Category: Sports

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith will likely be cut from the roster before March 11, when the NFL’s new league year officially begins, according to multiple reports.

While the Raiders are anticipated to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, General Manager John Spytek suggested at last month’s NFL Scouting Combine that the team might prefer not to start a first-year player immediately in Week 1 of the upcoming season.

The Raiders’ backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, who stepped in when Smith suffered an injury late in the season, will enter free agency.

By releasing Smith following just one year as their starting quarterback, Las Vegas will free up $8 million in salary cap room and avoid triggering an automatic contract guarantee scheduled to activate on March 13.

However, cutting Smith will still cost the Raiders $18.5 million in dead money. The team acquired Smith in March 2025 through a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to serve as the starting quarterback under head coach Pete Carroll.

Carroll departed after one season, and Smith endured significant punishment playing behind what ranked among the league’s poorest offensive line units.

In 15 starting appearances, Smith recorded the NFL’s highest interception total with 17 while throwing for 3,025 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was brought down for sacks 55 times throughout the season.

The 35-year-old Smith has now suited up for five different NFL teams since the New York Jets selected him with the 39th pick in the 2013 draft.

The Washington Capitals have sent veteran defenseman John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks in an overnight transaction that caught the player completely off guard.

The timing of the deal was so unexpected that Carlson was fast asleep when it happened and only discovered he’d been traded when he woke up Friday morning, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

In exchange for the 36-year-old blueliner, Washington will receive a conditional first-round draft pick for either 2026 or 2027, plus a third-round selection in 2027. Should Anaheim miss the playoffs, the Ducks can hold onto their 2026 first-rounder and send their 2027 first-round pick to the Capitals instead.

Carlson’s entire NHL career has been spent with Washington after the franchise selected him in the opening round of the 2008 draft.

“Since joining our organization 17 years ago, John Carlson has exemplified what it means to be a Washington Capital every day,” Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said. “John’s determination, leadership, persistence and skill helped our franchise reach new heights and cemented him as a cornerstone and one of the greatest players in Capitals history. His contributions to our organization and the Washington, D.C., community both on and off the ice have been immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful for everything John has given to our team and wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward with Anaheim.”

This season, Carlson has tallied 46 points through 55 contests, netting 10 goals and adding 36 assists while logging an average of 22:52 per game. He’s in the final year of his eight-year, $64 million deal and will hit unrestricted free agency this summer.

The Stanley Cup winner holds every major franchise record for Washington defensemen, including most goals (166), assists (605), points (771), power-play points (273) and games played (1,143).

“John Carlson brings leadership, character, a high hockey IQ and a presence to our lineup,” Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek said. “We are very excited to add a Stanley Cup winner to complement our group and make a big push down the stretch.”

Shohei Ohtani wasted no time delivering for the home fans in Tokyo, crushing a grand slam in the second inning that ignited Japan’s dominant 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei at the World Baseball Classic on Friday.

The capacity crowd at Tokyo Dome went wild when Ohtani connected on a curveball from pitcher Hao-Chun Cheng, driving it beyond the right field fence. Japan added six more runs in that same inning and continued their offensive onslaught until the contest was stopped after seven innings under the tournament’s mercy rule.

“I thought it might land as an out, so above all, I really wanted to get the first run on the board,” Ohtani said in a post-game interview. “I know there will be some tough battles ahead, but if the fans and the team can unite and everyone can help build the excitement together, it will really encourage us.”

The World Baseball Classic has become a premier international competition since its debut in 2006, now in its sixth edition. For Japan, the tournament represents a source of immense national pride, with the country assembling its top talent and holding the record with three championship titles.

Ohtani’s legendary status in Japan continues to soar. The 31-year-old superstar recently returned from another successful MLB campaign where he captured his second consecutive World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers and earned his third Most Valuable Player honor.

Even when he’s not in Japan, Ohtani’s image dominates advertising across the country, promoting products ranging from beverages and snacks to educational services.

Fellow Dodger Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was World Series MVP, took the mound as Japan’s starting pitcher and delivered 2 2/3 shutout innings. Japan’s next challenge comes Saturday against South Korea, while Chinese Taipei, now sitting at 0-2 following Thursday’s loss to Australia, will face Czechia in their upcoming match.

The atmosphere mirrors last year’s season opener at Tokyo Dome, where Ohtani helped the Dodgers sweep the Cubs in a two-game series. Fans are creating long lines throughout the venue to purchase official WBC merchandise, creating a festival-like environment.

The tournament spans from March 5-17, with games taking place in Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston, and Miami. Twenty national teams are competing in round-robin format within their respective pools, with the top two teams from each group moving forward to the quarterfinals.

Japan enters Pool C as the reigning champions following their thrilling 2023 championship victory over the United States. That final concluded dramatically when Ohtani struck out his then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out. The triumph added to Japan’s previous championships in 2006 and 2009, maintaining their streak of reaching at least the semifinals in every tournament.

The Dodgers are limiting Ohtani to designated hitter duties only, hoping to protect his pitching arm for the upcoming MLB season. The two-way phenomenon, often compared to Babe Ruth for his dual abilities, logged only 47 pitching innings during the 2024 regular season while recovering from his second elbow surgery.

That batting focus paid dividends as Ohtani made history by becoming the first player ever to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, earning unanimous National League MVP recognition. He collected three hits in four plate appearances Friday before being removed in the seventh inning.

Despite Ohtani’s absence from the pitching rotation, Japan boasts impressive depth on the mound with Dodgers teammates Yamamoto and Yusei Kikuchi, plus Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. The roster features eight Major League players total, with the remaining spots filled by stars from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Streaming service Netflix has made a significant investment in the tournament’s Japanese broadcast rights, securing all 47 games for reportedly 15 billion yen ($95.26 million) – five times what broadcasters paid in 2023, according to Japanese media reports.

While Netflix declined to confirm the rights fee amount, the company is organizing approximately 150 public viewing parties across Japan and offering subscriber discounts. However, some fans and media outlets have expressed frustration that the games won’t be available on traditional free television for the first time in tournament history.

Western Conference NHL teams strengthened their rosters Wednesday as the trade deadline approaches, with multiple Stanley Cup contenders and playoff hopefuls making significant moves.

The Edmonton Oilers, who have reached the Western Conference finals twice in a row, completed their second transaction with Chicago in just a few days by acquiring veteran center Jason Dickinson. Chicago agreed to cover half of Dickinson’s contract and also sent forward Colton Dach, an Edmonton-area native, to the Oilers. In return, the Blackhawks received forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round draft selection.

The Dallas Stars, riding a 10-game winning streak and fresh off three straight Western Conference final appearances, strengthened their defensive corps by obtaining Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks. The Stars gave up a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-round selection for the veteran blueliner.

Utah Mammoth made perhaps the biggest splash, trading for defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from Calgary. The Flames received three 2025 second-round draft picks, defenseman Olli Maatta, and unsigned prospect Jonathan Castagna in the deal.

The 32-year-old Weegar brings veteran leadership and the ability to handle substantial ice time as Utah pursues a Western Conference playoff spot. He had to waive his complete no-trade protection to facilitate the move and is committed long-term to Utah, with his contract running through 2031 at a $6.25 million annual cap charge.

“MacKenzie is a high-end defenseman with the type of leadership and work ethic that we want in a top-four blueliner,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Acquiring MacKenzie solidifies our back end as we continue to push towards the playoffs, and he will be a great addition to our team on and off the ice.”

These transactions have significantly strengthened the Central Division’s top teams.

The 30-year-old Dickinson brings defensive reliability and exceptional penalty-killing skills from his time in Chicago. This season, he has recorded six goals and seven assists across 47 games.

Dickinson reunites with Connor Murphy in Edmonton after the 32-year-old defenseman was also dealt from Chicago to the Oilers earlier this week. Edmonton’s general manager Stan Bowman previously oversaw Chicago’s operations when current Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson began his career with the organization.

Vancouver is absorbing half of Myers’ $3 million salary for this season and next, giving Dallas the veteran defender at just $1.5 million for potentially two playoff campaigns.

“Tyler is a veteran defenseman that will immediately add to our group,” Dallas general manager Jim Nill said. “His ability to play on the right side will give us an added element of flexibility on the blue line.”

At 6-foot-8 and 36 years old, Myers is in his 17th NHL season. He waived his complete no-movement clause to join the Stars.

“It just basically checked all the boxes,” Myers said on a video call with reporters. “Obviously had three or four teams that were a preference for us. Dallas one of them. And when we found out that they had some mutual interest, we pushed hard to get it done.”

Dallas sought additional defensive depth and may still pursue forward help before Friday’s deadline. Myers joins a blue line anchored by Miro Heiskanen that also features Esa Lindell and Thomas Harley.

“Already a lot of talent, already a lot of size,” Myers said. “I know how good of a team Dallas already is, and for me I’m just coming in to work as hard as I can and help in any way.”

Minnesota, potentially Dallas’ first-round playoff matchup, acquired bottom-six center Michael McCarron on Tuesday evening. League-leading Colorado added defensive depth by obtaining Nick Blankenburg from Nashville for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

The Wild may continue dealing, with general manager Bill Guerin seeking a top-tier center. Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers represents one possibility, as several teams have indicated their willingness to sell assets.

Two-time defending champion Florida has shifted into selling mode following three consecutive regulation losses. Wednesday’s signing of journeyman goaltender Louis Domingue may indicate the Panthers’ direction. Star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who led them to consecutive championships and three straight final appearances while winning two Vezina Trophies, becomes a free agent after this season.

Though trading Bobrovsky seems unlikely, other pending free agents including A.J. Greer and Jeff Petry could generate interest.

Toronto, whose nine-season playoff streak appears ending, also has tradeable assets. The Maple Leafs scratched Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson from Wednesday’s game against New Jersey as trade discussions intensify.

“It’s obviously a tough time for everybody, no matter what team you’re on,” Ekman-Larsson said following the morning skate. “At the same time, you know what you sign up for, and you know that that’s the case around the league.”

San Jose’s Kiefer Sherwood avoided another trade by signing a five-year, $28.75 million extension with the Sharks. San Jose acquired Sherwood from Vancouver on January 19th with the flexibility to either retain or trade him.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes he understands what’s happening to all the missing doubles and triples in Major League Baseball.

They’re sailing over the fence.

“I think that guys chase exit velocity and launch angle so that doesn’t lend itself to balls in the gap or down the lines,” Roberts explained. “So I think that’s the whole crux for me.”

Last season saw an uptick in singles and home runs throughout the majors, but doubles and triples continued their downward slide. Statistics from Sportradar show 7,745 doubles were recorded, dropping from 7,771 in 2024 and significantly down from 8,254 ten years earlier in 2016. Triples fell to just 628, compared with 697 in 2024 and 873 in 2016.

Baseball officials expanded base sizes as part of rule modifications before the 2023 season, hoping to generate more baserunning excitement. The change initially boosted doubles, triples and stolen bases that year, but the two-base and three-base hits have since returned to their declining pattern.

This trend means fewer of those thrilling baseball moments when fans rise from their seats, watching a runner race toward second or third base while a throw speeds his way.

“I guess you could say yeah, it loses something, but I think there’s also a gain in some other things,” Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi observed. “People like home runs and more stolen-base opportunities.”

Multiple factors contribute to the reduction in doubles and triples, starting with how teams position their defenders.

Although the 2023 rule changes limited infield shifting, no similar constraints exist for outfield positioning. Outfielders frequently play deeper to prevent extra-base hits, using reference cards tucked in their pockets that outline each batter’s hitting patterns.

“When I was playing, it was kind of, you want to play shallow to take away the singles,” Roberts said, drawing on his experience as a former major league outfielder, “but nowadays you’re playing for damage, and so outfields play considerably deeper than they used to.”

Nolan Arenado recalls the moment vividly. The eight-time All-Star was suiting up for St. Louis on May 23, 2022, when he achieved his career-best exit velocity of 111.4 mph on a line drive against Toronto right-hander José Berríos during the second inning. The ball cleared shortstop Bo Bichette’s head before center fielder Bradley Zimmer tracked it down.

“Yeah. Single,” said Arenado, who joined Arizona through a January trade. “And you know a few years back that probably would have been just an automatic double. … So that was the first time I really noticed it. The defense alignment, it changes everything. You know you really got to hit a ball in the gap or you got to hit it down the line to get doubles.”

Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young also highlighted the advancement in defensive positioning strategies.

“Every team has their own model and I think does a really good job of positioning,” said Young, a former major league pitcher.

Stadium configurations have also influenced this trend. The New York Mets have repeatedly modified Citi Field since its 2009 debut, pulling fences closer to favor hitters. Detroit Tigers restructured Comerica Park’s outfield before 2023, reducing wall heights and shortening distances in certain areas. The Kansas City Royals implemented similar modifications at Kauffman Stadium this year.

According to Statcast’s park factors rankings, Citi Field and Yankee Stadium, both opening in 2009, rank among the least favorable venues for doubles and triples. Globe Life Field, which began operations in 2020, also appears in the bottom ten for both categories over the past three seasons.

“Pitching is pretty good. I think maybe some of the outfields, they’re bringing fences in,” Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona noted. “You don’t hear anybody moving the fences back. So there’s a few ballparks, like Detroit, right-center. Kansas City was a big one. Now they moved them in. You’re not going to see a ton in our ballpark, just the way we’re configured. Right field’s not very big.”

Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park measures 325 feet down the right field line. Yankee Stadium’s famous short porch in right sits just 314 feet from home plate. Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field, returning to service this season, spans 315 feet along the left-field line and 322 feet to right.

Today’s major league outfielders also possess superior athleticism compared to previous generations, preventing balls that once rolled to the warning track and resulted in extra bases.

“Now, if you are a negative defensively, you have to hit at such a ridiculously high level in order to be even a starting player,” Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner explained. “So there just aren’t many players out there that are negatives defensively at this point.”

Denver’s Nikola Jokic delivered a dominant triple-double performance with 28 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, leading the Nuggets to a 120-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Thursday night’s important Western Conference clash, despite committing nine turnovers.

The game marked a historic moment for Lakers icon LeBron James, who entered the contest needing just two made shots to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA record for field goals made. James achieved the milestone in the opening quarter with a 12-foot turnaround jumper, adding another chapter to his legendary 23rd season. He concluded the evening with 16 points on efficient 7-of-11 shooting.

However, James’s night ended prematurely when he departed with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter after making a layup, subsequently falling and injuring his left elbow. Earlier in the game, Lakers center Deandre Ayton also left permanently due to a knee problem in the first quarter. Head coach JJ Redick provided no significant injury updates following the game.

Denver received additional offensive support from Jamal Murray, who contributed 28 points, while the Lakers got 27 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists from Luka Doncic.

In other NBA action, Golden State edged Houston 115-113 in overtime behind De’Anthony Melton’s clutch second-chance basket with 5.3 seconds left. Melton tallied 23 points and six rebounds for the Warriors, who played without Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with 26 points and nine rebounds. Houston’s Reed Sheppard paced all scorers with 30 points, six three-pointers, and six assists.

Orlando defeated Dallas 115-114 on Wendell Carter Jr.’s game-winning dunk with 1.4 seconds remaining, spoiling Cooper Flagg’s return to the Mavericks lineup. Klay Thompson led Dallas with 24 points off the bench, connecting on a season-best seven three-pointers.

Victor Wembanyama dominated Detroit with 38 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks as San Antonio cruised to a 121-106 victory, extending their hot streak to 13 wins in 14 games. Cade Cunningham scored 26 points for the Pistons, who suffered their second straight loss.

Miami defeated Brooklyn 126-110 behind Kel’el Ware’s impressive stat line of 16 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, and five steals. The Nets extended their losing streak to 10 games, the NBA’s longest active skid.

Chicago never trailed in defeating Phoenix 103-105, led by Collin Sexton’s season-high 30 points. Minnesota won their fifth consecutive game, beating Toronto 115-107 behind Anthony Edwards’s 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

Utah snapped a seven-game losing streak by defeating Washington 122-112, with Ace Bailey scoring a career-high 32 points. Trae Young made his Wizards debut after being traded from Atlanta, contributing 12 points and six assists in 19 minutes.

New Orleans used a strong third quarter to pull away from Sacramento for a 133-123 victory, with Zion Williamson leading the way with 23 points. The Kings became the league’s first team to reach 50 losses this season.

Winnipeg netminder Connor Hellebuyck emerged victorious in a stellar goaltending duel Thursday night, backstopping the Jets to a 4-1 triumph over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.

The matchup featured two of just five active Vezina Trophy recipients, with Hellebuyck turning away 26 shots while Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy matched that total with 26 saves of his own.

Hellebuyck, who captured three Vezina awards and recently helped Team USA claim gold with a 2-1 overtime win against Canada, now holds an 8-2-1 record in direct confrontations with Vasilevskiy, the 2019 Vezina recipient.

Morgan Barron and Mark Scheifele provided the crucial second-period scoring for Winnipeg. Gustav Nyquist netted his debut goal as a Jet, while Kyle Connor sealed the victory with an empty-net tally. The win pushed the Jets to 5-2-3 over their past 10 contests.

Brayden Point registered Tampa Bay’s lone goal. The Lightning have now dropped four consecutive games following an impressive 20-1-1 stretch from December 20 through February 25.

Rangers 6, Maple Leafs 2

Alexis Lafreniere netted the decisive goal on a deflection during the third period as New York dominated Toronto at home.

Will Cuylle opened the scoring in the first period and added an empty-netter with 2:51 remaining. Vladislav Gavrikov converted during a power play for the second equalizer in the middle frame. Jaroslav Chmelar and Mika Zibanejad contributed additional goals for New York.

Matias Maccelli struck just 13 seconds into the game and rookie Easton Cowan scored in the second period for Toronto, but the Maple Leafs surrendered five consecutive goals and extended their losing streak to six games, tying their season-high skid.

