t seem to mind. “We probably put the supporters through it a little bit. Everyone said it was a must-win game. We won the game,” he said on BBC radio. “Defensively — outstanding. We probably could have been a little bit better with the ball, but who cares?”

At the final whistle, Scottish supporters packed the stadium and broke into a boisterous chorus of “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” by Spanish 1970s disco group Baccara — a song that has become their signature celebration anthem.

McGinn’s goal carried extra significance. At 31 years and 238 days old, he became the oldest Scottish player ever to score at a World Cup. The milestone came less than a month after he lifted the Europa League trophy as captain of England’s Aston Villa. Winger Ben Gannon-Doak also made his presence felt with his speed on the flanks.

Under FIFA’s expanded tournament format, accumulating three points and a solid goal difference through the group stage gives a team a strong chance of advancing to the knockout round — something Scotland has never accomplished across their previous eight World Cup appearances.

Haiti, making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, had two players with English Premier League experience in their lineup: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wilson Isidor of Sunderland. However, genuine scoring opportunities were scarce for the Haitian side.

Their best moments came in the 38th minute when the ball dropped to Ruben Providence just yards from goal, only for Aaron Hickey to strip him of possession. Frantzdy Pierrot then headed narrowly wide in the 85th minute and had another late opportunity, but Scotland held firm to secure the win.

Both nations return to action on Friday. Scotland will face Morocco in Boston, while Haiti takes on Brazil in Philadelphia.

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was pulled from Saturday night’s game against the Houston Astros after sustaining a right hand and hamate injury.

Pasquantino had kept his hitting streak alive at eight games with a single earlier in the contest before appearing to hurt himself on a swing during the bottom of the fifth inning, with the score knotted at 4-4.

Isaac Collins stepped in as his replacement and took up a spot in left field, while Jac Caglianone moved over to cover first base for the remainder of the game.

The 28-year-old is having a difficult offensive season, posting a career-low .224 batting average. Over five seasons with Kansas City, he carries a .260 career average to go along with 76 home runs.

The contest between Houston and Kansas City was still deadlocked at 7-7 when a rain delay halted play with one out recorded in the top of the eighth inning.

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — A World Cup clash between two heavyweights ended in a 1-1 stalemate Saturday, as Morocco proved they could more than hold their own against Brazil in front of a packed house at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari put his team ahead with a well-deserved first-half goal, but Vinicius Jr. answered with a spectacular equalizer to keep Brazil from falling behind in their Group C opener. The draw leaves the group standings evenly matched heading into the later Saturday contest between Haiti and Scotland.

For Morocco, who reached the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, the showing reinforced the belief that they belong among the sport’s elite nations. Brazil, meanwhile, left the field with plenty of concerns after a disjointed performance that saw Morocco repeatedly exploit gaps in their defense.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti was candid about his team’s shortcomings in the opening half. “I don’t think we started the match well, the team was a bit nervous, we lost possession too often and lost too many challenges. The first half wasn’t good,” he said, while acknowledging improvement after halftime. “It improved in the second half; it’s a tough match because Morocco are a good side. I think there was a bit of nervousness. In the first half they were breaking out of our press and making dangerous counter-attacks.”

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi made clear his ambitions extend beyond what his team achieved three years ago. “If you’re asking me if I want to have the same trajectory as in 2022, no, I want to go beyond the semi-finals this time,” he said. “This was one point but we hoped to have more. One point is good enough and we will improve.”

Morocco controlled much of the early action, moving the ball patiently along the wings and creating danger through Achraf Hakimi and Bilal El Khannouss. Teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi drew attention by carving through Brazil’s midfield with ease, as the five-time world champions struggled to contain Morocco’s pace and organization.

Brazil’s first real opportunity came in the 14th minute, but Igor Thiago squandered it with a poorly directed header. Seven minutes later, Morocco capitalized on a Brazil mistake. Lucas Paqueta lost the ball in midfield, and Brahim Diaz quickly fed Saibari behind a flat-footed Brazilian backline. Goalkeeper Alisson made matters worse by rushing off his line at the wrong moment, and Saibari coolly chipped the ball over him to put Morocco in front.

Brazil pulled level in the 32nd minute thanks to a moment of individual brilliance. Vinicius Jr. received a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the penalty area, shifted onto his right foot, and drilled an unstoppable shot into the far top corner of the net. Brazil nearly grabbed the lead just before halftime, but Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou made a sharp save to deny Paqueta’s acrobatic scissor kick.

Brazil made changes at halftime, bringing on Fabinho and Danilo to replace Casemiro and Roger Ibanez — both of whom had difficult first halves. The substitutions helped Brazil assert more control after the break, though clear scoring opportunities remained hard to come by until the 78th minute, when Raphinha got on the end of a Vinicius cross.

The match grew cautious in the closing stages as both teams avoided unnecessary risks. Substitute Matheus Cunha gave Brazil a late jolt of energy and came close to a winner, but the Brazilians never quite rediscovered their trademark flair.

Both nations will still feel confident about their chances of topping the group and earning a more favorable path through the knockout rounds.

What started as a satisfying win for Cleveland quickly turned into a nightmare scenario for the Guardians organization.

Star third baseman José Ramírez fractured a bone in his left hand Saturday during Cleveland’s 3-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers, and the team has no timetable for his return. The injury is a crushing development for the two-time defending AL Central champions.

The 33-year-old suffered a fractured left hamate bone while leading off the fifth inning. Cleveland held off announcing the severity of the situation until the final out was recorded, when manager Stephen Vogt confirmed the diagnosis following imaging tests.

Vogt described how Ramírez tried to push through the pain for the sake of his teammates. “He had a similar injury I think to his right hand a few years ago,” Vogt said. “He tried to go back out. He knew the position we were in, grabbed his glove and said ‘Maybe I can still play defense,’ but he couldn’t squeeze his glove. Hosey wanted to get back out there to help us win that game. He just couldn’t.”

Ramírez is widely considered the face of the Cleveland franchise. A seven-time All-Star who has landed in the top four of MVP voting on five occasions, he is the team’s most irreplaceable piece. Losing him for any amount of time is a serious blow to Cleveland’s title hopes.

