Italian giants Juventus have launched a shock, late attempt to hijack Tottenham’s long-pursued move for outgoing Liverpool legend Andy Robertson.

The 32-year-old Scotland captain emotionally bid farewell to Anfield on Sunday after a glittering nine-year spell on Merseyside.

While he has looked destined to remain in the Premier League, an unexpected proposal from Serie A has thrown his future completely up in the air.

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Juventus attempt to hijack Tottenham’s move for Andy Robertson

According to Romano’s update, Tottenham had been in advanced talks with Robertson for several weeks over a free transfer, with a deal appearing close to completion.

However, Juventus have now dramatically entered the picture, tabling a concrete proposal of their own in an effort to lure the experienced left-back to Serie A instead.

Romano revealed the sudden twist on X: “Tottenham have been in advanced talks for weeks with Andy Robertson over free transfer, deal close. Juventus have also entered the race and trying to hijack the move with a proposal. Decision up to Robertson now.”

???????? Tottenham have been in advanced talks for weeks with Andy Robertson over free transfer, deal close.

Juventus have also entered the race and trying to hijack the move with a proposal.

Decision up to Robertson now. pic.twitter.com/0wIhRlvDIE

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 25, 2026

The development has thrown the Robertson saga wide open, with Romano making clear that the decision now rests entirely with the 32-year-old himself.

Robertson must weigh up the appeal of remaining in the Premier League with a Spurs side pushing for honours, against the allure of a move to one of European football’s most storied clubs in Turin.

Juventus could also possibly sign Alisson Becker

Robertson may not be the only high-profile Liverpool departure heading to Juventus this summer, with reports also linking goalkeeper Alisson Becker with a potential move to the Italian giants.

The Brazilian shot-stopper still has a year remaining on his contract at Anfield, meaning Juventus would need to negotiate a formal fee with Liverpool.

However, Alisson has reportedly expressed a strong willingness to move to Turin, where he would be reunited with his former Roma manager, Luciano Spalletti.

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Juventus are said to be exploring the possibility of pairing him with their existing squad as they look to strengthen significantly ahead of next season.

Should Juventus succeed in signing both Robertson and Alisson, it would represent a remarkable double swoop and send a powerful statement of intent to their Serie A rivals.

For Tottenham, losing out on Robertson to a continental giant would be a frustrating blow after weeks of painstaking negotiations appeared to have put them in pole position.

The post Tottenham deal for Andy Robertson now in danger as European giants launch stunning late hijack appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool have reportedly entered the race to sign highly-rated Hertha BSC teenager Kennet Eichhorn, with Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg revealing that the Reds have already held concrete talks over a potential move.

The 16-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in German football and is expected to become one of the most sought-after teenage talents in this summer’s transfer window.

Liverpool’s interest represents a significant development as the club continues its aggressive push to strengthen its long-term talent pipeline.

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Liverpool have held concrete talks for Kennet Eichhorn

Taking to X on Tuesday, Plettenberg reported that Liverpool have entered the race for Eichhorn in a “very concrete” way, with discussions already taking place between the relevant parties.

According to the respected journalist, sources in England have confirmed that meaningful talks have been held as Liverpool position themselves to compete for the teenager’s signature.

Plettenberg also stated that Eichhorn is planning to leave Hertha BSC once the transfer window opens, increasing the likelihood of a major move this summer.

A reported release clause worth between €10 million and €12 million could make the youngster an attainable target for several elite European clubs.

For a player viewed as one of Germany’s standout teenage prospects, that valuation may prove attractive to clubs looking to secure elite talent before prices rise significantly.

Taking to X, Plettenberg said: “EXCLUSIVE | Liverpool have entered the race very concretely for 16 y/o wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn. Concrete talks have already taken place, as sources from England confirm. Eichhorn is planning to leave Hertha BSC in the summer. Release clause worth around €10-12m. More details tonight in our show Transfer Update at 6pm.”

?? EXCLUSIVE | Liverpool have entered the race very concretely for 16 y/o wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn. Concrete talks have already taken place, as sources from England confirm. #LFC

Eichhorn is planning to leave Hertha BSC in the summer. Release clause worth around €10-12m.… pic.twitter.com/DbNUIv1LgY

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 25, 2026

More Stories / Latest News

Tottenham deal for Andy Robertson now in danger as European giants launch stunning late hijack

May 25 2026, 23:24

Liverpool in talks to sign €12m Man City target; ‘concrete talks’ have taken place

May 25 2026, 22:45

‘Done Deal’: Sky Sports man drops exciting Liverpool transfer update as first summer signing all but done

May 25 2026, 20:58

Who is Kennet Eichhorn?

Eichhorn has rapidly built a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in German football through his performances in Hertha BSC’s youth setup.

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Despite being only 16 years old, the German youngster is already attracting attention for his technical ability, tactical intelligence, and long-term potential.

Scouts across Europe are believed to be closely monitoring his development, with Liverpool now emerging as serious contenders in the race for his signature.

Manchester City are among the top clubs interested in signing the German while Arsenal and Man United have also been linked with him.

Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping an eye on the teenager.

The relatively modest release clause also presents a low-risk, high-upside opportunity for a club of Liverpool’s stature.

Liverpool continue strategy of signing elite young Talent

The club are already close to completing a move for teenager Samuel Martinez, while interest in Eichhorn underlines a clear long-term transfer strategy.

Should Liverpool succeed in beating rival clubs to Eichhorn’s signature, they may secure one of the continent’s most promising young players before his stock rises even further.

The post Liverpool in talks to sign €12m Man City target; ‘concrete talks’ have taken place appeared first on CaughtOffside.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Anthony Volpe answered Bobby Witt Jr.'s go-ahead homer in the eighth with a two-run single in the ninth for New York, sending the Yankees to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday and extending their winning streak to 12 in the series.

Jake Bird nearly squandered a strong start by Will Warren when he gave up Witt's tiebreaking shot inside the left-field foul pole leading off the eighth inning.

But the Yankees promptly rallied off Lucas Erceg (3-2), starting with Paul Goldschmidt's broken-bat hit and Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s one-out double before Volpe's timely single to left field.

Tim Hill (2-2) earn the win while David Bednar worked around a two-out walk in the ninth to earn his 12th save of the season.

It was Erceg who wound up wasting a strong start by the Royals' Michael Wacha, and an even more effective inning from Daniel Lynch IV, who had set down the top of the New York lineup in the eighth to turn a 3-2 lead over to the Kansas City closer.

Cody Bellinger homered earlier in the game for the Yankees, who have not lost to the Royals since Sept. 10, 2024. That streak includes the past 11 regular-season meetings and the clinching game of the 2024 AL Divisional Series.

After the Yankees jumped to a 2-0 lead on Bellinger's homer and an RBI single by Jose Caballero, the Royals clawed back in the bottom of the second. Salvador Perez, Jac Caglianone and Isaac Collins walked and Michael Massey hit a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.

That score remained until Perez's tying homer in the sixth. It was his 136th home run at Kauffman Stadium, tying George Brett's stadium record, and it moved the Royals captain to within five of the Hall of Famer's overall club record of 317 homers.

Up next

RHP Cam Schlittler (6-2, 1.50 ERA) starts Tuesday night for the Yankees. The Royals are likely to use their bullpen to start the game.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Packers urged to make blockbuster trade for disgruntled $76 million star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Green Bay Packers are ready to contend again in 2026. The team has had several disappointing playoff results recently, so the hope is that a corner can be turned in 2026. 

As is usual for the Packers, the team didn't do a ton in free agency this offseason. On defense, the notable additions were defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Zaire Franklin. One area that hasn't really been address is the pass rush, and that's a bit surprising. 

Micah Parsons suffered a devastating injury last year and isn't expected to be at 100% to start this season. Even if Parsons is ready to go immediately and is his normal self, the team could us more depth on the edges. 

Interestingly, there could be an option for the Packers to still add an elite edge rusher before the season begins. 

Packers named as landing spot for Josh Sweat 

Josh Sweat signed a massive four-year, $76 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals last year. The defender spent the first seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning one Pro Bowl selection and helping the team win a Super Bowl. 

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Sweat to grow unhappy in Arizona. Latest reports indicate that Sweat wants out, and he should have plenty of suitors on the trade market. 

Regarding the Packers and Sweat, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox offered the following analysis: 

There are several reasons why the Green Bay Packers should be interested in adding Sweat if he becomes available. The first is the reality that star edge-rusher Micah Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL and might not be at 100 percent to start the season.

Secondly, the Packers traded Rashan Gary to the Cowboys early in the offseason after recording just 36 sacks as a team in 2025. No edge player other than Parsons and Gary recorded more than 2.0 sacks for Green Bay last season.

As Knox pointed out, the Packers traded Rashan Gary, so if Parsons isn't healthy, it's hard to see where the pass rush is going to come from. 

Sweat could be a huge boost in Green Bay. In his first year as a Cardinal, Sweat lived up to his contract, playing in 17 games and collecting 30 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. The Cardinals figure to be in for another long season in 2026, and it's understandable if Sweat doesn't want to waste another season of his prime. 

In Green Bay, Sweat and Parsons could make up possibly the best pass rush duo in the entire league. Sweat has had at least seven sacks in four different seasons and could reach that Pro Bowl level again playing opposite Parsons. 

More NFL news:

• Is Carnell Tate going to be a WR1 for the Titans?
• Will the Cardinals give up on Carson Beck quickly?
• Jets get good and bad news regarding the 2027 draft
• One analyst loved what the Cowboys did in 2026 draft
• Vikings roasted for questionable 2026 draft
• Jaguars, James Gladstone's 2026 draft graded harshly

On May 13, the Arizona Complex League Giants walloped the ACL Dodgers in a seven-inning game by an eye-popping final score of 29-2. 

Almost nobody saw it.

This pummeling took place at Papago Sports Complex on the southern edge of Scottsdale, Arizona, hundreds of miles and a universe away from Oracle Park and Dodger Stadium. The unrelenting desert heat touched 98 degrees at first pitch, despite a 6 p.m. local start time. San Francisco’s rookie-level youngsters pushed one run across in the first and five in the second against a teenaged Dominican hurler named Cesar Sanchez.

Then things flew completely off the rails. Six ACL Dodgers relievers proceeded to surrender 24 runs over the next four frames, combining for more walks (13) than outs recorded (12). They hit two batters for good measure. To finish the game, multiple position players were asked to pitch. A 21-year-old outfielder named Jose Gonzalez faced eight Giants hitters; he allowed two hits and five walks while notching just one out.

It seemed like a meaningless, futile, interminable day at the ballfield.

So who cares? Why does this matter? If a minor-league blowout falls in the desert, does it even make a sound?

Many folks in the industry — scouts, coaches, executives, player development personnel — argue that it should, that this recent drubbing encapsulates a number of concerning trends impacting the low minors. They claim the complex league is floundering and the ripple effects are beginning to seep up the pro-ball ladder. In their minds, if the fraying of low-level pro ball is left unchecked, it will eventually alter how the sport looks and functions at the highest level.

That’s because the ACL Dodgers’ inability to fill innings was far from an isolated incident. A handful of other teams are running precipitously low on healthy, viable arms. Games are regularly being shortened to seven innings or, in multiple instances, canceled altogether. Underprepared Latin American arms are being called up ahead of schedule from the Dominican Complex. Predictably, many of those arms are struggling to throw strikes. On Tuesday, the ACL Reds scored 30 runs against the ACL Athletics.

The complex leagues have always existed as something of a baseball twilight zone, one capable of producing wonky box scores. That’s what happens in a space designed for young players to fail in private. But industry experts resoundingly agree that the quality of play on the complex has reached an all-time low. Pitchers are throwing fewer strikes than ever. That’s hurting hitters, particularly Latin hitters. Everyone is then underprepared to make the leap to an actual minor-league team. At least one game per day is turning into an unproductive slog, incrementally stunting the developmental timeline of every player involved.

“It’s way, way worse than it’s been,” a team employee told Yahoo Sports over the phone. “It’s a total s*** show.”

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To understand what has gone wrong and why it matters, it’s important to understand how the minor leagues are structured.

Currently, there are six rungs of affiliated baseball operating beneath MLB. The top four tiers — Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A — are familiar to most fans. These are your traditional minor-league baseball teams, the ones with whimsical promotions and cheap tickets. You know the drill: Grab a hot dog for a dollar and watch the stars of tomorrow. For years, there was an additional level known as Class A Short Season, which started play after the draft, but MLB scuttled that as part of its minor-league contraction in 2021.

Below those four are the two lesser-known “complex” levels: one in the U.S. and one in the Dominican Republic. Games are held at or near an organization’s spring training or Latin American facility, with the stateside action split between the Arizona Complex League (ACL) and the Florida Complex League (FCL). 

This is not a product intended for consumption by the public. Tickets are not sold, attendance is not usually listed, and contests are not streamed online. These leagues function entirely for the development of young players, particularly those matriculating from Latin America. Of the 25 healthy, non-rehabbing players currently on the ACL Dodgers’ roster, just three were born in the United States.

The complex leagues are an overlooked yet vital piece of the sport’s talent pipeline. Nearly every Latin superstar currently shining in The Show spent time honing his skills in front of zero fans on the complex. The environment is particularly important for late-blooming prospects who didn’t receive large signing bonuses — the Jose Ramirezes, the Jose Altuves, the Junior Camineros. It is a place to learn, to grow, to fall and get back up again.

But over the past decade, two separate trends have lessened the value of the complex leagues: the ongoing arms race for pitch velocity and minor-league contraction. The former increased the demand for healthy hurlers, while the latter reduced the supply.

Nowadays, fastball velocity is not just an asset; it’s a requirement. Pitchers of all ages and skill levels train for it unrelentingly. That has had myriad effects on the sport, few more significant than the seemingly unstoppable wave of arm injuries. More pitchers are getting hurt more often than ever before.

Insiders disagree somewhat on specifics but generally believe that the quest for velocity is a major culprit. It makes sense then, that the teams with reputations for prioritizing velocity, such as the Dodgers, Orioles and Nationals, are among the clubs with the most hurt arms and having the toughest time filling innings on the complex.

“We could make things a lot easier on ourselves if we had more guys that threw it over the plate more often, so we didn't have to use three arms to get through an inning,” one team employee, speaking broadly about the industry, admitted.

Fewer healthy pitchers and fewer strike-throwers mean more open spots and more innings to fill. Teams are struggling to make that happen, in large part because of the artificial roster limits imposed by MLB during the most recent minor-league CBA negotiations in 2023. As part of bargaining, the parties agreed to reduce the size of the Domestic Reserve List from 180 to 165, meaning that organizations could roster only 165 minor leaguers across all of their stateside affiliates.

A few years ago, a club could simply pluck a soft-tosser from Independent Ball to fill innings on the complex. But with the new cap, roster spots have become a commodity all their own, one that clubs are more likely to use on low-command flamethrowers with an incremental shot of having an impact down the road. Those types of pitchers tend to be more injury-prone, further reinforcing the cycle.

“The downstream impact of the roster limits is that you're increasing the likelihood that guys get injured because guys are gonna have to throw more often,” a scout explained. “And they're not gonna necessarily change how they throw, when we're paying them a certain way in arbitration and we're valuing certain things as an industry. They’re gonna redline every time they touch the mound because we’re measuring everything.”

With fewer healthy pitchers available, unqualified pitchers are often pushed up the organizational ladder to fill in. This scout described that unfortunate trend as “microwaving.” It happens even more during this part of the year — after spring training roster cuts but before the influx of new players from the draft in July.

Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox via Getty Images

What does this all mean? What’s the impact? Will bad baseball at the complex level have a negative effect on the big leagues? Some around the game think it’s possible.

“I fear that the Latin hitter is the type of player that will lose out here,” one veteran scout hypothesized, “because they’re the ones that benefit most from games on the complex.”

Seven-inning games and canceled games mean fewer opportunities for hitters to hone their skills. A handful of teams indicated to Yahoo Sports that they’ve had to hold more live BP sessions on their backfields to ensure position players are getting sufficient work in. Latin players — the majority of whom come from the Dominican Republic or Venezuela — are usually in need of that extra developmental time. That’s a product of how the international market functions.

Before signing at age 16, most Latin players spend very little time playing in actual baseball games. Teams are interested in skills and tools, so players train accordingly. The amateur showcase culture means the complex is often the first place players learn integral skills such as pitch selection, swing decisions, game strategy, situational hitting and team offense. Then again, that’s changing alongside shifts in what the sport prioritizes.

“I think across baseball, we’re starting to view the complex level just as a training facility, right or wrong,” an AL team official told Yahoo Sports.

The fear among industry insiders is that the continued decline of low-level ball will lead to MLB feeling empowered to contract the minor leagues even further when the current minor-league CBA expires after the 2027 season. There’s a growing sense that the league would prefer to effectively outsource aspects of the development process to top college programs. Why spend money, the thinking goes, to make players better when Clemson and Mississippi State will do it for you?

But besides eliminating affiliated baseball from 30 more minor-league towns, such a cost-cutting measure would lead to a further reduction of team employees, particularly on the scouting side.

In recent years, a number of teams have slashed their pro scouting departments, relying on video and date to evaluate minor leaguers. Some clubs, such as the Dodgers, Rays and Royals, still run substantial scouting apparatuses. Unlike other owners, theirs believe it's well worth the cost.

At the end of the day, that’s what this entire discussion is about: money. Fewer levels, fewer players, fewer employees — that’s all more cost effective for the billionaires running these organizations. But it’s a short-term gain for a potential long-term loss, one that could damage the fabric of the sport at the big-league level. While the ACL Giants’ 29-2 blowout will likely fade into the dustbin of baseball history, its causes will live on and grow stronger.

It might not happen soon, but eventually, something will have to give.

Only voter to leave Victor Wembanyama off All-NBA First Team ballot explains controversial decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is one of the most team-oriented players in the NBA, but he received a major individual honor on Sunday when he was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career.

The selection came as no surprise after Wembanyama finished third in MVP voting behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, and the balloting reflected how obvious of a choice he was: the third-year big man received 99 of 100 votes for the First Team.

That means one voter kept Wembanyama from becoming a unanimous choice alongside Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, and that voter explained his controversial decision on Monday.

Here's what he had to say.

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Why Victor Wembanyama wasn't unanimous All-NBA First Team selection

SiriusXM NBA Radio host Justin Termine revealed Monday that he was the lone voter who left Wembanyama off his First Team All-NBA ballot and said he did so because he doesn't fill out a "position-less" ballot.

"I think [Wembanyama's] a better player than SGA right now. I think he is the best player in the world right now," Termine said. "But I thought Jokic had a better regular season at the same position. ... This year [Wembanyama] was the second best center, and I vote by position."

Termine explained that he maintains that philosophy because of historical precedent. 

"In my opinion it is unfair historically to those who came before us, who I have great respect for, that those guys at center were not allowed to be on the First Team at the same time," he said.

Termine pointed to the 1993-94 season, when Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Shaquille O'Neal made the All-NBA teams while Patrick Ewing, who finished fifth in MVP voting, was left off simply because he played the same position as that trio. 

With All-NBA selections influencing historical debates between players, Termine said, it isn't fair in his mind to play by different rules with the balloting today.

Why I was the lone voter to leave Wemby off 1st Team All-NBA. pic.twitter.com/jWuwKdx46s

— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) May 25, 2026

Before the 2023-24 season, the All-NBA teams were sorted by position, with only one center on each of the three teams. That often created some imbalance. The 2016 All-NBA First Team infamously featured DeAndre Jordan next to LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard, while other seasons with strong center play would see stellar big men such as Joel Embiid pushed down to the second or third team.

This season is one of the scenarios the switch to position-less ballots addressed, as Wembanyama would have landed on the All-NBA Second Team if only one center could make the First Team. Termine stuck by that tradition for fairness' sake, but it wasn't nearly enough to change the outcome. 

MORE:How group of nuns became Spurs' biggest fans during playoff run

All-NBA First Team voting 2026

Here are the complete results from the All-NBA First Team balloting:

Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, Wembanyama and Luka Doncic all received more than 90 of 100 possible First Team votes, with Cade Cunningham earning the final spot over Jaylen Brown by a margin of 30 points.

Another ninth-inning meltdown wasted a great start from Michael Wacha in a 4-3 loss to the Yankees. This is just brutal to watch. It’s infuriating. The Royals held a 3-2 lead going into the 9th inning, which currently belongs to Lucas Erceg. I’m not sure it will for much longer.

In that inning, Salvador Perez was playing first base because Quatraro pinch-ran for Pasquantino earlier. Paul Goldschmidt hit a little pop-dribbler hybrid thing that Bobby Witt could not get to in time. With one out and a runner on first, Perez was hugging the line to protect against the grounder-down-the-line double. Unfortunately, Jazz Chisholm hit a line drive exactly to where a first baseman would normally be standing, but Perez could not reach it. With Tyler Tolbert in RF instead of Jac Caglianone, Chisholm hustled for a double. With one out and runners on second and third, Anthony Volpe singled to left field to bring both runners in. That put the Yankees ahead 4-3, and it felt like it was over with the bottom of the lineup coming in for the bottom of the ninth. The Royals got one guy on but could do nothing with him.

This hurts. Wacha threw yet another quality start – 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K. The offense sputtered but put together enough runs to have a lead in the ninth. In the second inning, Perez led off with an ABS challenge to get a walk. He’s pretty good at ABS. Jac Caglianone went down 0-2 and then worked a walk. Isaac Collins went down 1-2 and also worked a walk to load the bases. Massey hit a lazy fly ball deep enough in the left-center field gap to bring in Perez on a sac fly. In the bottom of the 6th, Salvador Perez got a meatball that he hit almost into the fountains to tie the game 2-2. It was his 9th of the season. Bobby Witt Jr took a slider well beyond the left field fence in the 8th inning for a go-ahead solo homer to make it 3-2. It was Witt’s 8th homer of the season.

In the 7th inning, the Royals almost plated another run. Would have helped. Nick Loftin hustle-doubled a pop fly that CF Trent Grisham got a poor read on off the bat. He went backwards first and then sorta jogged for a sec before he made an attempt to charge in for the short fly ball. It dropped between three fielders and Loftin barely beat the tag at second. He advanced to third on a deep fly ball to left-center field. Garcia hit a weak grounder to the shortstop, but not weak enough to make it close at first base. The Royals were unable to score.

It wasn’t just the pitching either. The Royals flashed some leather too. Bobby Witt robbed a line drive up the middle from Ben Rice with a jumping, reaching catch. A double play got Wacha out of a jam in the third inning. Massey ranged to his right and threw on the run moving away from first base to get Jazz Chisholm out. Wacha was able to use his defense to work around runners on base in the third and fourth. He got a lot of quick outs and was at 93 pitches in the 7th inning. He was efficient and effective. His primary mistake was just a happy-zone four-seam fastball to Cody Bellinger that he blasted into the right-field bullpen. The Yankees put across another run with a walk and two singles.

Overall, it felt like a close game that the Royals had a real chance to win even with the relatively low offensive output. Just, once again, they cannot rely on anyone to close the game out with any sort of confidence. Erceg almost blew the game yesterday too.

The Royals are in a deep hole with the Guardians playing well above them as well as the upstart Chicago White Sox (??? How?). They cannot keep doing this and expect the season to end well.

The Royals move to 22-32. The Yankees move to 32-22. They play again tomorrow at 6:40pm US Central.

The Dodgers’ game on Monday, June 15 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium was added to ESPN’s collection of exclusive telecasts this season, the network announced on Monday.

That game against the Rays is the first game of a week-long homestand against American League East teams, with the Dodgers also hosting the Baltimore Orioles from June 19-21. Announcers for the ESPN telecast have not yet been revealed.

After 36 years of televising Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN now has occasional weeknight games on the schedule, part of a revised television contract with Major League Baseball that runs through 2028. NBC took over Sunday Night Baseball telecasts this season, including three such games for the Dodgers as well as opening day on Thursday, March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers’ first game on ESPN this season was Wednesday, April 15, against the Mets at Dodger Stadium on Jackie Robinson Day.

A potential future addition to the ESPN schedule is Monday, July 20 at the Philadelphia Phillies, though that hasn’t yet been finalized.

VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Patrick Wimmer says it will take time for the club to come to terms with what has happened after they were relegated from the Bundesliga following a play-off defeat to SC Paderborn on Monday night.

Wimmer, who was unavailable for both legs due to injury, told Sky Germany:

“The disbelief is written all over the faces of every fan and also us players. There is a great emptiness in the dressing room.

“It will definitely take some time for all of this to sink in. Everyone knows for themselves what has just happened.”

The 24-year-old has played for Wolfsburg since 2022.

Why Rays shortstop Wander Franco won't serve prison time despite sexual abuse of a minor conviction originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has not played in an MLB game since 2023 after he was first investigated, then arrested, for having an illegal relationship with a minor.

Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic and was put on trial for his actions that spanned four months in 2025. On Monday, Franco's verdict finally came in as it was determined that he was criminally responsible but will not serve time for his actions.

While Franco will still go through sentencing in the Dominican Republic, this was the first step to the end of his case. Here's why Franco will not serve prison time despite being found guilty.

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Wander Franco verdict

On Monday, Wander Franco was convicted in his case sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, but he will not serve time. The judge presiding, Judge José Antonio Núñez, gave him a judicial pardon and determined that Franco himself was a victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor's mother, who will serve 10 years in prison for money laundering and sex trafficking.

The Puerto Plata court found player Wander Franco guilty of sexual and psychological abuse against a teenager. The court also found the minor’s mother guilty of money laundering and sentenced her to 10 years in prison.

Franco will not have to serve a sentence because the court…

— Eliezer González Caraballo (@ElTioElie) May 25, 2026

"We don't have the physical sentence in our hands, but he was exempted from punishment because the president of the court established that he was also a victim and because he is exempted from punishment through judicial pardon," Franco's lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, said, via ESPN.

Franco was arrested in January 2024 after accusations of having a relationship that was four months long with a 14-year-old girl when he was 22. Franco also allegedly paid the girl's mother thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent.

Franco's full sentencing will come on June 16. 

Wander Franco MLB investigation

Major League Baseball has been investigation Franco since 2023, when Franco was being investigated for the illegal relationship. He was initially placed on administrative leave, but the Rays put him on the Restricted List on 2024 after the arrest, which meant the team didn't have to pay him.