Senators 4, Flames 1

Dylan Cozens snapped a third-period deadlock to propel Ottawa past Calgary in a vital road victory.

Lars Eller, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto also found the net for Ottawa, which has compiled a 7-1-2 record recently to maintain playoff hopes. Goaltender Linus Ullmark stopped 19 shots and extended his personal streak to 8-0-3. The Senators trail Boston by four points for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card position.

Martin Pospisil scored for Calgary, which has lost four straight (0-3-1) and managed just three wins in 13 outings (3-7-3), leaving them 12 points out of Western Conference playoff contention.

Kings 5, Islanders 3

Artemi Panarin recorded his first goal as a King, powering Los Angeles to victory over the visiting New York Islanders.

Panarin, Adrian Kempe and Mikey Anderson each contributed one goal and one assist. Samuel Helenius and Alex Laferriere also scored, Brandt Clarke added two assists, and Darcy Kuemper made 31 saves for Los Angeles, which had dropped six of seven previous games (1-5-1).

Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech and Emil Heineman scored for the Islanders, Jean-Gabriel Pageau recorded two assists, and Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves. New York entered following a 5-1 road defeat to Anaheim that ended a five-game winning streak.

Blue Jackets 4, Panthers 2

Ivan Provorov tallied one goal and two assists while Mathieu Olivier scored twice as Columbus captured its third consecutive victory at home.

Boone Jenner also scored and Jet Greaves made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets, who are 14-2-1 since January 11 and positioned just outside Eastern Conference playoff spots. Columbus remained unbeaten during star Zach Werenski’s three-game absence due to illness and ended a 0-6-3 slide against Florida despite nearly surrendering a 3-0 advantage.

Florida finally scored with 10:52 left in the third period. Daniil Tarasov made 24 saves for the Panthers, whose playoff chances continue diminishing after a fourth straight loss during their 2-9-0 slump.

Utah 3, Flyers 0

Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller scored second-period goals while Vitek Vanecek made 16 saves as Utah earned a shutout road win over Philadelphia.

Dylan Guenther recorded two assists and Michael Carcone also scored for Utah, which has won five of seven recent games. Vanecek, making his first start since January 27, achieved the 100th victory and 11th shutout of his career.

Dan Vladar stopped 20 shots for Philadelphia, which saw its three-game winning streak end. The Flyers played without leading scorer Travis Konecny (upper-body injury) for the second straight contest.

Sabres 5, Penguins 1

Josh Norris and Owen Power each recorded one goal and one assist as Buffalo extended its winning streak against Pittsburgh to five games.

Ryan McLeod, Alex Tuch and Mattias Samuelsson also scored for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves.

Bryan Rust scored and Arturs Silovs made 21 saves for Pittsburgh, which has lost three of four games (1-2-1).

Predators 6, Bruins 3

Nashville scored three straight goals to close the second period, breaking open a tight contest en route to defeating visiting Boston.

Filip Forsberg registered one goal and two assists while Matthew Wood scored twice during Nashville’s four-goal middle period. Nicolas Hague, Erik Haula and Luke Evangelista also tallied, Steven Stamkos contributed two assists, and Juuse Saros made 20 saves to help the Predators snap a three-game slide (0-2-1).

Charlie McAvoy and Viktor Arvidsson each had one goal and one assist, Morgan Geekie also scored, and Pavel Zacha added two assists for Boston, which extended its road losing streak to six games (0-3-3). Joonas Korpisalo stopped 23 shots.

The Vegas Golden Knights continue their aggressive approach before the NHL trade deadline, strengthening their forward lineup with another key acquisition.

On Thursday, Vegas obtained center Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals, sending back a third-round selection in 2027, a second-round pick in 2029, and goaltender prospect Jesper Vikman. This transaction follows their earlier acquisition of defenseman Rasmus Andersson from Calgary before the Olympic break.

The 35-year-old Dowd brings valuable defensive skills to Vegas as a reliable penalty killer and defensive specialist at center who contributes offensively as well. Through 55 games this season, he has recorded 16 points while blocking 43 shots.

Dowd’s contract runs through next season with a manageable $3 million salary cap impact.

Washington’s decision to move Dowd indicates the Capitals may become partial sellers at the deadline, as they trail the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference by four points despite playing three additional games compared to Boston, which currently holds that playoff spot. Other potential trade candidates for the Capitals include pending free agents Brandon Duhaime and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk.

With approximately 27 hours remaining until the deadline, numerous teams that have announced their availability for trades continue waiting for additional transactions. Vincent Trocheck still remains with the New York Rangers, while coach Mike Sullivan avoided committing to whether the center, whose name leads many trade speculation lists, would suit up Thursday evening against Toronto.

The Maple Leafs, who appear virtually certain to miss postseason play for the first time in ten years, held out three players Wednesday evening for roster management purposes as trade discussions intensify: Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña’s participation in the World Baseball Classic remains uncertain after he was referred to a hand specialist Thursday for evaluation of a right ring finger injury.

Astros manager Joe Espada informed media at the team’s spring training facility that Peña sustained damage to the nail region of his finger while fielding a sharply hit ground ball during Wednesday’s exhibition match for the Dominican Republic national squad. Team officials removed Peña from the game following the incident.

The Dominican Republic is scheduled to face Nicaragua on Friday in Miami for their opening World Baseball Classic matchup.

The 28-year-old infielder is coming off his most productive major league campaign in 2025, earning his inaugural All-Star selection while posting a .304 batting average, .840 OPS, and swiping 20 bases.

Veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen has signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, according to a source familiar with the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday.

The source, who requested anonymity since the contract hasn’t been completed and McCutchen still must pass a physical examination, revealed that the 39-year-old would earn $1.5 million this season if promoted to the major league roster.

McCutchen faces a three-week audition during spring training to prove he deserves a roster spot with Texas. The Rangers appear set in their outfield with emerging talents Wyatt Langford manning left field and Evan Carter patrolling center, plus veteran addition Brandon Nimmo taking over right field duties.

However, Carter’s injury troubles limited him to just 63 games in 2025, creating a need for additional outfield depth that McCutchen could provide. The veteran’s right-handed swing could also offer balance at designated hitter, where left-handed batter Joc Pederson is expected to see most of the action.

The past three seasons saw McCutchen return to Pittsburgh, the organization that selected him in the opening round of the 2005 draft and brought him to the majors in 2009. McCutchen spent his first nine big league campaigns with the Pirates, earning five consecutive All-Star selections and capturing the 2013 National League MVP trophy while establishing himself as one of the franchise’s most beloved figures.

From 2018 to 2022, McCutchen played for four different organizations before his Pittsburgh reunion. Last season, he appeared in 135 contests, posting 13 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .700 OPS. When Pittsburgh began spring training activities last month, general manager Ben Cherington left open the possibility of McCutchen’s return, but the team’s acquisition of veteran Marcell Ozuna essentially closed the door on a roster spot.

“No matter what, Andrew’s a Pirate and certainly our desire will be to continue to have a really strong relationship with him into the future, whatever that looks like,” Cherington said at the time.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was forced to exit Thursday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets after suffering a left elbow injury during what became a historic evening for the NBA legend.

The injury occurred with 4:05 remaining on the clock as the Lakers fell to Denver 120-113. James was attempting a layup when he took a hard fall past the baseline, immediately signaling distress.

While play continued at the opposite end of the court and the Lakers were called for a foul, television microphones captured James on the floor saying, “My elbow. F—. F—.”

James did not return to the game after that moment, with Los Angeles down 110-106 at the time of his departure.

Following the contest, Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided limited information about the star player’s condition.

“He fell on it,” Redick explained regarding James’ elbow injury. “It was bothering him enough that he didn’t feel comfortable (remaining in the game).”

The injury came on a night when James achieved another milestone in his legendary career. During the opening quarter, he connected on a jump shot that marked his 15,838th career field goal, surpassing Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA’s all-time record.

This achievement adds to James’ record-breaking resume, as he previously overtook Abdul-Jabbar three years ago to become the league’s all-time leading scorer.

Los Angeles broke out of a recent slump Thursday night, defeating the New York Islanders 5-3 at home behind Artemi Panarin’s first goal since joining the team.

The Kings received multi-point performances from Panarin, Adrian Kempe, and Mikey Anderson, who each contributed one goal and one assist. Samuel Helenius and Alex Laferriere added goals, while Brandt Clarke contributed two assists and goaltender Darcy Kuemper turned away 31 shots. The victory was crucial for Los Angeles, which had struggled with a 1-5-1 record over their previous seven outings.

New York got scoring from Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech, and Emil Heineman, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau recording two assists. Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves but couldn’t prevent his team’s second consecutive road defeat following Wednesday’s 5-1 setback against Anaheim, which ended their five-game winning streak.

Los Angeles struck first when Sorokin’s stick came loose in the corner, leaving Panarin with a clear scoring opportunity that he converted at the 3:17 mark of the opening period. The goal marked a milestone for Panarin, who was appearing in just his fifth game since the Kings acquired him from the New York Rangers on February 4th.

The home team dominated the shot count early, outshooting the visitors 13-3 at the first period’s midpoint and holding a commanding 19-5 advantage entering the second frame.

Despite Sorokin’s spectacular save on a Kempe breakaway during a short-handed situation at 9:41 of the middle period, Los Angeles extended their advantage less than five minutes later. Jeff Malott’s backhand feed found Helenius for a one-timer that made it 2-0 at 14:20.

Anderson’s point shot found its way through traffic and past Sorokin at 15:51 of the second period, giving him his first goal since December 6th and pushing the lead to 3-0.

The Islanders managed to get on the scoreboard with just one second remaining in the second period when Horvat won a faceoff and fired a one-timer from the left circle, trimming the deficit to 3-1.

Laferriere capitalized on a power-play opportunity early in the third period, driving through the New York zone before beating Sorokin at 2:30 to restore the three-goal cushion at 4-1.

Los Angeles found themselves back on the man advantage immediately after, but it was Pelech who found the net while short-handed, pulling the Islanders within 4-2 at the 4:30 mark.

Kempe answered back by redirecting a shot into the net at 8:30, re-establishing the Kings’ three-goal lead at 5-2.

New York pulled their goaltender with more than eight minutes remaining to gain an extra skater, and the strategy paid off when Heineman scored with 1:59 left on the clock, making the final score 5-3.

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 on Thursday night in a pivotal Western Conference battle, but the evening belonged to LeBron James, who etched his name deeper into basketball history.

James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA record for career made field goals, connecting on a turnaround jumper from 12 feet out during the opening quarter. The shot gave the 23-year veteran his 15,842nd career made field goal, moving him past the legendary Abdul-Jabbar.

The milestone capped off an efficient night for James, who tallied 16 points while shooting 7-of-11 from the field. He entered Thursday’s contest needing just two made shots to claim the record.

Despite James’ historic achievement, Denver controlled the game from start to finish. Nikola Jokic dominated with a triple-double performance, recording 28 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds while battling through nine turnovers.

Jamal Murray matched Jokic’s scoring output with 28 points, while Julian Strawther chipped in 18 points. Christian Braun added 15 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 14 off the bench for the Nuggets, who played without four key forwards.

The Lakers received strong support from Jaxson Hayes, who scored 19 points, and both Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, who each finished with 16 points. However, their three-game winning streak came to an end.

There was confusion in the original reporting, as Luka Doncic was mentioned despite not playing for either team in this matchup.

Denver maintained their lead throughout the contest, building advantages as large as 15 points in the first half and taking a 64-54 lead into the break. The Nuggets extended their lead to 102-91 early in the fourth quarter before Los Angeles mounted a comeback attempt.

The Lakers clawed back to within one point at 112-111 with just over two minutes remaining after Reaves converted one of two free throw attempts. However, Jokic responded with a short hook shot to restore a three-point cushion.

After a missed three-pointer by the Lakers, Jokic sealed the victory with a running layup, pushing Denver’s lead to 116-111 with 22.3 seconds left on the clock. The Nuggets closed out the win at the free-throw line.

The 12th-seeded Kansas State Wildcats orchestrated one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent tournament memory, erasing a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit with an incredible 21-0 scoring surge to defeat 21st-ranked Texas Tech 58-51 in Thursday’s Big 12 tournament second round action in Kansas City, Missouri.

Leading the charge for Kansas State (17-16) was Nastja Claessens, who contributed 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and recorded four steals in the upset victory. Taryn Sides chipped in 13 points while Aniya Foy provided 12 points for the Wildcats, who had advanced past Cincinnati in Wednesday’s opening round. Tess Heal also reached double figures with 10 points for Kansas State.

The Red Raiders (25-7) appeared to have control of the contest when they held a commanding 51-37 advantage with just over seven and a half minutes remaining on the clock. Texas Tech seemed poised for victory after Jalynn Bristow and Snudda Collins, who finished with 14 points, connected on consecutive baskets to start the final period.

However, the Red Raiders completely fell apart down the stretch, failing to convert their final 13 shots from the field while committing four critical turnovers during their shocking meltdown. The collapse marked Texas Tech’s fourth defeat in their last six outings.

The turning point came when Claessens converted one of two free throw attempts with 2:39 left on the clock, giving Kansas State its first lead of the game at 52-51. Heal followed with a driving layup, and both Sides and Heal connected on a pair of free throws each to seal the stunning upset.

The victory advances Kansas State to Friday’s quarterfinal round, where they will face fourth-seeded Oklahoma State.

BYU 70, Utah 52

Ninth-seeded BYU continued their hot streak with a dominant second-half performance, outscoring eighth-seeded Utah 43-16 after halftime to secure their fifth straight victory. Delaney Gibb led the Cougars’ charge with an impressive stat line of 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals.

The Cougars (22-10) received additional support from Lara Rohkohl, who contributed 12 points and eight rebounds before fouling out, and Brinley Cannon, who also scored 12 points. BYU overcame a seven-point deficit by closing the third quarter on a 15-0 run and maintained their momentum throughout the final period.

Utah’s Lani White paced the Utes (19-12) with 20 points, but her team struggled mightily in the second half, shooting just 7 of 27 from the field and a dismal 1 of 14 from three-point territory. The Utes had built their largest lead at 11 points early in the third quarter following a basket by Chyra Evans, but they couldn’t maintain their advantage against their conference rivals.

BYU’s victory sets up a quarterfinal showdown with top-seeded TCU on Friday, marking the third time this season the Cougars have defeated Utah.

Arizona State 77, Iowa State 68

Tenth-seeded Arizona State strengthened their NCAA Tournament resume with a complete performance against seventh-seeded Iowa State, led by Gabby Elliott’s outstanding triple-double effort of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists before fouling out late in the game.

The Sun Devils (24-9) controlled the game from start to finish, building a 16-point cushion in the fourth quarter before withstanding a late rally attempt by the Cyclones. Heloisa Carrera added 17 points and McKinna Brackens contributed 16 points to Arizona State’s balanced attack.

Iowa State (22-9) was paced by Audi Crooks’ 21 points and seven rebounds before she also fouled out. Addy Brown recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Mackenzie Hare added 12 points for the Cyclones, who struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 7 of 36 three-point attempts (19.4%).

The loss marked Iowa State’s third defeat in four games, while Arizona State earned a quarterfinal meeting with second-seeded West Virginia on Friday.

Colorado 55, Kansas 48

Sixth-seeded Colorado used their size advantage to overpower 11th-seeded Kansas, dominating the boards 39-25 while advancing to Friday’s quarterfinal against Baylor. The Buffaloes (21-10) were led by Logyn Greer’s 10 points, six rebounds, and four blocked shots, with Desiree Wooten also contributing 10 points.

Colorado seized control early and never relinquished their lead over the final three quarters, effectively ending Kansas’ hopes for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. The Jayhawks (19-13) received 14 points and four steals from S’Mya Nichols but couldn’t overcome their rebounding disadvantage.

The defeat was particularly damaging for Kansas, who had won four of their previous five games before this setback significantly hurt their postseason prospects.

Columbus began Friday’s NHL trade deadline activities by landing Vancouver winger Conor Garland in a deal completed shortly after midnight.

The Blue Jackets gave up a 2024 third-round draft selection and a second-round pick in 2028 to secure the 29-year-old forward, who had attracted attention from several Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls.

“Conor is a versatile player who brings great energy to the lineup every night,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. “He has tremendous character, plays a reliable two-way game and will be an important part of our club now and in the future.”

This season, Garland has recorded seven goals and 19 assists across 50 games for a total of 26 points. His contract runs through 2032 with an annual cap hit of $6 million starting in the 2026-27 season.

Columbus now sits just one point behind the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card playoff position after defeating defending champion Florida on Thursday night.

Following Thursday’s busy trading activity that saw Western Conference contenders Colorado, Dallas, Vegas and Minnesota all make deals, Garland represented one of the most sought-after players still available.

The New York Rangers may still deal center Vincent Trocheck before today’s 3 p.m. deadline. After defeating Toronto Thursday evening, they’ve already shipped Sam Carrick to Buffalo and could make additional moves.

Florida remains active in deadline discussions, sitting 10 points outside playoff contention with 20 games remaining. While goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky faces unrestricted free agency, depth player A.J. Greer appears more likely to be moved.

Los Angeles Lakers big man Deandre Ayton was forced to sit out the rest of Thursday evening’s matchup with the Denver Nuggets after suffering a knee injury during the opening period.

The center departed the contest with 3 minutes and 34 seconds left in the first quarter following a foul he committed against Julian Strawther. During his brief time on the court, Ayton played 4 minutes and 30 seconds, recording two rebounds while going 0-for-1 from the field.

The 27-year-old player from the Bahamas is playing his inaugural campaign with Los Angeles and entered Thursday’s game with season averages of 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds across 53 contests, all of which were starts.

Houston Dash officials announced Thursday they have inked defender Cate Hardin, a former University of Georgia star, to a one-year professional contract.