Surgery is anticipated within the next few days. While the Guardians do have other options at third base, none of those players come close to matching what Ramírez brings to the lineup. The team had just moved back into first place in the division heading into the weekend.

Ramírez is no stranger to this type of injury. Back in 2019 — the only time in his career he has landed on the injured list — he broke his right hamate bone. Despite initial projections of missing up to seven weeks, he returned within a month after undergoing surgery.

The timing is complicated by the fact that Ramírez had been in a bit of a slump this season. He entered Saturday’s game hitting just .238 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs. For context, the switch-hitter carries a career batting average of .274 and holds nearly every significant offensive record in Guardians history.

Ramírez wasn’t the only player to exit Saturday’s game hurt. Outfielders Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez also left in the opening two innings. DeLauter bruised his right rib cage after crashing into the outfield wall, while Martinez took a foul ball off his foot. Whether either player will join Ramírez on the injured list has not yet been determined.

With three of his top four hitters suddenly unavailable, Vogt had to get creative with his lineup. He shifted Rhys Hoskins from first base to left field — a position Hoskins hadn’t played since 2018 with Philadelphia.

“We’re working through the logistics and what the next steps are so we’ll know more tomorrow or the next day,” Vogt said. “These things can get complicated.”

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch, whose own team has dealt with a heavy injury burden throughout the season, said he felt for Cleveland after watching the situation unfold.

“It was one after another for those guys,” Hinch said. “If there’s any team that understands having injuries at a weird time, it’s us. I didn’t see anything with Ramírez to have him come out of the game, so when Stephen (Vogt) was on the field I had no idea what it was about and they were moving their players all around. Obviously health is a premium. Sounds like they’ve got a lot to sort out over there.”

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, a perennial All-Star, is set to be placed on the injured list after fracturing the hamate bone in his left hand during Saturday’s 3-1 home victory over the Detroit Tigers.

The injury occurred during a swing, and Ramirez was pulled from the game when the sixth inning began.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt spoke about the situation after the final out. “He had a similar injury, I think, to his right hand a few years ago,” Vogt said. “He tried to go back out. He knew the position we were in, grabbed his glove and said, ‘Maybe I can still play defense,’ but he couldn’t squeeze his glove. Hosey wanted to get back out there to help us win that game. He just couldn’t.”

The 33-year-old Ramirez has been selected to the All-Star Game in seven of the past nine seasons, including each of the last five consecutive years. His current campaign has been below his usual standard, however, as he is batting .239 — his lowest average since 2015 — with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs across 72 games this season.

Over his 14-year career with Cleveland, Ramirez has appeared in 1,681 regular-season games, compiling a .278 batting average along with 295 home runs and 982 RBIs.

Hamate bone fracture surgery typically requires a recovery period of anywhere from four to eight weeks.

Saturday was a particularly rough day for the Guardians on the health front. Outfielders Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez also left the game early — DeLauter with a right rib contusion and Martinez with a left foot bruise.

Aldon Smith, the former NFL defensive end who burst onto the professional football scene as one of the game’s most feared pass rushers before a series of personal struggles cut short his career, passed away Saturday at age 36.

The San Francisco 49ers — the team that drafted Smith seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Missouri — announced his death Saturday but offered no cause.

“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the organization said in a statement. “Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”

During his four seasons in San Francisco, Smith appeared in 50 regular-season games with 30 starts, compiling 152 tackles, 44 sacks, 81 quarterback hits, one interception, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one safety. In eight playoff games for the 49ers, he added 20 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

His impact was immediate and historic. Smith’s 14 sacks during his 2011 rookie campaign ranked as the second-highest single-season total by a first-year player since the NFL began officially tracking sacks in 1982, according to the team. He followed that up with 19.5 sacks in 2012, a franchise single-season record, and his combined 33.5 sacks over those first two years stand as the most ever recorded by any player in their opening two NFL seasons, per the team.

Smith earned a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2011, then received Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2012.

However, his career was repeatedly interrupted by off-field incidents. He was suspended nine games in 2014 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and the 49ers cut ties with him in August 2015 following a DUI arrest. According to an ESPN report published Saturday, Smith was arrested 10 times over a nine-year span, including a 2013 arrest on three felony charges related to possession of illegal assault weapons.

Smith landed with the Oakland Raiders and played nine games in 2015, but the NFL again suspended him indefinitely for another substance abuse policy violation. He missed the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons, and the Raiders released him in March 2018 after a domestic violence arrest.

He received another suspension in April 2020 after signing with the Dallas Cowboys, though he was reinstated the following month and went on to start all 16 games he appeared in for Dallas that season.

The Seattle Seahawks signed him in April 2021 but released him that August, effectively ending his playing career.

Over 75 regular-season games and 53 starts, Smith finished with 228 tackles, 52.5 sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one safety, and 103 quarterback hits.

ESPN reported that Smith announced his retirement from professional football in 2023. In the year that followed, he channeled his experiences into a mentoring initiative aimed at helping young athletes navigate the pressures and distractions that come with life as a professional. He worked with the rookie classes of both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Smith was a Kansas City, Missouri native who played college football at Missouri for two seasons. In 23 games from 2009 to 2010, he recorded 79 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks. He was named a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection and the team’s defensive lineman of the year in 2010 before entering the NFL Draft.

Iowa’s own Zach Johnson delivered a spectacular round on Saturday, carding a 9-under-par 63 to pull into a three-way tie for the lead at the Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines. Johnson now sits at 12-under for the tournament alongside Brett Quigley and Australian Scott Hend, who had shared the first-round lead.

Johnson’s 63 was the best round of the tournament and matched his personal low for the season. He got hot on the front nine by making birdies on five straight holes — Nos. 4 through 8 — and then picked up four more birdies coming in on the back nine.

“Today was good. I mean, I putted nice,” Johnson said. “I still feel like I left some shots out there. Kind of eats at you, but at the same time I made a couple putts that you’re not supposed to make so it probably all evened out in that regard. Yeah, excited. I put myself in a place now where I can make a run tomorrow.”

In his first season on the tour, the 50-year-old Johnson has finished inside the top ten in each of his seven starts. He is seeking his second Champions Tour win of the year, having previously claimed victory at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational back in March.