In a statement after the verdict, MLB said it would "conclude our investigation at the appropriate time." Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million with the Rays in November of 2021.

Rams named as potential landing spot for Super Bowl-winning WR originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

All eyes are on June 1, as it is often when a lot of moving and shaking happens on NFL rosters, and the Los Angeles Rams could be one team watching intently to see who gets moved on.

With the Rams' offense one of the best in football, we know that the front office isn't afraid to part ways with draft capital in order to land a big fish.

But surely the Rams are done after signing Trent McDuffie in free agency, right?

Well, maybe not, as Sports Illustrated's Mike Kadlick has named the Rams as a possible destination for receiver A.J. Brown.

“The Rams reportedly explored a trade for Brown earlier this offseason and were “really close” before talks between the two sides ended up breaking off,” Kadlick wrote. “On if Los Angeles would re-engage post-June 1, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, said last week that it would surprise him. “They went so far down the road on it before and I think a couple things derailed it,” he explained on NBC Sports Boston’s Arbella Early Edition. “No. 1, I think there was some concern about the knee and No. 2, if they were going to trade for A.J. Brown, it was going to be while offloading Davante Adams.”

MORE:Ty Simpson reveals 'big advantage' being drafted to Rams

Could Rams move for Brown?

Maybe, but I wouldn't bet my house on it.

The Rams already parted ways with a first-round pick for McDuffie. Would they want to hand over next year's first for Brown? Again, maybe.

But as Breer detailed, the move for Brown was predicated on the Rams moving on from Adams, which they haven't done yet.

Brown with Stafford and Puka Nacua is a serious trio, and one that would improve the offense. Imagine if Adams stuck around and those were Stafford's three receivers?

I still think Brown ends up in New England, but the NFL is an unpredictable beast, so I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up elsewhere.

More NFL news:

• Analyst reveals 2026 Commanders blueprint for success
• Analyst has big Chargers projection, but there's monster 'if' attached
• Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield facing career nightmare in 2026
• Ravens urged to fill gaping roster hole for Lamar Jackson
• Ravens reason for 2026 optimism not centered on Lamar Jackson

On Monday afternoon the Colorado Rockies announced multiple roster moves prior to their first of three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.

Left-handed veteran starting pitcher José Quintana has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left elbow sprain.

Quintana, 37, had quietly been one of the Rockies’ more reliable rotation options since signing a one-year, $6 million contract this off-season. The well-traveled lefty had posted an ERA of 4.08 through his first eight starts in a Rockies uniform. He occasionally struggled with walks, issuing 17 free passes in 39.2 innings, but tended to avoid having those mistakes come back to haunt. Coming into Sunday’s game he had given up more than three earned runs in just one outing.

Unfortunately, Quintana struggled in 1.1 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. He gave up six earned runs and left the game with apparent discomfort in his throwing arm.

As a corresponding roster move, left-handed reliever Welinton Herrera (no. 17 PuRP) has been recalled from the Tripe-A Albuquerque Isotopes.

Herrera, 22, was signed as part of the Rockies’ 2021 international class out of the Dominican Republic and has quietly climbed up the prospect rankings for the organization. In 2025 he started the season with the High-A Spokane Indians and allowed just a single earned run over 15 appearances with an ERA of 0.49, six walks to 29 strikeouts, and ten saves over 18.1 innings of work.

He was promoted mid-season to the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats, where he posted a 3.50 ERA over 37 appearances with another seven saves over 46.1 innings. Herrera also played in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters.

Herrera started the 2026 season with Triple-A Albuquerque, where he has a 5.16 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League over 16 appearances and has struck out 34 batters over 22.2 innings.

With Herrera already on the 40-man roster after being protected from the Rule-5 draft, there were no additional moves necessary. He will wear no. 59 and is likely to make his Major League debut during the series in Los Angeles.

The Rockies also announced one additional move on Monday. Left-handed pitcher Carson Palmquist (no. 19 PuRP) has been traded to the Washington Nationals for cash considerations after being designated for assignment last week.

Palmquist, 25, struggled in the Rockies rotation after being called up to make his debut last season. He was eventually moved to the bullpen. In nine appearances—seven of which were starts—he posted an ERA of 8.91 and gave up ten home runs over 34.1 innings. Palmquist had continued to struggle this season in Triple-A Albuquerque, where he made 12 appearances—five of which were starts—with a 7.20 ERA, 19 walks, and 24 strikeouts over 25 innings.

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FSU softball outfielder Addie DeLong is entering the transfer portal. The sophomore announced the news Monday on social media.

DeLong played in one game in 2026 for FSU, serving as a pinch runner and stealing a base before she suffered an injury early in the year that ended her season. She played in 55 games as a true freshman in 2025, hitting .333 in 30 at-bats with one double, one triple, and two RBI. She stole six bases and was expected to have a bigger role this season.

She is the first FSU player to publicly announce their plans after the end of the 2026 season. She included in her announcement that she will have three seasons of eligibility moving forward.

DeLong is from Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and was one of the top members of FSU's 2024 signing class. She was ranked as the No. 25 overall player and No. 3 outfielder by Softball America.

She is the first player that FSU has lost to the transfer portal since 2024. The Seminoles, who had just two seniors last year, are expected to bring back the vast majority of their roster as they gear up for a 2027 season that will see them return nearly all of their production from 2026.

After spending two years at Florida State, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility left.

So excited to see the big plans God has in store for me! @FootDoctor_Esiapic.twitter.com/a6VvFphqrM

— Addie DeLong (@AddieD00) May 25, 2026

Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Softball: Addie DeLong to enter transfer portal

Casper Ruud said he felt he was almost "walking around like a zombie" at times as he struggled in extreme heat during his first-round win over Roman Safiullin at the French Open.

Temperatures were said to have reached 33C on the first two days of the tournament in Paris, causing uncomfortable conditions for some.

Norwegian Ruud spurned five match points in the third set against Safiullin, by which time he said he had already started to feel cramping in his legs.

He later had medical timeouts and used ice towels and water to try to cool himself during changes of ends.

From 5-2 down in the third set, Russian qualifier Safiullin won 11 consecutive games to force a decider - but he also had injury problems which required treatment towards the end of the fourth set.

Both players left the court for an extended period before the fifth set, after which 15th seed Ruud eventually completed a 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 0-6 6-2 victory. The contest lasted three hours and 56 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

• GB's Boulter scrapes into French Open second round
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Ruud, a two-time runner-up at Roland Garros, said: "As we know, there's a bit of a heatwave at the moment and that can sometimes cause problems.

"It felt like it was a bit of a kind of heatstroke feeling. I experienced something similar some years ago when I played in Washington DC and I had to retire in the third set because I had that - that's the only time I had that same feeling as I had today in the fourth set where I felt at times really dizzy, really tired and walking around like a zombie almost.

"Luckily, I was 2-1 up still and allowed myself to kind of lower the intensity a bit to get my pulse and body temperature down as much as possible in the fourth to see if there was any chance to finish in the fifth and have some extra energy. Luckily, that ended up working."

Asked if he felt it was a mental victory or physical victory, the 27-year-old said: "It feels like a mental win.

"At times in the fourth [set] I was thinking 'I have to book the flight home tomorrow and I'll be watching from home on the sofa the next two weeks'. Luckily, that's not the case.

"Physically, also, I'm proud because I never really gave in. I didn't give up."

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The New Orleans Saints selected WR Bryce Lance in the fourth round of the NFL draft. What is his realistic 2026 fantasy outlook, and how might his presence impact Chris Olave, Jordan Tyson, and Devaughn Vele.

If you believe in Lance’s rookie breakout potential, then at least three things have to go right. First, he needs to beat out Vele for a starting job. Tyson—the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft —will presumably start alongside Olave. Second, QB Tyler Shough needs to take another step forward, creating a pathway for feeding three receivers. Third, Lance needs to prove he’s NFL-ready.

That last condition is key. He’s faced only one FBS team -- Colorado in 2024 -- when Lance mustered a 3-32-0 receiving line. He beat up on nearly everyone else that season, finishing the year with a 75-1,071-17 line. The next year, versus all non-FBS opponents, his yardage per game increased, but his receptions and touchdowns per game dropped.

Lance already has to carve out a role behind two high-upside wideouts and two capable, established tight ends. Whether or not Alvin Kamara is sent packing, Travis Etienne should see plenty of work, including near the goal line.

The market places Olave (WR13 ADP) and Tyson (WR32 ADP) well ahead of Lance (WR104 ADP). It accurately signals Lance’s uphill climb to fantasy relevance in Year 1.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Bryce Lance's rookie fantasy outlook and impact on Saints' teammates

SC Paderborn goalkeeper Dennis Seimen could hardly put his emotions into words after the club secured promotion to the Bundesliga with an extra-time play-off win over VfL Wolfsburg on Monday night.

“What has happened here is unique,” Seimen told Sky Germany after the game, adding that he was in a celebratory mood.

“I think we’re all party animals tonight. I’ll go everywhere and be part of everything.”

Seimen is on loan from VfB Stuttgart, where he is likely to be installed as first-choice goalkeeper next season. Accordingly, this was likely his last game for Paderborn.

MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that she has “no issue” with her country hosting Iran’s World Cup team after its training base was moved from the United States to Mexico for the summer soccer competition.

The team will still play its group stage matches in the U.S. but its base has been moved to Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California, a move that Iran’s soccer federation announced recently and that was formally confirmed by FIFA, the sport’s governing body, on Monday.

Moving the training base comes against the backdrop of the war in Iran, which the U.S. and Israel launched on Feb. 28.

Sheinbaum said at a news conference Monday that she was told by a FIFA representative the U.S. was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside the games on U.S. territory.

“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative had then asked, “Can they stay overnight in Mexico?”

“And we said, ‘Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that’,” she said.

Iran’s soccer team is slated to play matches in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and against Belgium six days later, before facing Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

Before the war broke out, the team was originally planned to set up its base in Tucson, Arizona. But with tensions simmering, Iran’s team moved its base to Tijuana in Mexico, Sheinbaum said, confirming an announcement by the Iranian federation over the weekend. The federation said the Iranians had received approval from FIFA, which made the move official on Monday when it released the lists of all 48 base camp sites.

Teams use base camps to train before and after matches. This year’s World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The possibility of a move had simmered for months in the uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East and security concerns. U.S. sanctions on Iran were likely to only make the team’s stay in the U.S. more complex.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday that President Donald Trump had made it clear the Iranian team was welcome to participate in the tournament.

The department’s statement did not address where the team might stay, or Sheinbaum’s comments.

Sheinbaum said that her government was working with FIFA to hash out all the details before the competition.

AP sports writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.

Kalshi Promo Code TSNEWS: Get $10 NBA Prediction Bonus for Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 4 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

New customers can take advantage of an awesome welcome offer before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. By signing up here with the Kalshi promo code TSNEWS, you will get a $10 bonus that unlocks right after making your first $10 in trades.

It’s a straightforward way to build your bankroll for today’s huge Knicks vs. Cavaliers matchup at Rocket Arena, as well as the Spurs vs. Thunder. We're in this together, so let's break down exactly how to get started.

Explaining the Kalshi Promo Code TSNEWS

Listen, if you want to get into the action of prediction markets, this is your perfect entry point. New customers can secure this $10 sign-up bonus by simply creating a new account and making a first-time deposit of at least $1. Once your account is funded, that $10 bonus unlocks the moment you have made $10 in trades on prediction markets.

Kalshi offers a unique trading platform where you can forecast real-world events, and the best part is that it's legally available in all 50 states. Just remember that you must be at least 18 years old to play.

Making Trades on Game 4: Can the Knicks Complete the Sweep?

When I'm getting ready to trade my first $10 on a matchup, I always dig into the numbers to see where the real value lies. If you trade your $10 on the favored New York Knicks and they pull it off, you secure a solid, reliable profit. Feeling bold? Backing the underdog Cleveland Cavaliers with that same $10 trade gives you a shot at a much larger return if they can manage the upset.

Looking at the 2025 postseason team metrics, the Knicks give us a highly compelling case as the favorite. New York boasts a dominant 18.1 Net Rate, which completely outclasses Cleveland’s flat 0.0 mark. On top of that, the Knicks are crashing the glass beautifully, pulling down 55.1% of available rebounds compared to the Cavaliers' 50.4%. With those kinds of statistical advantages, making your trades on New York feels like the smartest baseline strategy.

Looking Ahead: Trade on Spurs vs. Thunder Tomorrow

Your trading strategy doesn't have to stop after the final buzzer sounds at Rocket Arena. I’m already scoping out tomorrow's slate, and the Spurs vs. Thunder matchup is shaping up to be a fantastic opportunity. Once you've got your feet wet with today's games, you can dive right into tomorrow's action.

You can use your unlocked bonus funds or make fresh trades predicting the specific outcomes of the San Antonio and Oklahoma City showdown. It's all about keeping the momentum going and finding favorable matchups day after day.

How to Activate the Kalshi Promo Code: TSNEWS

Ready to jump in before the Knicks and Cavaliers tip off? Claiming your welcome offer is incredibly simple. I've done this myself, and here are the exact steps to get your bonus activated:

1. Create an Account: Register here by entering your standard personal information. As part of the standard regulatory process, you will also need to provide proof of identification—standard stuff to keep your account secure.
2. Enter the Promo Code: During registration, make absolutely sure to enter the Kalshi promo code TSNEWS to opt into the promotion.
3. Make a Deposit: Fund your new account with a first-time deposit of at least $1.
4. Start Trading: Make $10 worth of trades on the platform to activate the offer. Here is a great tip: you do not have to make a single trade worth $10. You can spread it out over multiple smaller trades—like picking different outcomes for tonight's New York vs. Cleveland game—as long as the cumulative sum of your trades hits $10.

Once your total trading volume reaches that $10 requirement, your $10 sign-up bonus will be unlocked and credited to your account.

Novig Promo Code TSNEWS50: Get $50 Bonus for Knicks-Cavs 4 Predictions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

We have a real chance to build our bankrolls tonight. Ahead of the crucial playoff matchup between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, new customers can sign up here with the Novig promo code TSNEWS50.

By making a standard $5 purchase within the platform, you will receive $50 in Novig Coins to use for your upcoming predictions. It is the perfect way to get in on the action for today's NBA clash, but the beauty of this offer is its flexibility. You can use your newly acquired Novig Coins to make trades on any NBA game, the NHL playoffs, or regular-season MLB action this week.

Novig Promo Code TSNEWS50 for NBA Predictions

Unlocking this welcome offer is incredibly straightforward, though it is important to remember that this promotion is exclusively available to new users. By registering a first-time account and completing a qualifying $5 spend on the platform, eligible customers will automatically receive $50 in Novig Coins to unleash on the upcoming sports schedule.

This bonus arrives at the exact right time for tonight's NBA postseason showdown at Rocket Arena. As the Knicks take on the Cavaliers, you can apply your $50 in Novig Coins to back either side. And if you want to look beyond the hardwood, these Novig Coins provide fantastic flexibility, allowing you to chase bigger payouts across the rest of the week's sporting events.

Markets for Game 4: Knicks vs. Cavaliers

When I am handicapping the best bets for our Novig promo tonight, I always start by looking at the recent trends—and right now, they heavily favor the road squad. The New York Knicks are a flawless 5-0 against the spread (ATS) over their last five games, matching that exact 5-0 ATS record in their last five road contests.

Backing New York to cover the -2.5 spread looks like a highly advantageous wager, especially when you consider the Cleveland Cavaliers are just 1-5 against the Knicks in their last six meetings and a concerning 1-4 in their last five playoff games.

If you are eyeing the 218.5 total, the trends lean slightly toward the over. The over has hit in three of New York's last four road games, as well as three of Cleveland's last four games following a loss.

The underlying team metrics highlight a massive performance gap. New York boasts a dominant 18.1 Net Rating and is grabbing 55.1% of available rebounds this postseason. Conversely, the Cavaliers have a flat -0.0 Net Rating and a 50.4% Total Rebound Percentage. Without specific player data to key in on, leveraging these robust team metrics is our best strategy. I'm taking the Knicks to cover the spread—it offers the best angle for a winning ticket tonight.

Steps to Register with the Novig Promo Code

Ready to put your action on tonight's Knicks vs. Cavaliers matchup? Claiming your welcome bonus is a straightforward process. Just follow these steps, and you'll be ready to trade with confidence:

1. Create Your Account: Register for a new account here by providing standard personal information (such as your name, date of birth, and address).
2. Verify Your Identity: Provide proof of identification to complete the secure verification process.
3. Enter the Code: When prompted during registration, be sure to use the Novig promo code TSNEWS50.
4. Fund Your Account: Make a first-time deposit using one of the available banking methods.
5. Place Your Wager: Spend $5 in the app—whether you are backing the Knicks to cover the spread, taking a side on the total, or trading on the NHL playoffs—to fully activate your offer and claim your $50 in Novig Coins.

Libertad and UCV FC clash this Wednesday at the Estádio Tigo La Huerta of the Copa Libertadores.

In their last game, Libertad lost 2-1 against Nacional (Paraguayan League Apertura 2026). In their last encounter, UCV FC were beaten 2-1 by Academia Puerto Cabello (Liga FUTVE Triunfobet 2026).

Unavailable

Libertad

• Hugo Fernández - Ligament Tear
• Alexis Duarte - Ligament Tear

UCV FC

Last starting XIs

Libertad ( vs Nacional 2026-05-24): Víctor Rojas, Diego Viera, Alexis Fretes, Néstor Giménez, Matías Espinoza, Hugo Martínez, Hernesto Caballero, Axel Bernal, Lorenzo Melgarejo, Gustavo Aguilar, Marcelo Fernández

UCV FC ( vs Academia Puerto Cabello 2026-05-23): Giancarlo Schiavone, Kendrys Silva, Alfonso Simarra, Adrián Martínez, Daniel Carrillo, Daniel De Sousa, Vicente Rodríguez, Alexander González, Juan Cuesta, Jovanny Bolívar, Juan Zapata

Did you know...by playmaker stats

MANAGERS

• Francisco Arce has faced Daniel Sasso on one occasion, recording one defeat.
• Daniel Sasso has faced Libertad on one occasion, recording one win.
• Francisco Arce has faced UCV FC on one occasion, recording one defeat.

TEAMS

• Away from home, UCV FC have won one of their last nine matches at the moment.
• Away from home, UCV FC are on a run of seven consecutive matches without a win.
• Away from home, UCV FC are on a run of two consecutive defeats.
• UCV FC have won two of their last 12 matches at the moment.
• UCV FC are on a run of four consecutive matches without a win.
• UCV FC are coming off two consecutive defeats.
• At home, Libertad are on a run of two consecutive matches without defeat.
• Libertad have drawn two of their last 23 matches at the moment.
• Libertad are on a run of three consecutive matches without a win.
• Libertad are coming off two consecutive defeats.

HEAD TO HEAD

• Libertad and UCV FC have met once before, with UCV FC having the advantage: one win
• In the Copa Libertadores, a match took place between the two teams, with a win for UCV FC

As the great Richard Petty told me recently, NASCAR faces the challenge of “not having a fox for the dogs to chase anymore.” His point: In the early days of the series, there were colorful characters who brought stock car racing to life - Fireball Roberts, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker - and later, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, to name a few.

Within those ranks, intense rivalries developed. Take Gordon and Earnhardt, Sr. The former was seen more as the clean-cut upstart that battled the meaner and more established Earnhardt, known as The Intimidator. White-collar younger fans tended to gravitate toward Gordon, Earnhardt appealed more to old-school blue-collar types.

One of the sport’s last colorful characters, Kyle Busch, sadly passed away last week. The cause of the 41-year-old’s death was not a racing crash, as with Earnhardt in 2001, but reportedly pneumonia which quickly escalated to sepsis. Busch leaves behind a wife and two children, and his brother, Kurt, also a well-known racer.

Despite his many many racing accomplishments - including more than 60 Cup wins, 102 victories in what’s now known as the Xfinity series and 69 wins in the Truck series - Busch never crossed the finish line in the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s crown jewel. But he did finish second, third and fourth in the race. This year, he claimed the prestigious Pole position.

Early in his career, Busch could be a prickly character on the track and with the media. Either fans liked that or they didn’t. This reporter didn’t like Busch much early on, and when watching races it was mostly to see him lose, something he rarely did. As Clint Boyer once joked with me, “Kyle Busch is a pain in the ass on all fronts, but he’s extremely talented.”

Later in his career, Busch mellowed, and, according to some naysayers, developed a “nicer guy” image. Kyle Busch, a nice guy? He even won me over.

Busch will be sorely missed by his family, fellow competitors and fans from all all racing series across the world. During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Just when the Avalanche got back reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar, Colorado might be without Hart Trophy finalist Nathan MacKinnon.

Or, at least, will have a highly limited MacKinnon, which was what he was after taking a puck to his right knee in Sunday night's 5-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

It's been that kind of series for the Avalanche, the Presidents' Trophy winners going down 3-0 in the Western Conference Final. With the possibility of being swept Tuesday night, coach Jared Bednar will take MacKinnon in any form he can get him.

“For him to be able to come back out, get some work done late in the second period and intermission and be able to come out and even help us on the power play and empty-net situations, if that’s all he can do, we’ll take it," Bednar said. "It’s better than anything else, in my opinion, we can put on the ice.”

That comment could get plenty of attention in the Avalanche locker room, but as it is, the Golden Knights have Colorado's full focus.

The odds might have been in the Avalanche's favor before the series began — the team with the league's best record going against one so desperate to make the playoffs that it fired its coach with eight games remaining — but not now.

The numbers, in fact, are daunting.

This is the 50th time in the conference finals or league semifinals that a series has gone to 3-0. All previous 49 teams with that advantage went on to make the Stanley Cup Final, with 47 ending the series in six games or fewer.

Only four teams have erased 3-0 deficits in any round. Los Angeles in 2014 was the most recent team to accomplish that in eliminating San Jose in their first-round series.

And then there's the so-called Presidents' Trophy curse. Chicago in 2013 was the last team to claim that and the Stanley Cup in the same season. Colorado already had firsthand knowledge of the difficulty of pulling off the double, winning the Presidents' Trophy in the 2021 COVID-shortened season before going out in six games in the second round ... to the Golden Knights.

“There’s going to be a sense of urgency, but it’s got to be smart urgency,” defenseman Josh Manson said. "It’s got to be desperation. It’s got to be our best style of play the whole night. You’ve got to maintain that sense of do or die, while playing up to the edge. That’s what makes it so difficult.

“The margin of error is so thin now, and you’ve got to be able to balance that for at least 12 periods.”

It will take at least that many periods for the Avalanche to accomplish what no other team has done this deep into the playoffs. They will have to play like the team that looked like the NHL's best for six months and then the first two rounds of the playoffs when they went 8-1.

“We know where we’re at,” wing Martin Necas said. “We know it doesn’t happen very often, but we still feel confident in this group. It’s not like we’ve been outplayed every game and their team is better than ours. We had a lot of stretches this season where we won four in a row. So we just focus on the next game and take it home and anything can happen.”

Getting it back to Denver for Game 5 would be a start.

“Our team's played with more intensity and more desperation as the series (has) gone on,” Bednar said. "Hasn’t worked out for us yet. I think with the hill to climb, it’s definitely a tough one. It just doesn’t happen very often, and we’re certainly understanding of that, but I think we have a lot of pride and a lot of character in our room that displayed that time over time throughout the course of the year,

"This will be our most difficult challenge, but I believe that we will show up and we will be ready to play.”

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Toronto Blue Jays are placing one of the most reliable starters in baseball on the injured list.

Dylan Cease is headed to the 15-day IL with a hamstring strain. Manager John Schneider announced the transaction to reporters on Monday. Cease was limited to 4 2/3 innings in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates due to the injury.

All-Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., meanwhile, is considered day-to-day due to elbow soreness. Guerrero was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in the same game vs. the Pirates and left in the fifth inning.

Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament

Per Schneider, Guerrero could be available off the bench for Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins, but the Blue Jays “didn't want to push it” by placing him in the starting lineup.

As for Cease, Schneider is hoping that his stint on the IL will be abbreviated.

"It doesn't look too terrible, knock on wood," Schneider said, per Sportsnet. "Just trying to be smart and not have it get worse. Don't know the exact timeline yet ... hoping it's a minimal stay."

Cease joined the Blue Jays in the offseason on a seven-year, $210 million contract. He’s responded with a career-best 3.05 ERA in 62 innings as part of a 1-2 punch at the top of Toronto’s rotation alongside veteran Blue Jay Kevin Guasman.

He is not known for lengthy stints on the injured list. Cease has made at least 32 starts and thrown at least 165 innings in each of the last five seasons with the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He’ll certainly hope for a quick return as he seeks to make his first MLB All-Star game at 30 years old.

The Blue Jays can’t afford to lose him for long. They’ve followed up their trip to the 2025 World Series with a disappointing 25-28 start as of Monday.

They announced last week that veteran starter José Berríos won’t return this season from a stress fracture in his elbow and instead required Tommy John surgery.

Cease has been a bright spot amid Toronto’s lackluster start. A quick return will be key to the Blue Jays’ chances of making a return to playoff contention.

PITTSBURGH — Five appearances and two stints into his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wilber Dotel earned his first big-league win.

The 23-year-old rookie threw three-scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the Pirates in their 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Starter Carmen Mlodzinski left the game after five innings with the score tied 1-1, and Dotel was pitching when Henry Davis hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning.

“It’s awesome,” manager Don Kelly said of Dotel getting his first win. ” Three innings out of the ‘pen in that situation in such a close game. Mixed, changed speeds, threw strikes. He was tremendous.”

Dotel entered in the sixth inning and stranded a Moisés Ballesteros one-out single. He then recorded two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 seventh inning. After Davis put the Pirates ahead in the bottom of the seventh, Dotel went back out for the eighth inning and delivered another scoreless frame.

“That was great,” Mlodzinski said of Dotel’s performance. “I feel like he went right after guys. It was a 1-1 game and it looked like we were winning 10-0 which is a compliment to his composure on the mound, which is super-important in a game that is close.”

Dotel, who has been used as a starting pitcher for the majority of his minor-league career, has slotted in nicely to a bullpen that has had its struggles this season.

“It feels really comfortable,” Dotel said of pitching out of the bullpen through coach/interpreter Stephen Morales. “My job is to eat innings. I they need me for one or for three out four, I’ll be ready.”