The 22-year-old athlete initially joined the team as a non-roster invitee and successfully earned a spot on the preseason roster back on January 26.

During her final season with the Bulldogs in 2025, Hardin earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors while serving as team captain. She topped Georgia’s roster with four assists and appeared in every one of the team’s 21 games as a starter. Her offensive contributions included one goal, while she ranked third on the squad with 31 shots and nine shots on target.

Throughout her collegiate career spanning four seasons, Hardin established herself as a Georgia record-holder in multiple categories. She holds the program records for most games played with 81, most career starts at 70, career assists with eight, and total minutes played at 5,864 across her 81 appearances.

WASHINGTON — In his inaugural appearance wearing a Washington Wizards uniform, Trae Young delivered a spectacular performance filled with highlight-reel plays.

The point guard wasted no time making an impact, scoring an easy basket on Washington’s opening offensive play. During the first half, Young executed an impressive fake behind-the-back maneuver with his right hand before switching to his left and finishing a difficult layup through contact.

The third quarter brought more fireworks as Young connected on a three-point shot while drawing a foul, then threaded a pass through a defender’s legs to create a scoring opportunity for a teammate.

“I just wanted to come out here and just have some fun,” Young said. “Get the first one out of the way.”

Young contributed 12 points and six assists during his 19-plus minutes of action in Washington’s 122-112 defeat to Utah on Thursday evening. The Wizards obtained Young from Atlanta in a January trade, but he had been sidelined since then due to quadriceps and knee problems.

The arena atmosphere became electric when Young took the court with the starting five, and despite playing under time restrictions, he provided fans with a preview of his offensive capabilities — constant activity and creativity on that end of the floor.

“You felt the electricity in the building,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. “Our fans have been terrific this year. I’m glad they came out to show support today. You could definitely feel it.”

Young admitted he experienced restless anticipation the night before his debut.

“I was really looking forward to today,” he said. “Just coming out here and shaking off whatever rust I would have, just from missing a few months of basketball.”

While Young commanded most of the attention, two first-year players managed to steal some spotlight. Utah’s Ace Bailey established a personal best with 32 points, while Juju Reese — appearing in only his third NBA contest — recorded 18 points and 20 rebounds for Washington.

Tre Johnson, selected by the Wizards immediately following Bailey in last year’s draft, contributed 15 points exclusively from beyond the three-point arc.

The developing chemistry between Young and Johnson will be worth monitoring. However, the partnership that could truly generate excitement in Washington involves Young and Anthony Davis, though the latter remains unavailable since the Wizards acquired him last month.

Davis continues recovering from ligament damage in his left hand. The organization announced Thursday that he has received medical clearance to begin restricted basketball activities on the court and will undergo another evaluation in two weeks.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James added another milestone to his legendary career Thursday night, claiming the NBA record for most career field goals made.

The historic moment came when James connected on a turnaround jumper from 12 feet away, shooting over Denver’s Zeke Nnaji with just 12 seconds remaining in the opening quarter of the Lakers’ matchup with the Nuggets.

That successful shot marked James’ 15,838th career field goal during his remarkable 23rd NBA season. The previous record holder, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, finished his illustrious 20-year career in 1989 with 15,837 made field goals. Karl Malone sits in third place, but significantly behind with 13,528 career baskets.

This latest achievement adds to James’ growing collection of NBA records. In February 2023, he overtook Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time scoring champion. James already held the record for most playoff points scored, and one year ago he reached 50,000 combined points between regular season and postseason play.

James entered Thursday’s contest having taken more shots than any player in NBA history – 31,274 field goal attempts, including over 7,500 three-point tries.

Abdul-Jabbar, known for his dominant low-post play and signature skyhook, shot over 50% from the field in 19 consecutive seasons to begin his career. However, he attempted fewer total shots at 28,307, with only 18 three-point attempts after the shot was added to the game during his career.

Abdul-Jabbar maintained a 55.9% shooting percentage throughout his career, compared to James’ 51.6% accuracy.

James had tied Abdul-Jabbar’s mark earlier in the game with an alley-oop dunk assisted by Luka Doncic, trimming Denver’s early advantage to 16-7.

At age 41, James continues establishing new benchmarks for career longevity and accomplishments, recently becoming the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double.

Prior to the game, Lakers head coach J.J. Redick drew an interesting comparison between his star player and music legend Bruce Springsteen.

“Yeah, I’m a big Bruce Springsteen fan, and I would probably say his early albums really, really get me going,” Redick explained. “There’s a youthfulness to him, you know, in energy. ‘Nebraska’ is actually my favorite album of all time. And that’s very different from what he had done that far in his career. And then you can kind of see the evolution of him as a singer-songwriter. and then he comes out with the greatest hits. And you’re like, ‘Wow, this is pretty good.’ And then after that he comes out with ‘The Rising,’ which is one of the most important albums of the 2000s. So, you get to the end and you’re like, ‘Holy man, this guy’s greatest hits are like insane.’ And LeBron’s greatest hits, right? He just keeps adding to them. He just plays and plays and plays and the greatest hits, he’s got a hell of a catalog.”

Additional history could be made next month if James stays healthy. Thursday’s game represented his 1,606th regular season appearance, placing him just five contests behind Robert Parish’s all-time record of 1,611 games. James already owns the playoff games record with 292 appearances.

While James remains undecided about returning to Los Angeles next season, he believes he can continue performing at an elite level for years to come. Despite missing 18 games due to injury this season, he earned his 22nd All-Star selection, though the missed time likely eliminates him from postseason All-NBA team consideration.

Veteran St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko used his contract’s no-trade provision to block a potential deal with the Buffalo Sabres, according to multiple media reports released Thursday.

The proposed transaction, which surfaced Wednesday, would have brought the 32-year-old defender to Buffalo while sending 18-year-old defenseman Radim Mrtka and a first-round selection to St. Louis.

The veteran blueliner has spent his complete 11-season NHL career in St. Louis and remains under contract through the 2029-30 campaign. His current eight-year, $52 million agreement, now in its fourth year, carries an annual salary cap impact of $6.5 million and includes the no-trade protection he invoked.

Standing 6-foot-6, Parayko has recorded one goal and 14 total points across 58 contests this season while averaging 22 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time per game. His 141 blocked shots currently rank third league-wide.

Originally selected by St. Louis in the third round of the 2012 draft, Parayko helped the Blues capture the 2019 Stanley Cup championship. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 309 points on 78 goals and 231 assists over 781 regular season appearances.

Buffalo selected Mrtka with the ninth overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Teams have until 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday to complete trades before the NHL deadline passes.

The Clemson Tigers powered past Virginia 63-50 in second-round action of the Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball tournament Thursday in Duluth, Georgia, thanks to a dominant second-half performance led by Mia Moore.

Moore finished with 19 total points, with 17 of those coming after halftime to fuel the ninth-seeded Tigers’ comeback victory. Clemson improved to 21-10 on the season and earned a quarterfinal showdown Friday against top-seeded Duke, currently ranked 13th nationally.

The Tigers shot an impressive 12-of-19 from the floor in the final two quarters, while Taylor Johnson-Matthews contributed 10 points coming off the bench. Notably, Clemson handed Duke one of just two conference losses during regular season play less than two weeks ago.

Virginia, seeded eighth with a 19-11 record, struggled offensively throughout the contest, managing just 32.8 percent shooting on 20-of-61 attempts from the field. Paris Clark paced the Cavaliers with 15 points while Kymora Johnson chipped in 12.

The Cavaliers did manage to grab a third-quarter advantage after putting together an 8-0 scoring run during a stretch where Clemson went scoreless for four and a half minutes. However, Moore responded with 10 crucial fourth-quarter points to seal the victory.

In other tournament action Thursday, Notre Dame cruised past Miami 69-54 behind Hannah Hidalgo’s 28-point explosion. The fifth-seeded Fighting Irish built a commanding 37-23 halftime lead and never looked back.

Hidalgo connected on 12-of-22 field goal attempts while Cassandre Prosper added 12 points for Notre Dame (21-9). The Irish will battle fourth-seeded NC State in Friday’s quarterfinals. Both teams struggled from the free-throw line, combining for just 13-of-27 attempts.

Miami’s 12th-seeded Hurricanes (17-14) got 15 points from Gal Raviv, 13 from Ahnay Adams, and a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds from Ra Shaya Kyles. The Hurricanes opened the fourth quarter with 10 straight points to cut the deficit to 58-50 before falling short.

Syracuse survived a late scare to defeat California 70-59, with Uche Izoje recording 23 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots for the seventh-seeded Orange. Syracuse (23-7) will face second-seeded Louisville in Friday’s quarterfinals.

The Orange held a 21-point third-quarter advantage before Cal rallied to make it 52-47 with 6:26 remaining. Laila Phelia scored 17 points and Sophie Burrows added 13, including key late free throws, to help Syracuse close out the win.

Cal’s 10th-seeded Bears (19-14) were led by Sakima Walker’s 19 points, Lulu Twidale’s 14 and Gisella Maul’s 13. The Bears trailed 37-16 at intermission and finished a dismal 3-for-19 from three-point territory.

Virginia Tech completed Thursday’s action with a 62-54 victory over Georgia Tech, overcoming an early 14-point deficit. Carleigh Wenzel led the sixth-seeded Hokies with 15 points while Mackenzie Nelson contributed 14.

The Hokies (23-8) advance to face third-seeded North Carolina in Friday night’s quarterfinals. Six different Virginia Tech players reached double figures in scoring, and the team collected 13 offensive rebounds despite shooting just 36.2 percent from the field.

Georgia Tech’s 11th-seeded Yellow Jackets (14-18) got 20 points from Talayah Walker and 12 from La’Nya Foster. The Yellow Jackets managed only six points in the second quarter and eight in the fourth. Walker accounted for seven of the team’s 20 made field goals and two of their four successful three-pointers.

The Dallas Stars bolstered their lineup for a playoff push on Thursday by obtaining veteran forward Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 30-year-old Bunting contributes both scoring punch and physical play to a Dallas squad that’s already performing exceptionally well. This season, he’s tallied 31 points through 61 games, recording 13 goals and 18 assists. He’s playing out the final season of his current deal and will become an unrestricted free agent following the postseason.

Stars general manager Jim Nill praised the acquisition, stating: “Michael is a tremendous addition to our roster. His goal-scoring ability mixed with physicality makes him extremely tough to play against. We are looking forward to seeing him on the ice in Dallas.”

The draft selection Nashville obtained originally came from the Seattle Kraken and was previously acquired by Dallas in the Mason Marchment transaction.

Dallas executed this deal while riding a franchise-record 10-game winning streak, currently holding second place in the Central Division while pursuing the Colorado Avalanche for the top spot in the Western Conference standings. This marks the Stars’ second transaction in consecutive days, following Wednesday’s acquisition of defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks.

Bunting will now suit up for his sixth NHL organization, having previously played for the Arizona Coyotes (2018-2021), Toronto Maple Leafs (2021-2023), Carolina Hurricanes (2023-2024), Pittsburgh Penguins (2024-2025), and the Predators. Throughout his 405-game NHL career, he’s accumulated 108 goals and 142 assists.

The move represents another indication that Nashville is focusing on accumulating draft assets rather than attempting a late-season playoff surge. The Predators currently trail the Western Conference’s final playoff position by five points and have recently moved several roster players, including Cole Smith, Michael McCarron, and Nick Blankenburg.

For the third year running, Angel City FC holds the top spot as the most valuable franchise in women’s professional soccer, with Sportico’s latest assessment placing the team’s worth at $335 million in rankings released Thursday.

The Los Angeles-based club has delivered impressive returns since entering the National Women’s Soccer League in 2022 with just $2 million in expansion fees, seeing its value surge 86% from last year alone.

Following Angel City in the top tier are Kansas City Current valued at $315 million, Bay FC at $208 million, San Diego Wave FC at $200 million, and Washington Spirit completing the top five at $196 million.

League-wide financial growth has been remarkable, with typical franchise values climbing 77% over the past year to settle around $184 million on average.

When combining all 14 NWSL franchises, the total league valuation now stands at $2.6 billion.

Washington Spirit posted the most impressive revenue gains, with earnings jumping 66% to reach $19.6 million year-over-year.

Television audiences continue expanding, driving the current broadcast deal to an annual value of $60 million before costs—representing a forty-fold increase from previous agreements.

However, stadium attendance presents challenges, as several teams saw significant drops in ticket sales that pulled overall league attendance down by 5%.

Clara Strack matched her career best with 33 points as ninth-seeded Kentucky overcame a halftime deficit to defeat 22nd-ranked Georgia 76-61 in Thursday’s SEC women’s basketball tournament second round in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Wildcats (23-9) found themselves trailing by a single point at the break but dominated the final two quarters, outpacing the eighth-seeded Bulldogs 19-13 in the third period and 22-12 in the fourth frame to secure their spot in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Teonnie Key contributed a double-double performance with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Tonie Morgan also reached double figures with 14 points. Strack pulled down eight rebounds to complement her scoring outburst for Kentucky.

Georgia (22-9) received strong offensive contributions from Dani Carnegie’s 18 points, Trinity Turner’s 14 points, and Mia Woolfolk’s 11 points. However, the Bulldogs struggled significantly in the second half, converting just 37.9% of their field goal attempts and managing only 2 of 12 three-point shots after intermission.

Kentucky maintained excellent shooting throughout the contest, finishing at 50% from the field. The Wildcats will now prepare to face top-seeded South Carolina in Friday’s quarterfinal round.

No. 7 Oklahoma 82, Florida 64

Fifth-seeded Oklahoma dominated the third quarter to pull away from 12th-seeded Florida, with Raegan Beers leading the way with 18 points and Aaliyah Chavez adding 17.

The Sooners (24-6) began the second half with a decisive 10-0 run and continued their surge by outscoring the Gators 27-7 in the third quarter, transforming a narrow two-point halftime advantage into a commanding 67-45 lead. Zya Vann contributed 14 points and Brooklyn Stewart added 12 for Oklahoma, which advances to meet fourth-seeded LSU in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Florida (18-15) was paced by Liv McGill’s 28-point performance, including 13 successful free throws out of 17 attempts, along with eight rebounds. Me’Arah O’Neal chipped in 10 points for the Gators. McGill was responsible for nine of Florida’s 24 turnovers in the loss.

No. 24 Ole Miss 73, Auburn 57

Seventh-seeded Ole Miss bounced back from a four-game losing streak to end the regular season, using a commanding opening quarter to cruise past 15th-seeded Auburn.

Christeen Iwuala paced the Rebels (22-10) with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Cotie McMahon and Latasha Lattimore each contributed 13 points. Ole Miss shot efficiently throughout the game, converting 52.8% of their field goals and an impressive 53.8% from beyond the arc.

The Rebels established control early by outscoring Auburn 21-6 in the first quarter and extending their dominance to a 48-20 halftime advantage. Auburn (15-17) never mounted a serious comeback threat despite Khady Leye’s 17 points and eight rebounds and Kaitlyn Duhon’s 14 points.

Ole Miss will face second-seeded Vanderbilt in Friday’s quarterfinal action.

Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis has received medical approval to return to restricted individual basketball workouts, the organization revealed Thursday.

The big man, who hasn’t taken the court for Washington following his February 5th acquisition via trade, is dealing with ligament issues in his left hand. Medical staff from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles conducted a reassessment Wednesday, with Dr. Steven Shin overseeing the evaluation, according to the Wizards. Team officials noted Davis is showing improvement and will undergo another medical review in two weeks.

The veteran player, who celebrates his 33rd birthday next week, last appeared in a game on January 8th during his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks. Industry observers widely believe he may not return to action this season.

During his brief stint with Dallas this year, Davis participated in only 20 contests, posting averages of 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Throughout his 14-year NBA career spanning 807 games (800 as a starter), he has maintained career statistics of 24.0 points and 10.7 rebounds across stints with New Orleans (2012-19), the Los Angeles Lakers (2019-25), and Dallas.

The 10-time All-Star was the key player in February 2025’s major trade that moved Dallas superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Following his move to Dallas, Davis managed just nine appearances last season due to various injuries.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dallas Mavericks first-year player Cooper Flagg will return to the starting five Thursday evening when they face the Orlando Magic, ending an eight-game absence due to a foot injury.

The top selection in last year’s NBA draft had been out of action since February 10 following a game at Phoenix, suffering from a sprained left mid-foot.

Standing 6-foot-9 and hailing from Duke University, Flagg has put together impressive numbers across 49 games this season, leading Dallas with 20.4 points per game while adding 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists. His rookie campaign has seen him miss 12 total contests.

At just 19 years old, Flagg sits atop the rookie scoring charts and holds the fourth position in rebounding and second place in assists among first-year players. His standout performance came against Charlotte on January 29, when he exploded for 49 points, setting a record as the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 45-point threshold in a single game.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump hosted soccer superstar Lionel Messi and the Inter Miami team at the White House Thursday, honoring the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup champions in a ceremony that mixed sports celebration with military updates.

In a surprising admission, Trump revealed he was unaware that one of soccer’s biggest names was visiting until his son brought it to his attention.

During the East Room ceremony, Trump discussed ongoing U.S. military operations in Iran before shifting focus to the championship team.

“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy, far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before,” Trump stated while the Argentine soccer legend stood beside him.

The president then addressed what he termed “soccer-slash-football,” acknowledging both American and international terminology for the sport.

“It’s my distinct privilege to say what no American president has ever had the chance to say before, welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi,” Trump declared.

Trump explained that Messi’s appearance caught him off guard due to his administration’s focus on the Iran situation since Saturday, only learning about Thursday’s scheduled event when his son mentioned it.

“I got a lot of things going on,” Trump remarked.

With the World Cup approaching on American soil, Trump offered praise for Miami’s coach Javier Mascherano and other soccer legends including Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian icon Pele, while expressing particular enthusiasm for Messi and the Florida-based squad.