Quigley turned in a 7-under 65 on Saturday, highlighted by birdies on both par-3s on the back nine — including the course’s most difficult hole, the 198-yard 14th. On the prospect of being paired with the hometown favorite Johnson in Sunday’s final round, Quigley was enthusiastic.

“I love that. I mean, we like playing in front of people. It certainly means a little bit more and gets us a little more fired up, a little more excited knowing that everybody will be pulling for Zach,” Quigley said. “That’s an easy like. He’s one of the greatest guys in the world, obviously world-class player and just he’ll be right there.”

Hend, who leads the field in putts per green in regulation at 1.50, birdied all four par-5s on the course for the second day in a row. However, he acknowledged that a rain delay made for a tricky start to his round on Saturday.

“I found it a bit hard to get a grasp of the speed of the greens after we had the rain delay,” Hend said. “Took me a little while to sort of get back into how soft the greens had got and the slowness of them. Just took me a little while to get used to it again. Picked that up as we went into the back nine.”

Six players are within two strokes of the top. South Africa’s Retief Goosen shot a 64 to sit at 11-under, joined by Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen (65) and Australia’s David Bransdon (66). Doug Barron (67), Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal (67), and Vaughn Taylor (68) are bunched together at 10-under.

Playing in front of a crowd that will almost certainly be cheering him on, Johnson acknowledged the support he receives from fans while keeping his focus firmly on the task ahead.

“Well, fortunately, I’ve had that response for quite some time,” Johnson said. “I do not take it for granted. The fans are amazing. I do zone out, so apologies if I ignore or don’t hear you because I’m zoned out. There’s not a whole lot — I’m thick-skulled, like there’s not a whole lot going on up there so I’ve got to keep it simple and not try to get too distracted.”

Vinícius Júnior found the back of the net in the 32nd minute to help Brazil secure a 1-1 tie with Morocco in their World Cup opening match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The five-time World Cup winners faced an early challenge when Morocco’s Ismael Saibari scored in the 21st minute, putting the African champions in front. Brazil, which hasn’t claimed a World Cup trophy since 2002, came into the tournament with considerable pressure and expectations. The crowd of 80,663 was filled with Brazilian supporters wearing yellow, though they grew quiet until Vinícius delivered his stunning angled strike to level the match.

In NBA action, the New York Knicks are positioned to capture their first championship in 53 years when they face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Thousands of New York supporters have traveled to Texas hoping to witness history, with the Larry O’Brien Trophy already in place at the arena and ceremony preparations completed.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto came within one out of throwing a no-hitter before Chicago White Sox batter Tristan Peters launched a leadoff home run in the ninth inning. The right-hander had retired 23 consecutive batters before Chase Meidroth reached base on a two-out error by shortstop Mookie Betts in the eighth. Peters connected on a 96.6 mph fastball for his third home run of the season, ending Yamamoto’s no-hit attempt. The Dodgers went on to win 7-1 after Alex Vesia replaced Yamamoto.

The San Francisco 49ers announced the unexpected passing of former All-Pro linebacker Aldon Smith at age 36 on Saturday. The team did not reveal the cause of death. Smith was selected seventh overall in the 2011 draft from Missouri and recorded 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons, setting a record for most sacks by any player in their initial two years. His career was derailed by legal troubles, leading to his suspension in 2014 and eventual release from the 49ers. He later played for the Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

Qatar managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in World Cup Group B play when Boualem Khoukhi headed home an equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Switzerland had taken the lead through Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty kick, just over a week after the player was cleared to enter the United States following visa complications. Despite controlling possession on an unusually warm June day, Switzerland couldn’t convert their numerous scoring opportunities. The match was played in front of a partially filled stadium with many empty seats visible.

Gio Reyna delivered what may become one of the tournament’s most memorable moments with a spectacular goal that capped a 4-1 United States victory over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday. The goal came deep into stoppage time with virtually the final touch of the match, completing a brilliant team sequence that lasted 70 seconds and involved 26 passes. The performance showcased what observers called Pochettino-ball at its peak.

American defenseman Jaccob Slavin is one victory away from joining an exclusive club as only the second American to win both an Olympic gold medal and Stanley Cup in the same calendar year. That achievement could come as early as Sunday if Carolina defeats Vegas in Game 6 of the Cup final. His teammate Seth Jarvis, who represented Canada in their overtime loss in the Olympic final in Milan, would gain some redemption. Several Golden Knights players including Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, and Shea Theodore also suffered that Olympic defeat, while teammates Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin need two more wins to match the Olympic gold-Stanley Cup double that only Ken Morrow accomplished in 1980 with the “Miracle on Ice” and New York Islanders.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was taken into custody in Houston early Saturday morning on a misdemeanor weapons charge, according to Harris County District Clerk records. Harden was arrested at 3:41 a.m. and processed before 5 a.m. on charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon in a vehicle. He posted a $100 bond and was released from custody. Court documents indicate Harden had a visible handgun that was not secured in a holster. His court appearance is set for June 22, with records showing him as a Houston resident.

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal returned to the mound for his first appearance since April 29, showing expected signs of rust in the Tigers’ 3-1 defeat to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. The two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner pitched 4 2/3 innings after undergoing a new surgical procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow. While not at his dominant best, the Tigers were pleased to have their star left-hander back in action. Skubal threw 80 pitches and surrendered a two-run homer to Daniel Schneemann in the third inning on a fastball.

Jackson Suber holds his first 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour heading into Sunday’s final round of the RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ontario. Suber carded a 66 with a birdie on the final hole, giving him a one-shot advantage over Bud Cauley and several other contenders. Tommy Fleetwood and Wyndham Clark are among 17 players within four shots of the lead. Weather conditions including rain and wind are expected for the final round. Brooks Koepka dropped out of contention due to a hand problem that affected his grip, while 36-hole leader Ben James struggled to a 78.

Aldon Smith, the gifted defensive player whose NFL career was interrupted by numerous legal troubles, has passed away at age 36.

The San Francisco 49ers made the announcement Saturday evening regarding Smith’s death. No cause of death was provided by the organization.

“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the 49ers said in a statement. “Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into.”