Despite being a rookie, Dotel has shown plenty of composure on the mound. After Monday’s masterful performance, the right-hander has a 1.69 ERA, having allowed two runs on six hits in 10.1 innings.

His confidence seems to be growing with each outing.

“It’s strong right now,” Dotel said of his confidence. “It all comes from my hard work and then trusting my abilities.”

Kelly, who said he thought Dotel looked good during his first stint with the Pirates earlier in the year, has seen him grow as a pitcher even more of late.

“Looks a little more comfortable now, getting some innings under his belt and starting to understand how to attack guys,” said Kelly.

Given that the Pirates bullpen this season has been shaky and Dotel has looked solid through the first handful of outings to begin his career, he looks like a player poised to take on a larger role.

The post Pirates’ Wilber Dotel Earns First Win, Looks Poised for Bigger Role appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.

49ers' most intriguing UDFA could be 105-tackle former Tennessee star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Francisco 49ers are preparing to contend again in 2026. The team had an excellent 12-5 record last year but still finished in third in the extremely tough NFC West. 

This offseason, the team added several talented players in a bid to get even further in 2026. Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans was added to the wide receiver room, while Dre Greenlaw and Osa Odighizuwa were added to the defense. 

The 49ers, especially recently, always get roasted for their draft performances. However, the team signed some interesting undrafted free agents, and it wouldn't be surprising if a couple of these guys make the team. 

There's definitely one UDFA who stands out above the rest, though. 

Tennessee's Bryson Eason named 49ers best UDFA 

One of the undrafted defenders the 49ers signed was Tennessee's Bryson Eason. Eason played in parts of six season for the Volunteers and was widely expected to be a late-round pick. 

However, for one reason or another, Eason fell completely out of the draft. The defender went through several changes in college, originally coming in as a linebacker and leaving school as a massive run-stuffing defensive tackle. 

This change could work wonders for Eason, especially in San Francisco. Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport identified Eason as the best UDFA in the 49ers' class and offered the following analysis: 

Eason arrived in Knoxville as an oversized inside linebacker. He left Knoxville as just oversized—a 323-pound lane-clogger of a defensive tackle.

A lack of statistical production and uneven tape led to Eason going undrafted. But the physical tools are there—enough so that he has a puncher's chance of carving out a rotational role along San Francisco's defensive front.

As Davenport mentioned, Eason likely went undrafted due to his production not meeting expectations. However, the Tennessee product has all of the physical traits, and has plenty of big-game experience. 

San Francisco was a great landing spot for Eason as the team has had no problem developing defensive linemen. The edges in San Francisco are set, but the interior isn't the deepest, so it's not hard to imagine Eason breaking through. 

In 2025, Eason played in 13 games for the Volunteers and racked up 31 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Eason won't give you much pass rush, but he clogs running lanes and has a high football IQ. In total, Eason racked up 105 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks during his college career. 

More NFL news:

• Is Carnell Tate going to be a WR1 for the Titans?
• Will the Cardinals give up on Carson Beck quickly?
• Jets get good and bad news regarding the 2027 draft
• One analyst loved what the Cowboys did in 2026 draft
• Vikings roasted for questionable 2026 draft
• Jaguars, James Gladstone's 2026 draft graded harshly

NEED TO KNOW

• Lionel Messi left the field during Sunday’s game after reaching for his left hamstring as a precaution
• A journalist clarified Messi does not have a muscle injury but chose to avoid further strain or risks
• Earlier this year, Messi made headlines when a fan tackled him during a friendly match in Puerto Rico

Lionel Messi left fans worried after limping off of the field with an apparent hamstring issue over the weekend.

During the Major League Soccer matchup on Sunday, May 24, the Argentina-born soccer superstar, 38, left the pitch after reaching for his left hamstring during the game.

PEOPLE has reached out to Inter Miami for comment.

Journalist Gastón Edul said in an X post, originally penned in Spanish. “Leo Messi requested to be substituted as a precautionary measure because his hamstring tightened up. He does not have a muscle injury. He did not continue to put strain on the area or take any risks.”

Earlier this year, the Inter Miami player also made headlines after an unexpected encounter with a fan during a friendly match against Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Video from the game showed a shirtless fan sprinting across the field while being chased by security guards before reaching Messi and hugging him from behind as the athlete posed for a photo on the field.

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Security eventually tackled the fan while he was still holding onto Messi, briefly pulling the soccer star to the ground in the process. Messi appeared unharmed following the incident.

According to an Inter Miami press release, the game marked the fourth stop on the team’s Champions Tour. Inter Miami defeated Independiente del Valle 2-1, with Messi and teammate Santiago Morales both scoring during the match.

Read the original article on People

The 67th running of the Coca-Cola 600 wasn't the best oval finish of Shane van Gisbergen's NASCAR career, but it was his most impressive to those paying attention to the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.

SVG's best Cup finish on an oval came at Atlanta earlier this year, placing sixth. He has one other top ten -- P10 at Kansas last fall. Charlotte was oh so close to becoming his third oval top ten on Sunday, but instead, it was his fourth 11th place finish since moving up to the Cup Series (all on different oval tracks).

But that doesn't even begin to tell the whole story. After starting third due to qualifying being rained out, Van Gisbergen did not fade at all. He remained inside the top five for some time, and never really fell outside the top ten for the majority of the race.

Scoring stage points and leading late

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing

At the end of Stage 1 he was 10th, at the end of Stage 2 he was 9th, and at the end of Stage 3 he was 7th -- five extra points for his efforts.

But in the final stage, Van Gisbergen made some big moves to challenge for a spot inside the top five. He the stayed out on older tires, but managed to hold the lead for 11 laps with rain threatening. 36 laps after losing control of the race, rain did end the event, with Daniel Suarez claiming the victory.

SVG ultimately finished 11th through some chaotic restarts and a sluggish pit stop. Still, it was enough for him to jump two positions in the standings, and he is no longer on the Chase bubble.

Van Gisbergen was thrilled with the run, but admittedly 'pissed' that he missed out on a top ten with how much time he spent near the front of the field.

"It’s hard," said Van Gisbergen. "I had an amazing day, but I’m pissed. We were a top-five or six car, but we just didn’t execute at the end. It was really cool to run up front all day. We were gifted a good starting position with qualifying getting canceled. It was a good call by Stephen (Doran, crew chief) to stay out there. It was awesome to be able to lead some laps.”

However, his main adjective for the night was 'fun,' especially when he got to rip the top and make gains as the tires began to wear on longer runs.

And despite the end result, it was clearly his strongest oval race yet. He even out-paced teammate Ross Chastain (before his mid-race crash), which is extra impressive considering the fact that Chastain won last year's Coca-Cola 600.

Cool to start up the front and stay there, heaps of fun to run there, it was awesome. Disappointed to finish 11th after all that but thanks to the #97 SuperFile crew for the hard work! pic.twitter.com/oH5x0exDrj

— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) May 25, 2026

Scott McLaughlin thought "if I crash, I crash" before mad Indy 500 charge to P3

Full race results from the 2026 NASCAR Coca-Cola 600

Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after the 2026 Coca Cola 600

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Independiente del Valle host Rosario Central this Wednesday at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil of the Copa Libertadores.

In their last encounter, Independiente del Valle were beaten 2-3 by Libertad de Loja (Ecuador League 2026). In their last game, Rosario Central won 4-0 against UCV FC (Copa Libertadores 2026).

Unavailable

Independiente del Valle

• Patrik Mercado - Cruciate Ligament Tear
• Guido Villar - Knee Injury
• Jean Arroyo - Tibia And Fibula Fracture
• Richard Schunke - Cartilage Damage

Rosario Central

Last starting XIs

Independiente del Valle ( vs Libertad de Loja 2026-05-23): Aldair Quintana, Darwin Guagua, Gustavo Cortez, Juan Viacava, Andy Velasco, Jhon Espinoza, Matías Perello, Ronald Briones, Jhegson Méndez, Youri Ochoa, Djorkaeff Reasco

Rosario Central ( vs UCV FC 2026-05-19): Jeremías Ledesma, Emanuel Coronel, Gastón Ávila, Facundo Mallo, Agustín Sández, Vicente Pizarro, Franco Ibarra, Ángel di María, Julián Fernández, Enzo Copetti, Alejo Veliz

Did you know...by playmaker stats

MANAGERS

• Joaquín Papa has faced Jorge Almirón on one occasion, recording a draw.
• Jorge Almirón has faced Independiente del Valle on three occasions, recording two draws and one defeat
• Joaquín Papa has faced Rosario Central on one occasion, recording a draw.

TEAMS

• Rosario Central currently have one defeat in their last ten matches.
• Rosario Central currently have one draw in their last 11 matches.
• At home, Independiente del Valle currently have two defeats in their last ten matches.
• At home, Independiente del Valle are coming off four consecutive games scoring goals.
• Independiente del Valle currently have three defeats in their last 16 matches.
• Independiente del Valle currently have one draw in their last 17 matches.
• Independiente del Valle are coming off five consecutive games scoring goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

• Independiente del Valle and Rosario Central have already faced each other once, with no advantage between Independiente del Valle and Rosario Central: zero wins for either team in one match.
• In the Copa Libertadores, a match was played between the two teams, ending in a draw

VfL Wolfsburg have been relegated from the Bundesliga after losing the second leg of their play-off 2-1 against SC Paderborn after extra time on Monday night.

Speaking to Sky Germany after the match, Wolfsburg supervisory board member Diego Benaglio expressed the depth of the disappointment.

He pointed to Joakim Mæhle’s early red card, which came after Dženan Pejcinović had given Wolfsburg the lead, as a decisive blow for Die Wölfe.

“The disappointment is huge for all of us. Right now, I just feel empty. We gave everything. Over 100 minutes with one man down – it wasn’t easy. It feels brutal,” Benaglio said.

“We started the match really well with the goal. And before the game I could also sense from the lads that they were fired up, that they were burning. I’m convinced that with eleven men we wouldn’t have lost this match.”

VfL Wolfsburg and Diego Benaglio will now have to come to terms with the fact that they will be playing 2. Bundesliga football next season.

Houston Astros @ Texas Rangers

Monday, May 25, 2026, 6:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Tatsuya Imai vs. RHP Kumar Rocker

Go Rangers!

Crystal River High School (Fla.) has finally found who will be the next head football coach of their program.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

Brooksville (Fla.) Hernando offensive coordinator Brice Spaulding has been tabbed as the Pirates’ next head football coach. Spaulding spoke to Rivals on Monday regarding his appointment as Crystal River’s new lead man of the football program.

“I am very excited to come into the Crystal River Football Program as the Head Coach,” Spaulding said to Rivals on Monday. “The opportunity to lead a program so rich in history is absolutely humbling. To be able to put my name in with the previous Head Coaches to lead this program makes me very proud. The legacy that Earl Bramlett has in this program is one that I aspire for. The community support surrounding pirate football is absolutely second to none. My relationship with Athletic Director Mark Lee and Principal Phil McCloud was a huge part of what made this opportunity so great for me. An admin team that I am fully aligned with will allow me to accomplish something great here.”

Coming in strong with a standard heavy focus, and a team that will be built through Grit in the weight room. Crystal River Football will pull itself back to the top in the region where it belongs. For me this is my dream job. This is the only head coach job that I have ever wanted. Leading the team at the center of the community that I live in is a goal I have aspired for since I began coaching. This program has a ton of talent that has just been waiting for strong leadership and direction. A bunch of hardworking athletes that want to win. Big things are coming for Crystal River Football.”

The Pirates initially had hired former Division I offensive coordinator Bill Legg as the program’s head coach before a month later he stepped down.

Crystal River has seen somewhat of a revolving door at the head coaching position in recent memory as the Pirates have seen Bill Vonada and Chris Cook, respectively, as the coaches between the 2024 and 2025 Florida high school football seasons. The Pirates won a district championship in 2024, going 6-5 by Vonada before the longtime head coach decided to step down after the season.

Last season, Crystal River finished as the state’s No. 387 ranked team, according to the final 2025 Florida High School Football Massey Rankings.

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.

What we saw late Sunday night after a 5-3 Game 3 loss was the same as what was clear on Monday morning when Jared Bednar, Brock Nelson, Josh Manson, Martin Necas, and Sam Malinski met with the media on an off-ice day.

The Colorado Avalanche are still stunned — they’re in disbelief — and it doesn’t seem like they have entirely grasped what has happened over the past five days.

What was supposed to be a competitive advantage in the Western Conference Final has turned into anything but that. The Avs are now a game away from elimination, but still four back of a Stanley Cup Final berth. The injuries are piling up, but that’s not the only reason they’re losing.

Colorado isn’t getting nearly as many saves as the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Avs’ offense isn’t generating as many high-danger opportunities as Vegas.

The Avalanche are straying away from their structure far more than the opposition.

Most importantly, the Avs look scared. For three games, they’ve looked like a team afraid to make mistakes, of giving the game away, and far too nervous with the puck at key moments. Those are all things an opportunistic team like Vegas can sniff out of an opponent.

“Everyone’s down in the dumps right now, and that’s what the next 36 hours are for to get our team back and make sure our focus is in the right place,” Bednar said postgame. “It seems like a tough hill to climb, too, obviously, especially against a tough team like Vegas.”

On Monday, the message wasn’t much different. The Avalanche know it’s not over until a team wins four games. But they also seem a bit delusional about what’s going on. The underlying numbers show that they’re playing well. It really could and should be a 2-1 series if they got one more save in any one of these games.

But beyond that, Vegas has been the one in control for three games. The Avalanche have spent most of the time chasing and have been the inferior team when it comes to grabbing a hold of games.

“I think it’s a fine line. The spirit is there. The work ethic is there,” Bednar said. “We’re having what’s proved to be the most difficult for us, in my opinion, is sort of eliminating a couple of these big mistakes in this game. And that’s likely due a little bit to their pressure and the way they play.”

Game 4 seems like the inevitable end to the Avalanche’s season. If they can escape that game with a win, they’d still need two more to force a winner-take-all Game 7 at home. The task is not impossible, but pretty close to it. Especially given the general vibe around the team — the feeling that they just might be resigned to their fate.

“Starts with one game, that’s what it comes down to,” Nelson said. “Not taking anything for granted, know that everything matters, and margin for error is razor thin. … Just do whatever it takes.”

The post ‘Down in the Dumps’ Avalanche Look Mentally Defeated as Elimination Nears appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone (unless you are a Canadian, like me, in which case, happy very belated Victoria Day). The Rays are facing familiar foes this week, as they head to Baltimore to take on the Orioles. The O’s were just in St. Pete last week, where the Rays swept them. However, Baltimore might be feeling a little more emboldened. They took on the struggling Detroit Tigers over the weekend and took two of three games in that series. The Rays had Shane McClanahan on the mound, up against Kyle Bradish for the O’s. I don’t mind telling you that every time someone says Bradish’s last name, I hear it as “Radish” and it’s adorable.

With two outs in the top of the first, Jonathan Aranda doubled, but the Rays weren’t able to bring him home. In the home half, the Orioles went down in order.

The second inning was a speedy affair on both sides, and each team went down in order. It is a good time to acknowledge a classy gesture from Orioles fans as they gave Cedric Mullins a big round of applause when he came out for his first at-bat. That speaks volumes about a player when they are still so beloved by a team after they’ve moved on to a new club.

In the third, with two outs, Chandler Simspon singled. Junior Caminero then singled right behind him. Unfortunately, the Rays simply weren’t able to bring their baserunners home. Blaze Alexander got the home half going with a leadoff single. With one out, Alexander was then caught stealing, eliminating the baserunner. Tyler O’Neill singled, but a lineout then ended the inning with no harm done.

Two outs into the fourth, Mullins got a walk, but the Rays were once again unable to convert the baserunner. McClanahan continued to deal in the bottom of the inning, working his way through the Orioles in order.

Taylor Walls got a one-out single in the top of the fifth. Once again, though, the Rays let an opportunity get by them. Bradish has been good, despite having some issues with command, and while the Rays were getting on base, they were also having a hard time finding opportunities to then score those runs. In the home half with one out, Leody Taveras singled on a bunt towards first that McClanahan tried to scoop toss towards first but ended up overthrowing and allowing Taveras to get to second. With two outs, Jackson Holliday walked, but McClanahan got redemption and the final out by making a much more secure toss to first after catching a soft comebacker.

The Rays finally broke up the scoreless game in the top of the sixth with a solo home run by Aranda. It bounced off the top of the outfield wall so there was some initial concern the O’s might challenge, but they didn’t.

With two outs, Mullins walked, his second of the game, but the Rays had to settle for just the one run. McClanahan returned for the sixth, only his second time all season going more than five innings. He’d likely be on a very short leash for the inning, though. With one out, Gunnar Henderson was hit in the back with a pitch. Shane was looking pretty fired up after the HBP, so Kyle Snyder headed out to cool him down (and likely give the bullpen a little extra time to warm up). He then walked Adley Rutschman, and that was it for McClanahan. His final line for the day was 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K on 84 pitches. Hunter Bigge came out of the pen to replace him and hopefully get the final two outs of the inning. The O’s went for a double steal, but Henderson got snagged going for third, getting the second out of the inning. They found themselves back in a similar situation, though, when Pete Alonso walked, putting two on again. Bigge managed to get himself out of a tight corner, though, getting the final out and keeping the Orioles off the scoreboard.

Grant Wolfram was in for Bradish in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Chandler Simpson doubled to center. Yennier Cano replaced Wolfram to get the final out of the inning. In the home half, the Bigge wheels kind of fell off. Taveras got a leadoff walk, then stole second. Bigge tried to pick him off at second and the ball went into center, Taveras ended up at third. Then, Alexander singled, and the Orioles managed to tie the game. This, of course, begs the eternal question: if a pitcher is the one who commits the error that ultimately causes a run to score, should they not still be responsible for the run? A question for the ages. Bigge’s day was done and he was replaced by Casey Legumina, who got the first out. With two outs, Taylor Ward singled into right and Victor Mesa Jr. did his darndest to get the ball over to third, but it went over Caminero’s glove and into the netting, putting it out of play and allowing another run to score. An error was charged to Mesa. The Rays got the final out of the inning at last, but the O’s had claimed the lead.

Sloppy fielding wasn’t restricted to the Rays for this game. Anthony Nunez came in to pitch and Yandy Diaz hit a one-out double to deep center, but Taveras bobbled the ball, dropping it before he could throw to second, and Diaz was able to get all the way to third. Taveras was charged with an error. Oliver Dunn came in to run for Diaz, and Richie Palacios singled to bring Dunn home. A Mullins groundout got Palacios to second, but a lineout by newbie Mesa Jr. ended the inning with a 2-2 tie. In the home half, Alonso got a one-out walk, but was eliminated in a double play to end the inning.

Rico Garcia was the new Orioles pitcher in the top of the ninth. With two outs, Simpson singled, but he was then caught stealing, killing the Rays’ chance at a tie-breaker unless the game headed to extras. Bryan Baker came in for the Rays in the bottom of the inning, and he got the Orioles out in order to force extras.

In the top of the tenth, with one out, Garcia intentionally walked Aranda to put two runners on. Oliver Dunn then walked to load the bases. In the absolute best scenario they could have had, Palacios struck out (and he was big mad about it) and Mullins hit a liner right to first base to end the potential rally. Ian Seymour was the new Rays pitcher. With one out, Taylor Ward was intentionally walked to put two on, but two outs followed to get the Rays out of the inning.

Tyler Wells came in for the O’s in the eleventh, and newbie Mesa Jr. finally got his redemption moment with a leadoff homer to score two runs. It was the only hit the Rays would get in the inning, but it was enough.

Pete Alonso singled to start the inning, and in an attempt to get the ball home, it actually ended up near the dugout, and the Orioles easily scored. Alonso moved to second. Chandler was charged with the error. Jeremiah Jackson singled to score Alonso with another poorly placed throw home. With one out, Alexander was walked intentionally. He then advanced to second on defensive indifference (more like fear of overthrowing another base), and while the Rays finally got out of the inning, they were right back to being tied.

In the twelfth, Caminero flied out to advance free runner Chandler to third, then Aranda hit a sac fly to bring him home and get the Rays back into the lead. They would have to settle for just the one run, but hopefully it would be enough.

Jesse Scholtens was the next Rays’ pitcher out of the pen, and all eyes were on him to keep the O’s from scoring. Ward flied out to advance the ghost runner Cowser to third. Gunnar Henderson reached on a fielder’s choice, but they got Cowser out at home. Henderson somehow ended up at third and Kevin Cash absolutely lost his mind. Henderson was forced to head back to first. Nick Fortes, meanwhile, was looking like he felt a little tender after getting plowed into by Cowser. The Orioles evidently decided on a Hail Mary play by challenging the safe call at home, claiming Cowser touched the plate before he was tagged out. Honestly, depending on what angle you look at, it could go either way. The call was then overturned, and the game was once again tied. Pete Alonso got a two-out single, but no additional runs scored and the game headed to the 13th.

Dietrich Enns came out, and Palacios singled, moving runner Dunn to third. Mullins then singled to bring Dunn home. A sac bunt by Mesa moved both baserunners into scoring position, then a Fortes sac fly scored Palacios. The Rays were up 7-5. Taveras started the home half with a double to score their free runner Jackson. Blaze Alexander singled, then a Holliday sac fly scored Alexander to re-tie the game for the millionth time. Cowser then homered, scoring two and walking off the game with an Orioles win.

Final: Orioles 9, Rays 7 (F/13)

The Longhorns baseball team has officially found out their postseason draw. A 40-13 regular season earned Texas a top eight seed, checking in a No. 6. That means they’ll be hosting three teams in Austin this weekend: UC Santa Barbara, Tarleton State and Holy Cross. According to the all-important RPI metric, it’s one of the easier draws Texas could’ve asked for. 

The 16 regionals ranked by the average RPI of the teams included:

1. Lawrence 37.8
2. Hattiesburg 38
3. College Station 39
4. Chapel Hill 39.3
5. Morgantown 48
6. Gainesville 48.8
7. Tallahassee 53.8
8. Starkville 55.8
9. LA 64
10. Eugene 65
11. Athens 67.8
12. Atlanta 73.5
13.…

— David Eckert (@davideckert98) May 25, 2026

Texas currently sits at 5 in the RPI rankings. Their opponent Friday, Holy Cross, checks in at 201, the 4th lowest in the tournament. UC Santa Barbara checks in at 38, while Tarleton State sits at 56. Both of those sit on the lower side of the 2 and 3 seeds in regionals around the country. That places their average RPI at 75, placing them 14th out of 16 regionals.

Now, it should be said the RPIs being lower doesn’t guarantee a thing. UC Santa Barbara enters with one of, if not the best pitcher in the country in Jackson Flora. Tarleton State walked into Austin earlier this season and handed Texas a 6-1 loss. Holy Cross is on a special postseason run after finishing just .500 in conference play. All of these teams present challenges and nothing is a given because of the favorable RPI ratings. 

Average RPI breakdown of every Regional.... There is one clear outlier in the top 8. pic.twitter.com/leB41svmpE

— Tristan (@Tristan95827831) May 25, 2026

This weekend is a massive one for Jim Schlossnagle and company. Last season ended in an Austin regional at the hands of a dangerous mid-major. There are two in Austin this weekend, hoping to knock off the Longhorns. RPI is incredibly favorable for Texas but they’ll have to confirm those rankings this weekend.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Austin regional is a favorable draw for Texas, according to RPI

The Sporting JAX women’s team concluded its inaugural season on Sunday, after a 1-0 loss to Carolina Ascent FC in the Gainbridge Super League Semifinal match.

Carolina Ascent FC secured the victory with a goal from Mackenzie George in the first half. Despite the defeat, the Sporting JAX women’s team maintained strong composure throughout the game.

Sporting JAX Head Coach Stacey Balaam expressed pride in the team’s performance during their first season. “Obviously, [I’m] so proud of the team,” Balaam said. “Everybody keeps talking about the first for this club and I think we can look back and be proud.”

Balaam also outlined the team’s plans for the off-season. “We only have a short break, but during that break, we’re going to be doing a lot of reflecting on what is needed to move this team forward, to move this club forward, for us to better ourselves from this year to next,” Balaam said.

She added that a core group of players will be retained and the squad will be strengthened. “We’ve got a core group here that we’re keeping together and we’ve got to make sure that we continue to strengthen the squad and we can use this as leverage now and use these experiences and these moments as a way to look forward and improve.”

Fans can find upcoming match details and ticket information for the Sporting JAX men’s team here.

Updates for both professional teams, including news, matchday information and behind-the-scenes stories, are available by following @Sporting_JAX across all social platforms.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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Here’s the Nationals lineup:

Here’s the Guardians lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

Lando Norris had a day to bury in Montreal – McLaren‘s bet on intermediate tyres collapsed, gearbox trouble ended any remaining hope, and the reigning world champion walked away from the Canadian Grand Prix with nothing.

His response was to board a plane to Indianapolis. There he linked up with Daniel Ricciardo and Conor Daly to absorb the chaotic end of the Indy 500.

It was also his first time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Good timing, as it turned out.

Felix Rosenqvist had just delivered a daring outside move past David Malukas to win the closest finish in Indy 500 history by 0.0233 seconds – his first oval win across 120 IndyCar starts. He and teammate Marcus Armstrong had run side by side for 23 seconds, spanning all the way from the middle of Turn 1 to the entrance of Turn 4.

Footage shot outside the paddock at IMS captured Norris, orange McLaren polo, cap on backwards, walking up to Rosenqvist, still in his Meyer Shank Racing whites and winner’s wreath, and pulling him into a hug.

The Two of Them Broke It Down Right There on the Asphalt

What followed was one a discussion between now-motorsport royalty. Norris, visibly stunned, stepped back from the embrace and swore at the sheer lunacy of what he’d just watched:

“[Inaudible]… F-ck. That’s on the final lap, man. Even on the straight…”

Rosenqvist replied: “I can’t even describe it.”

And then, still standing there with his hands on his hips, Norris started picking the lap apart the way a racing driver would – not out of politeness, but because he genuinely wanted to understand it. He asked how long they were running side by side. Rosenqvist corrected him: not Turn 1 to Turn 3, but Turn 1 to Turn 4.

“Side by side pretty much.”

“…what, from one to three, right?”