“Leo is the reigning FIFA World Cup MVP. You could have gone anywhere in the world. You could have chosen any team in the world, and you chose to go to Miami. I don’t blame you. The weather’s extremely good,” Trump commented.

While describing the team’s championship victory to the gathered audience, Trump made repeated comments about the “good-looking” players standing behind him.

Looking over the roster, Trump highlighted Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and inquired, “Do you have any bad looking players?”

“I don’t like good looking men,” Trump jested, “You don’t feel so good about yourself.”

The team gifted Trump a jersey bearing number 47, representing his status as the 47th president, along with a soccer ball and timepiece featuring the team’s distinctive pink branding.

Trump also referenced upcoming summer events, stating, “We have the World Cup and the Olympics.” The World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 cities, is scheduled from June 11 to July 19 and will mark the first tournament to include 48 competing nations.

Argentina enters as the current World Cup and Copa America titleholders.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient Messi had previously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Joe Biden, Trump’s Democratic predecessor, in January 2025, though Messi was unable to attend that ceremony due to scheduling conflicts.

Returning to political topics, Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s management of the Iran operation and suggested that once that conflict concludes, the United States could shift attention to communist Cuba.

Cuba wants “to make a deal so badly,” Trump asserted.

The Dallas Mavericks have received medical clearance for forward Cooper Flagg to return from his left midfoot sprain, with the rookie suiting up for Thursday night’s matchup against the Orlando Magic.

The 19-year-old first-year player will make his comeback after being sidelined for eight consecutive games. Flagg, who was selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, took part in portions of Tuesday’s practice session and saw his status improve from doubtful on Tuesday to questionable heading into Thursday’s contest.

Team officials plan to limit Flagg’s playing time as he transitions back to full game action while continuing his recovery process.

According to ESPN, the Mavericks are contemplating having Flagg participate in Friday’s road game in Boston, which would mark a homecoming of sorts for the Newport, Maine native who cheered for the Celtics growing up.

Dallas head coach Jason Kidd discussed the rookie’s progress earlier this week, stating: “He’s ramping up. Everything is going well. [Tuesday] was to kind of get back in his routine and hopefully as we go on this road trip he can get in and play a game or two.”

The injury occurred during Dallas’s February 10th road defeat against the Phoenix Suns, forcing Flagg to miss the Rising Stars showcase during All-Star Weekend festivities.

Following an impressive single season at Duke that culminated in a Final Four appearance, Flagg is positioned to join an elite group of NBA rookies. He’s on track to become only the fourth first-year player since the ABA-NBA merger to post averages of at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, joining Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic in that exclusive company.

Through 49 games as a starter entering Thursday’s action, Flagg has compiled impressive statistics of 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest.

The Edmonton Oilers completed their second transaction with the Chicago Blackhawks this week, obtaining forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach on Wednesday. In return, Chicago received forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first-round selection for 2027.

This deal comes just one day after Edmonton strengthened their blue line by acquiring defenseman Connor Murphy from the Blackhawks, giving up a 2028 second-round draft pick in that exchange. The moves signal the Oilers’ commitment to bolstering their lineup for another postseason campaign.

The 30-year-old Dickinson brings versatility to Edmonton’s forward group, capable of playing both center and left wing while excelling on penalty kill duties. Currently in year two of a contract paying $4.25 million per season, Dickinson will see Chicago retain half of his remaining salary, according to ESPN reports.

This season, Dickinson has contributed 13 points through 47 appearances, recording six goals and seven assists. His penalty killing expertise shows in his 103 short-handed minutes, marking his fourth consecutive campaign with at least 100 such minutes.

Originally selected 29th overall by Dallas in the 2013 draft, Dickinson brings substantial NHL experience with 549 career games. His professional journey includes stops with the Stars from 2015-21, a brief stint with Vancouver in 2021-22, and his current tenure with Chicago since 2022. Over that span, he has accumulated 168 points on 74 goals and 94 assists.

The younger Dach, at 23, represents a developmental piece for the Oilers. The 2021 second-round selection is experiencing his first complete NHL season, tallying nine points with three goals and six assists across 53 games. His total NHL production stands at 16 points in 78 career contests with Chicago.

Moving in the opposite direction, Mangiapane joins Chicago after a challenging season in Edmonton. The 29-year-old forward, who exploded for 35 goals with Calgary during the 2021-22 campaign, has struggled to maintain that production level. This season marks the first year of his two-year contract worth $3.6 million, during which he has managed 14 points on seven goals and seven assists in 52 games.

Throughout his 550-game NHL career spanning Calgary, Washington, and Edmonton, Mangiapane has produced 257 points with 130 goals and 127 assists.

Matt Eberflus has landed a new position with the San Francisco 49ers as their assistant head coach of defense, according to Thursday reports from NFL Network.

The 55-year-old coach was dismissed from his role as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator in January following a single disappointing season with the team.

Eberflus steps into a position on Kyle Shanahan’s coaching staff previously occupied by Gus Bradley in 2025. Bradley left San Francisco to take over as defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.

In his new role, Eberflus will collaborate with recently appointed defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who took over after Robert Saleh departed to become Tennessee’s head coach.

Eberflus faced significant challenges during his time in Dallas, beginning when the Cowboys traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay just days before the regular season commenced.

The Cowboys’ defense struggled mightily under Eberflus’s leadership, ranking 30th overall in total defense and dead last in pass defense, surrendering 251.5 yards per game through the air. The unit also performed worst in the league on third downs, allowing conversions on over 47% of attempts while giving up a franchise-worst 511 points throughout the season.

During his time as Chicago’s head coach from 2022-24, Eberflus compiled a 14-32 record before being terminated following a 4-8 start to his third season. His coaching background includes serving as Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator from 2018-21, along with linebacker coaching positions with Dallas (2011-17) and Cleveland (2009-10).

The St. Louis Blues announced Thursday they have put forward Mathieu Joseph on unconditional waivers with the intention of ending his contract.

The 29-year-old player hasn’t suited up for St. Louis since February 2nd. Joseph is currently in his final season of a four-year deal he inked with Ottawa back in July 2022, making him eligible for unrestricted free agency when the season concludes. Should he pass through waivers unclaimed, Joseph will immediately become available to sign with any NHL franchise.

This season, Joseph has recorded 11 points through 39 games, including two goals and nine assists, while posting a minus-5 plus/minus rating. He’s accumulated four penalty minutes, registered 28 blocked shots, and delivered 85 hits.

Joseph also spent time with Springfield, St. Louis’ American Hockey League affiliate, where he netted one goal across two appearances. The Blues sent him down to Springfield on February 27th following his successful passage through waivers at that time.

Throughout his NHL tenure, Joseph has compiled 160 points over 459 regular season contests, scoring 61 goals and adding 99 assists. His career statistics include a plus-8 rating, 200 penalty minutes, 207 blocked shots, and 755 hits while playing for Tampa Bay Lightning from 2018-2022, Ottawa Senators from 2022-2024, and the Blues. Joseph captured consecutive Stanley Cup championships with Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021.

The Tampa Bay Lightning originally drafted Joseph in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Female professional hockey players have made a significant move to amplify their collective bargaining power by joining forces with the AFL-CIO during a period of unprecedented growth for their sport.

On Thursday, the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association became the 65th labor union to affiliate with America’s most prominent labor federation, which advocates for close to 15 million workers nationwide. This development also marks the PWHLPA as the tenth players’ union to enter the AFL-CIO’s sports council, joining existing unions for NFL, NHL, Major League Baseball, WNBA, and women’s soccer athletes.

The partnership was formalized during meetings held in Washington, D.C., coming at an opportune moment as women’s hockey experiences unprecedented popularity following the U.S. women’s Olympic team’s third gold medal victory at the Milan Cortina Games in recent weeks.

“This isn’t a moment, it is a movement,” PWHLPA executive director Malaika Underwood told The Associated Press.

“I think this affiliation really reflects something our members have believed from the beginning,” she added. “When athletes stand together and they work collectively, they can shape the future of their sport. And they are doing just that. It is amazing to be part of.”

Securing AFL-CIO affiliation for her 184 PWHL members was a priority Underwood established when she assumed leadership of the PWHLPA approximately one year ago. Before her current role, Underwood served as a partner at OneTeam, a consulting company that handled commercial interests for several player associations already connected to the AFL-CIO.

She viewed the PWHLPA’s membership as a natural progression in the union’s development.

The women’s hockey players’ association was established when the league launched in summer 2023, earning recognition as the first women’s professional sports league to establish a collective bargaining agreement before its inaugural season.

The privately-owned PWHL started with six franchises and has experienced substantial expansion since its inception. The league grew by two teams last summer and has announced plans to potentially add up to four additional teams in the upcoming season.

The league has witnessed a dramatic surge in fan interest since players returned from Olympic competition, with the PWHL recording multiple sold-out events. This momentum was highlighted Thursday when the league announced complete ticket sales for upcoming games at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Boston’s TD Garden.

Underwood emphasized that despite the PWHLPA and league maintaining a cooperative and respectful relationship in developing the league’s direction, the AFL-CIO partnership enhances the union’s negotiating position. This alliance provides the PWHLPA with additional resources and collective strength when representing players during contract discussions.

“These players have platforms, and they have a voice and power. And when they use it to advance workers’ issues, we all win,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler told the AP. “So I think connecting those common struggles has been at the root of why we think this partnership is so important.”

Shuler highlighted the AFL-CIO’s involvement in current negotiations between the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and the WNBA, following the union’s decision to exit their previous collective bargaining agreement. She also referenced the influence women’s soccer players wielded in abolishing the college draft during their most recent NWSL contract negotiations.

“When women athletes come together as workers, they don’t only elevate their own leagues, they raise the bar across all of women’s sports,” Shuler said.

The PWHL maintains ownership and operational control of all its franchises, with financial backing provided by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

The league’s existing collective bargaining agreement extends through 2031, with Underwood indicating the union remains flexible regarding PWHL leadership’s preferences — whether they choose to reopen negotiations early or allow the current contract to continue through its full term.

Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan is set to enter free agency after dedicating his entire 15-season NFL career to the New Orleans Saints, according to an ESPN report released Thursday.

The eight-time Pro Bowl selection will not receive a new deal from New Orleans by next week’s deadline and will hit the open market. Jordan, who will celebrate his 37th birthday in July, recently finished a two-year deal worth $27.5 million in 2025. According to ESPN’s reporting, the veteran defender is interested in continuing his career for a 16th season.

During the most recent campaign, Jordan appeared in every regular-season contest as a starter, recording 47 total tackles alongside 10.5 quarterback takedowns. His statistical line also included 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, 15 quarterback pressures, two forced turnovers, and one fumble recovery.

Throughout his professional career, Jordan has accumulated 132 quarterback sacks, establishing a Saints franchise milestone. His complete career statistics show 763 total tackles, 175 tackles for loss, 17 forced turnovers, 12 fumble recoveries, and 67 defended passes across 243 regular-season appearances with 242 starts.

Jordan earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2013, 2015, and consecutively from 2017 through 2022, while receiving first-team All-Pro honors in 2017. His eight Pro Bowl selections represent the highest total for any defensive player in Saints franchise history.

The Saints acquired Jordan through the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, selecting him 24th overall following his collegiate career at California.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum appears poised to make his comeback to professional basketball nearly ten months following a devastating right Achilles tendon rupture that occurred during last season’s postseason run.

The All-Star player has been upgraded to questionable status on Boston’s injury report released Thursday for Friday evening’s contest against the Dallas Mavericks at home.

This marks the initial occasion this season that Tatum hasn’t been designated as out while continuing his recovery process from the injury sustained in the fourth game of Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal defeat to New York in May.

Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, previously stated that Tatum would only receive medical clearance when he demonstrated complete physical and mental readiness. That milestone appears to be approaching.

Tatum has also expressed his preference for making his comeback during a home contest. With Boston holding a 41-21 record, the team has 20 games left in the regular season, with 11 scheduled at TD Garden. The Celtics currently occupy second place in the Eastern Conference.

“I didn’t come back to be no role player, Doc,” Tatum told his physician during a post-surgery appointment featured in the recent documentary “The Quiet Work,” which documented his rehabilitation journey.

Following his injury last season, Tatum quickly shifted his focus away from personal disappointment and his team’s ended championship defense hopes.

He promptly decided to move forward and scheduled his surgical procedure for the following day.

Standard recovery periods for returning to basketball following Achilles tendon repair typically range from nine to twelve months.

Should he take the court Friday, the 28-year-old Tatum, who underwent surgery on May 13, would be making his comeback after 298 days away from competition.

This timeline closely mirrors the recovery period of Basketball Hall of Fame member Dominique Wilkins, who returned from his Achilles rupture after 283 days at age 33 during the 1992-93 campaign. Wilkins participated in 71 regular-season contests that year, posting 29.9 points per game and earning All-Star recognition.

Kobe Bryant, Tatum’s childhood hero, returned to action after approximately eight months but faced additional injury complications.

Tatum is currently in year one of his five-year, $314 million contract extension signed in 2024. He marked his 28th birthday this past Tuesday.

Despite maintaining a six-day weekly rehabilitation schedule since his operation, whether Tatum would return this season remained uncertain.

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard have both been sidelined for the entire 2025-26 campaign after suffering similar Achilles injuries during the 2025 playoffs. Lillard, playing for Milwaukee at the time, was injured during their opening-round elimination by Indiana. Haliburton suffered his injury in the seventh game of Indiana’s NBA Finals defeat to Oklahoma City.

However, Tatum has shown consistent progress throughout his rehabilitation without any reported complications. He has maintained his presence with the team and continued traveling for away games while pursuing his workout regimen.

Following his participation in a complete practice session with Boston’s G League affiliate three weeks ago, Tatum indicated he hadn’t finalized his return decision.

“It doesn’t mean that I’m coming back or I’m not, it’s just following the plan. So it’s just another step,” Tatum explained at that time. “I don’t know percentage. I just know I feel a little bit better everyday. I just try to focus on that.”

During the same conversation, Tatum acknowledged his awareness of not wanting to interfere with the success of a Celtics squad competing for Eastern Conference supremacy this season.

Specifically, fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown has excelled during Tatum’s absence, posting career-best averages in scoring (29.1), rebounding (7.1) and assists (4.9) while establishing himself among the league’s top defensive players. His performance has generated his first serious MVP consideration.

This situation prompted Tatum to acknowledge some uncertainty about his potential return during a recent podcast interview.

“I’m just hyper aware of what’s going on. I think it would just stem from that. Obviously, I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team. But I’m also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well,” Tatum explained. “Not to say that I would mess it up or anything like that. It was just being kind of, being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment and talking from that perspective.”

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who captured the Heisman Trophy while guiding the Hoosiers to their inaugural national championship, is projected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in next month’s NFL draft.

Beyond Mendoza’s expected selection, the remainder of the draft remains uncertain. There’s no guarantee that another quarterback will be chosen in the opening round following Mendoza, although Ty Simpson strengthened his position with an impressive showing at the scouting combine.

The Associated Press has released its inaugural 2026 mock draft, presenting selections in order without any anticipated trades:

Mendoza possesses the qualities of an accurate pocket quarterback with ideal dimensions, composure, and leadership qualities. While the Raiders have offensive weapons in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, they must construct their team around Mendoza while ensuring his protection. Having part-owner Tom Brady available for mentorship should prove valuable for Mendoza. Las Vegas hasn’t secured a playoff victory since their Super Bowl appearance following the 2002 campaign and has qualified for the postseason just twice since then. Mendoza must develop into their cornerstone quarterback.

Reese demonstrates exceptional athleticism, posting a 4.47-second 40-yard dash time while playing both off-ball linebacker and standing edge positions. His potential to become an elite pass rusher makes him attractive to the Jets, who require a sure-fire prospect.

Bailey appears on numerous draft boards as the second overall selection. He represents another tremendously athletic edge player with exceptional potential. Should the Cardinals choose not to trade down for additional draft picks, he would be an excellent selection.

Bain offers versatility as a pass rusher capable of lining up outside or inside against guards, creating favorable matchups. He would provide significant value for new coach Robert Saleh.

Safeguarding Jaxson Dart remains a top concern for the Giants. Mauigoa brings three years of starting experience at right tackle and would immediately strengthen New York’s offensive line.

Proctor began starting at left tackle as a true freshman and surrendered only two sacks across three seasons. Cleveland must rebuild their offensive line, and Proctor represents an excellent foundation. His impressive measurements of 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds complement his athletic ability. Proctor even contributed five rushing attempts for 16 yards.

Styles’ outstanding combine showing elevated him into the top five on numerous draft boards. While Washington has offensive needs, they cannot overlook a talented defensive player of Styles’ caliber.

Tate draws comparisons to Chris Olave and would join him in New Orleans. He runs precise routes with reliable hands and sufficient speed to become a primary offensive weapon.

Kansas City must provide Patrick Mahomes with improved protection and additional receiving options. Love would immediately reduce pressure on Mahomes and the passing attack, offering an explosive playmaker capable of scoring on any touch.

Delane ranks as the draft’s premier coverage cornerback. He would significantly upgrade a defense that has faced challenges.

McCoy demonstrates reliability with exceptional ball-handling abilities. Miami might consider a receiver to replace Tyreek Hill, but new coach Jeff Hafley’s defensive background makes McCoy an appealing choice to stabilize the secondary.

Scouts praise Faulk’s leadership qualities alongside his evident skills. He represents an ideal match for Dallas, who seeks to replace Micah Parsons’ production.

Downs possesses elite versatility as a playmaker but falls this far due to knee issues discovered at the combine. Adding Downs following their acquisition of All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie would strengthen the Rams’ secondary.

Ioane addresses a significant need for Baltimore while fitting their run-blocking system effectively.