The 49ers selected Smith as the 11th overall draft choice from Missouri in 2011, and he quickly became a key contributor for San Francisco, helping end the team’s playoff absence and advancing to the NFC championship game during his initial three seasons, including one Super Bowl appearance.

Smith recorded 14 quarterback sacks during his rookie campaign, placing second behind Von Miller for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He set a team record with 19 1/2 sacks in 2012, earning first-team All-Pro recognition.

His 33 1/2 sacks during his opening two seasons remain an NFL record. He maintained that productivity with 4 1/2 sacks through the first three contests in 2013 before legal difficulties began with a DUI arrest and substance abuse treatment that cost him five games.

That same season brought a weapons-related arrest, though he eventually returned to play.

“I’m getting there,” he said after his stint in 2013 on the non-football injury list. “Every day’s just a step closer to getting to where I want to be I’ve gotten a lot of support, from my family, friends, organization, teammates and everything. And it really says a lot that people care about me outside the field and they care about me as a person.”

Smith contributed 3 1/2 sacks during that season’s playoffs but faced a nine-game suspension to start 2014 and never regained his initial performance level due to suspensions and injuries.

San Francisco cut ties with him in August 2015 following another drunk driving incident — his fifth arrest within three years. Oakland signed him just before the 2015 season began, where he managed 3 1/2 sacks across nine games before another suspension.

“Aldon proudly wore the Silver and Black, was respected by his teammates and will be missed dearly,” the Raiders said in a statement.

Smith sought NFL reinstatement in 2016 but was initially denied. The Raiders released him in 2018 after a domestic violence arrest, which resulted in a plea agreement.

He was eventually reinstated in 2020 and appeared in 16 games for Dallas that season, recording five sacks.

He joined Seattle the following season but was arrested again for battery and released during training camp. He completed a six-month jail term for DUI in 2023 and never returned to the NFL.

Smith concluded his professional career with 52 1/2 sacks across 75 games.

During his college years, he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and received Missouri’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2010.

CLEVELAND — Tarik Skubal had no interest in celebrating his comeback from elbow surgery with feel-good stories or congratulatory messages. Keep the encouragement for somebody else.

The fierce left-handed pitcher didn’t earn consecutive AL Cy Young Awards through sentiment or emotional storylines. He’s focused purely on results, and his months away from pitching didn’t change that competitive drive one bit.

“I don’t want to play into that narrative of trying to be back,” Skubal stated Saturday after his first appearance since April 29. “I need to be better, plain and simple. ‘Just happy to be there,’ that’s a loser mentality to me. I need to go out there and pitch and compete and give my team a chance to win and I didn’t do that.”

The pitcher displayed some expected shakiness during his 4 2/3-inning performance as Detroit once more struggled with clutch hitting, leaving 11 baserunners stranded in their 3-1 defeat to the Cleveland Guardians. Skubal underwent an advanced surgical technique on May 6 to extract a loose fragment from his elbow, which sped up his recovery timeline.

Though Skubal wasn’t at his dominant best, the Tigers were simply grateful to see jersey No. 29 back on the hill, throwing with his distinctive high-leg windup.

“He didn’t execute at the level that we’re used to,” said Detroit manager A.J. Hinch. “But man, it was nice to see him out there.”

Hinch pulled Skubal after 80 throws, calling it a “weird start” because Cleveland’s batting order shifted significantly early on when the Guardians lost outfielders Angel Martinez (bruised foot) and Chase DeLauter (bruised ribs) to injuries.

The southpaw surrendered five hits, recorded four strikeouts and committed one costly error in judgment when he threw a high pitch with two strikes to Daniel Schneemann, who launched a two-run blast in the third frame.

“If I want one pitch back, it’s the one to Schneemann,” Skubal reflected.

Leading the count 0-2, Skubal missed his target with an elevated fastball that Schneeman, a left-handed batter facing Detroit’s star for the first time, sent 417 feet to put Cleveland ahead 3-1.

“It was bad. Really bad,” Skubal admitted. “On 0-2, I’m going up and away and I kind of miss. It’s not in enough and it’s not up enough. If I’m going to miss, it needs to be more in and more up. It’s a good swing on it, but the execution on it was pretty poor.”

Skubal’s throwing speed appeared normal, with his fastball reaching the mid-90s (mph). His curveball and slider maintained their typical rotation, and overall he felt satisfied with most aspects of his performance.

“My process was really good today,” he explained. “Every pitch I was bought-in on. At the end of the day, that’s all I can really control, is me trying to go out there and execute every pitch and sometimes things just don’t fall your way.

“Credit to those guys, too. They had some really good at-bats, and they were in on some pitches, and fouled off some pitches and took some really good pitches, too. You kind of give credit where credit is due. At the same time, I’ve got to be better to give our team a chance to win. I just didn’t do that today.”

Colorado Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander has been moved to the 60-day injured list due to what the team believes could be a UCL injury.

The pitcher exited his May 14 matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates early because of tightness in his right arm. While initial MRI results showed an elbow sprain, manager Warren Schaeffer announced Friday that UCL surgery may be necessary.

“(Dollander) is going for a pre-op appointment soon, within a week,” Schaeffer said. “Then, possibly, it is looking like surgery on the UCL. It’s still not set in stone, but that’s the way it’s trending.”

The 24-year-old has posted a 3-3 record with a 3.89 ERA across 10 outings this season, showing marked improvement in his second year.

During the previous fall, Colorado moved the then-rookie to the 15-day injured list to end the season following a knee injury. That concluded a difficult debut campaign where Dollander recorded a 6.52 ERA and went 2-12 while making 21 starts.

Sadly, his improved performance in 2026 may be cut short by this latest setback.

“If anything happens to that area, your mind automatically goes to the worst-case scenario,” Dollander said at the time of the injury.

The Vegas Golden Knights will be without center William Karlsson for Sunday’s critical Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals after he suffered a left arm injury.

The injury occurred during Thursday’s 4-2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on their home ice in Game 5.

The incident happened in the second period when Carolina defenseman Sean Walker delivered a crushing blow to Karlsson. His left arm struck the glass during the collision, and medical staff attended to him before he departed the venue for further evaluation.