“Uh, one to four. I was on the outside of three and just… yeah. And I’d never done that. I never, ever tried it before, so…”

Rosenqvist had said as much in his post-race press conference: “I’ve never been flat around… To do the whole lap on the outside, that was pretty cool. It’s kind of unheard of at Indy.”

Running the high line for a full lap at a place as unforgiving as Indianapolis – against your own teammate, no less – and doing it for the first time, in the last lap of the race, to win by the width of a shadow.

It was the first time since 1993 that a reigning Formula 1 world champion had been at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Month of May, and Norris clearly wasn’t going to waste the visit.

Rosenqvist had said after the race that following the birth of his daughter Stella 20 days prior, he already felt like he’d won the month of May.

Getting the actual trophy on top of that is the kind of story that writes itself. Norris, fresh off a weekend he’d rather forget, showed up at exactly the right track at exactly the right moment – and the look on his face said everything about what he’d just seen.

NEED TO KNOW

Key Takeaways

• Kyle Busch, 41, was a NASCAR champion with more wins than any driver in the sport's history when he died at 41 of sepsis after falling ill with pneumonia
• Busch's sudden death highlights how sepsis can strike even young, healthy individuals with little warning
• An expert explains how sepsis can develop from an infection and why it can be so deadly

When news broke that NASCAR star Kyle Busch had died at the age of 41, fans were stunned.

Busch, who has won more NASCAR races in his two-decade career than any driver in the sport's history, was not just healthy, he was a champion in a physically demanding sport.

After facing pneumonia in the weeks leading up to his death, Busch developed sepsis, an extreme reaction by the immune system to an infection that can cause organ and tissue damage. Sepsis kills 350,000 adults in the United States each year—one out of every three adults who dies in a hospital had sepsis during their stay, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Especially among younger people, the onset can be sudden and the symptoms hard to recognize, says Dr. Todd Rice, professor of medicine and director of the intensive care unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Rice, who has not treated Busch and is not connected to his case, explains how an illness like pneumonia can cause sepsis, and why the condition can be so deadly, even for young, healthy people like Busch, who shared two young children with his wife Samantha Busch —son Brexton Locke, 11, and daughter Lennix Key, 4.

Pneumonia isn't an uncommon disease. How can it turn deadly for someone like Kyle Busch?

"Pneumonia is one of the top causes of death for older people. Young people get pneumonia but usually they tolerate it pretty well. They get some chest pain, fever, shortness of breath and that prompts them to go see a doctor and they get some antibiotics and they do reasonably well. But there are cases where with an infection, the body has a response to control the inflammation so it doesn't get widespread. With sepsis, it kind of gets out of control. Sepsis is sort of an imbalance where you get this inflammatory response throughout the body and that causes other parts of the body to not work very well. Your blood pressure may be low, your kidneys may not work very well, your brain may not work very well. It's somewhat rare that we'll see a young person that comes in with an infection like pneumonia that will have bad sepsis and will end up dying from it, but it's certainly not unheard of."

Why might an infection like pneumonia turn into sepsis?

"It's a question we don't know the answer to entirely. Why do some people have this over-exuberant, uncontrolled inflammatory response that affects other parts of the body and other patients don't? There are risk factors. We know people that are older are more likely to get sepsis. People who have things like diabetes or who are immunosuppressed are more likely to get it. And different sites of infection are higher risks—pneumonia gives you a higher risk for having sepsis. You can get sepsis from a urinary tract infection, but it's a much lower incidence. In general, younger people have a more robust inflammatory response, but it's usually well-controlled. If it's not, then younger people will often get this sick inflammatory kind of response and be really sick. And if you get pneumonia in your lungs, but it spreads into the blood, you are more likely to get this inflammatory response and sepsis."

It seemed to happen so fast in Kyle Busch's case. Is that common?

"There's probably a couple potential things that happened. Even if you don't have sepsis, one of the effects of pneumonia is it can make your oxygen levels low. So did he have low oxygen levels for a couple of days before he had this collapse and was taken to the hospital? Low oxygen, even without the sepsis, can cause damage to other organs. If they don't get enough oxygen, they could start failing. A second possibility is an effect of sepsis called septic shock that makes your blood pressure low. When you have low blood pressure, you don't get enough blood flow to your organs and then your organs start to fail. So did he collapse because his blood pressure was low from having an infection? And then subsequently lots of things started not working very well because his blood pressure was low?"

The day before he died, Busch was using a racing simulator. And the day after he died, he was scheduled to race. How is it possible he didn't know how sick he was?

"Young healthy people tend to tolerate infection pretty well. But when it gets really severe and they get really sick, we call it falling off the cliff. They are cruising along, maybe they don't feel very well, but they're doing okay. And then suddenly everything fails and they are in the ICU really sick and their blood pressure's low and we can't get it up and their kidneys don't work and their lungs don't work and they're on a ventilator. I'm guessing a little bit, but my bet is that he hadn't felt well for a few days but he was in general doing okay and his body was kind of compensating. And then he kind of got to that point where his body couldn't compensate anymore, and everything kind of fell apart at once."

What else should people know about the risks of pneumonia and sepsis?

"If you're having a fever and it's lasting for a couple of days, if you have shortness of breath, if you have chest pain, you probably need to have a doctor or a healthcare provider look at you, and not just say, 'If I just kind of ignore it'll go away.' With sepsis, it is a common thing and people just don't know about it. Sepsis is a lot more common than people recognize. There are cases of teenagers that got sepsis who died, or young people that were otherwise doing fine and then they somehow got an infection and then next thing you know, they died. Young people like to think they're immune to a lot of these things, but sepsis can happen to anybody. Young people do better than older people, but that doesn't guarantee that you won't die from it like Kyle Busch did."

Read the original article on People

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Monday that her country has "no issue" with hosting Iran's World Cup team, following the squad's decision to move its training base from the United States to Mexico for the summer soccer competition.

The team is still scheduled to play its matches in the U.S., but its new base has been relocated to Tijuana, Mexico, situated just south of San Diego, California, as confirmed by Iran's soccer federation.

President Sheinbaum clarified at a news conference Monday that she was told by a FIFA representative that the U.S. was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside of their scheduled games on U.S. territory.

“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative had then asked, “Can they stay overnight in Mexico?”

“And we said, ‘Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that',” she said.

Iran's soccer team is slated to play matches in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and against Belgium six days later, before facing Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

Before the war broke out, the team was originally planned to set up its base in Tucson, Arizona. But with tensions simmering, Iran's team moved its base to Tijuana in Mexico, Sheinbaum said, confirming an announcement by the Iranian federation over the weekend. The federation said the Iranians had received approval from FIFA, though it has not confirmed the move.

Teams use base camps to train before and after matches. This year’s World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The possibility of a move had simmered for months in the uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East and security concerns. U.S. sanctions on Iran were likely to only make the team’s stay in the U.S. more complex.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday that President Donald Trump had made it clear the Iranian team was welcome to participate in the tournament.

The department’s statement did not address where the team might stay, or Sheinbaum's comments.

Sheinbaum said that her government was working with FIFA to hash out all the details before the competition.

Victor Wembanyama made the 2026 All-NBA First Team with 99 out of 100 votes.

Justin Termine, host of NBA Today on SiriusXM NBA Radio, placed Wembanyama on the second team instead of the first, casting the only ballot in the entire voter pool that did not give Wembanyama first-team honors. In a video posted to social media, he made clear this was not a slight on the player, widely considered one of the most must-see athletes in any sport.

“I voted for Wembanyama third for MVP, and I actually think he’s a better player than [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander],” Termine said. “I think he is the best player in the world right now, but I thought [Nikola] Jokić had a better regular season at the same position… I’m a massive fan of Victor Wembanyama, but this year, he was the second-best center, and I vote by position.”

Why I was the lone voter to leave Wemby off 1st Team All-NBA. pic.twitter.com/jWuwKdx46s

— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) May 25, 2026

Termine has voted by position his entire career, and his argument has nothing to do with Wembanyama and everything to do with what happened to Patrick Ewing in 1994, when one of the most dominant centers of his generation finished fifth in MVP voting and was left off every All-NBA team entirely because Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal happened to be playing at the same time.

“So historically speaking, years from now people will look, and they’ll go, ‘Well, Wembanyama and Jokić made these many first teams, but why didn’t Patrick Ewing make this many?'” asked the SiriusXM host.

The rule Termine is pushing back against was itself born out of the Jokić-Embiid era, when Joel Embiid spent several seasons as arguably the second-best player in the league and had nothing to show for it because Jokic was the better center. The NBA changed the positional restrictions specifically so that the situation could never happen again.

“But in my opinion, that’s not fair to the centers of the past who got screwed,” Termine added.

Wembanyama is currently lighting up the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a series that has only burnished his reputation as one of the most captivating players the sport has ever produced. Mike Tirico has said he has to actively fight the urge to gush about him on NBC broadcasts. None of it moves Termine, who sees his lone dissenting vote not as a slight against Wembanyama but as a debt owed to the players who came before him.

“Obviously, as you can see, I’m the only person that did it,” he said. “This rule of voting without going by position, I think it’s done a great disservice to the history of the sport.”

The post Voter explains why he left Victor Wembanyama off 2026 All-NBA First Team appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Amanda Anisimova needed some time to shake off the rust on Monday during her first-round match at the French Open.

It was nine weeks to the day that Anisimova last played a competitive match. But once the No. 6 seed found her form, she rolled to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over France's Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah on a scorching hot day in Paris.

Anisimova had 24 winners and 24 unforced errors and needed just 69 minutes to complete the victory.

Anisimova's hiatus was due to a left wrist injury that she described as "nothing too serious." Her last action was at the Miami Open and on Monday, she was happy to be running around the court at Roland Garros.

"I tried to not really overthink anything," Anisimova said. "I was super excited to be here, to be fit to play, honestly, and that was the only thing I really thought about is what a great opportunity. … I'm just super relieved that all is good and that I'm ready to play."

Rakotomanga Rajaonah had 11 winners and 19 unforced errors in defeat.

Anisimova next plays Austria's Julia Grabher, who registered a 6-2, 6-2 win over Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova.

No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and No. 3 Iga Swiatek rolled to straight-set wins.

Rybakina had 27 winners and 27 unforced errors while beating Slovenia's Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2. Swiatek carded 17 winners and 16 unforced errors in a 6-1, 6-2 win over Australia's Emerson Jones.

Swiatek would have preferred the temperatures weren't in the low 90s, atypical weather for Paris in May.

She said the heat couldn't be compared to when the Summer Olympics were held in Paris in late July and early August of 2024.

"It is much different," Swiatek said. "Maybe it was that hot in the Olympics, but the balls were different, so I wouldn't treat it as the same tournament."

No. 7 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine lost the first set and had to win a third-set tiebreaker to land a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (3) victory over Hungary's Anna Bondar in two hours, 26 minutes.

Svitolina ended a two-match losing streak against Bondar and now leads the head-to-head competition, 3-2.

"When you are competing at your highest level, it's all about the small details," Svitolina said. "It's physical freshness, it's mental freshness and, you know, just being strong and collected in these moments."

Czech 10th seed Karolina Muchova took care of Russia's Anastasia Zakharova 7-5, 6-2. Italy's Jasmine Paolini, seeded No. 13, notched a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska.

Camila Osorio of Colombia upset No. 14 Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-4, and Switzerland's Jil Teichmann knocked off Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, the No. 20 seed, 6-4, 6-4.

No. 23 Elise Mertens of Belgium beat Germany's Tatjana Maria 7-5, 6-0 and No. 28 Anastasia Potapova of Russia was a 6-1, 6-2 winner over Maya Joint of Australia.

Meanwhile, American Alycia Parks upset No. 24 seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada 6-4, 6-4, with a 26-10 edge in total winners. No. 25 seed Diana Shnaider of Russia had an easier time beating Mexico's Renata Zarazua 6-4, 6-1.

No. 29 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia posted a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Ella Seidel of Germany. Swiss qualifier Susan Bandecchi beat No. 31 Cristina Bucsa of Spain 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

In other first-round matches, Poland's Maja Chwalinska defeated China's Zheng Qinwen 6-4, 6-0; Eva Lys of Germany defeated Croatia's Petra Marcinko 6-3, 6-0; and Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland rolled to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Panna Udvardy of Hungary. American McCartney Kessler rallied for a 4-6, 7-6 (1), 7-5 victory over Guo Hanyu of China.

Daria Kasatkina of Australia defeated Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez 6-4, 6-4. Spain's Kaitlin Quevedo beat France's Leolia Jeanjean 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2), and Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan knocked off Talia Gibson of Australia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova outlasted Romania's Jaqueline Cristian 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, and Brit Katie Boulter outlasted American Akasha Urhobo 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Men's draw

Stan Wawrinka lost a four-set match to Jesper de Jong on Monday, bringing a swift end to the final French Open for the 2015 champion at Roland Garros.

Wawrinka, 41, announced in December that he would retire at the end of 2026. The three-time Grand Slam winner was unable to add to his total of 46 wins at the French Open, falling 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to de Jong on a hot day in Paris.

"It's hard, I don't want to say goodbye to you here," Wawrinka said during a post-match ceremony that included messages from Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the "Big Three" whom the Swiss staged so many battles with since turning professional in 2002.

"You have been so inspirational to me and for many other players," Djokovic said. "I'm very honored to call you a friend."

Fifth-seeded American Ben Shelton began his tournament with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Spain's Daniel Merida, tying his career high with his eighth clay-court win of the season. Shelton saved the only break point he faced, and advanced to play Belgium's Raphael Collignon in the second round.

"I think I'm learning more and more every year," said Shelton, who reached the fourth round last year before falling to eventual champion Alcaraz. "The French crowd always knows how to bring energy, and that's part of the reason I play so well here."

Fellow Americans Alex Michelsen and No. 31 seed Brandon Nakashima also advanced in straight sets, while No. 24 seed Tommy Paul rebounded from dropping his opening set to knock off Australia's Rinky Hijikata in four sets. No. 19 seed Frances Tiafoe also needed four sets to get by fellow American Eliot Spizzirri.

Unranked Jenson Brooksby, Emilio Nava, Aleksander Kovacevic and Marcos Giron each failed to win a set in their openers. Kovacevic managed to win only five games against Spanish 27th seed Rafael Jodar, a 19-year-old rising star who marked his French Open debut by cruising 6-1, 6-0, 6-4.

Jodar, who competed at the University of Virginia, has now won 16 of his past 19 matches including reaching the quarterfinals of the Italian and Madrid Opens after a semifinal run in Barcelona. He is seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time.

"The first matches are always difficult in a tournament," Jodar said. "I had to serve very well. I tried to play my game during the first two sets, and even when things got a little bit more difficult for me in the third set, I think I played those points especially very well, playing my game."

Jiri Lehecka was the biggest upset earlier Monday, with the 12th-seeded Czech falling in straight sets to Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3. Norway's Casper Ruud avoided a similar fate later in the day, with the 15th seed surviving a five-set test against Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin, 6-2, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 0-6, 6-2.

A two-time French Open finalist, Ruud began the tournament as one of the few players viewed to be a potential threat to No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

"I was close to being on the way home," Ruud said in his on-court interview, adding that he felt "horrible and dizzy" at times due to the heat. "Luckily I was able to give myself some time to breathe in the fourth set, to see if I could calm down and let the high temperature ease off. It was a really tough match."

Eighth-seeded Alex de Minaur from Australia and Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli each advanced in straight sets. No. 11 seed Andrey Rublev of Russia went four sets to eliminate Peru's Ignacio Buse. Other seeded players who advanced included No. 22 Arthur Rinderknech of France, No. 25 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina and French 32nd seed Ugo Humbert.

The match of the day was arguably waged between big-serving Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis and Terence Atmane playing in front of his home crowd. The pair of unranked players battled for 4 hours and 18 minutes, with Kokkinakis prevailing 6-7 (5), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Also advancing were Italy's Matteo Berrettini, France's Luca Van Assche, Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, Yibing Wu of China and Argentina's Mariano Navone and Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: French Open: Amanda Anisimova returns, wins first-round match

Although he's regarded as one of the most dominant grapplers in MMA history, Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn't even chart in the top 10 of one key UFC stat.

The former lightweight champion, who retired in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record, the last 13 wins of which came in the UFC, falls well short of the promotion's top 10 for career takedowns. That leader is former bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili with 119, and 68 has former champ Rafael dos Anjos and former title challenger Demian Maia in 10th.

Nurmagomedov wrapped his UFC career with 52 takedowns in 13 fights, which is a robust four per outing. Few would argue against that being an exceptional number.

But what makes it a little bonkers is the fact Nurmagomedov got 40 percent of his total UFC takedowns in one three-round fight.

At UFC 160 on May 25, 2013, Nurmagomedov had a lightweight fight with Abel Trujillo in Las Vegas. Tensions and a shove at the weigh-ins led to their separation, but when fight night arrived in the desert, it was a one-sided affair.

Nurmagomedov landed 21 takedowns in their three-round fight and cruised to a decision win. Those 21 set the standard, and it hasn't been touched. In fact, the UFC record for a five-round fight is held by Dvalishvili – with 20. He had two more rounds and still is short of Nurmagomedov's record.

Take a look back at the ex-champ's record-setting performance in the video above, as well as the photo gallery below.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: May 25, 2013, MMA history: Khabib sets takedown mark at UFC 160

An apex predator in the animal kingdom is a hunter who sits at the top of the food chain with no natural predators of its own. Lions, polar bears, orcas and owls all qualify as apex predators under these parameters.

In the NFL, an apex predator is a defender who stands impervious to changes in offensive personnel. It’s a role that can be filled by any combination of positions, and a role the Dallas Cowboys have paid keen interest in upgrading under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.  

The evolution of the slot defender role has been as apparent as it’s been impactful. Gone are the days of the diminutive, second-rate cornerback being forced into the middle. Today’s slot defender requires elite skill and versatility. It’s what Sumer Sports called the “APEX Defender” and it’s ultimately what makes successful defenses as adaptable and resilient as their offensive counterparts.

An APEX defender is a nickel defender who is physical enough to play the run, but athletic enough play the pass. He’s a player who’s not just capable in man coverage, but potentially dominant in man coverage, because modern day slot receivers are oftentimes WR1s, like in Dallas with CeeDee Lamb. Lke the tiny nickel cornerback of yesteryear, the diminutive Cole Beasley-like slot protypes are going extinct. APEX defenders have to keep up with the times and that’s why man coverage ability is king here.

APEX makes nickel personnel resilient  

Offensive coordinators know defenses prefer their nickel personnel. Nickel personnel is the most used personnel group in the NFL these days and it's not even close. It allows defenses to matchup against 11 personnel (three receivers, one back, one tight end) and prioritizes pass defense, so its usage is understandable.

Knowing this, offensive innovators have been increasing their usage of larger personnel packages. Large personnel groups force defenses out of their nickel comfort zones and into lesser used base personnel. Base personnel, which swaps a defensive back for a linebacker, opens up loads of opportunities in the passing game for the offense with the best opportunities coming from the slot.

By dictating personnel, offenses gain matchup advantages after defenses adjust. But defensive coaches like Mike McDaniel, Vic Fangio and Parker know they can beat offenses at their own game, all by employing APEX defenders on their nickel personnel group. With an APEX, they no longer feel obligated to change personnel because the APEX can do it all with elite proficiency. What used to be a second-rate position is now arguably the most critical.

Across the NFL, elite defenses are moving their best coverman from the outside to the inside to play on obvious passing situations. As Bradley Locker pointed out at PFF, three of the top five defenses in the NFL last year ranked in the top five in nickel usage rate.

"One guy isn't going to fix the Cowboys defense."

Yes...but Caleb Downs might get close. pic.twitter.com/tIHonuLomZ

— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) April 7, 2026

It’s here where the Cowboys' rookie Caleb Downs really differentiates himself.

He’s not just the APEX on early downs, but also those obvious passing situations. No matter what offenses do with their personnel, Downs is equipped to defend in a way very few can. Even some of the best-known APEX defenders like Seattle Seahawks’ safety Nick Emmanwori will be asked to vacate the role in obvious passing situations. Downs brings extra man coverage ability to the role few can.

“What an investment in the slot defender allows you to do is not worry about all these personnel changes,” said Sam Bruchhaus of Sumer Sports. “It basically puts you in position where the window dressing is taken away…you can play your defense the way you want it to be.”

Middle > Sideline

The biggest gains on offense, from an EPA perspective, are passes down the middle of the field. And with teams making many of those gains in large personnel packages lined up in tight formations, it makes APEX defenders all the more important.

With Downs, and to a lesser extent, Jalen Thompson, manning that APEX role on defense, offenses can’t force Dallas to do any personnel changes Parker doesn’t want to do. Like Cooper DeJean in Philadelphia, Downs is Parker’s not-so-secret weapon in the middle. He can be moved around if needs be, but he has no discernable weakness and doesn’t ever have to leave the field because of matchups.

After speaking with people across the league and looking into the data, I’ve come up with the following.

- if we assume linebackers and safeties can’t cover like corners, they simply cannot be the ideal Apex Defender. Apex Defenders are asked to play too much man coverage, and… https://t.co/meYY6aMJ9I

— Sam Bruchhaus (@sambruchhaus) May 21, 2026

You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys look to Downs to corner market on NFL's top new defensive role

The question of how to bridge the financial gap to other top leagues, most notably the English Premier League, is a very pressing issue for football in Germany. The Deutsche Fußball Liga, or DFL for short, constantly discuss many options and consider what measures they can reasonably take to boost their funding. Eliminating the 50+1 rule is the easiest path to greater investment, but it comes with a loss of identity for German football that is deemed simply unacceptable.

Another method of funding deemed unacceptable by the DFL is accepting a name sponsor. Other top leagues across world football, such as the La Liga EA Sports, Ligue 1 McDonald’s and Serie A Enilive, have chosen to garner additional funding this way. But the DFL have confirmed (as captured by @iMiaSanMia) that this is not an option for Germany football:

The DFL has ruled out the introduction of a name sponsor for the Bundesliga such as is the case in other top leagues. “All options in every direction are being discussed. But no, that wasn’t an option for us”, said DFL director Marc Lenz.

It is worth noting that La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A earn between €20-€30 million per year from these sponsorships, as reported by sources here, here and here respectively. Is that amount of money worth changing the Bundesliga’s name?

The English Premier League, being the league everyone is trying to catch, have also foregone a name sponsor for a decade now. The league did long carry a name sponsor, becoming known as the Barclays Premier League, but their deal with Barclays ended in 2016 and they have not had another since. Clearly, a name sponsor is not what propelled the Premier League to the incredible financial advantages it currently enjoys.

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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WWE is back with this week’s edition of WWE Raw on Netflix.

Monday’s episode will take place at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH, and kick off at 8:00 PM ET. On tonight’s show, WWE will have the final build for Clash in Italy. 

Below, you can get caught up with all the WWE Raw results and highlights.

Quick WWE Raw Results May 25, 2026 

• Oba Femi kicks off the show to respond to Brock Lesnar’s sneak attack
• Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu contract signing for Tribal Combat at Clash in Italy
• Bayley and Lyra Valkyria vs Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez
• Becky Lynch is expected to appear
• The Vision advertised

WWE Raw Highlights

Related Headlines

• Donald Trump Mocks Hulk Hogan in Regrettable Senior Moment Truth Social Post
• Move Over Trick Williams & Oba Femi, 3rd NXT Call-up Reportedly Set For Big WWE Push
• Viral Stalking Video of WWE’s Roxanne Perez Shows How Creepy Some Wrestling Fans Get

BALANCED GROUPSTAGE?

Is this the most balanced world cup group stages we’ve seen in a while? there’s no group of death. With the way each group is setup, the big teams should make it out unscathed.

Eric Garcia has sent out an emotional message after being called into the Spain squad for World Cup 2026 off the back of an impressive season with Barcelona.

The versatile Barcelona star is one of eight players from Hansi Flick’s side on Luis de la Fuente’s roster and he couldn’t be happier to be involved.

He posted on Instagram: “December 2022 World Cup Qualifiers for Qatar. That was the last time I wore the Spain shirt.

“Since then I had to make many decisions and work a lot without making noise to be better, on and off the field, to play again and compete for everything with my club, and 4 years later, comes the opportunity to be able to live my second World Cup.

“More prepared and motivated than ever to fight for it all with this group of players, and grateful to everyone who supports me and helps me be better every day! #VamosEspaña”

The call-up is a deserved reward for Eric. He was tipped to leave Barcelona not so long ago but has worked incredibly hard, even going out on loan to Girona, to prove he deserves a place at Camp Nou.

Congratulations, Eric Garcia.

It was probably inevitable.

Longtime-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic is officially moving up to Heavyweight and will face No. 12-rankedMarcin Tybura at UFC Belgrade on Sat., Aug. 1, 2026, inside Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.

The promotion announced the matchup today.

After spending his entire 20-fight professional MMA career competing at 205 pounds, Rakic (14-6) is finally abandoning the brutal weight cut and moving to Heavyweight — which honestly makes a lot of sense considering the Serbian striker is an absolute giant at 6’5.

Even during his Light Heavyweight run, Rakic looked enormous compared to most of the division and has openly discussed how difficult the cut to 205 pounds had become over the years.

More importantly, the move feels necessary for his career.

Rakic enters the Heavyweight division riding a rough four-fight losing streak, including stoppage losses (watch highlights) and the devastating knee injury he suffered against Jan Blachowicz that sidelined him for nearly two years.

At 34 years old, a fresh start at Heavyweight may be exactly what he needs and interestingly enough, Rakic is not the only oversized Light Heavyweight making the jump lately.

Johnny Walker is also officially moving to Heavyweight — and he will compete on the very same UFC Belgrade card against former PFL standout Ante Delija.

As for Tybura (27-11), the longtime UFC veteran will put his No. 12 Heavyweight ranking on the line against the Serbian divisional newcomer.

The 40-year-old Polish grinder is currently riding a two-fight losing streak after suffering an upset knockout loss to Delija (watch highlights) before dropping a decision to former Bellator Heavyweight Tyrell Fortune in his most recent outing.

Still, despite the recent losses, Tybura remains one of the division’s toughest outs thanks to his durability, cardio and grappling-heavy style — which makes him a very interesting first test for Rakic at Heavyweight.

Here is what UFC Belgrade looks like right now:

Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Marcin Tybura vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Ante Delija vs. Johnny Walker
Dusko Todorovic vs. Robert Valentin
Max Gimenis vs. Jovan Leka
Vlasto Cepo vs. Gilbert Urbina

To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.