Allen ranks among the draft’s most adaptable linebackers and could assume defensive play-calling duties if Lavonte David retires.

New York strengthens the opposite side of the line with their second selection in the first round’s opening half. Freeling possesses outstanding athleticism but requires additional experience.

Fano might be selected much earlier than Detroit’s pick based on his natural abilities. He drops due to concerns about short arms, which became a significant discussion point following the Super Bowl.

Thieneman delivered an outstanding combine performance, recording a 4.36-second 40-yard dash that surpassed some of the NFL’s top receivers. As a three-year starter, he would immediately contribute to Brian Flores’ defense.

Mesidor enters the draft as an older candidate at 25, but his abilities are evident on film. He would create pressure from the outside while remaining effective against rushing attacks.

An athletic cornerback who would immediately provide Dallas and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker with an impact starter.

Simpson could finally represent Pittsburgh’s long-term quarterback solution with an opportunity to develop under coach Mike McCarthy.

He stands as the draft’s top tight end prospect and could quickly become Justin Herbert’s preferred target.

Philadelphia frequently selects offensive or defensive linemen in the first round and has a current need. Lomu would eventually replace Lane Johnson at right tackle.

Banks requires additional development after appearing in only three games last season due to injury, but his natural talent is extraordinary.

McDonald represents another Ohio State player entering the first round. He excels as a natural run defender who would occupy the middle of the defensive line.

Boston combines strength, speed, and outstanding ball skills. He would provide Josh Allen with a needed receiving target.

San Francisco also requires an offensive tackle but must rebuild their receiving corps. Fields brings toughness and physicality as a wide receiver with red zone capabilities.

Houston needs better protection for C.J. Stroud. Iheanachor is an athletic former basketball player with ideal size who needs development time but could start immediately.

Miller appeared in 54 college games and could contribute immediately for Kansas City, who must improve protection for Mahomes.

Lemon represents an elite playmaker who would give Bo Nix another option while strengthening Denver’s offense.

Young creates disruption while bringing energy and leadership qualities. He should mesh well with coach Mike Vrabel.

The Super Bowl champions enhance the league’s top defense by adding another defensive back from South Carolina after their successful selection of Nick Emmanwori last year.

Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati has brought in goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek through a loan arrangement with Liverpool FC of the English Premier League.

The agreement with the 22-year-old Polish keeper was revealed Thursday and extends through the 2026 season, featuring an option for a permanent acquisition. Mrozek will take up one of the team’s international player spots.

Throughout his time with Liverpool’s youth and reserve squads, Mrozek has recorded 19 shutouts across 60 matches at the U18, U19, and U21 levels. He has also earned six substitute appearances with Liverpool’s senior squad.

“Fabian is a talented young goalkeeper,” said FCC general manager Chris Albright. “He will add quality and depth to our goalkeeping group and we look forward to his development under Paul Rogers. We’d like to welcome him to Cincinnati.”

Cincinnati’s current goalkeeper roster features primary starter Roman Celentano along with Evan Louro and Bryan Dowd.

Sources familiar with the transaction confirmed Thursday that the Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement to obtain wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of the deal who spoke to The Associated Press.

The trade involves Buffalo sending Chicago a second-round selection in this year’s draft in exchange for Moore and a fifth-round pick, according to the sources. The individuals requested anonymity since the transaction cannot be finalized until the new league year begins on Wednesday.

The nearly 29-year-old receiver recorded 50 receptions for 682 yards and found the end zone six times during the previous season, helping Chicago reach the playoffs in Ben Johnson’s inaugural campaign as head coach. Moore will now join Buffalo under new coach Joe Brady, providing quarterback Josh Allen with another target after the team has cycled through various receivers in recent seasons.

Oklahoma City managed to withstand a furious late rally from New York, securing a narrow 103-100 victory on Wednesday night behind strong performances from Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Holmgren dominated the scoring with 28 points while Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 26 in the road win. The Thunder appeared to have control with a seven-point advantage and just over a minute left on the clock, but New York mounted a fierce comeback attempt.

The Knicks had an opportunity to force overtime in the final moments, but OG Anunoby’s three-point attempt at the final buzzer hit the rim and bounced away, sealing Oklahoma City’s triumph.

Gilgeous-Alexander reached his 20-point total early in the final quarter, bringing him to within two contests of matching Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record of 126 straight games with at least 20 points. The victory extended Oklahoma City’s winning streak to four games and marked their ninth win in the past 11 contests.

New York received solid contributions from Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson nearly achieved a triple-double with 16 points and 15 assists. The loss snapped a strong stretch for the Knicks, who had captured five victories in their previous six outings.

Hornets 118, Celtics 89

Charlotte extended its impressive winning streak to six games with a dominant road performance against Boston, led by Kon Knueppel’s 20-point effort.

LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each chipped in 18 points for the Hornets, while reserve Coby White provided 17 points and six assists. Charlotte’s current run has been particularly impressive, with each victory coming by a margin of at least 16 points, helping the team reach 32-31 and climb above .500 for the first time since early October when they were 2-1.

Boston’s Derrick White paced all scorers with 29 points, and Jaylen Brown recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, though he struggled with his shooting, connecting on just 7 of 19 field goal attempts.

76ers 106, Jazz 102

Philadelphia avoided a third consecutive loss as Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and Quentin Grimes delivered crucial free throws down the stretch to defeat Utah at home.

Jabari Walker provided valuable support with 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Sixers, who were missing several key players including Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., VJ Edgecombe and Paul George. Grimes finished with 16 points in the victory.

Utah’s losing streak reached seven games despite a strong 30-point performance from Keyonte George. Isaiah Collier added 18 points for the Jazz.

Trail Blazers 122, Grizzlies 114

Jrue Holiday exploded for a season-best 35 points and 11 assists to power Portland past Memphis on the road, with Jerami Grant adding 30 points and nine rebounds.

Robert Williams III contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, while Donovan Clingan made an impact with nine rebounds and four blocks in just 12 minutes before receiving an ejection in the second quarter. Portland played without Deni Avdija due to a back injury and had dropped three of four games entering the contest.

Memphis was led by Jaylen Wells’ 24 points, with GG Jackson scoring 20 and Olivier-Maxence Prosper adding 17 points and nine rebounds. The Grizzlies were severely shorthanded with only eight available players due to injuries and have now lost five of their last seven games.

Hawks 131, Bucks 113

Atlanta captured its fifth straight victory with a convincing road win over Milwaukee, paced by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 23 points.

The Hawks received balanced scoring with five additional players reaching double figures, including Wisconsin native Jalen Johnson who tallied 20 points and a team-leading nine assists. Onyeka Okongwu contributed 21 points and eight rebounds.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with 24 points in just 26 minutes as he continues to play under time restrictions following his injury. Kyle Kuzma, who was benched completely in the previous game due to a “coach’s decision,” responded with 16 points off the bench.

Clippers 130, Pacers 117

Los Angeles stretched its winning streak to three games with a home victory over Indiana, getting 29 points from Kawhi Leonard and 23 from Bennedict Mathurin against his former team.

Brook Lopez scored 17 points and Derrick Jones Jr. added 12 for the Clippers, who have compiled an impressive 24-10 record since December 20. Darius Garland contributed 12 points and eight assists in his first home appearance with Los Angeles.

Indiana received 29 points from Pascal Siakam, who returned after missing three games with a wrist injury. Jay Huff scored 18 points and Jarace Walker added 17, but the Pacers extended their losing streak to seven games and fell to 2-11 since February 2.

The Indiana Hoosiers women’s basketball team pulled off a stunning comeback victory Wednesday, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat Nebraska 72-69 in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.

Shay Ciezki powered the 13th-seeded Hoosiers’ remarkable turnaround with 22 points, helping her team erase what seemed like an insurmountable lead. Indiana (18-13) found themselves down by 20 points before Ciezki connected on a three-pointer to close out the first half, sparking the dramatic rally.

The Hoosiers completely flipped the script in the second half, outpacing Nebraska 44-24 over the final two quarters, including a decisive 25-14 advantage in the fourth period. The comeback was completed when Lenee Beaumont drained a three-pointer with just 1:06 left on the clock, giving Indiana their first and only lead of the contest.

Beaumont finished with 14 points while connecting on three of her four attempts from beyond the arc. Neveah Caffey added 13 points to the winning effort, and Edessa Noyan contributed 12 points. The Hoosiers shot an impressive 50.9% from the field throughout the game.

Despite the loss, 12th-seeded Nebraska (18-12) received outstanding individual performances from Amiah Hargrove and Britt Prince. Hargrove led all players with 23 points on efficient 10-of-14 shooting, while Prince added 20 points. The Cornhuskers managed 41.8% shooting for the entire game but struggled significantly after halftime, converting only 10 of 32 attempts (31.3%) in the second half.

In another tournament matchup, Illinois defeated Wisconsin 82-70 behind strong performances from Berry Wallace and Destiny Jackson, who scored 22 and 21 points respectively. The 10th-seeded Fighting Illini (20-10) used consecutive 8-0 scoring runs during the third quarter to create separation from the 15th-seeded Badgers.

Jackson was particularly effective at the free-throw line, scoring 11 of her points from the charity stripe as Illinois converted 24 of 29 free throw attempts (82.8%). The Fighting Illini maintained their double-digit lead throughout the entire fourth quarter to secure the victory.

Wisconsin (13-17) was led by Gift Uchenna Okeke’s game-high 24 points. The Badgers shot 44.8% from the field and recorded assists on 21 of their 26 made baskets, but committed 19 turnovers that Illinois converted into 24 points.

Team USA delivered another commanding performance Wednesday, demolishing the Colorado Rockies 14-4 in Scottsdale, Arizona, marking their second exhibition victory by double digits ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

The national squad has now dominated opponents with a combined 29-5 scoring advantage across both exhibition matchups and will begin World Baseball Classic competition Friday when they take on Brazil in Houston.

America’s offensive attack was relentless against Colorado, collecting 14 hits in 38 at-bats while launching five home runs. Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Judge, Alex Bregman, Byron Buxton and Will Smith all connected for long balls. On the mound, Ryan Yarbrough provided strong work through three innings, surrendering just two hits and one run while recording two strikeouts.

Colorado managed to put runs on the board thanks to home runs from Mickey Moniak and Kyle Karros, with Karros also contributing a sacrifice fly for their final tally. Rockies starter Kyle Freeland lasted just one inning, giving up two hits and one run with a single strikeout.

Tigers Split Squad 2, Panama 1

Kerry Carpenter launched a home run and Jace Jung contributed an RBI double to power Detroit’s narrow victory over Panama’s national team in Lakeland, Florida.

Detroit collected only three hits but built a 2-0 advantage in the third inning. Jack Flaherty earned the victory with three scoreless frames to start, while Keider Montero secured the save with three shutout innings in relief.

Panama’s lone run came from Johan Camargo’s fourth-inning RBI double, one of his two hits in the contest. Allen Cordoba led Panama with three singles in four at-bats.

Nicaragua 2, Cardinals 1

Emanuel Trujillo powered Nicaragua past St. Louis with a fourth-inning home run that accounted for both of his team’s runs in Jupiter, Florida.

Ismael Munguia went 3-for-3 while Mark Vientos contributed two hits including a double to lead Nicaragua’s attack. Christian Worley closed out the final inning for a save against his own Cardinals organization.

Andy Yerzy’s solo homer provided St. Louis with their only run. Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore worked 3 1/3 innings, striking out five while allowing two runs on five hits.

Mets 5, Israel 2

Ji Hwan Bae ignited a decisive four-run eighth inning with a two-run single, propelling New York past Israel in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Jacob Reimer and Yohairo Cuevas also delivered RBI singles in that crucial eighth inning, while Carson Benge, ranked as the Mets’ second-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, added a home run. David Peterson started with three shutout innings, and Nick Burdi claimed the victory despite allowing one run on two hits during his inning of work.

Zach Levenson homered and singled for Israel, while RJ Schreck provided a go-ahead RBI double in the eighth before New York’s rally.

Netherlands 11, Rays 8

Ceddanne Rafaela homered and doubled to fuel the Netherlands’ offensive explosion in their victory over Tampa Bay in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Didi Gregorius, Dayson Croes and Chadwick Tromp each drove in two runs for the Netherlands, which scored four times in the first inning and three more in the third to establish a 7-2 lead. Jamdrick Cornelia earned the win despite allowing two runs in one inning.

Seven different Rays players recorded hits and eight drove in runs, though none had more than one of either. Brayden Taylor’s double was Tampa Bay’s only extra-base hit, while Jake Woodford struggled on the mound, surrendering six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Canada 5, Phillies 3

Abraham Toro’s three-run double highlighted a four-run sixth inning as Canada rebounded from Tuesday’s loss to defeat a nearly full-strength Philadelphia team in their final World Baseball Classic preparation game in Clearwater, Florida.

Tyler Black paced Canada with two hits, while Rob Zastryzny captured the win with a scoreless fifth inning and Matt Wilkinson recorded a six-out save with five strikeouts.

Alec Bohm homered and Johan Rojas added an RBI double for Philadelphia. Aaron Nola delivered an excellent start for the Phillies, striking out four across three shutout innings while allowing just one hit.

Additional Spring Training Results

In Fort Myers, Florida, Orlando Arcia knocked in two runs as Minnesota defeated Puerto Rico 6-3. Alan Roden collected three singles and scored three times for the Twins, with Zebby Matthews earning the victory after allowing one run over four innings.

Atlanta crushed Colombia 9-1 in Venice, Florida, behind back-to-back home runs from Eli White and Sandy Leon during a five-run third inning. The Braves led 9-1 after three innings.

New York blanked Boston 4-0 in Fort Myers, with Ben Rice homering and adding an RBI double. Top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. also went deep as part of a 2-for-4 performance.

Houston edged Baltimore 4-2 in Sarasota, Florida, as prospect Ethan Frey homered and James Nelson tripled. The Astros managed just four hits but built a 4-0 lead before the Orioles scored twice in the eighth.

In international play, Detroit and the Dominican Republic finished tied 4-4 after a wild ninth inning in Santo Domingo, while Cincinnati dominated Cuba 19-2 in Goodyear, Arizona, with three players hitting three-run home runs.

Atlanta Braves skipper Walt Weiss expressed his disappointment Wednesday while maintaining an optimistic perspective following Jurickson Profar’s year-long suspension for the 2026 campaign.

Major League Baseball handed down the suspension Tuesday after Profar failed his second test for performance-enhancing substances.

The outfielder and designated hitter had been slated as a regular starter, potentially batting second behind Ronald Acuña Jr. in Atlanta’s order. Speaking with media before Wednesday’s exhibition matchup against Team Colombia in North Port, Florida, Weiss drew parallels to how the Braves captured the 2021 championship despite losing Acuña to a knee injury.

“The moral of the story is something good is likely to come from the bad news,” Weiss said. “It just tends to happen that way. Someone’s gonna step up, someone’s gonna get an opportunity. In 2021, the day we lost Ronald, nobody’s picking that option. And nobody’s taking this option. But guess what, and I truly believe that something good will come of this.”

Weiss served as Atlanta’s bench coach from 2018 until his November 3rd promotion to manager, taking over after Brian Snitker stepped down.

The commissioner’s office revealed that Profar’s test showed exogenous testosterone and related metabolites – testosterone not naturally produced by his body. Since this marked his second violation, the penalty stretched to 162 games.

Despite Profar’s plans to challenge the ruling, Weiss acknowledged he must plan for a full season without the player.

Profar earned All-Star honors in 2024 but previously served an 80-game ban last March 31 for testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that stimulates testosterone production. At that time, he released a statement saying: “I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”

Catcher Drake Baldwin, who claimed 2025 NL Rookie of the Year honors, filled the designated hitter role Wednesday. Weiss indicated the DH position will remain “fairly fluid” in Profar’s absence.

The manager praised the offseason acquisition of left fielder Mike Yastrzemski on a two-year, $23 million contract. Yastrzemski will join Acuña and Michael Harris as the expected starting outfield trio. Profar would have potentially rotated with Yastrzemski in left field when Baldwin served as DH, but now Eli White may fill the fourth outfielder role.

Mauricio Dubon will begin the season at shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim recovers from a finger ailment. Once Kim returns, Dubon could provide additional outfield depth.

Weiss emphasized that Profar’s suspension “doesn’t change anything we do here. We’re getting ready for our season, and it doesn’t change anything about our camp. There’ll be opportunities created because of this. It’s not something that we would choose but that’s where we’re at, and it’s onward. That’s the message, and we have a professional group. They’re handling it really well and very focused.”

The manager has not spoken directly with Profar, whom he had recently commended for his leadership following last year’s suspension return.

“Look, I said that and I talked about him winning me over last year and he did,” Weiss said. “I’m not gonna change that. The fact of the matter is he was a really good teammate last year, and was a good player for us, was a leader in our clubhouse, you know? And that’s what I said. None of us saw this coming. So yeah, I stand by what I said at that point in time. And again, we’ll let this (appeal) process play out.”

The Los Angeles Chargers are planning to cut offensive guard Mekhi Becton as part of efforts to manage their salary cap, according to a Wednesday report from ESPN.

By releasing Becton, the team would free up $9.7 million in available salary cap space.

Becton joined the Chargers last March on a two-year deal worth $20 million, but his debut season in Los Angeles was marked by injury problems and his own acknowledgment of frustration with his situation. The team is also facing the need to find a replacement for center Bradley Bozeman, who retired on February 23.

The 26-year-old Becton took the field for 15 games last season with the Chargers, starting 14 of those contests.

Throughout his NFL career, Becton has been a starter in 59 of his 61 total game appearances, playing for the Jets during 2020-21 and 2023, a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, and most recently with the Chargers. The New York Jets originally drafted him with the 11th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. During his time with Philadelphia, he was part of their Super Bowl championship squad.