When asked Saturday about Karlsson’s potential availability for a potential Game 7 in Raleigh, N.C., scheduled for Wednesday, Vegas coach John Tortorella refused to provide details.

Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner, who shares a line with Karlsson, expressed his frustration about losing his teammate at such a crucial time.

“It’s obviously a big miss,” Marner said following Saturday’s morning skate. “He’s done a lot of great things for us since he’s been back. But we’ve done this all year. We’ve had a lot of injuries throughout the year, throughout playoffs. So obviously it sucks losing Will, but it’s a ‘next-man-up’ mentality.”

The 33-year-old Karlsson has contributed three goals and nine points across 15 playoff contests. His regular season was limited to just 14 games after he suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 8.

Throughout his entire nine-year tenure with Vegas since the franchise joined the NHL, Karlsson has been a consistent contributor. Across 569 regular season games with the Golden Knights, he has recorded 403 points, including 165 goals and 238 assists. His playoff statistics with Vegas include 80 points from 34 goals and 46 assists over 121 postseason games.

Prior to joining Vegas, Karlsson had stints with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2014-15 season and the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2015-17.

Iran kicks off their World Cup Group G schedule Monday against New Zealand in Los Angeles, with political developments away from the field creating as much attention as both teams’ hopes for an elusive tournament breakthrough.

The contest unfolds amid ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and takes place in an area housing the world’s biggest Iranian population outside their homeland, creating an emotionally charged environment for two countries meeting for the first time at a World Cup.

Iran’s tournament participation seemed doubtful leading up to the competition due to the ongoing conflict. The team also relocated their training headquarters from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, forcing them to cross borders for all three of their group matches on U.S. soil.

Despite reports suggesting diplomatic progress toward resolving the hostilities, tensions surrounding the squad remain high, with Iranian football leadership condemning FIFA following visa rejections for 15 Iranian federation officials attempting to attend the tournament.

The atmosphere in Los Angeles became apparent during Friday’s opening ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium, where audible jeers erupted as Iran’s flag entered the venue. Monday’s match will reveal what kind of crowd response awaits the Iranian players during actual competition.

TWO TEAMS CHASING HISTORY

Both Iran and New Zealand view this matchup as an opportunity to rewrite their typical World Cup stories.

Iran enters their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall participation but has never advanced beyond the group phase. New Zealand returns to the finals for the first time since 2010 in just their third-ever tournament appearance, still searching for their inaugural World Cup victory.

Iran’s manager Amir Ghalenoei, the first Iranian-born coach to guide the national squad at a World Cup since Jalal Talebi in 1998, led his team through Asian qualification after clinching their berth with a 2-2 tie against Uzbekistan in Tehran on March 25, 2025.

New Zealand secured their position one day prior with a 3-0 triumph over New Caledonia in the Oceania qualifying championship. Darren Bazeley’s squad hopes to recall their 2010 performance, when they exited during group play but departed South Africa without a loss following ties with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.

Monday’s encounter marks the inaugural World Cup clash between these nations and represents the first occasion either team has battled an opponent from the other’s confederation at the tournament.

Iran brings superior recent tournament experience. They secured group-stage victories in their previous two World Cups, defeating Morocco 1-0 in 2018 — when they achieved a national record four points in a group including Spain and Portugal — and beating Wales 2-0 in Qatar during 2022 with two injury-time goals.

However, advancement to the elimination rounds has continued to prove impossible.

New Zealand’s chances likely depend significantly on captain Chris Wood, their nation’s all-time top goalscorer, who demonstrated his value during qualification with back-to-back hat-tricks against Samoa and Fiji.

CHICAGO — Right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers threw six perfect innings Saturday against the Chicago White Sox, retiring all 18 batters he faced.

The 27-year-old hurler recorded six strikeouts while throwing 72 total pitches, with 51 finding the strike zone. Los Angeles held a commanding 5-0 advantage entering the seventh inning.

Chicago’s closest opportunity for a base hit came from Chase Meidroth, who lined a ball that curved just outside the foul line before going down swinging to end the fifth inning.

Play was briefly halted before the sixth inning’s bottom half as the grounds crew made repairs to the mound area surrounding the pitcher’s rubber. When action continued, Yamamoto showed no effects from the interruption, fanning Jacob Gonzalez on a full-count cutter before retiring Tristan Peters on a ground ball to first base and getting Edgar Quero to foul out to left field.

Yamamoto is currently in his third campaign with the Los Angeles franchise. He earned World Series MVP honors last season while helping the Dodgers capture their second straight championship title.

The performance continues an impressive run for Yamamoto as the NL West-leading team’s ace. Over his four previous outings before Saturday’s game, he posted a 3-1 record alongside an outstanding 0.99 ERA.

Extreme heat couldn’t stop World Cup enthusiasts from flocking to Houston’s fan festival on Saturday, where they armed themselves with portable fans, shade umbrellas and plenty of icy beverages to combat the blistering Texas temperatures.

As mercury climbed toward 100 degrees Fahrenheit before Sunday’s opening Houston match featuring Germany versus Curacao, event coordinators implemented numerous cooling strategies, from complimentary sunscreen distribution to climate-controlled refuge areas.

“We know it’s the summer and there is nothing we can do about the heat but we want to make it as comfortable as possible,” Houston fan festival organiser Patti Smith told Reuters.

Approximately 30,000 soccer supporters flooded Houston’s downtown area for the tournament’s opening contest between Mexico and South Africa, though the sweltering conditions resulted in over 100 documented heat-related medical incidents.

Medical staff handled most cases at the venue, where authorities established water refill stations and constructed open-air cooling zones equipped with misting fountains to provide relief for overheated attendees.

Assistant principal Jessica Garza came dressed in lightweight clothing with her hair pulled back, keeping hydration and a personal fan close at hand throughout the day.

“It’s worth it, it’s the World Cup. They only come here once in a lifetime so I am going to be hot for today, I am going to enjoy it,” Garza said.

While intense temperatures challenge multiple tournament locations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Houston’s combination of extreme heat and oppressive humidity creates outdoor conditions resembling a furnace blast.

Tournament officials anticipate additional challenges when supporters from temperate nations like Germany and Sweden, unaccustomed to such severe heat, arrive for their teams’ Houston matches.