The Philadelphia Eagles have been the Los Angeles Rams’ kryptonite since Sean McVay arrived in Los Angeles. With both teams set to face each other for the fourth straight season, L.A. must figure out a way to get past their nemesis in 2026 or risk falling short in the conference yet again.

Under McVay, the Rams are 1-6 against the Eagles, including 0-4 against the Nick Sirianni-Jalen Hurts duo. The lone win came in 2020 versus a severely broken Carson Wentz.

Since then, L.A. has been hard-pressed to secure a win over their NFC rival, with each loss, particularly in the Sirianni era, being more painful than the last. Apologies in advance for this sucky trip down memory lane.

2025 – Week 3 (Lost 33-26)

This is the one that got away from the Rams. The final result was one of several reasons the team failed to secure the NFC’s top seed last season, aside from special teams, not playing guys in the preseason, I could go on.

Up 19 in the third quarter against an Eagles team unable to air it out consistently, L.A. gave up 26 unanswered points to fall short again at Lincoln Financial Field.

The ending to this one hurt like hell, as the team did have a chance to pull out the win despite letting Philly back in it. Two blocked kicks in the final frame, unfortunately, sealed the Rams’ fate. McVay is still having difficulty processing the ending of this one all these months later.

Again, there were a variety of reasons the Rams failed to secure the conference’s top seed. Had they pulled this one out, they still might not have gotten home-field advantage, but they could’ve at the very least put more pressure on the Seahawks late in the season.

2024 – Week 12 (Lost 37-20) & Divisional Round (Lost 28-22)

Both Rams-Eagles matchups from the 2024 season can be summarized in two words: Saquon Barkley. L.A.‘s failure to stop the All-Pro was the main culprit for the pair of losses that year, as Barkley twice ran Chris Shula’s unit out of the stadium.

In both games, Philadelphia managed to break open a close game thanks to Barkley’s running and mistakes by L.A.

During the regular season, Kyren Williams opened up the first drive of the game with a fumble. The Rams moved the ball for most of the night in the 37-20 loss, but couldn’t keep pace. Williams’ fumble was far from costing the team a win, yet a mistake like that killed any chance at Los Angeles keeping pace in a game that very well could’ve become a shootout.

Then in the playoffs, the Rams actually had a chance against a superior opponent … until they didn’t. Down one with the ball in their hands after the Eagles took a safety, Williams lost a fumble against Philly for the second time that season. A few plays later, down four, it was Matthew Stafford’s turn to fumble. Eventually, L.A. had a chance late in the game, making it all the way to the 22-yard line before turning it over on downs. Those fumbles turned a potential massive upset into what might’ve been.

Being unable to stop the run is the primary reason the Rams just missed out on an NFC Championship appearance in 2024. Giving up nearly 600 total yards on the ground was never going to be a recipe for success, in addition to the other mistakes that happened along the way.

2023 – Week 5 (Lost 23-14)

Los Angeles had a BRUTAL schedule to kick off the 2023 campaign, made tougher by hosting the reigning NFC champs. Not much was expected from the Rams that year, but they missed out on a signature win early in the year.

Cooper Kupp’s return powered the team to a decent start, highlighted by a three-point deficit entering halftime.

After that, the Eagles completely shut down L.A. in the second half. The Rams were held to 95 yards and failed to cross midfield after halftime.

At least the defense was the saving grace in this one, holding Philly to a pair of field goals, which were both scored in the fourth quarter.

Rams working against troubling history

Struggling against the Eagles is not exclusively a McVay problem.

The Rams have beaten Philly only six times since 1978. Additionally, they have secured back-to-back wins over the team once (2001-02) in that stretch, after having beaten the Eagles seven straight times from 1964-78.

For reasons explained above and otherwise, the Rams have a troubling history against their NFC foe, one they’ll be working against until they can figure out a way to put the past behind them.

With a fourth straight season facing Philadelphia, the Rams won’t fully get over the hump if they cannot beat one of the teams expected to be in their way during this upcoming season.

Benjamin Sesko has enjoyed an excellent debut season.

For a striker whom some were quick to label as another big-money flop, the Slovenian hitman has truly silenced his critics.

In 30 league games, with just 17 starts, the £74 million summer 2025 signing managed to score 11 goals and provide one assist.

For a player arriving in a new league under immense pressure, at a club demanding immediate results, Sesko has performed well.

It is also worth noting that he could have achieved even better statistics; most of his goals came at the turn of the year, and had he not missed the last three games, he would likely have recorded higher numbers.

Indeed, in 2026, Sesko was in outstanding form; he found his feet in United colours, scoring 10 goals during this period.

His brilliance in recent months has even left his national team boss somewhat envious that he never had the opportunity to use him.

Benjamin Sesko handling has frustrated national team boss

Slovenian national team boss Bostjan Cesar is frustrated that he could not rely on Sesko for the March international break due to injury, yet the striker continued to play for United.

In Cesar’s view, playing on only worsened the issue, culminating in a collision with the hoardings following a push from Ibrahima Konate in United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool, which has ruled the striker out since.

In a rant, as per The Daily Mail, the coach pointed out:

“He missed the last assembly in March, and then I kind of wanted him to be absent from United for a while, but then he came back quickly, and I don’t think he missed a game for the club.”

And while Sesko could have joined the Slovenian camp for the upcoming friendlies against Cyprus and Croatia, he will not feature, with Cesar adding:

“But if a player hasn’t been in a competitive rhythm for a month, then I don’t see the point in him coming and playing at half-strength.”

It is unfortunate for Slovenia that they cannot call upon Sesko for those fixtures.

Fitness boost for Man United

For United, the hope is that the extra rest will help the striker recover fully and return fit and available when pre-season kicks off in early July.

Given the glimpse he provided this season while leading United’s attack, some will expect films to be made of his performances next season.

With United’s thirst for glory and the demand to compete on multiple fronts, a Sesko firing on all cylinders is exactly what they need.

Featured image by Michael Regan/Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

While Apple was expected to incorporate Samsung's so-called Privacy Display within its MacBook Pro lineup a couple of years down the line, a new tantalizing tidbit has just dramatically accelerated that timeline, with the feature drop now expected in a matter of months, when Apple debuts the M6 Pro and M6 Max MacBook Pro variants, replete with an OLED screen. Apple might not only adopt Samsung's OLED panels for its M6 Pro and M6 Max MacBook Pro variants, but also go a step further by incorporating the Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display tech as well For the benefit of those […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-to-quietly-steal-samsungs-galaxy-s26-ultra-privacy-display-trick-for-the-m6-pro-m6-max-macbook-pro-three-years-ahead-of-schedule/

There’s little comfort for PC builders and laptop owners knowing that SSD prices have gone up thanks to the DRAM shortage, but Amazon has presented buyers with a little gift with which they can upgrade their storage while also making their systems snappier. The Samsung 990 PRO PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD in the 2TB variant is now down to $389.99 after a 39 percent discount on the online retailer. Given that this is a rare deal, there’s no time like the present to make a purchase. With its DRAM cache and sequential speeds upwards of 7,000MB/s, Samsung’s 990 PRO […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-2tb-990-pro-ssd-drops-to-390-on-amazon/

As is the case with any good survival crafting game, there are certain crafting milestones you reach that dramatically open the game up more than what was previously possible. For Subnautica 2, in its current early access state, arguably the biggest milestone to reach is when you craft your first Tadpole, the vehicle that lets you explore the alien ocean with ease. Essentially, half of what's currently available to explore in the game is locked behind your ability to craft a Tadpole, so you're going to want to get there as soon as you can. This guide will show you […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/how-to/subnautica-2-how-to-craft-tadpole/

According to a new report from the usually very reliable Mark Gurman over at Bloomberg, Apple is currently working on adding third-party AirPlay alternatives to the upcoming iOS 27, which is going to be unveiled on June 8. So far, the only streaming protocol built right into iOS at the system level is Apple's own AirPlay. However, the company will allegedly add third-party options like Google Cast in iOS 27, and will even let you set these as the default for wirelessly streaming stuff from your iPhone to a speaker or TV. If you're wondering what's happening, the EU is to "blame" for...

Usually, the Chinese models come out earlier than their global counterparts, but Honor released the Honor 600 series the other way around. First came the Honor 600 and 600 Pro for the global market, and now we get to see the Chinese versions. Honor 600 vs. Honor 600 Pro However, the differences aren't that many. One of the main disparities between the global and the Chinese Honor 600 series is battery capacity. The regular Honor 600 from China comes with a huge 8,600 mAh battery, while the international unit caps at 7,000 mAh. The same goes for the Pro model - China gets an 8,000...

Liverpool managed to salvage a disappointing season by securing qualification for the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League. Nevertheless, the Reds now face one of their toughest challenges, as Mohamed Salah decided to leave the club as a free agent. With the Premier League season concluded, they appear set to strengthen the attacking department in response to the Egyptian’s departure. The legend Michael Owen has suggested Jarrod Bowen as the ideal replacement.

“I think Bowen is the absolute perfect replacement for Mo Salah at Liverpool. If an opportunity came along for him like that, to play for Liverpool, then even the most ardent West Ham fan couldn’t begrudge that. Instead of playing in the Championship, go to one of the best teams in the world and fill Mo Salah’s boots, it’s really exciting for him,” Owen said, via talkSport.

As one of West Ham United’s biggest stars, Jarrod Bowen remains under contract with the club until 2030. Nevertheless, relegation to the EFL Championship could force his departure, as the English forward continues to rank among the Premier League’s standout performers. In addition, the Hammers reportedly need to raise more than £100 million (around $135 million) through player sales, making Bowen’s potential exit a crucial part of their financial restructuring.

Despite already being 29 years old, Jarrod Bowen has continued to become as one of the Premier League’s standout performers, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists in 42 appearances. However, Liverpool would likely face competition from clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United, potentially pushing his transfer fee into the €50–60 million range. Given his proven ability to deliver immediate results, the Reds could make a smart move by pursuing his signing.

Yan Diomande emerges as Liverpool main target as Salah’s replacement

Despite the opportunity to sign Jarrod Bowen, Liverpool do not appear to view his arrival as an absolute priority, potentially allowing rivals such as Manchester United and Chelsea to gain ground in the race. Instead, Liverpool’s front office reportedly seems determined to pursue younger players in an effort to secure long-term performance and sustainability. With this in mind, Yan Diomande has reportedly emerged as the Reds’ top transfer priority.

According to Fabrizio Romano, via X, formerly Twitter, Yan Diomande remains the absolute priority for Liverpool, as he is capable of playing on both wings and offers valuable tactical flexibility. Under contract with RB Leipzig until 2030, the Ivorian star could command a transfer fee exceeding €100 million, especially with Paris Saint-Germain also reportedly pushing to secure his signature.

Despite a strong first half of the season, AC Milan suffered a significant drop in form that ultimately left them out of the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League. As a result, Massimiliano Allegri was dismissed alongside several other key figures within the club’s sporting structure. Following these changes, Zlatan Ibrahimović is expected to lead the search for a new head coach, reportedly identifying Andoni Iraola as the leading candidate.

According to Sky Sports, via X, formerly Twitter, the Rossoneri have identified Andoni Iraola as their next head coach after Allegri. Coming off a successful spell with AFC Bournemouth, the Spanish manager has emerged as one of the most sought-after coaches of the summer of 2026. After guiding the English side to qualification for the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League, Iraola has reportedly decided to pursue a new challenge, departing as a free agent.

As one of the Premier League’s standout managers, Iraola is attracting interest from far more than just AC Milan. As per Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, via teamTALK, Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen are also showing strong interest in securing the Spanish coach. With this in mind, Zlatan Ibrahimović could face a major challenge in convincing him to join the Rossoneri, potentially needing to present a long-term sporting vision backed by significant reinforcements.

With his children reportedly settled in London, Iraola reportedly prefers taking charge of a club based in or near the city. In addition, he could be tempted by the opportunity to manage in the UEFA Champions League, meaning Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool may also influence his next move. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri may not have much time to wait, as they are expected to move quickly in appointing a new head coach ahead of a crucial rebuild.

AC Milan may need to reshape the roster ahead the 2026-25 season

AC Milan failed to maintain consistent performances under Massimiliano Allegri throughout the season. With very limited squad depth and few players truly suited to his tactical system, the Rossoneri struggled for stability. Lacking a world-class goalscorer and reliable backups for Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic, they often fell short when trying to change matches from the bench. As a result, the Rossoneri could now be forced into a significant squad rebuild.

With their defensive solidity and strong quality in midfield already in place, the Rossoneri may need to focus their efforts on strengthening the attacking department. Not only will securing the continuity of Leão and Pulisic be crucial, but also finding reliable backups capable of providing greater rotation. In addition, signing world-class striker could become a priority, as Santiago Giménez and Christopher Nkunku failed to meet expectations.

If AC Milan manage to secure Iraola’s arrival, the club’s younger players could receive a major boost, as the Spanish coach is known for trusting and developing emerging talent. As a result, players such as Davide Bartesaghi, Francesco Camarda, and Yunus Musah could have a strong opportunity to shine under his system. In addition, Luka Modrić’s departure could open the door for Ardon Jashari or Samuele Ricci to take on larger roles.

Boxing art collector Ingo Wegerich explores the stories behind iconic fight artwork, drawing on his extensive private collection. This piece centres on the legendary rivalry between Tom Cribb and Tom Molineaux, one of the most controversial and mythologised contests of 19th-century prizefighting. Few fights in boxing history have generated as much debate and mythology as […]

The post On the Canvas: the art of Tom Cribb vs Tom Molineaux and 19th century boxing folklore appeared first on Boxing News.

Galatasaray'a piyango vurdu... menajerler İngiltere'de küme düşen West Ham'ın 44 milyon Euro'luk yıldız adayı Mateus Fernandes'i teklif etti. Londra ekibinin maaş bütçesini düşürme zorunluluğu nedeniyle kiralama formülünün masaya gelmesi, transferde Galatasaray'ın elini güçlendirdi. Taraftara adeta çifte bayram yaşatacak bu dev hamle için süreç başladı.

Galatasaray’da yeni sezonun transfer çalışmaları tüm hızıyla sürerken, 10 numara bölgesi için İngiltere’den sürpriz bir teklif geldi. Menajerler, Premier Lig’den düşen West Ham'ın Portekizli genç yıldızı Mateus Fernandes’i sarı-kırmızılı yönetime önerdi. Finansal olarak küçülmeye gitmek zorunda olan Londra ekibinin bu durumu, sarı-kırmızılılar için tarihi bir fırsat doğurdu.

Mateus, Sporting’den 15 milyon Euro karşılığında Southampton’a transfer olmuş, ardından West Ham oyuncu için tam 44 milyon Euro bonservis bedeli ödemişti.

Premier Lig’de West Ham formasıyla sezonu 3 gol ve 4 asistle tamamlayan 21 yaşındaki maestro, takımının küme düşmesiyle birlikte ayrılık noktasına geldi.

İngiltere'de alt lige düşen kulüplerin yaşadığı mali kriz ve maaş bütçesi kısıtlamaları, West Ham'ı da vurdu. Maaş skalasını acilen düzenlemek zorunda olan Londra ekibi, Mateus dahil yüksek kazançlı birçok oyuncusunu kiralamaya sıcak bakıyor. Galatasaray yönetimi, bu finansal zorunluluğu lehine çevirerek Portekizli yıldızı kiralık olarak kadrosuna katmak için kolları sıvadı.

Genç yıldız, Galatasaray'ın ısrarla istediği Bruno Fernandes'in Portekiz futbolundaki veliahdı olarak gösteriliyor. Oyun zekası ve saha içi liderliğiyle büyük benzerlik taşıyan genç oyuncu, sarı-kırmızılı taraftarları heyecanlandıracak cinsten bir profile sahip. Mateus Fernandes, sadece tabelaya yaptığı katkıyla değil, modern futbolun gerektirdiği tüm elit istatistiklerle ön plana çıkıyor.

Baskı Altında Kusursuz (%87.5 Pas İsabeti):

En yoğun pres altında bile soğukkanlılığını kaybetmeyen Portekizli, %87.5 pas isabet oranıyla takımını geriden kusursuz çıkarıyor.

Dikine Oyunda Elit:

Topu savunmadan alıp üçüncü bölgeye dikine taşıma istatistiğinde, Premier Lig'in en elit genç oyuncuları arasında yer alıyor.

U21 Kategorisinde Premier Lig'in Zirvesinde:

Sadece yaratıcı bir 10 ya da 8 numara değil; top kapma, pas arası ve sahipsiz top kazanma metriklerinde Premier Lig'deki U21 orta sahalar arasında zirveye oynuyor. Okan Buruk'un çok sevdiği, hem hücumda hem savunmada yoğun prese dayalı çift yönlü oyun yapısına birebir uyum sağlıyor.

Süper Lig'in yeni ekiplerinden Amed Sportif Faaliyetler'den transfer görüşmelerinde "yetkisiz kişi" uyarısı geldi.

Amed Sportif Faaliyetler Kulübü, transfer çalışmalarının yalnızca yönetim kurulları tarafından yetkilendirilmiş "transfer komitesi" aracılığıyla yürütüldüğünü ve bu komite dışında herhangi bir kişi veya kuruma transfer görüşmeleri yapma yetkisinin verilmediğini bildirdi.

Kulübün açıklamasında, kulüp adına transfer sürecinde bazı futbolcular ve kulüplerle görüşmeler yapıldığı yönünde bilgilerin kendilerine ulaştığı belirtilerek, şu ifadelere yer verildi:

"Kulübümüzün transfer çalışmaları, yalnızca yönetim kurulumuz tarafından yetkilendirilmiş transfer komitesi aracılığıyla yürütülmektedir. Bu komite dışında herhangi bir kişi veya kuruma transfer görüşmeleri yapma yetkisi verilmemiştir. Bu nedenle, kulübümüz adına yetkisiz kişiler tarafından gerçekleştirilen hiçbir temas, görüşme veya teklifin dikkate alınmaması önemle rica olunur."

Fenerbahçe Başkan Adayı Hakan Safi seçim hazırlıklarını sürdürüyor. Safi, son olarak Fener Kongre Üyeleri Platformu ile bir araya geldi.

Fenerbahçe Başkan Adayı Hakan Safi, Fener Kongre Üyeleri Platformu ile bir araya geldi.

Faruk Ilgaz Tesisleri'nde gerçekleştirilen toplantı, yoğun katılıma sahne oldu.

Burada açıklamada bulunan Hakan Safi, "Bugün yaptığımız 2 transfer görüşmesi sanki buraya yansımış. Bize 'yıldız oyuncu alamazsınız' diyorlar, emin olun alacağız. Kulübü finansal fair-play kıskacında bırakanların bugünkü hassasiyeti hepimizi duygulandırıyor. UEFA'nın koyduğu kurallar net ve açık. Bilgi sahibi olmak isteyenler buna ulaşabilirler. Seçim kaybederken 'Fenerbahçe'ye vereceğim bir şey kalmadı' diyen, sonrasında 'bu işi benden başkası yapamaz' diyerek Fenerbahçelilerin zihnini bulandırıyorlar. Şunu da garanti ediyorum. Bizim dönemimizde tribünler kapatılmayacak, kombineler iptal edilmeyecek. Fenerbahçe'nin gerçek sahibi sizlere haksızlık edilmeyecek. 'Şampiyon olmazsanız ne olur' dedikten sonra 'Fenerbahçeli çocuklar ağlıyor' diyenlerden olmayacağız." şeklinde konuştu.

Başarının parasız olamayacağını dile getiren Safi, şöyle devam etti:

"Yıllardır 'transferler kampa yetişecek' dedikten sonra Avrupa'dan elenmeyi bekleyenlerden olmayacağız. Parasız hiç olmaz o işler. O nedenle hodri meydan. El kaldırıyorum, hodri meydan. Seçim er meydanıdır. Kim neyi ne kadar yapacaksa çıksın açıkça söylesin. Böylelikle sandığa gelen Fenerbahçelinin kafasındaki soru işaretleri bitsin. Oy kullanmaya geldiğinizde kafanızda en ufak bir soru işareti bırakmamaya kararlıyız. Bizler sadece ortaya para koymaya değil, akıl koymaya da geliyoruz. Fenerbahçe'mize nasıl kaynak sağlayacağımızı da açık şekilde açıklayacağız. 350 milyon avro olan gelirleri önce 500 milyon, sonra da hep beraber 1 milyar avroya çıkaracağız. Fenerbahçe'mizi el birliğiyle 2050 senesine hep beraber hazırlamalıyız. Bu hedef bizim gelecek kuşaklarımıza da borcumuzdur. Kimse endişelenmesin, Fenerbahçe'mizin bir kaynak problemi yok, biz buradayız. Fenerbahçe'nin problemi kaynaklarını düzgün kullanamamak. Bunu da biz çözeceğiz."

Fenerbahçe'nin yönetimde istikrarı yakalayamadığını vurgulayan Safi, "Biliyorsunuz 12 yıldır şampiyon olamıyoruz ama şuna emin olun ben bunun 13 yıla çıkmasına asla izin vermeyeceğim. Gelecek sezon Fenerbahçe'yi mutlaka ama mutlaka şampiyon yapacağız. Bunun için de aylar öncesinden bu kardeşiniz çalışmaya başladı. İlk adımımız adaylık açıklamasıydı. Şartsız koşulsuz adaylığımızı açıkladık, ardından yönetim kurulunu oluşturduk. Yaptığımız görüşmelerde camiada değişim isteyen güçlü bir Fenerbahçe isteyen onlarca kıymetli Fenerbahçeli kardeşimize dokunduk. Finansal olarak katkı sunmaya hazır, camiaya hakim bir yönetim oluşturduk. Ne istersen iste benden sadece seçim sloganımız değil. Ben Fenerbahçe'ye katkı vermek için hiçbir zaman makam teklif edilmesini beklemedim. Kulübüm ne zaman ihtiyaç duyduysa beklentisiz, şart koşmadan destek vermeye özen gösterdim. Yol arkadaşlarım için de makam hedef olmadı. Hepsi hayatlarının her alanında Fenerbahçe için mücadele eden isimler." değerlendirmesinde bulundu.

Hakan Safi, herhangi bir taleplerinin olmadığını vurgulayarak, şunları aktardı:

"Biz Fenerbahçe'yi şampiyon yapacağız, bundan hiç kimsenin şüphesi olmasın. Tarihin en iyi kadrolarından birini kurduktan sonra oyuncu grubunu saha dışında da tüm gücümüzle koruyacağız. Fenerbahçe'mizin futbolcusunu, teknik direktörünü kimseye yedirmeyeceğiz. Camia üzerinde kendilerine menfaat devşirenlere nefes aldırmayacağız. Benim olduğum yerde yapıyı ancak ben kurarım. Fenerbahçe'de rahatlık, umursamazlık dönemi 8 haziran sabahı itibarıyla sona erecek. Taraftarının uykusuz kaldığı yerde kimse uyumayacak. Samandıra'ya tam anlamıyla hakim olacağız. Saha içinde ve dışında Fenerbahçe'ye zarar veren kim varsa hemen müdahale edeceğiz. Kararsızlık dönemi artık sona erecek."

Hakan Safi, sözlerini Basketbol Avrupa Ligi (Euroleague) yönetimine şu ifadeleri kullanarak tamamladı:

"Amatör şubelerle ilgili politikalarımız. Mevcut şubeleri korumak ve yeni branşlar açmak en önemli hedeflerimden biridir. Fenerbahçe yarıştığı her branşta zirvede olmalı. Bizlere de bu camiaya yakışan da budur. Elimizden gelen her şeyi yapacağız. Buradan Euroleague yönetimine seslenmek istiyorum. Fenerbahçe, Euroleague'nin ortağıdır. Onlar bize değil, biz onlara ortağız. Oraya değer katan bizleriz. Saha içindeki hakem faciasını gördükten sonra alternatifler oluşuyor. İkincilikler Fenerbahçe'nin kaderi değildir. Bunu hep birlikte yeniden hatırlayacağız."

Borussia Dortmund, Salih Özcan için veda mesajı yayımladı.

Almanya Bundesliga ekibi Borussia Dortmund, sözleşmesi sona eren Salih Özcan için veda mesajı yayımladı.

Alman ekibi yaptığı açıklamada "Borussia Dortmund'daki herkes, Salih'e dört yıl boyunca siyah-sarı formayla gösterdiği tutku, özveri ve bağlılık için teşekkür ediyor. Yeni hayatında sana en iyisini diliyoruz, Salih!." ifadelerini kullandı.

28 yaşındaki oyuncu, Borussia Dortmund ile 96 maça çıktı.

Scout şefi Eren Mert'in İspanya'da en az 3 maçını tribünden bizzat takip ettiği 18 yaşındaki Thiago Helguera, Trabzonspor'un radarına girdi. Bonservisi Braga'da olan ve Mirandés formasıyla sergilediği pas kalitesi ile top geri kazanma istatistikleriyle parmak ısırtan 2006 doğumlu genç deha için yönetim, 3-4 milyon Euro'luk bir bütçeyle geleceğin multi-milyonluk yıldızını kadroya katmayı planlıyor.

Trabzonspor yeni sezon transfer çalışmalarında TFF'nin 2004 ve sonrası için belirlediği kota çerçevesinde genç yeteneklerin peşinden gidiyor. Bordo-mavililerin, İspanya 2. Lig ekiplerinden Mirandés’te kiralık olarak forma giyen ve bonservisi Portekiz ekibi Braga’da bulunan 2006 doğumlu ön libero Thiago Helguera’yı radarına aldığı ortaya çıktı.

Karadeniz fırtınasının scout şefi Eren Mert’in, 18 yaşındaki Uruguaylı oyuncuyu en az 3 maçta stadyumda bizzat canlı gözle takip ettiği bildirildi. Geleceğe yatırım gözüyle bakılan genç ön liberonun transferi için 3-4 milyon Euro civarında bir bonservis bedeliyle el sıkışılabileceği belirtiliyor.

Oyuncunun bu sezon İspanya 2. Ligi'nde sergilediği performans, Trabzonspor için hem potansiyelli bir modern ön libero profilini ortaya koydu.

18 yaşında olmasına rağmen fiziksel direnci yüksek bir ligde maç başına 4 kereden fazla topu takımına kazandırması (4.3 topu geri kazanma, 1.4 top çalma ve 0.7 pas arası), savunma önünde tam bir "çapa" olabileceğini gösteriyor.