Inter Miami has reached an agreement with Nu, a Brazilian financial services firm, granting the company naming rights to the soccer team’s upcoming stadium facility located near Miami International Airport.

The new venue, which will be called Nu Stadium and accommodate 26,700 spectators, is currently under construction with its inaugural game set for April 4.

Officials announced the partnership on Wednesday but did not disclose financial details of the multiyear contract.

Beginning in August, Nu’s branding will appear on Inter Miami’s uniforms, according to the team. The club’s jerseys have become some of the most popular worldwide, largely due to the massive international fanbase of star player Lionel Messi.

The digital banking company serves 131 million clients throughout Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia and is now moving into the American market. Nu previously established a sponsorship arrangement with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 racing team this year.

European golf officials announced Wednesday that Luke Donald will captain their Ryder Cup team for a remarkable third consecutive tournament, positioning the 48-year-old Englishman to potentially achieve an unprecedented feat in golf history.

Donald will lead Europe’s squad at the 2027 competition scheduled for Limerick, Ireland, after successfully defeating American teams in both Rome and New York during his previous captaincies last year.

“The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family. I didn’t imagine this third time would come,” Donald expressed in an official statement.

“Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure-packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell.

“This Ryder Cup Captaincy journey has given me so much focus, so much purpose and it is something I don’t take for granted. It’s a real privilege and I am certainly looking forward to another home Ryder Cup.”

Donald’s selection holds special meaning as he returns to Ireland, where he previously competed as a team member in 2006. During that tournament at The K Club, he achieved a perfect record under captain Ian Woosnam’s leadership, winning all three of his individual matches.

“The Irish golf fans are some of the best in the world. They are so passionate about the game, so hospitable and so down to earth,” Donald commented.

“That will be a big factor. It’s obviously one of the advantages of playing at home and there is no better place to do it than in Ireland.”

The tournament will be held September 17-19 at Adare Manor, marking the 100th anniversary celebration of the prestigious biennial competition between European and American golfers.

TOKYO — While the tournament carries the official title of World Baseball Classic, the Group C competition taking place in Japan might as well be called the Shohei Ohtani showcase.

The Tokyo Dome has been transformed into a shrine to the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, with massive images of Ohtani displayed throughout the venue. Adjacent merchandise stands are packed with his jerseys, each carrying a price tag of approximately $125. Japan kicks off competition Friday in a matchup with Taiwan, while South Korea, Australia and the Czech Republic round out the group.

As the reigning champions, Japan enters as a strong contender to secure one of two available quarterfinal berths that would send them to the United States for the next round.

Hundreds of fans who packed the stadium Wednesday hoping to catch Ohtani during batting practice left disappointed when the star decided to skip the session. He’s been conserving his energy despite struggling at the plate, going hitless in five at-bats since returning to Japan for exhibition contests against domestic league clubs.

During a press conference conducted in Japanese, Ohtani reflected on his role with the national team: “Every time I join (the Japanese team) there are younger and younger players — younger players are increasing. So I feel I’m getting old,” said the 31-year-old phenomenon.

Japan stands as more than just a favorite to progress — there’s speculation about a potential championship rematch with the United States in Miami. The 2021 tournament concluded with Japan edging America 3-2 in a thrilling finale where Ohtani’s strikeout of Mike Trout provided the dramatic ending that significantly elevated the WBC’s profile.

While Ohtani is anticipated to focus solely on hitting rather than pitching — the Dodgers prefer to preserve his arm for the regular season — he hasn’t completely ruled out taking the mound. When questioned about potentially pitching, he responded through interpreter Will Ireton: “It’s hard to say. But if (Mike) Trout shows up, it’s tempting.”

However, Trout won’t participate for Team USA this time due to insurance complications that have sidelined several prominent players.

Australia’s roster features Travis Bazzana at second base, who made history as the first Australian selected with the top overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft by the Cleveland Guardians.

Like many young athletes, Bazzana considers Ohtani his inspiration. “I personally believe he is the greatest of all time,” Bazzana stated. “He epitomizes the work ethic and mastering his craft in baseball. That is someone I look up to, but when it comes to that game in a couple of days — you can’t focus on who’s across the field.”

Japan boasts an impressive offensive roster featuring Ohtani alongside fellow MLB standouts Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto and Seiya Suzuki. The pitching rotation has undergone changes since 2023, losing key arms including Roki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga and Yu Darvish.

The staff will be anchored by World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who now teammates with Ohtani on the Dodgers.

Australian manager Dave Nilsson, a former Milwaukee Brewers all-star catcher, acknowledged the challenge ahead: “It’s a chance to go up against the best team in the world and it’s a special event going against Ohtani.”

“It’s going to be a big moment for the fans and for Japan,” Nilsson continued. “We’re not going to get caught up in the sideshow.”

INDIAN WELLS, California – Two of tennis’s biggest stars are finding motivation in an unlikely place: the ice rink. World-ranked tennis players Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff revealed they’ve been inspired by American figure skater Alysa Liu’s extraordinary comeback story during interviews ahead of the Indian Wells tournament this week.

Liu made headlines worldwide when she stepped away from competitive skating at just 16 years old following the 2022 Beijing Olympics, citing complete burnout. However, her return to competition led to a spectacular performance at last month’s Milano Cortina Games, where she ended a two-decade Olympic medal drought for American women in figure skating.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, world number two Swiatek shared her fascination with Liu’s psychological journey back to the top.

“I think overall what happened in figure skating was super interesting, from a psychological point of view,” Swiatek explained. “I saw Liu winning when actually she had some troubles, like before she was burned out and she had to stop, and now she seems like everything she does, she does to have fun and to really show her amazing skills in a way that makes her happy.”

“I haven’t spoken to her … but it’s really inspiring. I’ll remember it for a long time,” Swiatek added.

The figure skater’s path back to success involved taking greater creative control over her career in 2024, including selecting her own music, designing programs, and choosing costumes. This approach paid off when she captured the world championship title in Boston last year.

World number four Gauff connected with Liu’s experience on a personal level, having herself entered the spotlight as a teenage athlete when she qualified for Wimbledon at age 15 in 2019. While Gauff says she hasn’t faced complete burnout, she understands the unique pressures young athletes face.

“I think her whole story was super inspiring and I could highly relate as someone who was very young put into a sport,” Gauff commented.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve faced burnout, but there are times you’re mentally just tired of it and you feel like you’re doing stuff and you don’t know why,” she continued. “So I definitely could relate to her whole story. I was happy to see her be that voice saying the unsaid things that athletes think but are maybe scared to say.”

Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov etched his name into franchise history Tuesday evening, becoming the team’s all-time leading goal scorer during a commanding 5-1 triumph against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Saint Paul.

The 28-year-old Russian forward achieved the milestone with his 220th career goal at 16:41 of the final period, surpassing Marian Gaborik’s previous franchise record. The historic marker came with Minnesota holding a comfortable lead and Tampa Bay’s goaltender pulled for an extra attacker.

The Wild received strong offensive contributions from Brock Faber, Mats Zuccarello, and Quinn Hughes, who each contributed one goal and one assist. Yakov Trenin also found the back of the net as Minnesota ended a two-game losing streak while improving to 7-2-0 over their last nine contests. Matt Boldy delivered three assists, extending his point streak to a career-high-tying 10 games with eight goals and 13 assists during that span. Between the pipes, Filip Gustavsson turned away 24 shots for the victory.

Tampa Bay’s lone response came from Nikita Kucherov, as the Lightning began a four-game road trip with their third consecutive defeat. Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded 17 saves in the losing effort.

Oilers 5, Senators 4 (OT)

Evan Bouchard delivered the overtime winner as Edmonton overcame three separate deficits to defeat visiting Ottawa. Zach Hyman forced extra time with 1:25 left in regulation, redirecting Leon Draisaitl’s pass into the net.

Draisaitl posted an impressive five-point performance with two goals and three assists for Edmonton, which secured just their second victory in seven games (2-5-0). Ryan Nugent-Hopkins contributed a goal for the Oilers, while Connor Ingram stopped 17 shots.

Drake Batherson found the net twice for Ottawa, with Dylan Cozens and Michael Amadio also scoring. Linus Ullmark finished with 32 saves for the Senators.

Stars 6, Flames 1

Sam Steel recorded two goals in a three-point effort while Matt Duchene established a career-high with four assists, propelling Dallas to a franchise-record-extending 10th straight victory over host Calgary.

Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston each posted one goal and one assist, with Mavrik Bourque and Nathan Bastian adding single tallies for Dallas. The Stars outscored opponents 12-2 during their two-game road trip on back-to-back nights. Casey DeSmith made 20 saves while Jason Robertson contributed two assists.

Morgan Frost scored Calgary’s only goal as the Flames managed just three wins in 12 games (3-6-3). Starting goaltender Dustin Wolf was removed after allowing four goals on 17 shots, with Devin Cooley making 16 saves in relief.

Avalanche 5, Ducks 1

Parker Kelly scored twice while Cale Makar contributed one goal and two assists as visiting Colorado defeated Anaheim.

Gabriel Landeskog and Martin Necas also tallied goals, with Brock Nelson and Jack Drury each recording two assists for Colorado, winners of three consecutive games. The Avalanche maintained their NHL-leading 91 points, staying six points ahead of Dallas in the Central Division standings before Friday’s meeting in Texas.

Cutter Gauthier scored his sixth goal in six games while Lukas Dostal made 21 saves for Anaheim, which saw its five-game winning streak end. The Ducks had previously won eight straight home games before Tuesday’s setback.

Bruins 2, Penguins 1

Marat Khusnutdinov and Casey Mittelstadt scored the equalizing and go-ahead goals within 50 seconds during the opening period, leading Boston past visiting Pittsburgh.

Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves for his first victory since helping Team USA capture Olympic gold. Boston improved to 6-1-3 in their last 10 games and extended their home winning streak to 11 games.

Erik Karlsson scored while Stuart Skinner stopped 26 shots for Pittsburgh, which had earned points in their first three post-Olympic games (2-0-1).

Blue Jackets 3, Predators 2

Charlie Coyle netted the decisive goal with 13:53 remaining in regulation, giving Columbus a victory over visiting Nashville.

Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli, who extended his goal streak to four games, also scored for the Blue Jackets, now 9-1-1 in their past 11 contests. Jet Greaves made 21 saves despite missing eight minutes of the first period due to concussion protocol before returning.

Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly tallied for Nashville, which dropped its third straight game (0-2-1). O’Reilly departed midway through the third period after taking a stick to the face, suffering a visible cut. Justus Annunen stopped 24 shots.

Jets 3, Blackhawks 2 (OT)

Mark Scheifele scored with 2:54 left in overtime as Winnipeg opened an eight-game homestand with a comeback victory over Chicago.

Cole Perfetti tied the game for Winnipeg with 39 seconds remaining in regulation. Scheifele added two assists while Dylan Samberg contributed one goal and one assist. Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves for the Jets.

Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Greene scored for Chicago, with Connor Bedard recording two assists. Spencer Knight stopped 29 shots for the Blackhawks.

Sabres 3, Golden Knights 2

Tage Thompson netted his 33rd goal of the season while Alex Lyon made 27 saves as Buffalo built a three-goal advantage over visiting Vegas before holding on for their fourth straight victory.

Owen Power and Jason Zucker added goals with Rasmus Dahlin contributing two assists for Buffalo, which improved to a league-best 25-5-2 since December 9.

Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Dorofeyev scored while Akira Schmid finished with 25 saves for Vegas, losers of three straight games.

Sharks 7, Canadiens 5

Kiefer Sherwood scored the game-winning goal and added an assist as San Jose defeated visiting Montreal for their third consecutive victory.

Macklin Celebrini recorded one goal and three assists for the Sharks. Will Smith and Collin Graf each posted one goal and one assist, while Michael Misa, Alexander Wennberg, and Adam Gaudette also scored. Yaroslav Askarov made 32 saves for San Jose.

Alex Newhook scored twice for Montreal, with Oliver Kapanen, Phillip Danault, and Ivan Demidov each tallying once for the Canadiens, who fell to 5-1-2 in their last eight games. Mike Matheson recorded three assists while Jake Evans added two helpers. Jakub Dobes stopped 21 shots.

Devils 5, Panthers 1

Dougie Hamilton contributed one goal and one assist while Jack Hughes and Connor Brown each recorded two assists in New Jersey’s victory over Florida in Newark.

Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, Dawson Mercer, and Simon Nemec provided the Devils’ remaining goals. Jacob Markstrom stopped 20 of 21 shots.

Florida extended their losing streak to three games and fell to 2-8-0 in their past 10 contests. Anton Lundell scored the Panthers’ only goal while Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves on 31 shots.

Mammoth 3, Capitals 2

Dylan Guenther, promoted to Utah’s top line during morning practice, collected one goal and one assist to lead the visiting Mammoth past Washington.

Clayton Keller, one of Guenther’s new linemates, recorded two assists as Utah earned their fourth victory in six games. Mikhail Sergachev and JJ Peterka each scored power-play goals while Karel Vejmelka made 23 saves for the Mammoth.

Pierre-Luc Dubois and Ryan Leonard each netted power-play goals while Logan Thompson turned aside 20 shots for Washington, which saw their season-high five-game home winning streak come to an end.

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will be cut loose when the new NFL league year starts on March 11, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s plans who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press.

The source requested anonymity since the team cannot make the decision official until next week.

Murray, who was selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and earned Pro Bowl honors twice, will become a free agent able to sign with any franchise once Arizona releases him. The move comes despite the team owing him $36.8 million in guaranteed money for 2026.

The 28-year-old quarterback shared an emotional farewell with Arizona supporters on social media, expressing disappointment over his inability to deliver greater success during his time with the organization. Throughout his seven-year stint, Murray guided the Cardinals to just one playoff appearance — a wild-card defeat in 2021.

“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray posted. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.

“I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed,” he added.

This past season proved challenging for Murray, who appeared in only five contests, completing passes for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions before sustaining a foot injury during a game against Tennessee. While the Cardinals initially expected Murray to return within weeks, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s strong performance sparked a quarterback debate.

Murray was subsequently placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the campaign. Arizona struggled to a 3-14 finish and dismissed head coach Jonathan Gannon.

Murray joined the Cardinals amid tremendous anticipation following his Heisman Trophy victory at Oklahoma in 2019, and he delivered memorable moments early in his career.

He earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year recognition and created spectacular highlights, including the famous “Hail Murray” play in 2020 when he found DeAndre Hopkins for a last-second touchdown victory over Buffalo.

Murray’s finest season came in 2021 when Arizona raced to a 10-2 record through early December. However, the team stumbled late, dropping four of their last five regular season games before falling to the Los Angeles Rams 34-11 in the wild-card playoffs.

The Cardinals committed to Murray with a massive $230.5 million, five-year contract in 2022 featuring $160 million guaranteed, but the partnership quickly soured. Shortly after the signing, the organization removed an unusual contract provision requiring four hours of “independent study” during game weeks.

This controversy raised questions about Murray’s dedication, permanently damaging his relationship with the franchise.

Murray suffered an ACL tear against New England in 2022, sidelining him for the remainder of that season and a significant portion of the 2023 schedule. The team fired coach Kliff Kingsbury following the 2022 campaign and brought in Gannon as his replacement.

The partnership between Gannon and Murray showed potential in 2024 as the Cardinals improved to 8-9 and remained in playoff contention until the season’s final weeks.

However, the 2025 season quickly unraveled, accelerating Murray’s departure from Arizona.

New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller has been placed on injured reserve Tuesday due to an upper-body injury, multiple media sources report.

According to ESPN, this latest injury is separate from the ailment that kept Miller out of action for seven games during December and January.

Miller had recently returned to action after capturing Olympic gold with Team USA, where he played a key role in the Americans’ flawless penalty kill unit that went a perfect 17-for-17 during the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

The 32-year-old center is experiencing a tough campaign with the struggling Rangers, who currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Following Monday night’s 5-4 overtime defeat to Columbus, frustrated fans at Madison Square Garden voiced their displeasure by booing the team as they left the ice. The loss dropped New York’s home record to a disappointing 7-15-6.

Miller managed an assist in the Columbus game, bringing his season statistics to 38 points on 14 goals and 24 assists across 51 contests. His minus-24 plus/minus rating leads the team in the wrong direction and places him among the league’s worst 10 players in that category.

Throughout his NHL career, Miller has accumulated 747 points, including 274 goals and 473 assists, over 922 games with three franchises: the Rangers (2012-18, 2025-26), Tampa Bay Lightning (2017-19), and Vancouver Canucks (2019-25).

Originally selected by New York with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Miller rejoined the Rangers through a trade with Vancouver this past January. The organization named him team captain in September.

Cleveland continued its impressive home court dominance Tuesday evening, defeating the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons 113-109 to extend their home winning streak to a season-best seven games.

Jaylon Tyson led the charge for the Cavaliers with 22 points, including seven pivotal points in the final quarter. James Harden contributed 18 points and distributed seven assists in the victory.

The Cavaliers received additional scoring from Evan Mobley, who tallied 18 points, and Dennis Schroder, who added 15. Craig Porter Jr. provided valuable bench production with seven points and eight rebounds. The win improved Cleveland’s record to an impressive 22-8 since December 29.

For Detroit, Jalen Duren delivered a standout performance with game-high totals of 24 points and 14 rebounds. Fellow All-Star Cade Cunningham recorded 10 points while dishing out 14 assists.

The defeat marked only the second loss in Detroit’s last 10 contests and ended their six-game road winning streak.