Saturday’s festival-goers demonstrated creative heat management, with many carrying umbrellas for sun protection, gripping handheld fans, or draping shirts over their heads for makeshift cooling. Some chose simpler approaches.

“I’m trying to stay in the cooler areas, the shadier areas,” geophysicist John Banwagoner told Reuters.

A 19-year-old basketball player from Italy has decided to forgo the 2026 NBA Draft and will instead play college basketball at Villanova, news outlets are reporting.

Luigi Suigo, who stands 7’3″ with a 7’5.5″ wingspan, put up 8.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while playing 18.1 minutes nightly for Mega Superbet in the AdmiralBet ABA League during the previous season.

The young center from Tradate, Varese, Italy, had been considered by basketball analysts as a possible late first-round selection. ESPN placed him at No. 32 on their prospect rankings.

Suigo chose Villanova over scholarship offers from Illinois, Purdue and Indiana. He’ll be joining a Wildcats team that recently made the NCAA Tournament and finished with a 24-9 record during Kevin Willard’s inaugural season leading the program.

The New York Yankees’ outfielder and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has encountered complications in his recovery from a left calf strain he sustained on April 24.

The injury reoccurred while Stanton was running bases during practice last week.

Team officials had been optimistic about Stanton’s return to active play during the club’s upcoming homestand, but those plans now appear uncertain.

Manager Aaron Boone addressed the situation, saying, “He felt a little something in there a day or two ago, so that’s kind of slowed him down. I expected him back early in this homestand. That’s in jeopardy now.”

This season, the 36-year-old Stanton has appeared in 24 games, posting a .256 batting average along with three home runs, six doubles and 14 RBIs.

The team is currently managing multiple significant injuries among its outfield players.

Current American League MVP Aaron Judge remains sidelined with a right rib stress fracture and won’t be available until July or August.

Additionally, outfielder Trent Grisham joined the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The organization has brought up Jasson Dominguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill the roster spot.

Boone acknowledged the team’s injury challenges, stating, “No getting around it, we’ve lost some key people. It’s part of it. The (162 game schedule) is coming for you. I feel like we’re way more equipped to deal with it than we have been in some years. It’s a great opportunity for some of our young players.”

Pittsburgh has completed a player exchange with Florida, trading defenseman Emil Pieniniemi to the Panthers in return for forward Oliver Okuliar.

The 26-year-old Okuliar spent last season with Skelleftea AIK in Sweden’s top professional hockey league, where he tallied 15 goals and 14 assists across 46 regular season contests. In playoff action, he shared the league lead with six goals and contributed to his team’s championship victory.

Most recently during the 2024-25 campaign, Okuliar suited up for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League, where he accumulated 19 goals and 22 assists over 69 games.

The departing Pieniniemi, age 21, was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He appeared in nine games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season, contributing three points.

CHICAGO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani took his spot back in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup Saturday following a one-game absence due to left knee inflammation.

The star player batted leadoff as designated hitter when the Dodgers faced the Chicago White Sox. Ohtani had exited Thursday evening’s 8-6 victory over Pittsburgh during the seventh inning, then sat out Friday’s 8-2 defeat in Chicago to open the series.

“We took him out of the game the other night just for precautionary,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. “Yesterday, treated it up, today he feels great. All the confidence that he can go out there and hit, feel good, not regress at all.”

The 31-year-old Ohtani is still set to take the mound Wednesday versus Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4 right-hander checked how his knee responded to his pitching mechanics by throwing in the outfield prior to Saturday’s contest against the White Sox.

Ohtani, who underwent left knee surgery in September 2019, is hitting .305 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs across 67 games for the NL West-leading team. As a pitcher, the defending NL MVP holds a 6-2 record with a 1.06 ERA through 11 starts.

Roberts also mentioned that Justin Wrobleski should make his next planned start Tuesday against the Rays. The left-handed pitcher departed Thursday night’s game in the fifth inning with a left hamstring contusion.

“Yesterday I talked to him and he is a little sore, which is understandable, but he’ll be ready to go on Tuesday,” Roberts said.

The 54-year-old Roberts will be absent for Sunday’s series conclusion against the White Sox. Bench coach Danny Lehmann will manage the team while Roberts attends his daughter’s college graduation.

The Texas Rangers have moved outfielder Evan Carter to the 10-day injured list on Saturday after he sustained an oblique injury. The team brought up utility player Cody Freeman from Triple-A Round Rock to take his place on the roster.

Carter left Friday’s matchup with the Boston Red Sox because of right oblique discomfort. The injury has since been diagnosed as a right oblique strain.

This season, Carter has contributed six home runs, 21 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and posted a .172/.292/.321 batting line for the Rangers. However, his most valuable contribution has been his exceptional defense in center field. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 94th percentile for Fielding Run Value.

Freeman appeared in 36 games for the Rangers during the previous season, posting a .228 batting average along with three home runs and 15 RBIs. This year in Triple-A, he’s performing well with a .341 batting average, two home runs and 11 RBIs across 10 games, and went 1-for-2 in his single appearance for Texas.

The versatile player has major league experience at left field, right field, second base, and third base.

In additional roster moves, Texas brought up right-handed pitcher Joe Ross from Triple-A Round Rock while sending right-hander Luis Curvelo down to the same club. The team also designated right-hander Michel Otanez for assignment.

NBA veteran James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers was taken into custody early Saturday morning in Houston, facing a misdemeanor charge for unlawfully possessing a weapon in a vehicle, the Harris County District Clerk’s Office confirmed.

Police arrested the basketball star at 3:41 a.m. and processed him into custody shortly before 5 a.m. He secured his release by posting a $100 bond, court records show. Charging documents indicate officers discovered a firearm in plain sight inside the vehicle that was not secured in a holster.

Court records show Harden’s arraignment date is set for June 22, and he is documented as living in Houston.

The Cleveland Cavaliers released a statement saying: “The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”

Representatives for Harden did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

The 36-year-old athlete recently completed his 17th season in the NBA and holds a $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season with Cleveland. Following the Cavaliers’ playoff elimination by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, Harden expressed interest in staying with the organization, suggesting he may decline the option to negotiate a longer-term deal.