Kendi yarı sahasındaki %89'luk pas (rakip yarı sahada %72 isabet) başarısı, baskı altındayken bile topu stoperlerden alıp oyuna temiz sokabildiğini kanıtlıyor.

Avrupa'nın en sert liglerinden (34 maç-25 ilk 11), 2320 dakika süre.birinde 18 yaşında bu kadar düzenli süre bulması, oyuncunun taktik disiplininin yüksek ve sakatlık eğiliminin düşük olduğunun en büyük göstergesi.

Thiago Helguera, Trabzonspor için hem orta sahadaki defansif direnci ve pas kalitesini artırabilecek hem de birkaç yıl içinde çok yüksek kar marjıyla Avrupa'ya satılabilecek tam bir "scout transferi" potansiyeline sahip.

“Atletiko” Dieqo Simeonenin baş məşqçiliyi dövründə ilk dəfə olaraq İspaniya La Liqasında bir mövsüm ərzində 70 xaldan az toplayıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Madrid təmsilçisi 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünü 69 xalla dördüncü yerdə tamamlayıb.

Bu nəticə argentinalı mütəxəssisin klubdakı 14 mövsümlük dönəmində ən zəif göstərici kimi qeydə alınıb. Simeonenin rəhbərliyi dövründə bu komanda əvvəlki illərdə daha çox xal toplayıb.

Komandanın ən yaxşı nəticəsi 2013/2014-cü illər mövsümünə təsadüf edib. Həmin vaxt komanda 90 xal toplayaraq 1996-cı ildən sonra ilk dəfə La Liqa çempionluğunu qazanmışdı.

Dieqo Simeone “Atletiko”nu 2011-ci ilin dekabr ayından çalışdırır. Argentinalı mütəxəssisin Madrid klubu ilə müqaviləsinin müddəti 2027-ci ilin iyun ayının sonuna qədər qüvvədədir.

Dieqo Simeone Madrid təmsilçisinin sükanı arxasında 800 oyun keçirib, 470 qələbə, 168 heç-heçə, 162 məğlubiyyət yaşaşıb. Bu oyunlarda “döşəkçilər”in top fərqi 1389:724 nisbətindədir.

Argentinalı mütəxəssis Madrid klubuna 8 qənimət qazandırıb: 2 İspaniya La Liqası (2013/2014, 2020/2021), İspaniya Kral Kuboku (2012/2013), İspaniya Super Kuboku (2013/2014), 2 Avropa Liqası (2011/2012, 2017/2018), 2 UEFA Super Kuboku (2012/2013, 2018/2019). Həmçinin Dieqo Simeone 2015/2016-cı illər mövsümündə dünyanın ən yaxşı məşqçisi seçilib.

Futbol üzrə İspaniya La Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Osasuna” komandasının italiyalı baş məşqçisi Alessio Lişi istefaya göndərilib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə İspaniya klubunun rəsmi saytı məlumat yayıb.

40 yaşlı mütəxəssis komandanı 2025-ci ilin yayından çalışdırırdı. “Osasuna” onun rəhbərliyi altında başa çatmış 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünü turnir cədvəlinin 17-ci pilləsində başa vurub və İspaniya çempionatının yüksək Liqasındakı yerini çətinliklə qoruyub. Bu üzdən də rəhbərlik italyan məşqçini postunda saxlamaq istəməyib.

“Osasuna” Lişinin rəhbərliyi altında bütövlükdə 42 oyun keçirib. Komanda bu görüşlərdə 14 qələbə qazanıb, 9 heç-heçə edib, 19 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

Xatırladaq ki, Alessio Lişi daha əvvəl İspaniyanın “Mirandes” və “Levante” klublarının da əsas komandalarında baş məşqçi kimi çalışıb.

Sky Sport Italia claim Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola spoke to Milan over a week ago, so long before they missed out on the Champions League and sacked Max Allegri, with Unai Emery of Aston Villa also on the list.

Multiple sources in Italy and England have said today that Iraola is the top name to take over at San Siro next season, having already declared that he would leave Bournemouth for a new adventure after securing Europa League qualification.

Iraola first on Milan list

It comes after the Rossoneri sacked coach Allegri, director of sport Igli Tare, CEO Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in one fell swoop.

That was a result of failing to qualify for the Champions League, but Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio now suggests contact with Iraola was already started last week.

This means Milan were making plans to remove Allegri even if he had taken them to the top four finish in Serie A.

While Iraola is the hot favourite and first choice for RedBird patron Gerry Cardinale, he is not the only name on the list.

Xavi was already mentioned, despite being out of work for two years since leaving Barcelona, but also included according to Sky Sport Italia are Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, ex-Juventus coach Thiago Motta, and Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano.

Emery is fresh from winning the Europa League yet again, this time on the bench of Aston Villa, while Italiano is linked with Napoli.

Como and coach Cesc Fabregas are enjoying an open top bus parade through the city streets after securing Champions League qualification for the first time.

They went into the final round of the season in joint sixth place with Juventus, two points behind Milan and Roma.

However, their 4-1 victory away to Cremonese and the simultaneous Milan 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari saw the situation turned around to snatch fourth place.

Huge achievement for Como

The Lariani were in Serie B two years ago and had never even qualified for European football before, let alone the Champions League.

Mister @cesc4official pic.twitter.com/YXE9nHm8vi

—  (@1907) May 25, 2026

They set out from the Stadio Sinigaglia to salute the crowds in an open top bus parade and are showing clips from the event on their social media channels.

This season there was plenty to celebrate, as the club also made it to the Coppa Italia semi-final for the first time in their history, losing to eventual trophy victors Inter.

They notched up 20 victories, 11 draws and seven defeats, scoring 65 goals and conceding 29.

Only title winners Inter managed to find the net more times this season on 89.

Next term they will be in the biggest club competition in world football and their fans are looking forward to welcoming the greatest stars to the Stadio Sinigaglia.

And we go pic.twitter.com/ZZqdCf4XVD

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) May 25, 2026

……THE CHAMPIOOOOONS pic.twitter.com/QXAttgH7hX

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) May 25, 2026

Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has shared an update confirming that Samuel Martinez to Liverpool is a done deal, with the teenager set to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at Anfield.

The widely respected Sky Sports Germany reporter took to X to deliver the update, revealing that the next steps in the process involve Martinez, who was also scouted by Chelsea, is to complete the visa process before travelling to England for his medical examinations.

Once those formalities are concluded, the young prospect will sign a five-year contract with the Reds, tying him to the club for the long term.

Plettenberg also shed light on the pathway Liverpool have mapped out for the teenager.

The plan is for Martinez to integrate into the first-team pre-season setup from the summer of 2027 onwards.

In the immediate term, his debut season in England is expected to be split between Liverpool’s Under-21 side and the UEFA Youth League, giving him valuable exposure to competitive football at a high level while he continues his development.

??? Samuel Martínez to Liverpool is a done deal, as reported. Next steps: visa process and trip to England for medical examinations. Afterwards, he will sign a five-year contract. #LFC

The general plan – depending on wildcard regulations – is for him to join first-team… pic.twitter.com/oiR1479pib

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 25, 2026

The move signals Liverpool’s continued commitment to identifying and securing elite young talent from across Europe before rival clubs can act.

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May 25 2026, 23:24

Liverpool in talks to sign €12m Man City target; ‘concrete talks’ have taken place

May 25 2026, 22:45

‘Done Deal’: Sky Sports man drops exciting Liverpool transfer update as first summer signing all but done

May 25 2026, 20:58

Liverpool begin summer work with pursuit of two emerging talents

The capture of Martinez forms part of what appears to be a busy summer of recruitment for Liverpool, who have already been active in the market for emerging talent.

The Reds appear to have all but concluded the deal for Samuel Martinez and are also reportedly interested in 16-year-old wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn.

As per Plettenberg, concrete talks have taken place between Liverpool and Hertha BSC.

The pursuit of two emerging stars shows that the club are looking to bolster both their first-team pipeline and their academy infrastructure ahead of the new season.

The post ‘Done Deal’: Sky Sports man drops exciting Liverpool transfer update as first summer signing all but done appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Rio Ngumoha England Call Underlines Liverpool Breakthrough Season

Rio Ngumoha’s rise at Liverpool has moved quickly enough to make even a place in England’s pre World Cup training camp feel logical rather than premature. The 17-year-old forward has been selected as one of the additional young players to join Thomas Tuchel’s group in Palm Beach, with England preparing for friendlies against New Zealand on 6 June and Costa Rica on 10 June before their World Cup opener against Croatia on 17 June.

For Liverpool, it is another marker in what has become a brilliant debut first team season for Ngumoha. 29 appearances and three goal involvements in 2025/26, while also becoming Liverpool’s youngest player in European competition, signed his first professional contract, made his first Premier League start, and became the club’s youngest Premier League scorer at Anfield.

Photo: IMAGO

Ngumoha earns England experience

Thomas Tuchel explained the decision to take Ngumoha and other young players by saying England wanted to “keep the squad in the size that we need” and manage “the minutes and the load of the players.” 

That matters because this is not a ceremonial nod. Ngumoha is being brought into a senior international environment before a World Cup, around elite players, under a manager preparing for tournament football. For a 17-year-old, that is valuable exposure.

Liverpool know the talent is real

On Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Dave Davis and David Lynch did not spend long on Ngumoha, but the references were revealing. When discussing Liverpool’s attacking issues, Lynch said the team had looked “a little bit short of cutting edge” and noted, “Rio is not ready to play every game.”

That line should not be read as criticism. It is closer to a reminder of scale. Liverpool may have a serious young forward, but he remains 17. The club still need senior attacking solutions around him.

Later, Davis brought up Ngumoha’s appearance against Brentford, saying he thought it was “a good little cameo” and that “you saw his qualities.” Lynch agreed, “Yeah, really good little player really.”

Careful development remains crucial

The strongest part of Lynch’s assessment was about opportunity. He said, “I just think it’s a shame Liverpool season’s been so poor because I think there would have been more minutes for him.” He pointed to potential chances in cup competitions, adding that if Liverpool had been competing more strongly, Ngumoha “probably could have got involved in those games a bit more.”

That is the balance Liverpool must strike. Ngumoha’s England involvement confirms his standing, but his development still needs care. Lynch put it plainly, “there’s real talent there,” while adding that “it’s not been a season where he’s unfortunately got enough minutes.”

Brilliant season, bigger stage

Ngumoha’s call into England’s pre World Cup training camp does not make him part of the final 26 man squad, but it does make him part of the preparation picture. It also reflects how quickly his reputation has grown.

For Liverpool, the message is encouraging. They have a 17-year-old forward already trusted in first team moments, recognised by England, and praised on Anfield Index as a “really good little player”. The next step is not hype. It is smart management.

As Lynch said, Liverpool fans “would like to see more of him”, but the club have to decide whether he is ready for more minutes now or whether his pathway needs another carefully chosen step. Either way, Ngumoha’s debut season has already put him firmly into the conversation.

Skylar Diggins has been a basketball star since arriving at Notre Dame in 2009. The 5-foot-9 guard was an All-American for the Fighting Irish, and two-time Big East Player of the Year.

She was the third overall pick in the first round of the 2013 WNBA draft and has had a great career in the league. She currently is on the Chicago Sky, her fourth WNBA team. She actually began as a member of the Tulsa Shock before they relocated and became the Dallas Wings.

Diggins is a seven-time WNBA All-Star and four-time All-WNBA first team selection. In her WNBA career, she has averaged better than 16 points and five rebounds per game.

Skylar Diggins

Skylar Diggins

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Skylar Diggins

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Skylar Diggins

Skylar Diggins

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This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Skylar Diggins of WNBA Chicago Sky

We are diving into some fantasy football content this offseason as we look to bring in all sorts of football fans to Bucs Wire. It is arguably the most popular game that is around football, so not dipping our toes into the proverbial pool wouldn't make sense.

What we will start with is some rookie profiles, and where they fit into the landscape of the team they were drafted by. Next up, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eli Stowers.

Depth Chart Situation

• Dallas Goedert
• Eli Stowers

Skill Players Around Him

• Dallas Goedert, Tight End
• Saquon Barkley, Running Back
• Devonta Smith, Wide Receiver
• A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver*

*A.J. Brown may be traded this offseason

2026 Stat Projections

Stat projections are done by ESPN's Mike Clay

• 14 Receptions
• 143 Receiving Yards
• 1 Touchdown
• 38 Fantasy Points

Reason to Believe in Eli Stowers in 2026: Redzone offense

There is not much of a chance for Stowers to emerge as a reliable fantasy option, but the redzone could help him. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles get creative the closer they get to the redzone and perhaps that allows for Stowers to emerge as a potential playmaker for them inside the 20.

2026 Outlook

Eli Stowers can be avoided in redraft leagues in 2026, not much to dive into here. He could become a big piece of the offense in 2027 since Dallas Goedert could be gone next year, and that is where his fantasy value lies

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Fantasy Rookie Profile on Eagles TE Eli Stowers

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski threw 57 pitches of at least 100 mph — the most in a single game since pitch tracking began in 2008 — while getting 12 strikeouts to match his career high Monday in a 5-1 win against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The previous record for 100-mph pitches in a single game was 47 by Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene against St. Louis on Sept. 17, 2022.

Misiorowski (5-2) allowed two hits and one walk in his seven-inning stint. He improved his ERA to 1.83.

The 24-year-old right-hander reached 101 mph on 40 of his 96 pitches. He got to 102 mph on 22 pitches and had nine of at least 103. His top velocity was 103.4 mph, which he reached three times.

Nine of his strikeouts came on pitches that reached 100 mph, tying the single-game record that Greene set in that 2022 game against St. Louis.

Misiorowski started the game by walking JJ Wetherholt on a 3-2 pitch inside, but the Cardinals didn't get another runner on base until Pedro Pagés hit a bloop single to lead off the sixth. The Cardinals got a run later in the sixth to end Misiorowski’s streak of consecutive scoreless innings at 29 1/3.

Teddy Higuera owns the Brewers franchise record with 32 straight scoreless innings in 1987. Misiorowski entered Monday having not allowed any runs in his past four starts.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

After years of misery, the Chicago White Sox are turning the corner in 2026, thanks in part to rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami.

On Monday, they debuted another rookie who looked very much like a difference maker in his first MLB game.

The White Sox called up utility player Rikuu Nishida to face the Minnesota Twins. A capable outfielder who prefers to play second base, he made his debut in right field. He looks like he’s got the goods to play there full time.

Nishida draws standing ovation in second inning of MLB debut

In the second inning, with runners on first and second and two outs, Twins catcher Alex Jackson hit a line drive to right field that looked destined to break a 1-1 tie. But Mushida charged the bouncing ball from his position deep in the outfield, scooped it up and fired a laser to home plate as Orlando Arcia rounded third. Arcia didn’t stand a chance.

Mushida’s throw reached home long before Arcia, and Arcia couldn’t dance around catcher Drew Romo’s tag for an inning-ending and run-saving out.

This drew a worthy standing ovation from the South Side Chicago crowd. It wasn’t his last of the day.

In the bottom of the fourth, Nishida hit a chopper over the middle of the infield that got through to the shallow outfield grass. Nishida legged out a base hit and thought about taking a shot at second before settling on a single.

This again drew White Sox fans to their feet.

The White Sox held on for a 3-1 win to improve to 27-26. Nishida finished 1 for 3 at the plate in addition to his outfield assist that shut down a potential Twins scoring rally in the second.

Nishida isn’t Chicago’s highest-rated prospect. In fact, he doesn’t rank in MLB.com’s top 30 White Sox prospects. But he is one of their most intriguing. And he offers a versatile skillset that can make him a valuable player at the major league level.

Hitting, speed, defensive versatility

As established, Nishida is a versatile defender. He’s also a patient contact hitter with speed who gets on base. Nishida slashed .323/.449/.384 with 43 runs scored, 12 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 44 minor league games this season before being called up.

He lacks power with two home runs in 306 total minor league games. But he has 110 stolen bases in those games and more walks (201) than strikeouts (174).

“He’s one of the best baseball players that we have in our organization,” White Sox director of player development Paul Janish told reporters of Nishida on Saturday. “He is contagious in the best way.

“The players around him get better. The teams that he is on win.”

Murakami passes Aaron Judge

As for Chicago’s established standout rookie? Murakami hit a solo home run to get the scoring started in the first inning.

The blast was Murakami’s 18th of the season, moving him ahead of Aaron Judge for the American League lead.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jacob Misiorowski matched a career high with 12 strikeouts and carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Monday.

Christian Yelich hit a two-run homer and Andrew Vaughn went 3 for 4 as the Brewers extended their NL Central lead over St. Louis to 2 1/2 games.

Misiorowski (5-2) threw 57 pitches of at least 100 mph, which represented the most in a single game since pitch tracking began in 2008. The previous record for 100-mph pitches in a single game was 47 by Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene against St. Louis on Sept. 17, 2022.

He reached a top velocity of 103.4 mph while allowing one run, two hits and one walk in seven innings. His ERA improved to 1.83.

Misiorowski started the game by walking JJ Wetherholt, but the Cardinals wouldn’t get another runner on base until Pedro Pagés hit a bloop single to lead off the sixth. The Cardinals got a run later in the sixth to end Misiorowski’s streak of consecutive scoreless innings at 29 1/3.

Teddy Higuera owns the Brewers record with 32 straight scoreless innings in 1987.

Milwaukee took the lead for good by scoring three runs in the first inning off Matthew Liberatore, who entered the day with a 1.26 ERA in four career starts against the Brewers.

Jackson Chourio drew a leadoff walk, stole second and scored on a single to left by William Contreras. Yelich followed that by sending a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left-center, an opposite-field shot that traveled 381 feet.

The Brewers wouldn’t do any more damage against Liberatore (2-3), who had a career-high 10 strikeouts in five innings.

Milwaukee added single runs in the seventh and eighth inning against Brycen Mautz, who was making his major league debut. Garrett Mitchell had an RBI single in the sixth and Vaughn doubled home a run in the seventh.

Up next

Michael McGreevy (3-3, 2.40 ERA) starts for the Cardinals and Kyle Harrison (5-1, 1.77) pitches for the Brewers on Tuesday night.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Jaylen Brown’s All-NBA result raises questions after carrying Celtics to No. 2 seed originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While the Boston Celtics had an abrupt end to their 2025-26 season, they surprised everyone with how well they did. 

Losing Jayson Tatum last season to an Achilles tear, trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and losing Al Horford and Luke Kornet to free agency really had people thinking this would be a gap year for Boston.

Instead, the C’s other superstar Jaylen Brown put the team on his back and carried Boston to the second seed. And how was he rewarded by his efforts by the NBA? He was put on the All-NBA second team.

Brown truly balled out this season 

Imagn Images

Brown finished the year as the Celtics top scorer, with averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and one steal in 34.4 minutes per game. 

Even with Tatum back, he still was the number one option this year. He was the sole reason their seed was as high as it was upon Tatum’s return, who only helped solidify it. However, even with all that, it seems the voters didn’t think Brown had done enough.

Some players ahead of him are debatable

© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, DPOY Victor Wembanyama, and All-Stars in Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham made up the first team All-NBA. 

Those first three names make sense; they are arguably the three best players in the NBA. However, Doncic and Cunningham are debatable. Both players had the rules bent for them, as they were able to bypass the 65-game minimum rule due to complications. 

Even critics are calling it out

© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Some critics are definitely not OK with the results as well. Skip Bayless called out the NBA for giving first team to Doncic over Brown, as he believed Brown did more for his team on both sides of the floor. 

It was also pointed out that Brown and Doncic were the only two players in the NBA to average at least 28/6/5 this season, which adds more doubt to Cunningham’s case as well.

In the end, there’s not much Brown can do. If the voters feel he wasn’t first team, he doesn’t get the accolade. However, fans will always know how much he did for Boston this season, and hopefully that’s enough for him.

MORE NBA CONTENT

Boston Celtics could make shocking Derrick White decision despite latest defensive honor

Celtics trade rumors intensify as media debates Jaylen Brown’s future in Boston

Celtics may finally make all-in move for Giannis after playoff disappointment

The second Grand Slam of the year is under way, with players in Paris for the French Open.

Top seeds Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are searching for their first Roland Garros title, while Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek will be hoping to add another crown to their collections.

There will be comprehensive coverage of the tournament across the BBC - here is all you need to know.

When is the French Open 2026?

The clay-court Grand Slam started on Sunday, 24 May at Roland Garros and finishes on Sunday, 7 June.

The women's singles final takes place on Saturday, 6 June, with the men's final concluding the tournament a day later.

Qualifying, where players must win three matches to reach the main draw, began on Monday, 18 May.

How to follow the French Open on the BBC

There will be daily live text commentaries of key matches on the BBC Sport website and app, while there will be a daily podcast recapping the biggest stories on BBC Sounds.

5 Live Sport has daily coverage and commentary live from Court Philippe-Chatrier across Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller will be joined Katie Smith, Abigail Johnson David Law and Gigi Salmon, with analysis from Annabel Croft, Pat Cash, Daniela Hantuchova, Naomi Broady, Ryan Harrison and Leon Smith.

Commentary of the day sessions will take place from 13:00 BST and 19:30 for the night sessions.

Who won the French Open in 2025?

Carlos Alcaraz won his second French Open title last year after coming from two sets down - and saving three championship points - to beat Sinner in a thrilling men's singles final.

Coco Gauff, meanwhile, fought back to defeat world number one Sabalenka in the women's singles final to win her first French Open title and second singles major.

Is Carlos Alcaraz playing?

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz will not defend his French Open crown this year because of a wrist injury he sustained at the Barcelona Open.

Alcaraz will also miss next month's Wimbledon.

The Spaniard, who recently lost his world number one ranking to Sinner, completed the career Grand Slam when he won the Australian Open in January.

Who were the in-form players heading into Roland Garros?

With Alcaraz absent, top seed Sinner could secure his own career Grand Slam - winning each of the major tournaments at least once - with the French Open the only one missing from his collection.

The Italian has been in top form, having won the past six ATP Masters 1000 titles - including three consecutive clay-court events at Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.

In doing so, he became just the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to complete the full set of nine Masters titles - known as the 'career Golden Masters'.

Djokovic has won three French Open titles but the 39-year-old had not played many matches this year and suffered an early exit at the Italian Open in his only clay-court appearance this season, prior to his first-round win at Roland Garros.

While Sinner is the red-hot favourite in the men's draw, picking a women's singles winner is harder to predict.

Reigning champion Gauff reached the final of the Italian Open, where she was defeated by Elina Svitolina, but her form has been inconsistent in 2026.

Barring an injury worry, top seed Sabalenka should be in contention, along with Swiatek - a four-time winner at Roland Garros - and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.

Which Britons are in the main draw?

Cameron Norrie is the only Briton who is seeded at Roland Garros, while 122nd-ranked Jacob Fearnley also had direct entry into the men's main draw.

Jack Draper - the only other British man in the world's top 100 - is missing the tournament because of an ongoing knee injury.

Toby Samuel made it through qualifying but lost in straight sets to eighth seed Alex de Minaur in round one.

Emma Raducanu was beaten in the first round on Sunday, but Katie Boulter and Francesca Jones are through to round two having also received direct entry to the main draw in the women's singles.

Sonay Kartal is out with injury.

• GB's Boulter scrapes into French Open second round
• Jones breaks through after 'hardest moment of career'
• 'A big ask' in Paris - will a stronger Raducanu emerge at Wimbledon?

What is the prize money?

The total prize money for the French Open is 61.7m euros (£53.7m), with the men's and women's singles champions set to take home 2.8m euros (£2.4m) each.

There is an ongoing dispute over prize money in tennis, with the men's and women's top-10 players demanding a higher percentage of the revenue generated by the four majors.

• Players to cut short French Open interviews in pay row

French Open 2026 draw

The draw for this year's tournament took place on Thursday, 21 May.

• Full men's singles draw (external)
• Full women's singles draw (external)

• Raducanu faces tricky start - who plays who at French Open?

French Open 2026 schedule

24-26 May: Men's and women's singles first round

26 May: Men's and women's doubles begins

27-28 May: Men's and women's singles second round

27 May: Mixed doubles begins

29-30 May: Men's and women's singles third round

31 May-1 June: Men's and women's singles fourth round

2-3 June: Men's and women's quarter-finals

2 June: Wheelchair tournament begins

4 June: Women's singles semi-finals

5 June: Men's singles semi-finals

6 June: Women's singles final

7 June: Men's singles final

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Great Britain's Katie Boulter avoided an early slip-up at the French Open as she ground out a gruelling first-round win over American wildcard Akasha Urhobo.

Playing on clay has never come easy for Boulter, who only won her first WTA Tour-level match on the surface last year - at the age of 28.

But she booked her place in the second round at Roland Garros for just the second time with a scrappy 6-4 4-6 6-4 win over 19-year-old Urhobo, who was making her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam.

Boulter's reward is a second-round encounter with Austrian 28th seed Anastasia Potapova.

Earlier on Monday, Boulter's Australian fiance Alex de Minaur ended Toby Samuel's breakthrough run after the Briton came through three rounds of qualifying in Paris.

• Wawrinka bids fond farewell to French Open
• 'A big ask' in Paris - will a stronger Raducanu emerge at Wimbledon?

Ranked 114 places higher than Urhobo, Boulter was the favourite on paper - but limited exposure to clay has sometimes meant she has struggled against lower-ranked opposition on the surface.

However, Boulter told BBC Sport earlier this month that she was embracing the challenge of playing on the red dirt more each year.

"There have been times in the past where I feel like I have had to try to convince myself that I like the clay, whereas at the moment I genuinely believe that I can play great on it," she said.

The 29-year-old endured a difficult 2025, dropping from 24th in the world to outside the top 100, and she lost her British number one ranking amid injury issues.

Searching for a fresh start, she split from her long-time coach Biljana Veselinovic and appointed Michael Joyce - the former coach of Maria Sharapova - in early 2026.

After a first-round exit in January's Australian Open, Boulter returned to the world's top 100 with a WTA 250 title in Ostrava and a run to the third round in Miami.

But her form remained inconsistent and she had won just three WTA Tour-level singles matches from four clay tournaments in the build-up to the Paris major.

Unforced errors flew freely from both players' racquets and the pair twice traded breaks in the opening set before Boulter served it out at the second time of asking.