In other NBA action Tuesday night:

Spurs 131, 76ers 91

San Antonio completed a successful 4-1 road trip by dominating Philadelphia behind 22 points each from Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper. Eight Spurs players reached double figures, with Stephon Castle recording 15 points and 10 assists, while Victor Wembanyama contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, and three steals. San Antonio has now won 12 of their last 13 games. Philadelphia was led by Tyrese Maxey’s 21 points and Jabari Walker’s 20, but played without Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Lakers 110, Pelicans 101

Los Angeles extended their winning streak to three games as Luka Doncic posted 27 points and 10 rebounds, while LeBron James added 21 points. Austin Reaves chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds as the Lakers overcame 22 turnovers. New Orleans was paced by Zion Williamson’s 24 points and Trey Murphy III’s 21, but dropped their second straight game in the Los Angeles area and fell to 0-4 in the season series against the Lakers.

Suns 114, Kings 103

Phoenix completed a season sweep of Sacramento as Jalen Green scored 20 points and Devin Booker returned from a four-game hip injury absence. Booker contributed 17 points and six assists, while Grayson Allen added 18 points off the bench. Sacramento got 22 points and 10 rebounds from Maxime Raynaud but suffered their 19th loss in the past 21 games.

Thunder 116, Bulls 108

Oklahoma City overcame the absence of star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who sat out with an abdominal strain, as Jared McCain scored 20 points and Jaylin Williams recorded 17 points and 16 rebounds. The Thunder handed Chicago their 12th loss in 13 games despite a strong performance from Bulls’ Collin Sexton, who led all scorers with 20 points.

Additional Results:

Minnesota defeated Memphis 117-110 behind Anthony Edwards’ 41-point explosion, extending their winning streak to four games. New York swept their season series against Toronto with a 111-95 victory, led by Jalen Brunson’s 26 points and 10 assists. Orlando snapped a two-game home losing streak by beating Washington 126-109 as Paolo Banchero erupted for 37 points. Charlotte continued their hot streak with a 117-90 rout of Dallas, extending their winning streak to five games. Miami handed Brooklyn their season-worst ninth consecutive loss with a 124-98 victory behind Bam Adebayo’s 23 points and career-high-tying six steals.

A Chinese-American technology mogul has made headlines by acquiring a minority ownership position in the Miami Dolphins, establishing a new benchmark for NFL franchise valuations at $12.5 billion, according to Tuesday reports from Sportico.

Lin Bin, who co-founded smartphone giant Xiaomi, has secured a 1% ownership interest in the holding company that controls not only the Dolphins franchise but also Hard Rock Stadium, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and a portion of the Miami Open tennis championship.

This transaction surpasses the previous record for minority ownership deals, which stood at $10 billion when the Koch family acquired a 10% share of the New York Giants last October.

The National Football League’s finance committee has given its blessing to Bin’s acquisition, with full approval from team owners anticipated during their annual gathering scheduled for late March.

The consumer electronics entrepreneur serves as vice chairman of Xiaomi, the Beijing-based smartphone manufacturer he helped establish. Forbes currently places his wealth at approximately $10.3 billion, positioning him at number 305 on their real-time list of global billionaires.

Bin’s professional background includes engineering positions at both Google and Microsoft following his completion of a master’s degree in computer science from Drexel University.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has previously completed two separate transactions, both valued at $8.1 billion, selling a 10% stake to Ares Management and a 3% portion to Brooklyn Nets ownership group members Joe Tsai and Oliver Weisberg.

The franchise struggled through a disappointing 7-10 season in 2025, leading to major organizational changes after failing to reach the playoffs for consecutive years. The team brought in Jeff Hafley to replace head coach Mike McDaniel and appointed Jon-Eric Sullivan as their new general manager.

Riley Tirotta delivered when it mattered most, crushing a decisive three-run home run in the eighth inning that powered the Toronto Blue Jays to a thrilling 10-7 comeback win against Canada’s national team Tuesday during World Baseball Classic preparation in Dunedin, Florida.

The Blue Jays built momentum early with Jesus Sanchez contributing two hits while driving in three runs, complemented by Nathan Lukes’ two-run single during a dominant five-run second inning surge.

Team Canada showed resilience by mounting an impressive rally from a daunting 7-0 early deficit, highlighted by Jacob Robson’s solo home run as part of a four-run eighth inning comeback attempt, before Tirotta’s clutch blast sealed Toronto’s victory.

Canada’s squad will face Philadelphia Wednesday before beginning World Baseball Classic competition Saturday against Colombia in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Netherlands 8, Orioles 5

Ceddanne Rafaela dominated the early innings with a three-run homer in the second and a two-run double in the third, leading the Netherlands to victory over Baltimore in Sarasota, Florida.

Ray-Patrick Didder opened scoring with a first-inning solo blast, finishing with three hits and three runs scored. Ozzie Albies also connected for a second-inning home run for the Netherlands.

Pete Alonso maintained his impressive spring performance with a first-inning solo homer, while Jeremiah Jackson also went deep for the Orioles.

Yankees 11, Panama 1 (8 innings)

J.C. Escarra’s two-run homer to right-center in the fifth inning highlighted New York’s dominant eight-inning victory over Panama in Tampa, Florida.

Ryan McMahon contributed a two-run single in the opening frame, Kenedy Corona collected two hits and scored twice, and Escarra added a sacrifice fly for the Yankees.

Ruben Tejada managed Panama’s lone RBI with an eighth-inning groundout.

Mets 6, Nicaragua 3

Vidal Brujan’s clutch two-run single in the sixth inning propelled New York to victory in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Chris Suero connected for a solo homer in the eighth for the Mets, while newcomer Bo Bichette opened the scoring with a first-inning sacrifice fly.

Nicaragua responded with solo homers from both Freddy Zamora and Brandon Leyton, with Zamora adding another RBI via sacrifice fly.

Pirates 7, Colombia 1

Jake Mangum led Pittsburgh’s offensive attack with two hits and two RBIs in their victory in Bradenton, Florida.

Konnor Griffin and Jhostynxon Garcia each delivered RBI doubles for the Pirates, who collected 11 total hits.

Jesus Castillo prevented a shutout with an RBI double in the ninth inning for Colombia.

Israel 1, Marlins 0

Garrett Stubbs’ RBI triple scoring Cole Carrigg in the fourth inning provided the only run Israel needed to defeat Miami in Jupiter, Florida.

Carrigg and Benjamin Rosengard each recorded hits while Robert Stock impressed with three strikeouts across three scoreless innings for Israel.

Miami managed only four hits while committing two damaging errors.

Rays (split squad) 5, Twins 2

Chandler Simpson’s RBI single sparked a five-run first inning explosion that carried a Tampa Bay split-squad team past Minnesota in Fort Myers, Florida.

Logan Davidson, Jacob Melton and Xavier Isaac each contributed RBI singles during the decisive opening frame for the Rays, who totaled eight hits.

Royce Lewis drove in Brooks Lee with a sacrifice fly for the Twins.

Rays (split squad) 3, Phillies 1

Ryan Vilade recorded two hits and scored once as Tampa Bay defeated Philadelphia in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Vilade crossed home plate on Taylor Walls’ RBI single in the second inning for the Rays, who scored in each of the first three frames.

Jose Rodriguez delivered an RBI single in the fifth for Philadelphia, which dropped to 3-7-1 in spring training action.

The University of Florida basketball team secured their first Southeastern Conference regular season championship in a decade, overwhelming Mississippi State 108-74 on Tuesday night in Gainesville.

Center Alex Condon delivered his best performance of the year, pouring in 26 points while pulling down seven rebounds to lead the fifth-ranked Gators to victory. The win marked Florida’s 10th consecutive triumph and improved their record to 24-6 overall and 15-2 in SEC play.

Despite missing their top scorer Thomas Haugh, the Gators dominated from start to finish in their final home game of the regular season. Florida built a double-digit advantage by intermission and continued to pull away throughout the second half.

Xaivian Lee contributed significantly with 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals before fouling out late in the contest. Rueben Chinyelu recorded his 18th double-double of the campaign with 11 points and 16 rebounds, matching the university record for double-doubles in a single season.

The Bulldogs, who fell to 13-17 overall and 5-12 in conference action, received 21 points and five assists from Josh Hubbard but suffered their seventh defeat in nine outings.

In other Top 25 action, UCLA stunned ninth-ranked Nebraska 72-52 in Los Angeles, with Trent Perry scoring 20 points for the Bruins. The victory marked UCLA’s third home win against a Top 10 opponent this season, finishing with an impressive 16-1 record at Pauley Pavilion.

TCU upset 10th-ranked Texas Tech 73-65 in Lubbock, as Xavier Edmonds registered his 10th double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The Horned Frogs controlled the glass with a 39-25 rebounding advantage.

Eleventh-ranked Illinois bounced back from recent struggles, routing Oregon 80-54 behind Andrej Stojakovic’s 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Fighting Illini ended a two-game skid with the dominant home performance.

Virginia maintained its stronghold on the ACC, defeating Wake Forest 75-70 to clinch the conference’s No. 2 seed for next week’s tournament. The 13th-ranked Cavaliers improved to 26-4 overall and secured a double bye in Charlotte.

Arizona State shocked 14th-ranked Kansas 70-60, with Maurice Odum connecting on five three-pointers for 23 points. The Sun Devils never trailed while improving to a perfect 5-0 all-time at home against the Jayhawks.

Georgia ended Alabama’s eight-game winning streak with a 98-88 victory, powered by Kanon Catchings’ career-high 32 points on seven three-pointers. The performance helped the Bulldogs knock off the 16th-ranked Crimson Tide in Athens.

North Carolina completed a perfect home season, defeating Clemson 67-63 for an 18-0 record at the Dean E. Smith Center. Luka Bogavac scored a career-high 20 points, including three crucial three-pointers in the final seven minutes.

St. John’s overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to beat Georgetown 72-69, with Zuby Ejiofor leading the way with 23 points. The Red Storm extended their winning streak against the Hoyas to 11 games.

Miami of Ohio remained the nation’s only undefeated team, surviving a scare from Toledo 74-72 to improve to 30-0. Peter Suder scored 19 points as the RedHawks maintained their perfect record despite 15 turnovers.

Tennessee handled South Carolina 78-59, with J.P. Estrella shooting an efficient 10-for-13 from the field for 22 points. The Volunteers won their sixth game in seven tries at South Carolina.

Vanderbilt needed overtime to defeat Ole Miss 89-86, as Tyler Tanner exploded for 34 points with seven assists and five steals. The Commodores improved to 23-7 with the road victory in Oxford.

The Edmonton Oilers displayed remarkable determination Tuesday night, overcoming multiple deficits to defeat the Ottawa Senators 5-4 in overtime, with Evan Bouchard delivering the decisive goal.

Leon Draisaitl dominated the scoresheet with five points, recording two goals and three assists as Edmonton secured only their second victory in seven games (2-5-0). The Oilers showed tremendous character, battling back from being behind three separate times before finally taking their first lead on Bouchard’s overtime strike.

Ottawa received two goals from Drake Batherson, while Dylan Cozens and Michael Amadio also found the net. For Edmonton, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman provided the other scoring alongside Draisaitl’s pair.

With just 1:25 left in regulation, Hyman forced overtime by deflecting a Draisaitl feed past Ottawa goaltender Linus Ullmark.

The game-winning sequence came when Connor McDavid set up Bouchard, who unleashed a powerful slap shot past Ullmark for a power-play goal with 3:10 remaining in the extra period.

Between the pipes, Ullmark stopped 32 shots for Ottawa while Edmonton’s Connor Ingram turned aside 17 attempts.

The scoring began early when Cozens opened the floodgates just three minutes in, placing a precise wrist shot over Ingram’s glove for his third goal in two games.

Draisaitl quickly responded at 5:03 of the first period, capitalizing on Ullmark being out of position to score into an empty net.

Just over a minute later, Batherson continued the offensive explosion, converting a cross-ice feed from Brady Tkachuk with a shot to the top corner on the power play.

The physical play escalated eight minutes into the opening frame when Vasily Podkolzin and Ridly Greig engaged in a fight.

Edmonton tied it again when Draisaitl’s pass attempt deflected off Batherson’s stick, then bounced off Nick Jensen’s skate into Ottawa’s own goal with 3:12 left in the first period.

Ottawa regained the lead 4:30 into the second period when Tim Stutzle created the play, finding Batherson alone at the back door for his second goal of the night.

The Senators extended their advantage 41 seconds later as Amadio converted a short pass from Jensen to make it 4-2.

Edmonton cut the deficit to one goal early in the third period when Draisaitl’s shot deflected off Nugent-Hopkins’ skate and crossed the goal line on the power play, just under two minutes into the final frame.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Tennis sensation Coco Gauff, currently ranked fourth in the world, shared her concerns Tuesday regarding the escalating Middle East conflict and the loss of innocent civilian lives following recent U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran.

The Trump administration has provided varying explanations for the military action, while Iranian officials maintain the American strikes were without justification.

According to Iranian state media reports, civilian deaths have included more than 160 people killed when a girls’ school was struck on Saturday. U.S. administration representatives state they are investigating the school incident and emphasize that America would not intentionally attack educational facilities.

Speaking to media at the Indian Wells tennis tournament, the American athlete said, “First off, what’s happening is unfortunate, and my thoughts and prayers are out there for everyone affected and for the innocent lives being taken.”

Gauff continued, “I think it’s a lot of unnecessary violence going on.”

The Iranian conflict has begun affecting professional tennis operations.

On Tuesday, an ATP Challenger tournament in the United Arab Emirates was suddenly stopped and ultimately canceled due to security concerns, forcing players and staff to evacuate the courts and move to safe zones.

Additionally, several tennis professionals, ATP personnel, and coaching staff – including Gauff’s own coach Gavin MacMillan – remain stuck in Dubai after competing in a tournament there, as the regional conflict has caused major travel delays and cancellations.

The women’s tennis organization maintains significant connections to Middle Eastern nations, having hosted last year’s season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh, while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund serves as the title sponsor for the WTA’s women’s ranking system.

The 21-year-old Gauff noted that she has consistently felt secure when competing in Middle Eastern venues and expressed relief at having departed the region prior to the current violence.

“I think it’s just a lot of unfortunate circumstances that are happening right now,” she stated.

“I am thankful that I was able to get out of that before things turned to where it is now.”

Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner offered his perspective on how global conflicts affect athletes, saying, “There are certain scenarios we cannot control, so I tried to be focused.”

“But you also realize that there are much more important things in life than playing tennis.”

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas is challenging a potential 80-game ban from Major League Baseball after allegedly failing a drug test for performance-enhancing substances, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The source requested anonymity since MLB has not yet made any public announcement regarding the positive test result.

According to the drug policy agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ union, appeals for initial positive tests involving performance-enhancing drugs must be completed before any disciplinary action is publicly disclosed.

The 25-year-old player, who first joined the major leagues in 2023, was recently removed from the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team, as confirmed by team general manager Nelson Cruz during a Monday press conference.

During the previous season, Rojas recorded a .224 batting average along with one home run, 18 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases for Philadelphia. The team sent him down to their Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley on August 1st, and he remained there for the rest of the season. This spring training, Rojas has managed just one hit in 11 at-bats.

Throughout his professional career spanning 250 games, Rojas maintains a .252 batting average with six home runs, 73 RBIs, and 51 stolen bases.

Three runners who were mistakenly directed away from the correct path during the U.S. half marathon championship will be awarded prize money following the course mishap, organizers announced Tuesday.

The Atlanta Track Club revealed they will provide first-place prize money to Jess McClain, who held a commanding lead in the women’s division when a guide vehicle mistakenly directed her and two other competitors off the proper route. McClain was running ahead of Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley at the time of the incident.

According to the club’s announcement, Hurley and Kurgat will share the prize money typically awarded for second and third place finishes, as both runners were running side-by-side when they were taken off the correct course.

“We are responsible for the integrity of these championships,” the organization stated. “We regret that Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were impacted by this incident and were unable to be recognized as the top three finishers reflective of their performance on the course.”

USA Track & Field rejected an appeal following the mishap, though they acknowledged the course markings were insufficient. The organization said in a Sunday statement they would “review the events carefully.”

The championship race functioned as a qualifying event for the 2026 World Road Running Championships, though USATF indicated the selection process remains ongoing.

Race organizers explained that police officers assigned to mark the course had to abandon their posts to respond to an “officer down” emergency call. Replacement officers were not familiar with the race’s “unusual route” that included a footbridge not typically used by vehicles.

The lead vehicle’s driver subsequently followed a police motorcycle off the designated course, assuming race officials were implementing a route change.

A pregame nap turned into an unexpected setback for San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes, who broke his impressive consecutive games streak after waking up with ankle discomfort.

The veteran player’s remarkable run of 364 consecutive appearances came to a halt Thursday evening when the Spurs faced the Philadelphia 76ers. Barnes hadn’t missed a single game since December 4, 2021, during his time with the Sacramento Kings.

The injury news caught many by surprise, as Barnes was added to the team’s injury report at the last minute. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson explained that Barnes experienced discomfort in his left ankle upon waking from his rest and underwent treatment with the team’s medical personnel before the game.

Among active NBA players, only New York’s Mikal Bridges has played in more consecutive contests, with his current streak standing at 616 games. Since 2021, Barnes had appeared in 382 total games, ranking second only to Bridges in that category.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – The world’s top tennis player Aryna Sabalenka is embracing the concept of designated ‘rage rooms’ at tournaments, spaces where athletes could release their anger privately without cameras rolling, though she joked there wouldn’t be much left to break after her sessions.

The discussion stems from the ATX Open in Austin, Texas creating such a facility following Coco Gauff’s racket-breaking moment at the Australian Open, where the American player didn’t realize her quarter-final loss frustrations were being televised globally.

Speaking to media Tuesday ahead of the Indian Wells tournament, Sabalenka, who has experienced her own on-court frustrations, showed strong support for the initiative.

“Oh, that’s cool, let’s do that,” she said. “But I think after me there will be nothing to destroy. I would be there the whole day.”

Gauff expressed surprise when learning about Austin’s rage room concept, initially thinking it was artificially generated content.

“That was real? I thought it was an AI, my mom sent it to me, and I told her it was AI,” she explained. “She believes so many AI things.”