Throughout his career, Harden has earned recognition as an 11-time All-Star and eight-time All-NBA team member. He captured the league’s Most Valuable Player award during the 2017-18 campaign while with the Houston Rockets.

Atlanta’s baseball team has sidelined right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider for at least 15 days due to inflammation in his elbow, the organization announced Saturday.

The 27-year-old pitcher was forced to leave Friday’s game against New York in the fourth inning when he began experiencing discomfort. Atlanta ultimately lost that contest 7-5 to the Mets.

During his abbreviated outing, the former All-Star and previous 20-game winner allowed seven runs on six hits, including three home runs, across just over three innings of work.

This season, Strider holds a 4-2 record with a 5.31 earned run average across eight starts. In 39 innings pitched, he has recorded 46 strikeouts while issuing 20 walks and allowing nine home runs.

This injury represents another hurdle for Strider following his standout All-Star performance in 2023. Last year proved challenging as he managed only two starts before requiring season-ending elbow surgery. His current season also began with time on the injured list due to a strained left oblique muscle.

To fill the roster spot, Atlanta promoted right-hander Anthony Molina from their Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett. The 24-year-old Molina has appeared once for Atlanta this season, throwing two scoreless innings during an 8-6 victory over Colorado on May 1.

Two-way baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting roster on Saturday for their matchup with the Chicago White Sox.

The superstar was scheduled to take the field as designated hitter while occupying the top spot in the batting order on Saturday.

Ohtani had been absent from Friday’s 8-2 defeat in the opening game of the series, missing action after knee inflammation forced his early exit from the Dodgers’ 8-6 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates the previous day.

The 31-year-old is currently batting .305 this season while contributing 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. As a pitcher, the dual-threat athlete holds a 6-2 win-loss record with a 1.06 ERA through 11 mound appearances.

The four-time Most Valuable Player, who has claimed the honor in each of the past three seasons, carries a lifetime .283 batting average alongside 293 home runs and 709 RBIs over 1,081 career games split between the Los Angeles Angels from 2018-23 and the Dodgers.

Ken Morrow has long enjoyed being the answer to a unique trivia question – he remains the sole American hockey player to capture Olympic gold and claim the Stanley Cup within the same calendar year. Morrow achieved this rare feat as a member of the legendary 1980 U.S. “Miracle on Ice” squad before contributing to the New York Islanders’ initial championship in their four-year dynasty.

While six Canadian players have managed this accomplishment since NHL athletes began competing in Olympic competition, fewer Americans have achieved Morrow’s double than have set foot on the lunar surface. He stands alone in this exclusive category.

This unique distinction will inevitably change regardless of the Cup final’s outcome. Following the U.S. team’s first Olympic gold medal triumph in 46 years, Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin needs just one more win to match Morrow’s achievement, while Vegas could propel Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin into this select group if they capture Games 6 and 7.

“I’ve had my 46 years,” Morrow told The Associated Press by phone Friday. “I’m always one that likes to see new people win the Cup, guys get a chance to do something that they’ll remember the rest of their lives. And for whoever does it this year, yes, I think it’s great.”

Morrow captured four consecutive Stanley Cup championships during the Islanders’ dominant era. Among U.S. players in the current final, only Eichel possesses a Cup championship, having played a crucial role in the Golden Knights’ 2023 title run.

Following his contribution to the U.S. gold medal victory in Milan during February, Eichel notes both parallels and contrasts between these championship pursuits.

“One’s nine, 10 months; one’s two weeks,” Eichel said. “One of them is winner-take-all of just one game at a time. These are seven-game series, so it’s different in that sense. I think from an emotional standpoint and a mentality, I think there’s a lot of similarities: just the investment in winning and the feeling in the room and everything that comes with it.”

While Eichel describes the single-elimination aspect as a useful way to approach playoff hockey, Hanifin emphasized the stark contrast between preparing for individual Olympic contests versus navigating a postseason’s emotional roller coaster.

“When you’re playing seven-game series, you can kind of build over time and if you hit a little bit of a setback or some adversity, you can kind of learn from it and build and come back better,” Hanifin said. “Whereas Olympics, when you get into those medal rounds, it’s a one-and-done situation, so it’s different in that regard.”

Should the Hurricanes prevail, it would provide some redemption for Seth Jarvis, who represented Canada in the Olympic final and fell to the U.S. in overtime on Jack Hughes’ decisive goal.

During a team photo session featuring Slavin, Jarvis, and bronze medalist Sebastian Aho displaying their Olympic medals while wearing their national jerseys, Jarvis joked in a behind-the-scenes video about revisiting his worst memories and mentioned the plush mascot toys that IOC representatives distributed to players following their devastating championship loss.

Prior to the final’s commencement, Jarvis recognized these competitions as separate entities.

“Obviously, losing in the gold medal is going to suck forever,” Jarvis said. “But now I get a chance to be a winner and win something big here with a group of guys that I’ve been grinding with for five years, been through the ups and downs of it and people that I just really care about.”

Two additional defeats would place Jarvis in an identical position, though without another commemorative stuffed animal. Another Golden Knights loss would mean experiencing two final defeats this year for Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore and Mark Stone.

Prior to the series’ start, Slavin worked diligently to prevent his thoughts from wandering to this historic possibility.

“It crosses my mind,” Slavin said. “But we’ve got to go out and do a job first, so not trying to give it too much thought.”

During the nearly five decades since Morrow achieved the Olympic gold-Stanley Cup combination, the entire landscape has transformed. The NHL has sent players to six Olympic Games since 1998, meaning today’s athletes are already established professionals.

At 23 years old, Morrow experienced less than 10 days between defeating the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice” at Lake Placid, New York, visiting the White House, attending his initial Islanders practice, and making his NHL debut.

“I was trying to earn a living,” Morrow said. “I had to kind of really change focus quickly into trying to earn a job with the New York Islanders, and it wasn’t a sure thing for me when I first came to them right after the Olympics. Am I going to be able to play in the league? Those were questions that I was facing in trying to make a living. And these guys certainly didn’t have that facing them after the Olympics.”