Back-to-back double faults from Boulter put Urhobo on the front foot early in the second, and although Boulter levelled the scores mid-set, the Florida-born player restored her advantage immediately and forced the decider.

Both players raised their level in the third and the quality improved somewhat as Boulter stamped her authority on the contest with a break in the fourth game.

Once again, the Briton failed to serve out the set and she eventually grabbed the win - after two hours and 10 minutes - by breaking Urhobo's serve for a sixth time.

Ultimately, 58 unforced errors to Boulter's 35 proved too costly for rising star Urhobo, who broke into the top 200 for the first time earlier this year.

Speaking after the match, Boulter said she was not quite physically at 100% during her first-round contest, adding: "I think it's just been cumulative over the last few weeks, maybe playing with a bit of an illness.

"I really expected to feel a bit better today walking on the court, but I wasn't fully there. Whether it was just a little bit of the conditions, a little bit of the last few weeks, I haven't quite got enough rest, I'm not entirely sure.

"In the last couple of days I've been pretty tired going on the practice courts. My goal was just to go out and not overthink it, just try to play, almost forget that I wasn't feeling amazing and try to do the best I could."

'More than I ever wanted' - Samuel's dream run comes to an end

Samuel, 23, dropped to almost 2,000 in the world rankings after missing much of the 2024 season with bruising in his right arm.

But he has climbed more places than anyone else on the men's tour over the past year, rising to 159th amid a run of titles on the ATP Challenger Tour - the second tier of men's professional tennis.

Contesting the biggest match of his career on Monday, Samuel produced an encouraging display despite a 6-4 6-4 6-2 against seven-time major quarter-finalist De Minaur - the first top-100 player he has ever faced.

"The week has been more than I could ever hope for," Samuel told BBC Sport. "To be in the main draw is more than I could have ever wanted."

On now aiming for a wildcard to play at Wimbledon, he added: "I'm just taking it one week at a time, trying to do my best and put myself in the best position to get a wildcard."

• Live scores, results and order of play
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Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy played catch on the field Monday after missing consecutive games with a wrist injury.

Muncy took a 96 mph sinker off of his right wrist in the eighth inning of Friday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and left the game despite his best efforts to stay in. After the incident, manager Dave Roberts was optimistic about Muncy’s chances to avoid a stint on the injured list.

The veteran third baseman sat out of the lineup for the final two games of the series and will miss Monday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies as well, but seeing him active on the field is a good sign for the Dodgers.

Muncy has been one of the Dodgers’ most productive bats through the first couple of months of the season, hitting 12 homers and driving in 19 runs while posting an .878 OPS. He has a 148 OPS+, which would rank as the second-highest mark of his career if he continued at this pace.

Who Will Play Instead of Max Muncy?

After Muncy went to the sidelines, Santiago Espinal filled in for him for the remainder of Friday’s game and all of Saturdays’s win, while Miguel Rojas handled the hot corner in the series finale. The Dodgers designated Espinal for assignment ahead of Monday’s series opener to make room on the active roster for Kiké Hernandez, who is now the most likely suitor to take over the position for the time being.

Manager Dave Roberts stated Hernandez would feature in Monday’s game, and he will look to get off to a good start to the season against the Rockies. Hernandez has been an important role player for the Dodgers since his return to LA in 2023, and will look to build off of his solid postseason run last year.

After a .621 OPS regular season, Hernandez did what he does best in the postseason and posted an OPS just shy of .800 through the Dodgers’ first three series.

The Dodgers will hope Hernandez can start hot as Muncy continues to progress as they look to extend their 1.5-game lead at the top of the NL West. Their first game against the Rockies comes Monday at 6:10 p.m. PT.

Does Max Muncy’s injury still concern you?

This article originally appeared on PGHBaseballNOW.

Henry Davis’ solo home run in the seventh inning lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Memorial Day at PNC Park.

Scoring Plays

Bottom 3rd, 1-0 PIT: Spencer Horwitz drew a leadoff walk against Ben Brown and Brandon Lowe followed with an RBI double off the center field wall just out of reach of the leaping Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Top 5th, 1-1: Michael Busch hit a solo home run off Carmen Mlodzinski to center. Busch’s sixth home run, which came on a 2-1 sinker left up in the zone, traveled 409 feet.

Click here to read more on PGHBaseballNOW.

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Well, that stuff about Dylan Cease making his next start? Not so much.

The team has put him on the IL.

“It doesn’t look too terrible, knock on wood. Just trying to be smart and not have it get worse. Don’t know the exact timeline yet, hoping it’s a minimal stay.”

The team hasn’t said who is coming to take his roster spot, but likely a reliever for now and then a starting pitcher when it is Cease’s turn in the rotation again.

And Vlad isn’t in tonight’s lineup. They say he is available off the bench, but I have my doubts.

Tonight’s lineup:

Diamondbacks must trade for one position to 'have a shot' at playoffs, per MLB insider originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

So far during the 2026 MLB season, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been a solid team with a 28-24 record. They're 4.5 games back in the NL West, and currently own the third and final Wild Card spot.

But, while the Diamondbacks are in decent shape in the playoff hunt right now, there is still some concern about whether this team will actually be able to stay in contention the rest of the season.

According to USA Today's MLB insider, Bob Nightengale, there is one position that the D-Backs should look to add to "have a shot" at returning to the postseason. That position? Relievers.

MLB insider reveals what Diamondbacks need to trade for at deadline

"Their bullpen is still unstable, and if they're going to have a shot at the playoffs, they'll need to add veteran relievers at the deadline," Nightengale writes.

This is not a surprise for the Diamondbacks. The offense does have room for improvement, and the starting rotation isn't ideal either. But, in the bullpen, there is some concern.

Paul Seawald has a 3.72 ERA this season in 22 games, while Ryan Thompson has a 3.12 ERA, and Brandon Pfaadt has a 5.60 ERA this season so far.

Brandyn Garcia, Kevin Ginkel, Juan Morillo, and Taylor Clarke have actually been fairly strong for the D-Backs this season, but there is still room for improvement.

MORE: Dodgers still have a Roki Sasaki problem

Namely, if the Diamondbacks could go out and add someone like Aroldis Chapman to get a true dominant closer, their bullpen could take the next step to becoming a strength.

This isn't terrible until right now, but if the Diamondbacks could add a back-end closer-type to fill in for Seawald, the end of games would be a lot less stressful for the Diamondbacks.

Nightengale does mention that multiple relievers could be helpful for the Diamondbacks to have a shot at the playoffs, which is a bit interesting.

But, even if it's only one very good reliever, the Diamondbacks could still use a bit more help out of the bullpen, especially if they're committed to the current crop of starters who have struggled at times this season.

More MLB news:

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox
• Chase Burns becomes first Reds pitcher with elite stat line since 1922
• Yankees’ Aaron Judge on track to become first player in MLB history with five 50+ homer seasons
• Phillies’ Aidan Miller finally beginning baseball activities amid back injury

We want your predictions for UFC Fight Night 277. Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we'll use the official tallies that are registered by Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those reader consensus picks will be part of the main card staff predictions we release ahead of UFC Fight Night 277 (Paramount+), which takes place Saturday at Galaxy Macau in China.

Make your picks below.

Jaqueline Amorim vs. Loma Lookboonme

• Records: Amorim (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Lookboonme (10-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC)
• Division: Women’s strawweight
• Rankings: Amorim No. 13, Lookboonme honorable mention
• Odds (as of 05.25.26): Amorim -115, Lookboonme -105

Everton made discreet enquiries over Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams this summer, joining a cluster of Premier League clubs monitoring the Welsh defender. However, the club’s former chief executive, Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, put cold water on the idea that Everton would push hard for him. Wyness stated clearly that he does not see Williams as someone who will dramatically alter the squad’s quality or trajectory.

Everton are not leading the race for Williams, says former CEO

Nottingham Forest responded to the growing interest by opening talks with Williams over an improved contract, despite the 25-year-old already being contracted to the City Ground until June 2029. Williams finished the 2025–26 season with two goals and three assists across 35 Premier League appearances, contributing steadily without ever seizing headlines.

He captained Forest for the first time last weekend and featured in the squad eliminated by Aston Villa at the Europa League semi-final stage. Alongside Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Newcastle United all registered interest in the Welshman, making the race a genuinely crowded one. Wyness acknowledged that monitoring a player costs nothing, yet insisted the club’s real priority targets lie elsewhere and that Williams carries little promise of a meaningful upgrade.

“I don’t see Neco being a game changer for the squad. Monitoring him is one thing. I don’t think he’ll be the one that Everton get, but he’s not one that I think is going to dramatically change the squad. While he’s obviously a talented, quick player as well, I don’t see that one happening.”

Does Williams suit Everton under David Moyes?

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Neco Williams and Nikola Milenkovic during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at City Ground on May 10, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

I do feel yes, not convincingly. Williams is a naturally right-footed player operating at left-back, and that positional mismatch catches up with him in tight moments. He committed 0.80 fouls per 90 minutes this season and collected seven yellow cards and one red card across 35 appearances, which points to a player who compensates with physicality when caught out of position. His crossing accuracy of 20.1% is also telling; he gets into crossing positions but rarely makes them count.

David Moyes builds his teams around defensive structure and positional discipline. Jake O’Brien has been filling in at right-back for Everton, averaging 1.6 tackles, 3.1 ball recoveries, and four clearances per game, numbers that reflect the kind of dependable, low-risk profile Moyes typically prefers. Williams brings more pace and more ambition going forward, but Everton’s system does not necessarily reward those qualities the way a higher-pressing side would.

Everton intend to strengthen at full-back as one of their top priorities this summer, with the Friedkin Group backing David Moyes in the transfer market regardless of European qualification. That situation suggests they need a genuine upgrade, not a sideways step. Williams, at his current level, feels like the latter. Wyness is right. Everton should keep looking.

Tottenham Hotspur will consider bringing former players back for the right roles, according to The Times.

Toby Alderweireld recently revealed that he would love to return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club.

Spurs defender Ben Davies is also expected to step up after he finishes playing, either into a coaching or strategic position.

Alderweireld has admitted that he would love a strategic role at Tottenham, and both of them could now be appointed to key roles as the Lilywhites look to rebuild things after a woeful season.

They finished 17th in the Premier League campaign, two points above the relegation zone, and changes are needed from board level to the dressing room and the pitch.

Daniel Levy left Spurs as executive chairman last September, and the club has been short of football leadership.

Former Tottenham stars with knowledge and experience of the North London club could be perfect for some positions, and both Alderweireld and Davies fit the bill given their years of service there.

Davies joined Spurs from Swansea City in 2014 and has made 363 appearances across 12 seasons.

A one-year extension to his contract was triggered last summer and he is not likely to sign a new deal.

Alderweireld spent six seasons at the club, making 236 appearances for them before leaving and later retiring as a professional footballer at the end of the 2024-25 season.

He could be a solid addition to the club and fans will be looking forward to the appointment of some of their former stars.

Former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville’s latest managerial chapter has come to an end after roughly two and a half years, with the 49-year-old ‘mutually parting ways’ with the MLS’s Portland Timbers.

During his time in charge, Neville won 33 games, tied 26, and lost 36, finishing ninth in the Western Conference in 2024 and eighth a year later.

In 2024, the Timbers were knocked out of the MLS Cup Playoffs in the Wild Card round via a 5-0 defeat by the Vancouver Whitecaps. The following season, they returned to win their Wild Card encounter with Real Salt Lake 3-1 before being knocked out in the following round across three legs by San Diego FC.

• Injured Lamine Yamal makes Spain’s World Cup squad as Real Madrid stars absent
• Chris Richards' World Cup in question as USMNT defender suffers ankle injury

Neville leaves Providence Park with the Timbers 14th in the Western Conference, off back-to-back losses and with a 4-2-8 record, heading into the FIFA World Cup break.

In a statement, team owner Merritt Paulson said, “In my nearly two decades of owning and operating the Portland Timbers, there are very few people I have enjoyed working with more than Phil Neville.

“Phil has outstanding leadership qualities and a boundless sense of positivity even in the face of adversity. I cannot thank Phil enough for his tireless dedication to this club and the Portland community, which he and his family truly embraced.”

General manager Ned Grabavoy also thanked Neville for his work, saying, “We are appreciative of Phil’s commitment and efforts during his time with the Portland Timbers.

“Phil brought enthusiasm and passion to the role, and it was a pleasure to work with him. We wish Phil all the best in his next opportunity.

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

“This offseason we had pointed discussions about the areas we needed to build on and improve. Ultimately, we have not seen the progress we’ve needed to, and, most importantly, results have fallen well short of expectations.”

Neville’s replacement has not yet been named, with the team stating that “Any interim coaching decisions will be made in concert with the timing of the head coach hire.”

As for the former England international, who has previously managed the England women's national team as well as David Beckham's Inter Miami, he also put on record his gratitude for the Timbers’ staff and fans, stating, “I'd like to thank Merritt Paulson, Ned Grabavoy, and the entire Portland family for their unwavering support in giving me the job and standing behind me.

“To my staff, thank you for your incredible loyalty and hard work. And to the most incredible bunch of players: thank you for the effort, the good times, the good results, the bad results, and all the laughs we shared together.

“I realize we are in a results business, and the results haven't been to the expectation of this football club. To the Timbers Army — you are the reason I felt inspired to try and bring success to this club. Keep getting behind the players and the club in this wonderful city. I will miss you all.”

Huntington fends off Mt. Hebron late for 3-1 win in Maryland's MPSSAA Class 2A softball state championship game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Huntingtown Hurricanes fended off a late challenge from the Mt. Hebron [Ellicott City] Vikings Monday evening to win Maryland's MPSSAA Class 2A softball state championship.

Trailing 3-1, Mt. Hebron started its final turn at the plate with a strikeout before getting a runner on with a single. A fielder's choice resulted in a force at second base for the penultimate out, but the Vikings still weren't done. Another single put runners on first and second, bringing the winning run to the plate.

But a solid hit to third base was fielded cleanly by Huntingtown, and the Hurricanes' celebration began with the state title in hand.

Huntingtown entered game as the favorite, listed No. 1 in the latest edition of the MaxPreps rankings for Maryland. They finished the season 22-2.

For Mt. Hebron, the loss was heartbreaking, the only blemish on a 19-1 season.

HOW TO WATCH: Huntingtown vs. Mt. Hebron on the NFHS Network

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Refresh for updates

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SEVENTH INNING

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Good contact on the second pitch of the at-bat, but Huntingtown makes the play. They are the MPSSAA Class 2A state champions! It's Mt. Hebron's first loss of the season after a 19-1 start.

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Ball one.

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A single up the middle! Two on, two out. Runners on first and second. The winning run is at the plate.

__________

Mt. Hebron still alive! They rip a single into right field, but then they ground into an out at second. They still have a runner on first with two outs, so the batter at the plate represents the tying run.

__________

Huntingtown gets out No. 1 on a strikeout.

__________

Mt. Hebron has done all they can to at least have a chance. They head to the bottom of the seventh needing at least two runs to extend this or three to win it.

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SIXTH INNING — Huntingtown 3, Mt. Hebron 1

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Mt. Hebron gets a run back, but a second runner is tagged out rounding third nowhere close to making it home. Crucial error there as they would have had a run in scoring position, possibly two. But they still get a run out of it. They head to the seventh.

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Two on, two out. Mt. Hebron is trying to mount a rally with the tying run at the plate.

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Mt. Hebron silences Huntingtown at the plate to stay within reach headed to the bottom of the sixth.

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FIFTH INNING — Huntingtown 3, Mt. Hebron 0

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Mt. Hebron just doesn't have any answers at the plate, and they head to the sixth still trailing, 3-0.

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Mt. Hebron's pitching is keeping them in this as they shut Huntingtown down again. But the bats need to come alive.

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FOURTH INNING — Huntingtown 3, Mt. Hebron 0

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Nothing for Mt. Hebron, and they go to the fifth.

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Huntingtown is unable to add to its lead, but Mt. Hebron has got to get something going if they want to chip away at this lead.

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THIRD INNING — Huntingtown 3, Mt. Hebron 0

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Nothing from Mt. Hebron, and they head to the fourth inning.

__________

Mt. Hebron finally gets out of the inning without any further damage, but they've got to get things figured out at the plate quickly. They're coming up in the bottom of the third.

__________

An error from Mt. Hebron allows two runs to score. 3-0 is already a deep hole against the state's top-ranked team.

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SECOND INNING — Huntingtown 1, Mt. Hebron 0

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Mt. Hebron is unable to answer, and they head to the third inning.

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Huntingtown strikes first with a single run.

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FIRST INNING

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Mt. Hebron is unable to score, and they head to the second with no runs on the board, yet.

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Huntingtown came up empty in its first turn at the plate, and they head to the bottom of the first with Mt. Hebron taking its turn.

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They're finally under way!

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They're getting close to first pitch.

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Coming soon!

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How can I watch Huntingtown vs. Mt. Hebron?

• Date: 3 p.m. EST, Monday, May 25
• WATCH:Huntingtown vs. Mt. Hebron on the NFHS Network

More high school softball

• Calvary Baptist Academy wins Louisiana's LHSAA Non-Select Division III softball state championship
• North Carolina's NCHSAA postseason fast approaching with Weddington leading the way
• Alabama's AHSAA softball playoffs set to get underway
• Florida's FHSAA softball district tournaments get the postseason started in the Sunshine State
• Top-ranked Texas UIL softball squads all advance to the area playoffs

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Enrique Hernández from the 60-day IL on Monday, getting their valuable utility player back for the first time this season after offseason surgery on his left elbow. The elbow issue kept him out of the lineup for seven weeks and limited him to 92 games.

Hernández finished a three-week minor-league rehab assignment to prepare for his return. In 12 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, he compiled a .214/.298/.310 slash average while mostly playing third base and seeing some time in the outfield.

Perhaps more importantly, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts feels Hernández brings energy to the lineup that the team needs.

"There's a different energy with Kiké,” Roberts said on Saturday. “There’s a levity, there’s an intensity. I'm looking forward to having that edge. He should be available for [Sunday]."

Playing third base will be particularly useful for the Dodgers if Hernández has to fill in for Max Muncy at that position.

Muncy was hit on the right wrist by a 96 mph sinker from pitcher Aaron Ashby in the eighth inning of Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He left the game and imaging exams did not reveal a break. However, Muncy sat out Saturday and Sunday’s games, and is out of the lineup on Monday as well.

Muncy, 35, leads the Dodgers with 12 home runs while batting .258/.363/.515. However, he’s struggled in May with a .210/.347/.387 slash average, two doubles and three homers.

At third base, advanced metrics rate Muncy highly, crediting him with 6 Defensive Runs Saved and 5 Outs Above Average. He rates among the top five at the position in those categories.

With Hernández’s return, the Dodgers had a surplus of infielders. Hyeseong Kim or Santiago Espinal were the candidates to lose a spot on the roster if Muncy did not go on the injured list. Muncy was seen playing catch before Monday’s game by reporters, sporting a wrap on his wrist.

Kim has batted .214/.267/.268 in May with 17 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances, reverting to the poor strike zone judgment that the Dodgers thought he’d worked through in the minors before being called up. However, if Hernández has to play third base in Muncy’s absence, Kim will likely be at second base.

However, Espinal was ultimately an easy candidate to be designated for assignment despite being effective in a utility role without requiring much playing time. Appearing in 26 games for the Dodgers, he compiled a .220/.238/.366 slash average while playing at second and third base.

The Los Angeles Lakers are building a roster around superstar Luka Doncic, who signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the franchise last summer.

In a recent trade proposal by ESPN, the Lakers were connected to Doncic’s former Dallas Mavericks teammate, Daniel Gafford. In exchange for Gafford, the Mavericks would receive Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt and the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“He can rejoin Luka Doncic and thrive once more as a pick-and-roll partner and rim-running threat,” ESPN NBA insider Zach Kram wrote. “This deal should be a no-brainer for the Lakers, as they’d address their glaring hole at the center position — which would still exist even if Deandre Ayton exercised his option for next season — with a player who’s a proven fit next to Doncic. Gafford would certainly help the Lakers more next season than any rookie they could draft with the No. 25 pick.”

Vanderbilt is halfway through a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Lakers, while Gafford is signed to a three-year, $60 million deal. Therefore, the trade would clear some cap space for the Mavericks.

The Lakers already tried trading Knecht in February to the Charlotte Hornets, so it is expected Los Angeles will continue exploring trade options with 2024 first-round pick.

Doncic and Gafford Made NBA Finals Appearance Together

Doncic and Gafford never played a full season together on the Mavericks. The Washington Wizards traded Gafford to the Mavericks in February 2024. Then, a year later, the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers.

But the pair reached the NBA Finals in 2024 and could bring that same success to the Lakers if Gafford is traded. During that season, Gafford led the NBA in field-goal percentage, shooting 72.5% across 74 games.

This season, the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 65.5% from the field in 55 games with Dallas.

Gafford struggled with a lingering ankle injury all season after spraining it on the opening day of training camp. The injury caused him to miss all of training camp, preseason games and the first five games of the regular season. Then, he missed final four games of the season with a right shoulder impingement.

Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The post Lakers Could Reunite Luka Doncic With Former Mavericks Teammate in Trade Deal appeared first on LA Sports Report.

The New England Patriots entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear hierarchy at quarterback. Nonetheless, they opted to add more depth to the pairing of starter Drake Maye and backup Tommy DeVito: they invested the 234th overall selection in the seventh round, bringing aboard Texas Tech’s Behren Morton.

The ninth QB picked in this year’s draft, Morton is heading toward his rookie campaign as the third option on the roster. What can be expected of him, though? Let’s find out.

Hard facts

Name: Behren Morton

Position: Quarterback

Jersey number: 15

Opening day age: 24 (1/17/2002)

Measurements: 6’2 1/8”, 218 lbs, 30 5/8” arm length, 75 7/8” wingspan, 9 1/2” hand size, 4.89s 40-yard dash, 7.17s 3-cone drill, 4.44s short shuttle, 30 1/2” vertical jump, 9’5” broad jump, 5.66 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

NFL: New England Patriots (2026-) | College: Texas Tech (2021-25)

A multi-purpose player at Eastland, TX, High School, Morton played quarterback, safety, punter and kicker. The four-star recruit went on to earn scholarship offers from prestigious programs such as USC, Baylor and Texas A&M, but ultimately went with the team that first showed serious interest in him — and the one he was rooting for growing up: Texas Tech.

Morton arrived in Lubbock in January 2021, but despite being the highest-ranked QB recruit in the program’s history saw minimal action before redshirting as a freshman. He upped his workload the next two seasons as the backup to starter Tyler Shough, earning honorable All-Big 12 mentions twice as a busy injury replacement (he started 12 combined games in 2022 and 2023). After Shough transferred to Louisville in 2024, the door was open for Morton to become the Red Raiders’ full-time QB1.

In that role, he started all 24 games he appeared in over the next two seasons and was twice named a team captain while also adding his third honorable All-Big 12 nomination. In total, Morton played 45 games with 36 starts in college, completing 793 of 1,263 pass attempts (62.8%) for 8,986 yards, 71 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.

Scouting report

Strengths: Morton is a tough and sturdy quarterback, who clears the minimum height NFL teams are looking for in their quarterbacks. His arm doesn’t stand out, but he still delivers a generally accurate ball and has shown that he is willing and able to push the ball downfield. He also throws with anticipation and goes through his progressions. Morton offers experience operating RPO concepts, and is flexible enough in his lower body to maneuver the pocket or escape altogether in hopes of extending plays. He furthermore was a leader at Texas Tech, as evidenced by his status as a two-time captain.

Weaknesses: Morton lacks any true standout traits as a thrower of the ball. His velocity is adequate at best, which makes tight-window throws a challenge, and his accuracy can be on-again, off-again. His decision making also leaves some to be desired, as does his ability to sense pressure or quickly diagnose coverage. He also is not the most natural athlete, and while he can find escape lanes is typically not a serious threat with the ball in his hands. Furthermore, Morton missed a combined nine games over his four non-redshirt seasons in college; he had to sit out at least one game per season.

2025 review

Stats: 12 games (12 starts) | 687 offensive snaps | 219-of-332 (66.0%), 2,780 passing yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs | 89 times pressured (incl. 21 sacks), 4 FMBs | 21 carries (excl. 4 kneel-downs), 75 rushing yards (3.6/carry) | 1 penalties (incl. 0 declined/offsetting)

Season recap: Coming off his most successful season up until that point, Morton decided to stay in school for his final year of eligibility. Entering 2025, his role was very much set: he returned as Texas Tech’s No. 1 quarterback and one of the team’s leaders. He was once again voted captain and went on to start all 12 of the games he appeared in.

Morton started the season hot, completing almost 70% of his passes and throwing 11 touchdowns versus only one interception over the first three games. However, in Week 4 versus Utah, he struggled: not only did he throw two picks, he also fumbled the ball and exited the game in the third quarter due to a head injury.

He returned for the next two games, bouncing back from his lackluster performance against the Utes, but again was bitten by the injury bug in Week 7 versus Kansas. He suffered a hairline fracture in his right leg injury in the second quarter of that game, and had to sit out the next two contests because of the issue. He eventually returned in early November and led the Red Raiders on a five-game win streak that culminated in the Big 12 Championship.

Morton played some solid football during that stretch — 64.7% completions, 9 TDs, 1 INT — but also was not asked to do too much of the heavy lifting to carry the fourth-ranked team in the nation to the playoff tournament. Once there, his season and college career found an underwhelming end: Morton went 18-for-32 for 137 yards with no touchdowns and three turnovers in a CFP quarterfinal loss to Oregon.

Regardless of that game, Morton had another solid season and earned honorable All-Big 12 recognition for a third time in the last four years. However, his injury woes combined with his role and some uneven outings meant that he seemingly failed to boost his draft stock in any meaningful way in 2025.

2026 preview

Position: Third-string quarterback | Ability: Camp body/Practice squad candidate | Contract: Signed through 2029 (2030 UFA)

What will be his role? As mentioned above, Morton joined a team with a clear-cut quarterback hierarchy when he was drafted by the Patriots. With Drake Maye locked into the starter role and Tommy DeVito effectively guaranteed to serve as his backup, the rookie will spend spring and summer as the team’s QB3 with only limited prospects of climbing up the depth chart.