The Melbourne Park episode ignited conversations about athlete privacy at tournaments, with tennis stars including Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek advocating for better protection from cameras during private moments.

The 21-year-old American player welcomed the rage room concept that originated from her experience.

“For sure it was inspired by me, I guess. So I’ll take it nicely,” she commented.

“If I felt like I needed to let go some frustration, I would definitely be in the rage room,” Gauff added, suggesting that destroying plates might be more enjoyable than breaking tennis racquets.

A source familiar with the situation has confirmed that Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman has decided to step away from professional football following five years in the NFL, according to reports Tuesday.

The individual shared this information with The Associated Press while requesting anonymity since Dalman has not yet made a public statement regarding his future. ESPN was first to break this news.

At just 27 years old, Dalman became a cornerstone of Chicago’s offensive line after inking a substantial three-year, $42 million deal last March. The veteran center earned his inaugural Pro Bowl selection following four previous campaigns with the Atlanta Falcons and contributed to the Bears’ successful 11-6 season that captured the NFC North title.

Dalman distinguished himself as the sole Bears offensive player to take part in every snap this season, serving as a crucial component in the team’s line overhaul. Chicago also acquired All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney through a trade, brought in guard Jonah Jackson as a free agent, and selected Ozzy Trapilo in the draft, who later became the starting left tackle.

This enhanced offensive line protection enabled quarterback Caleb Williams to dramatically improve from his rookie campaign, when he endured a team-record 68 sacks that also led the league, to establishing a new Bears passing record with 3,942 yards in his sophomore season. With Dalman’s departure and Trapilo anticipated to miss significant time next season due to a torn patellar tendon suffered in the wild-card victory over Green Bay, Chicago faces two major gaps along their offensive line. The league’s free agency negotiation window opens Monday, with signings permitted starting March 11.

The Bears aim to continue their momentum from a remarkable season under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. The team claimed their first NFC North championship since 2018 and reached the playoffs for the first time in 15 years by defeating the Packers, though their postseason run ended with an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Houston Texans have parted ways with veteran defensive back Jimmie Ward, announcing his release on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old safety sat out the entire 2024 season after facing legal troubles before the year began and later dealing with a foot injury that kept him sidelined.

Ward faced serious legal issues when he was taken into custody in Texas last June on third-degree felony charges related to domestic violence. A woman accused Ward of sexually and physically assaulting her while their 3-year-old child was present. However, a grand jury chose not to move forward with an indictment in September.

The veteran defender spent 11 years in the NFL, beginning his career with the San Francisco 49ers from 2014 through 2022 before joining Houston for the past two seasons. Originally selected in the first round of the draft, Ward accumulated 549 tackles, 10 picks (returning three for scores), and six forced fumbles across 126 games with 99 starts.

During his time in Houston, Ward contributed 98 tackles and three interceptions over 20 games, starting every contest he appeared in.

Ward’s postseason experience includes nine playoff appearances, all during his tenure with San Francisco, where he recorded one interception. He was part of the 49ers squad that reached the Super Bowl after the 2019 season, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the championship game.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray issued what appears to be a farewell message to fans and the organization through social media on Tuesday, expressing regret over his inability to deliver a championship to the franchise.

According to reports, the Cardinals plan to release Murray on March 11 — the opening day of the new NFL league year — unless they secure an acceptable trade proposal.

In his post on X, Murray expressed gratitude to those who supported him during his tenure with the team.

“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote on X.

“I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.

“I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it.

“Godspeed.”

The Cardinals would save significant money by cutting Murray before March 15, limiting their financial obligation to $36.8 million. Waiting until after that date would trigger an additional $19.5 million guarantee for the 2027 season.

The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback sat out 12 games last season due to a foot injury and has completed a full regular season only once over the past five years.

Murray, who was selected first overall in the 2019 draft after winning the 2018 Heisman Trophy, could attract interest from several teams as a free agent. Reports have linked him to potential opportunities with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Arizona brought in Mike LaFleur as their new head coach in February, replacing Jonathan Gannon. LaFleur, who previously served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator and is the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, recently attended the NFL Scouting Combine with other Cardinals personnel to evaluate quarterback prospects. The team holds the third pick in the upcoming draft.

During his seven seasons with Arizona, Murray compiled 121 touchdown passes against 60 interceptions across 87 regular-season appearances, playing under both Gannon and former coach Kliff Kingsbury.

The Cardinals still have veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett on their roster, who performed admirably while filling in for Murray during his injury absence last season.

Major League Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps have agreed to pay $347,000 to resolve a class-action lawsuit stemming from soccer icon Lionel Messi’s failure to show up for a highly anticipated match last year.

The British Columbia Supreme Court gave its approval to the settlement agreement this week, according to reports from The Athletic.

Vancouver’s team had aggressively marketed the soccer legend’s participation in their May 25, 2024 matchup, expecting to draw a record-setting attendance to BC Place stadium. The promotional campaign drove ticket prices to premium levels.

However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or champion never made the trip to Vancouver, staying behind along with teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets. Inter Miami’s head coach Tata Martino explained his decision by saying he needed to “safeguard the health” of key players ahead of two upcoming home matches.

Vancouver officials tried to calm angry fans by cutting concession prices, giving meal vouchers to children under 18, and offering complimentary tickets to select future games for some ticketholders.

Ho Chun filed the legal complaint on June 4, 2024, after spending over $400 for two seats. His legal team contended that the team’s marketing campaign “represented, implied or suggested” that Messi and other star players would definitely participate in the game.

Both MLS and the Whitecaps rejected any responsibility and maintained the lawsuit lacked validity. Legal documents revealed the organizations chose to settle primarily to prevent mounting attorney fees. The agreement includes no acknowledgment of fault.

The total settlement of $475,000 in Canadian currency, after deducting legal expenses, will be distributed among three youth sports nonprofits: KidSport BC, Canada SCORES, and BGC South Coast BC.

Two prominent basketball figures will face federal court proceedings this week as their illegal gambling cases move forward, according to multiple media reports released Tuesday.

Former NBA champion Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier are scheduled to attend status hearings in Brooklyn federal court, where they’ll join approximately 30 other defendants for discussions about legal documents and evidence discovery.

Both basketball personalities were taken into custody in October and are facing serious federal charges related to separate gambling operations.

The NBA suspended Billups indefinitely from his coaching position with the Portland Trail Blazers following his arrest. During his November court appearance, the 49-year-old entered a not guilty plea to charges including wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors allege that Billups worked alongside organized crime figures to manipulate illegal poker games. Authorities claim he helped recruit players into rigged games where sophisticated cheating devices were allegedly used to steal millions from unsuspecting participants.

Court documents reveal that following one fraudulent poker session in October 2020, Billups allegedly received a $50,000 payment from mob-connected game organizers.

The former point guard enjoyed a distinguished 17-season NBA career, capturing a championship title and Finals MVP honors with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. The five-time All-Star was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

During his coaching tenure with Portland from 2021-22 through 2024-25, Billups compiled a 117-211 record. His final game as head coach was the season opener this year, as he was arrested the following morning.

Rozier entered a not guilty plea in December to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges stemming from his alleged involvement in an illegal sports betting operation. His legal team has filed motions seeking case dismissal.

Prosecutors accuse Rozier of coordinating with co-defendant Deniro Laster regarding a planned fake injury during a March 2023 game. Laster allegedly shared this inside information with gambling networks, leading to over $200,000 in prop bets wagering that Rozier would have poor statistical performance.

The scheme apparently worked as planned, with Rozier departing the game after just 10 minutes, citing a foot injury.

While the Heat initially withheld Rozier’s salary during his administrative leave, an arbitrator ruled last month that he’s entitled to his full $26.6 million compensation for the current season.

The 31-year-old guard, who celebrates his 32nd birthday on March 17, has compiled career averages of 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 665 games with Boston, Charlotte, and Miami.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone has been declared unavailable for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres due to an injury to his left arm.

The veteran forward sustained the injury when Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang struck his upper left arm with a stick during a neutral zone collision in the closing moments of the first period in Sunday’s 5-0 loss to the Penguins.

“We’ll keep him as day-to-day,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said on Tuesday. “He’s in here getting treatment but won’t play tonight.”

The 33-year-old Stone ranks as Vegas’ second-highest point producer this season with 60 points, including 21 goals and 39 assists. He leads the team with a plus-17 rating while recording nine penalty minutes, 35 blocked shots, and 17 hits across 43 games, averaging 19:15 of ice time per contest.

Stone, who earned All-Star recognition in 2022, contributed four points on two goals and two assists in six games as Canada earned silver at last month’s Milan Cortina Olympics in Italy.

Throughout his NHL career, Stone has accumulated 694 points through 252 goals and 442 assists, maintaining a plus-158 rating with 238 penalty minutes, 525 blocks, and 512 hits across 749 regular-season contests between Ottawa (2012-19) and Vegas.

His playoff resume includes 85 points on 41 goals and 44 assists with a plus-8 rating over 112 postseason games, highlighted by Vegas’ 2023 Stanley Cup championship victory.

To fill the roster spot, Vegas brought up forward Raphael Lavoie from AHL Henderson on Tuesday. Lavoie appeared in nine games for the Golden Knights last season and seven for Edmonton in 2023-24, remaining scoreless in his NHL appearances.

NEWARK, N.J. — After being captivated by Lorne Michaels’ behind-the-scenes tales from “Saturday Night Live” and appearing alongside brother Quinn and women’s team captain Hilary Knight on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Jack Hughes is shifting his focus back to professional hockey.

The Olympic golden goal hero took to the ice Tuesday morning following his Fallon appearance, marking what’s expected to be the final chapter of his celebrity media circuit since capturing America’s attention in Milan. The New Jersey Devils star now turns his attention to the remaining NHL season.

“The best couple weeks of my life and just a lot of fun celebrating with the guys and enjoying it,” Hughes said. “Now, after all this, it’s in the rearview mirror for a little bit. We’ll pull it out back in the summer. But yeah, it’s back to Devils and locking back in here and trying to win some games.”

Just over a week after netting one of the most significant goals in American hockey history, Hughes faces his next challenge: competing against Olympic teammate Matthew Tkachuk and the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Hughes admitted the quick transition from teammate to opponent feels strange, particularly given the longstanding friendship between the Hughes brothers and the Tkachuk siblings, dating back to their youth hockey days.

That connection has only grown stronger following their achievement of capturing the nation’s third men’s hockey gold medal and first since 1980.

“Now we have that special bond of just accomplishing something so special that we’re linked together forever,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “We’re brothers forever, champions forever.”

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, who has experience with champions after capturing consecutive Stanley Cups, remains uncertain how this newfound fame will impact Hughes. However, he couldn’t help but notice the 24-year-old’s image displayed on billboards throughout the journey from the team’s Manhattan hotel to the New Jersey arena.

Maurice drew comparisons between Hughes’ moment and Sidney Crosby’s golden goal for Canada against the United States in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Unlike Crosby, who had already claimed a Stanley Cup, Hughes must wait at least another season to pursue hockey’s most prestigious prize given the Devils’ current standings.

“If he becomes part of Stanley Cup champions, it will be as it was with Mr. Crosby: It’ll be a wonderful thing to add,” Maurice said. “Wonderful for our game. We should all celebrate that. How it impacts him, I think he’s got lots of years to write a longer story.”

Those close to Hughes remain confident the spotlight won’t negatively affect his performance.

“Obviously he’s really been around the map lately,” younger brother and Devils teammate Luke said. “I don’t think one goal changes you. … I think he was just really happy to be a part of it.”

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer recently shared a heartwarming story about his 8-year-old daughter’s secret mission to help bring him back to the team.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner revealed that his daughter Brooke penned a touching letter to the Blue Jays organization while the family was preparing Christmas wishes for Santa Claus last December.

Following Scherzer’s agreement to a one-year, $3 million deal with Toronto last week, his wife Erica May-Scherzer shared the handwritten message on Instagram.

“It’s the cutest thing you can possibly imagine when you read that, how much it meant to her to be in Toronto,” the veteran pitcher told media members Tuesday following the completion of his contract.

According to Scherzer, his children were busy crafting their holiday wish lists when Brooke approached her parents requesting a postage stamp. She then sealed her letter in an envelope and gave it to them without revealing its contents.

Once their daughter had gone to sleep, the curious parents decided to peek at what she had written.

“Dear Blue Jays,” the letter started, “I am so sorry that you didn’t win the World Series. I hope that you win next time. I hope my dad is back on the team. My whole family loves spending time in Toronto with our dad. We loved the aquarium, the (CN) Tower and of course the stadium. I am looking forward to come back next season. Love, Max Scherzer daughter.”

The 41-year-old hurler clarified that he and his wife chose not to actually mail the letter to team management.

“That’s a bad negotiating tactic,” Scherzer joked with reporters.

Scherzer’s desire to rejoin the Blue Jays stemmed largely from their near-miss at capturing the championship last season. Toronto held a lead entering the final inning of Game 7 but ultimately lost 5-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in extra innings.

“Obviously we came as close as you possibly can to winning the whole thing – something you can never get over, forget or anything of that nature,” explained Scherzer, who previously won championships with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. “That was a huge reason why I wanted to come back. This team can win. I wanted to be a part of it.”

The seasoned pitcher reported that his physical condition is on track for the upcoming season after battling thumb problems throughout much of the previous year.

“I feel healthy,” Scherzer stated.

During the 2024 regular season, Scherzer posted a 5-5 record with a 5.19 earned run average across 17 starts. He also earned a victory in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Seattle and took the mound twice during the World Series.

While Scherzer hoped to return to Toronto, he understood the unpredictable nature of free agency. His new agreement with the Blue Jays features up to $10 million in potential performance incentives based on innings pitched.

“Free agency is a weird animal,” Scherzer observed. “I’ve been through it many times. You think it’s going to go one way and it goes another way. I kind of knew not to get my hopes up, but like I said, I was going to be picky about where I went. I wasn’t just going to sign with anybody. There was only a couple of teams I’d sign with at this point in time, and obviously Toronto was one of them.”

NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar could be sidelined for an entire season after allegedly failing a second drug test for banned performance-enhancing substances, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The source requested anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the proceedings, which ESPN initially reported.

According to a second anonymous source, Profar plans to have the players’ union file an appeal through baseball’s independent arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman, to challenge any potential punishment.

Since this would mark Profar’s second violation, any appeal process would occur following the official announcement of a suspension.

The 2024 All-Star previously served an 80-game suspension starting March 31 after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that boosts testosterone production. At the time, he released a statement saying: “I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”

Profar’s representative, Dan Lozano, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Following his return to action on July 2 with a home run, Profar posted a .245 batting average with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs and a .787 OPS across 80 games. His 2024 campaign saw him achieve personal bests with a .280 average, 24 homers, 85 RBIs and an .839 OPS.

During spring training, Profar revealed he underwent sports hernia surgery in November, which required six weeks of recovery. This spring, he has participated in four games, recording three hits in 10 at-bats with three RBIs.

The Curaçao native was scheduled to represent the Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

A 162-game suspension would make him ineligible for playoff competition and cost him his entire $15 million salary for this season, part of his $42 million contract running through 2027. His previous suspension already cost him half of his $12 million 2025 salary.

If suspended, Profar would join six other players who have received 162-game bans for second PED violations: New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia (July 2015), Cleveland outfielder Marlon Byrd (June 2016), free agent catcher Cody Stanley (July 2016), Houston pitcher Francis Martes (February 2020), Mets second baseman Robinson Canó (November 2020) and Milwaukee pitcher J.C. Mejia (September 2023).

Jenrry Mejia remains the only player to receive a permanent ban after his third positive test in February 2016, marking the sole lifetime suspension since drug testing with penalties began in 2004.

This year has already seen four players suspended for positive tests, including free agent outfielder Max Kepler, who received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for Epitrenbolone.

After acquiring left fielder Mike Yastrzemski on a $23 million, two-year contract, the Braves had planned to use Profar primarily as their designated hitter.

Once catcher Sean Murphy recovers from his hip injury, possibly by May, 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin could rotate between catching and DH duties.

With Yastrzemski, Michael Harris and Ronald Acuña Jr. covering the outfield, Eli White represents another DH possibility. The team is also dealing with the absence of expected starting shortstop Ha-seong Kim due to a finger injury, leaving Mauricio Dubon to start the season at shortstop despite being planned for a utility role.

Profar’s potential absence could open doors for Dominic Smith, who signed a minor league contract on February 17.

New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean is bouncing back from dizzy spells that had threatened to sideline him from the World Baseball Classic.

The 24-year-old right-hander, who’s slated to take the mound for Team USA in their fourth pool play game in Houston, reported significant improvement since becoming ill last Friday.

“I haven’t missed any days of throwing. I kind of grinded through it a little bit last week, still feeling the vertigo symptoms, but this week I’m feeling pretty good,” McLean told reporters Tuesday from the Mets’ spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

New York has maintained McLean’s normal pitching routine, with another practice session planned for Wednesday’s back fields before finalizing his travel plans to Houston. While Team USA is conducting their preparation camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, McLean may fly directly from Florida to Texas.

“He reported some dizziness, so we just decided to play it smart and keep him here under our watch before he goes out there,” explained Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza. “Talking to the doctors and things like that, as of right now, he’s going to be cleared.”

Team USA’s manager Mark DeRosa has maintained regular communication with both McLean and Mendoza regarding the pitcher’s condition. After calling McLean day-to-day for the WBC on Monday, DeRosa confirmed Tuesday that the hurler remains on track for his assignment.

The United States faces Italy in their fourth WBC contest, scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 – still a full week away. DeRosa has already established his starting rotation, tapping Logan Webb for Game 1 against Brazil this Friday. American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will start Saturday’s matchup with Britain, while Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes gets the ball Monday evening against Mexico.