They simply needed to return to their professional responsibilities, which presented its own set of challenges. Both Vegas and Carolina topped their respective divisions and advanced through three playoff rounds.

This success provided Eichel, Hanifin and Slavin the chance to join Morrow, Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan from Detroit in 2002, Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith from Chicago 2010, and Drew Doughty from Los Angeles in 2014 in the record books.

“For myself, it’s been a pretty surreal year: Winning gold was awesome, and then having the chance to play for a Stanley Cup is awesome,” Slavin said. “I take it as a blessing and just thankful for it.”

NBA All-Star James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers was taken into custody in Houston early Saturday morning on a misdemeanor firearms charge and later released from jail.

The 36-year-old basketball player was part of a five-person group traveling through Houston’s downtown area when police conducted a traffic stop around 3:40 a.m. According to court documents, when Harden pulled up behind another car, a police officer observed a firearm in the cup holder of his Mercedes vehicle.

Court records show that Harden acknowledged ownership of the weapon and was subsequently taken into custody and processed at Harris County Jail.

The player posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 22.

The veteran guard, who has earned six first-team All-NBA honors and captured the 2017-18 league MVP award, is currently playing for his sixth NBA franchise. Cleveland obtained his services on February 4 through a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, sending guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round draft selection in return.

During his 26 appearances with Cleveland this season, all as a starter, he posted averages of 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.

His overall statistics for the current campaign include 23.6 points, 8.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds across 70 games, starting in each contest.

Throughout his 17-year professional career spanning 1,221 games with 1,007 starts, he maintains career averages of 24.0 points, 7.3 assists and 5.6 rebounds.

After being selected third overall in the 2009 NBA draft, Harden has suited up for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers and Cavaliers during his professional tenure.

New York Mets officials anticipate their star shortstop Francisco Lindor will rejoin the team before June concludes, although an exact comeback date remains undetermined.

The talented infielder has been sidelined since April 23 due to a left calf strain injury.

David Stearns, the team’s president of baseball operations, discussed Lindor’s status on Friday prior to the Mets’ 7-5 victory against the visiting Atlanta Braves.

“I don’t know exactly when this month, but that means we’re getting closer,” Stearns said. “We want to go as fast as possible and smart as possible, and that’s a delicate line.”

During his rehabilitation process, the 32-year-old participated in a simulated game on Friday at Citi Field, taking at-bats against a pitcher from the Mets’ High-A affiliate in Brooklyn. Lindor refrained from running after contact and completed defensive work equivalent to two innings, handling ground balls.

“More like a controlled environment (where) we’re simulating game action, but we’re controlling it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s going to do that again next week here, where instead of two innings, it’s more like three, five (innings). And then, we’ll revisit at the end of next week to see what’s the next step.”

Lindor will likely complete a minor league rehabilitation assignment following what represents his longest injured list period in his professional career. He has been absent for 44 games with this injury, compared to missing only 52 games during his initial five seasons with the Mets.

The Mets have compiled a 22-22 record during Lindor’s absence and currently hold a 31-38 overall record, placing them last in the National League East division.

Lindor is currently hitting .226 this season. Known as a typically slow starter, Lindor had begun finding his rhythm during the nine games preceding his injury, collecting 11 hits in 33 at-bats to improve his average from .188.

Lindor earned All-Star Game selection for the fifth time in his career and first time as a Met in 2025. He posted a .267 batting average with 31 home runs, 86 RBIs, a .346 on-base percentage, a .466 slugging percentage, a National League-leading 644 at-bats and major league-topping 732 plate appearances across 160 games.

Throughout his career, he maintains a .273 batting average with 281 home runs and 861 RBIs across 1,559 regular-season games with Cleveland (2015-20) and New York.

Lindor also carries a .263 batting average with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in 41 postseason games.

The New York Yankees made roster moves Saturday, adding outfielder Trent Grisham to the 10-day injured list while bringing back fellow outfielder Jasson Dominguez from the same list.

Grisham hurt his hamstring during the sixth inning of Friday’s 8-5 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto.

The injury occurred after Grisham delivered a two-run single to center field in the sixth inning. He exited the contest following a slide into second base while advancing on a throw to home plate. Team officials reported right hamstring tightness, with manager Aaron Boone indicating the injury happened as Grisham rounded first base.

The two-time Gold Glove recipient finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs before departing the game.

The 29-year-old Grisham carries a .232 batting average with eight home runs and 35 RBIs across 66 games this season.

Dominguez had been sidelined since May 8 due to a low-grade AC sprain in his left shoulder.

His injury occurred one day after he crashed into the outfield wall while making a leaping catch during the first inning of New York’s 9-2 win over the Texas Rangers.

The 23-year-old Dominguez holds a .200 batting average (6-for-30) with one home run and four RBIs in nine games with the Yankees this season.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has made it clear he won’t be apologizing to former closer Aroldis Chapman, despite the pitcher’s demands for one.

Chapman has expressed dissatisfaction with how the Yankees handled his situation at the close of the 2022 season, stating that general manager Brian Cashman should apologize to him. The eight-time All-Star was excluded from New York’s American League Divisional Series matchup against Cleveland after he failed to attend a required workout.

“At the end of the day, he wasn’t at the workout,” Boone stated on Friday. “I made the decision, based on a lot of things and thought, to leave him off because I thought that was the right thing to do for our club at the time.”

“Chappy apologized, and really, it’s water under the bridge for me. I love Chappy. I have a really good relationship with him to this day, but the ending of the ’22 season is what it was. He wasn’t there, and I made the decision that I didn’t think it was best for him to come back at that point. He maintained that he was throwing and would be ready as the playoffs unfolded that year, but ultimately, I made that decision.”

When asked directly whether Chapman deserved an apology, Boone’s response was brief: “No.”

The 38-year-old Chapman accumulated 153 saves during his seven-year tenure with New York spanning 2016 through 2022.

Now playing for the rival Red Sox on a one-year contract worth $13.3 million, Chapman holds a 0-1 record with a 0.46 ERA and has converted 13 of 13 save opportunities for Boston.

Chapman ranks 10th in baseball history with 380 career saves, having played for seven different teams since 2010. He earned World Series rings with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and the Texas Rangers in 2023.