What is his growth potential? Morton has some limitations in terms of arm talent and overall athleticism that might cap his ceiling in the NFL. He also has plenty of shortcomings that very much are fixable, though, including his decision making, mechanics and play diagnosis. If he can improve in those areas, he could develop into a suitable second-string quarterback further down the line.

Does he have positional versatility? As evidenced by the fact that he averaged only 4.5 yards per rushing attempt over his two seasons as a starter — a solid number but one not indicative of a dual-threat player — Morton is not a particularly versatile quarterback. Yes, he has some versatility in his high school background, but he enters the NFL as a rather one-dimensional player at the position. That does not necessarily have to be a bad thing either, though.

What is his salary cap situation? Morton signed a standard four-year rookie contract shortly after joining the Patriots that is structured in a straight-forward fashion: it includes a non-guaranteed $885,000 base salary complemented by a fully-guaranteed $37,307 signing bonus proration. His resulting cap hit of $922,307 is not high enough to qualify for Top 51 status, meaning that only his signing bonus is counted against New England’s books during the offseason.

How safe is his roster spot? Despite hearing his name called in the draft, Morton is not guaranteed a spot on the Patriots’ roster. The chances of him beating out Tommy DeVito for the backup spot behind Drake Maye are slim, which means that the team might have to ask itself a fairly simple question come cutdown day: is a third quarterback more valuable than additional depth elsewhere on the 53-man roster?

Summary: Morton did look good during the only open practice of rookie minicamp, but one session alone does not make the case for a roster spot. He will get his opportunities to earn one, of course, but ultimately might not offer enough upside to be kept around on the active team. Instead, he seems like a prime practice squad candidate at this point in time.

What do you think about Behren Morton heading into the 2026 season? Will he be anything more than emergency depth at quarterback? Will he even make the roster? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.

A former champion waved an emotional goodbye to Roland Garros as a potential title challenger announced himself in style on the Parisian clay.

Stan Wawrinka lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires back in 2015 with one of the great final performances against Novak Djokovic and announced late last year that this season would be his swansong.

Now 41, Wawrinka is no longer the bludgeoning force he once was but he remains a fan favourite, especially in Paris, and a packed house cheered him on in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat by lucky loser Jesper de Jong.

The three-time grand slam champion was honoured in an on-court ceremony and his voice cracked as he addressed the crowd.

“It’s hard, I don’t want to have to say goodbye here,” said the Swiss. “It was tournaments like this that I dreamed of, that made me want to become a tennis player. I grew up with the aim of playing once at Roland Garros. Thanks for making the dream possible.”

Wawrinka’s countryman and former sparring partner Roger Federer then led a video tribute that also included contributions from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Wawrinka’s exit means 39-year-old Djokovic is the only former men’s champion left in the draw, but a player 20 years younger may yet have a say in the final stages.

Spaniard Rafael Jodar has the perfect name to thrive at Roland Garros and he lost just five games on his debut, beating American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-1, 6-0, 6-4.

Ranked 165 at the start of the season, Jodar arrived in Paris as the 27th seed having won his maiden ATP Tour title in Marrakech and then reached the quarter-finals at the Masters 1000 events in both Madrid and Rome.

Jodar’s draw has also become more favourable over the first two days with 12th seed Jiri Lehecka following seventh seed Taylor Fritz out in the first round.

Former finalist Casper Ruud will fancy his chances of a deep run as one of the few top players who is both in form and a clay aficionado.

All appeared to be going smoothly for the Norwegian when he led qualifier Roman Safiullin by two sets and a break but he spurned five match points and almost wilted in the heat before finally winning 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 after three hours and 56 minutes.

There were comfortable wins for two of the favourites in the women’s draw, with four-time champion Iga Swiatek beating Australian teenager Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 and second seed Elena Rybakina seeing off Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2.

Seventh seed Elina Svitolina is heavily fancied to do well here having won the Italian Open in Rome last weekend but she survived a real battle against Anna Bondar.

Bondar had won their last two matches so there was huge relief for Svitolina when she clinched a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-3) victory.

Joao Cancelo has shared an interesting post on social media amid speculation about his future at Barcelona.

The defender arrived on loan from Al-Hilal in the winter transfer window and has gone on to become a regular in the starting XI.

Barcelona are reportedly keen to keep hold of the Portugal international and his latest update on Instagram suggests that he’s really hoping that he can stay.

“Sometimes, the most important decisions aren’t just about football, but about the place where talent truly belongs. Barcelona isn’t just a club, it’s a stage where football turns into art, where exceptional players enter history.

“João was born for this style, for this jersey, for this challenge. At Barcelona, he won’t just be another player, but an essential star, a reference, a source of inspiration.

“The city, the club, and the fans are ready to welcome him as he deserves. Tell him not to hesitate. Some paths don’t require second thoughts. The moment is now. Barcelona awaits him.”

Barcelona still need to agree a deal with Al-Hilal, however, as Cancelo still has a year left to run on his contract with the Saudi Pro League side.

As expected, the UCLA Bruins claimed a No. 1 seed in the Los Angeles Regional for the NCAA tournament. It’s the second time that UCLA baseball has been the tournament’s No. 1 seed, with the 2019 UCLA team also being the No. 1 overall seed.

UCLA IS THE NO. 1 OVERALL SEED IN THE NCAA BASEBALL TOURNEY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IWacFI8xjp

— ESPN (@espn) May 25, 2026

The Bruins are seeking a second-straight College World Series appearance after the program just clinched their first-ever Big Ten Conference tournament championship, with UCLA getting three walk-off wins to get through the tournament. 

Joining UCLA in the Los Angeles Regional is No. 2 seed Virginia Tech, No. 3 seed Cal Poly and No. 4 seed Saint Mary’s. The Bruins will begin their regional action on Friday with a noon start time versus Saint Mary’s.

LOS ANGELES REGIONAL

(1) @UCLABaseball@SMC_Baseball@CalPolyBSB@HokiesBaseball#RoadToOmahapic.twitter.com/WH85PW5RZ4

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) May 25, 2026

There aren’t any Big Ten opponents in the Los Angeles Regional with the Bruins and UCLA must be relieved about that, following three nail-biters in the conference tournament, where the Bruins were down to their final out in two different games.

UCLA will be playing on their home field, Jackie Robinson Stadium, throughout the regionals, with the Bruins owning a 27-5 record at home this season. The Bruins have technically been better on the road this season, having gone 6-0 in neutral site games and 18-1 on the road, but UCLA won’t be mad for the chance to play in front of their home crowd for a few more games.

The regional will wrap up either on Sunday or Monday depending on how the action unfolds. UCLA enters the regional having won five games in a row and having an impressive 51 wins on the season, the most in Division I college baseball this season.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA baseball named the No. 1 seed in the Los Angeles Regional

Sometimes you just have to tip your cap and admit that someone was better than you. Today’s cap is tipped to Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski who overwhelmed the St. Louis Cardinals on Memorial Day Monday as Milwaukee won 5-1.

If you could erase the first inning, Matthew Liberatore had a better-than-average start for the Cardinals. He registered a career-high 10 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the 1st inning did happen and it was a punishing one for Matthew as he gave up a leadoff walk to Jackson Chourio who ended up stealing second base when Liberatore’s pickoff attempt was tardy and he was ruled safe on a successful Brewers challenge. Chourio then scored on a single to left by William Contreras making it 1-0 Brewers. That wasn’t nearly as damaging as what Christian Yelich would do when he slammed a 381 foot opposite field home run giving Milwaukee a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 lead.

That 3-0 lead felt “insurmountable” because Jacob Misiorowski was dealing. He didn’t allow a St. Louis Cardinals hit for the first 5 innings. The no-hit bid would end in the top of the 6th inning when Pedro Pagés managed a single into short right field. After Victor Scott II reached on a fielder’s choice, JJ Wetherholt smoked a single between first and second base and Victor advanced to third base. Suddenly, the St. Louis Cardinals had the tying run at the plate in Ivan Herrera, but all he was able to manage was a groundout to third which scored Victor Scott II and cut the Milwaukee lead to 3-1. Jacob Misiorowski ended up throwing heat for 7 innings and striking out 12.

Matthew Liberatore’s final stat line for Monday was 5 innings pitched allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits while striking out 10 and walking 2. Brycen Mautz made his Major League debut in the 6th inning and got off to a shaky start allowing a single to Vaughan who advanced to second on a wild pitch. Brycen then walked Rengifo and then gave up a single to Garrett Mitchell which scored Vaughan making it 4-1 Brewers. Mautz finished the bottom of the 6th inning strong, though, with strikeouts of Ortiz and Chourio.

Milwaukee would tack on a run to their lead in the bottom of the 7th inning when Brycen Mautz walked Turang. After getting Contreras to fly out, Yelich singled and then Vaughan hit a ground-rule double scoring Turang and making it 5-1 Brewers. It could have been more, but Christian Yelich gave a clinic on why you don’t slide into home with your lead foot sticking straight up in the air as he was thrown out by Jordan Walker after a successful Cardinals challenge. Kudos to Brycen Mautz for setting the Brewers down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning. Imagine making your Major League debut in a tight 3-1 game against your NL Central Division-leading rival. He should feel good about his first game.

The St. Louis Cardinals will try again on Tuesday night as Michael McGreevy will start for the good guys while Kyle Harrison takes the mound for the villains. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

A remarkable stat has come to light, putting Manchester United’s brilliant season into perspective.

Stunning campaign

United enjoyed a wonderful 2025/26 season, the catalyst for which was Michael Carrick’s appointment as Ruben Amorim’s replacement at the start of the year.

Far from finding stability under Amorim, United were a study in inconsistency, dogged by problems both on and off the pitch. But Carrick steadied the ship and embarked on a brilliant run that secured Champions League football and a third-placed finish for the Red Devils.

Sunday’s 3-0 demolition of Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium took Carrick’s record to 12 wins, three draws, and just two losses from 17 games.

Carrick was confirmed as permanent head coach last week. United, however, had consistently stressed they would not make a knee-jerk decision, vowing to explore all suitable and available options before naming anyone to the role.

But Carrick’s outstanding results and performance made it nearly impossible to overlook him. Speaking to MUTV after the final whistle at Brighton, the legendary midfielder was hugely optimistic about the club’s future prospects.

Astonishing stat

There is even more reason to be hopeful, if a stat by Opta is anything to go by.

Per the data analysts, United head a top-five mini-league of the Premier League’s strongest teams this term.

Opta analysed the head-to-head matches between the leading five clubs and United came out on top of this mini-table, having won five of their eight games.

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa ran in second spot, followed by cross-town rivals Manchester City. Title-winners Arsenal are only fourth and Liverpool at the bottom.

With memorable victories over City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Villa, Carrick’s sensational run proves one thing: United can beat anyone.

Hopefully, with a strong summer window and more signings, United can kick on and mount a title charge next season.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Spanish national team boss Luis de la Fuente has this week made history.

This comes courtesy of his decision not to include a single Real Madrid player in his squad for the upcoming World Cup.

De La Fuente’s panel of stars for the upcoming North American showcase was unveiled on Monday, featuring a whole host of leading names from across La Liga and beyond.

The likes of David Raya, Marc Cucurella, Lamine Yamal and Pedri were all afforded deserved places in La Roja’s ranks.

As alluded to above, however, overlooked entirely were the entire playing squad at Real Madrid.

Dani Carvajal’s exclusion was widely predicted, but Dean Huijsen being left at home has come as something of a surprise, with the youngster having played an important role under the watch of Luis de la Fuente.

And owing to as much, the Spanish staff have made history.

For the first time ever, not a single first-team Real Madrid star has been included in the country’s travelling party for a World Cup.

Conor Laird – GSFN

Arne Slot's first-team squad have not been their usual selves this season.

Most people expected the Anfield outfit to be unstoppable, especially since they signed players such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in the summer.

However, due to things such as injuries and the lack of harmony among the squad, things just haven't gone to plan.

This lack of form has caused chaos for Liverpool with the club miles off the pace compared to their title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

So, with all of this in mind, it's hardly surprising to see Liverpool get linked with many different players.

And now, they've actually been told the asking price for one of their long-term targets.

Liverpool would only need to spend £34.5 million to sign Maxence Lacroix

Liverpool's defence have been lacklustre this term.

Only Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson can say that they've put in mostly solid performances despite the Reds spending £45 million on Milos Kerkez and £29.5 million on Jeremie Frimpong.

This lack of form has caused more than one problem for Liverpool which all need to be resolved in the upcoming summer transfer window.

That's why almost every day Liverpool's fanbase have seen new links emerge for players in every position.

And now, the Reds have finally been told how much they'd need to spend if they want to sign Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix this summer.

That is, if an update from RMC Sport is to be believed.

"The story between Maxence Lacroix and Crystal Palace could be coming to an end," they wrote.

"According to several sources close to the matter, the French defender is expected to play his last match for the Eagles this Sunday against Arsenal.

"For his part, Maxence Lacroix has a clear idea of ​​the next step in his career.

"The Frenchman prefers a club that has qualified for the next Champions League, a criterion that has become central to his decision when choosing his future destination.

"To convince Palace to release their player, suitors will have to open their wallets. A minimum of €40 million will be required to even begin negotiations."

Maxence Lacroix would be a perfect replacement for Ibrahima Konate

Even though Liverpool may want to keep hold of Ibrahima Konate this season, it doesn't feel all that likely to happen.

The Frenchman is now into the final month of his current contract and, even though talks have been going on all season, both parties have failed to come to an agreement.

Several clubs are vying for his transfer with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid among the most linked.

And, even though it would hurt Liverpool if they lost him for nothing, Lacroix could be a perfect replacement.

The Frenchman already has plenty of Premier League experience and, since Palace are in the final of the Conference League, he's also had a decent chunk of European experience.

At 26 years old he's the perfect age to continue growing and perhaps take over from Van Dijk and become the defensive leader in the future.

Lacroix has been described as a "magic" player and, for a fee worth around £35 million, a move would be a no-brainer for Liverpool.

Throughout these NBA playoffs, the Knicks have answered the “Rest vs. Rust” debate rather emphatically.

Buoyed by three days off before the start of their second-round series, the Knicks pounded the beleaguered Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1, then kept punching en route to a low-stress sweep.

The Knicks then enjoyed eight full days off before the Eastern Conference finals, and while they did come out rusty to begin Game 1, their fresh legs served them well during a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback and overtime victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Similarly, the Knicks were the superior second-half team in their Game 2 and 3 wins over the Cavs.

“We need to get our legs under us, quite honestly,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said after Game 2. “We know their rest advantage.”

Before facing the Knicks, the Sixers and Cavaliers were both barely removed from seven-game series that seemed to drain them, physically and emotionally.

The Knicks must be loving, then, what they’re watching in the Western Conference Finals.

With a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are duking it out in a full-blown slugfest — a best-of-seven series that’s turning into a war of attrition.

It’s now tied, 2-2, after Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs defeated the defending NBA champions, 103-82, in Game 4 on Sunday night.

“We had never been in this kind of situation before,” Wembanyama said after totaling 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks in Game 4.

“It was our first deficit in a playoff series, and we just responded. It was nothing amazing. It wasn’t magic. We just did what we needed to do, and the series is far from over.”

Indeed, the Western Conference Finals is now guaranteed to last at least six games and cannot be decided until Thursday at the earliest. Game 5 is set for Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.

Long series tend to have a carry-over effect, as evidenced by the flat performances and underwhelming finishes by the Sixers and Cavs, which the Knicks have taken advantage of.

“[Playing fewer] minutes helps,” Knicks guard Josh Hart said after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

“I think at one point, they played 50 percent more minutes — or we played half the minutes or something — than the Cavs did. When you do that, obviously you’re at an advantage and you’re able to play faster and do those kinds of things. Obviously, it’s helped.”

Those kinds of advantages could also go a long way in an NBA Finals where the Knicks would be considered underdogs against either the top-seeded Thunder or second-seeded Spurs, both of whom won at least 60 games in the regular season.

The NBA builds in extra time off between the conference finals and the NBA Finals, so even if Thunder-Spurs goes to seven games, the winner would get three full days off before Game 1 on June 3.

OKC and San Antonio boast enviable depth, too, but that has been tested as both teams navigate injuries.

Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox sat out of Games 1 and 2 with an ankle injury and has suffered a dip in production since returning, clearly still dealing with the issue.

San Antonio rookie Dylan Harper (right adductor) missed the end of Game 2, and while the standout guard played in Games 3 and 4, he totaled only 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting in them.

And on the other side, Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (calf) — two of the Thunder’s top scorers and ball-handlers — missed the Game 4 loss due to injury.

The Thunder are not the same team without those two, and especially without Williams, who has played in only four of a possible 12 games this postseason.

Without them in Game 4, the Thunder had their worst offensive performance of the playoffs — by far.

“I think it’s just a snowball effect. When you come out with the right energy, things like that work out, and the offense has flow,” said Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the back-to-back reigning NBA MVP.

“I don’t think we came out with the right energy [in Game 4], and it just trickled down. We were stagnant on both ends. They were the aggressor. They were forcing turnovers. It’s easy to blame the offense, but to me, it always starts with the energy and effort you put forth.”

If nothing else, the Spurs are proving the Thunder aren’t invincible. But beating them over a seven-game gauntlet would take a heavy toll.

Wembanyama is playing 39.0 minutes per game in the Western Conference finals, up significantly from the 29.2 he averaged in the regular season or the 29.0 he averaged over the first two rounds of the playoffs.

It might require even more to dethrone the Thunder.

“It’s a fact that the series is 2-2, and basically 0-0, and it’s first to two [wins] now,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s not at the front of our minds, but it is a fact, and it’s the reality of where we are.”

The Philadelphia Eagles officially enter the OTA portion of the offseason this week, beginning the final major phase before mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp in late July. Philadelphia spent the offseason reshaping portions of the roster while emphasizing offensive upgrades through the draft and free agency. OTAs will provide the first real look at how many of those pieces fit together.

From Jalen Hurts and the reshaped offense to the revamped secondary, here are seven key storylines to monitor as Eagles OTAs begin.

1. Jalen Hurts is adjusting to another offensive reset

Every Eagles offseason somehow centers on Jalen Hurts adapting to new voices and offensive philosophies, whether due to a Super Bowl appearance or an outright coordinator failure. Hurts has already begun working with Sean Mannion while also benefiting from the additions of Josh Grizzard and Jerrod Johnson. The Eagles are hoping improved continuity and communication can stabilize an offense that slipped badly at times in 2025.

OTAs will offer the first glimpse into how comfortable Hurts looks inside the new structure.

2. The evolving wide receiver room

No position group feels more fluid entering OTAs.

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith remain the established stars, but Philadelphia aggressively reshaped the depth around them by adding Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Elijah Moore. Add in the fact that Brown is about a week or at the most two weeks away from being traded.

The Eagles suddenly have legitimate competition for roster spots and playing time. OTA reps will matter.

3. Makai Lemon's immediate role

Among Philadelphia's rookie class, Lemon appears best positioned for early offensive snaps. The former USC standout brings explosiveness, versatility, and dangerous run-after-catch ability to the offense. The Eagles clearly envision him playing quickly, and OTAs should provide the first clues regarding how creatively the coaching staff plans to use him.

4. Eli Stowers and the future at tight end

Dallas Goedert remains one of the offense's most important veterans, but the Eagles' drafting Eli Stowers signaled long-term planning at the position. Stowers enters Philadelphia with elite athletic traits, including rare explosiveness for a tight end. The biggest OTA question becomes how quickly he earns Hurts' trust and whether the Eagles immediately carve out a specialized role for him.

5. Life after Jeff Stoutland

For the first time in over a decade, someone other than Jeff Stoutland oversees Philadelphia's offensive line. That alone makes new offensive line coach Chris Kuper one of the most fascinating figures of the spring. The Eagles still possess elite foundational talent with Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, and Landon Dickerson, but maintaining that standard remains a huge storyline.

Philadelphia also needs developmental linemen like Markel Bell, Myles Hinton, and Drew Kendall to begin emerging.

6. The loaded secondary

The Eagles quietly assembled one of football's deepest secondaries. Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen headline a group suddenly overflowing with size, speed, and versatility. OTAs should reveal how Vic Fangio plans to deploy DeJean, whether Woolen immediately settles into a major outside role, and which younger corners begin to separate themselves from the starters.

7. The battle at safety

Safety may quietly be Philadelphia's most unsettled defensive position. Drew Mukuba looks locked into one starting role entering Year 2, but the second spot remains wide open following Reed Blankenship's departure. Veteran Marcus Epps returns. J.T. Gray brings special teams value. Rookie Cole Wisniewski adds intrigue. OTAs should provide the first legitimate clues about how the Eagles view this competition heading into training camp.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Seven key things to monitor during Eagles OTAs

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was declared criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, but he will not serve a sentence for it, a Dominican judge ruled Monday.

Judge José Antonio Núñez, in his decision, considered that Franco had been the victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor's mother, who was sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually trafficking her daughter.

Franco was arrested in January 2024 after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time and transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

After the ruling, Franco left the courthouse alongside his lawyer, Teodosio Jaquez, and briefly answered reporters’ questions, saying, “I feel calm,” and asking his fans to “continue supporting me and trusting in me.”

The player also said that he personally had not contacted the Rays, but that his lawyers surely had.

“We don’t have the physical sentence in our hands, but he was exempted from punishment because the president of the court established that he was also a victim and because he is exempted from punishment through judicial pardon,” said Teodosio Jáquez, Franco’s attorney.

The full sentencing will be June 16.

“When we have the full sentence in hand, we will give you more details," Jáquez said. "He was exempted from punishment and we think that’s fine, but we need to have the sentence in hand.

In November 2021, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays, but his career was upended when authorities in the Dominican Republic announced in August 2023 that they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.

Six months after his arrest, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Insider Reveals Key To Winning Patriots Third-String Running Back Job originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots will continue to have a two-headed monster in Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

Yet, ahead of OTAs and training camp, the battle for the third and likely final running back will be an interesting one. The battle will feature Terrell Jennings, Jam Miller, and Lan Larison.

Although all three can help run the ball, Patriots insider Evan Lazar of Patriots.com believes the job will likely go to the best kick returner, as the third-string running back will likely handle kick return duties.

“The Pats opted not to add a veteran back in free agency, so it'll come down to a roster competition between Jennings, Larison, Miller, and undrafted rookie Myles Montgomery. Jennings is the only back in that group with NFL experience, playing 77 offensive snaps and 69 special teams snaps in his first two seasons,” Lazar wrote in an article published on Monday. …

“One thing to keep in mind in this competition is kickoff return upside, as the Pats RB3 was used frequently as a returner last season, whether it was Jennings, Antonio Gibson, or D'Ernest Johnson. Whoever wins the job out of camp will likely return kickoffs, so showing well in that role could be the deciding factor.”

Given that Jennings has NFL experience, he would appear to have the leg up. Yet, New England used a seventh-round pick on Miller, so perhaps the Patriots will want to get a good look at him.

Regardless, it appears the Patriots' kick returner will likely come down to who wins the third-string running back job.

More NFL: Texas A&M OL Coach Shares High Praise For Patriots Rookie Tackle

What happened to Dylan Cease? Why Blue Jays ace is headed for IL originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays are having a bit of a rough 2026 season, as they've gone 25-28 on the year. After a four-game winning streak had the vibes high, the Blue Jays got some tough news during a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Unfortunately, both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dylan Cease left the Sunday game early, sparking injury concerns.

One day later, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the Blue Jays got some confirmed bad news on one of these players, with Cease being the one to hit the injured list due to an injury. But what exactly happened to Cease?

Blue Jays to lose Dylan Cease to IL placement

"News: Dylan Cease is going to be placed on the 15-day IL (left hamstring) #BlueJays," Matheson reported Monday afternoon.

The veteran right-hander, who signed a huge $210 million contract over the offseason, is heading to the injured list due to this hamstring injury.

Cease left in the middle of the fifth inning against the Pirates, posting a line of 4.2 innings pitched with four hits and two runs allowed while being handed the loss for Sunday's game.

But the far bigger loss for the Blue Jays is that Cease, their right-hander who has a 3.05 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 11 starts this season, is headed for the injured list.

MORE: Yankees’ Aaron Judge on track to become first player in MLB history with five 50+ homer seasons

After an MRI, Cease is landing on the IL with a left hamstring injury, leaving Toronto to a bleak rotation of Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Patrick Corbin, and Spencer Miles.

Cease, Shane Bieber, and Max Scherzer are all on the IL and could come back this season, while Cody Ponce and Jose Berrios are both done for the year.

The injury issues for the Blue Jays' rotation have been a problem, and this Cease injury is only making things exceptionally worse.

More MLB news:

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox
• Dodgers still have a Roki Sasaki problem
• Chase Burns becomes first Reds pitcher with elite stat line since 1922
• Phillies’ Aidan Miller finally beginning baseball activities amid back injury

Former All-Star shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty of sexual and psychological abuse of a 14-year-old girl but will not serve prison time, according to a verdict delivered Monday, May 25 by a three-judge panel in the Dominican Republic and reported by ESPN.

Franco, 25, was facing a second trial after he received a two-year suspended sentence when he was convicted in June 2025 of having an intimate relationship with a 14-year-old girl when Franco was 21. The girl's mother was convicted of trafficking her daughter and received a 10-year prison sentence that was overturned on appeal; prosecutors allege that Franco had paid off the mother.

The mother was once again convicted of trafficking her daughter and again received a 10-year sentence, ESPN reported. Although the outlet reported that the court issued a judicial pardon to Franco, he was still convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, which would prevent Franco from obtaining a visa to work in the USA.

Major League Baseball is aware of the verdict but refused comment. The full decision will be issued June 16. Franco remains on MLB's restricted list for failure to report.

Both the prosecution and Franco's attorney appealed the first trial's outcome, and according to "Diario Libre," a Dominican Republic newspaper, the state sought a five-year prison sentence, while Franco sought to have the conviction overturned – which would likely be his only hope to continue a major league career.

Franco was in the second year of an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2023 when posts emerged on social media of Franco and the 14-year-old girl. Franco's conviction meant the Rays have not had to pay Franco in the years since, and that's likely to continue.

Franco was named to the American League All-Star team in 2023 and had accumulated 5.4 WAR before he was placed on the restricted list that August. He played his last game on Aug. 12.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wander Franco guilty of sexual abuse of minor in Dominican Republic

CHICAGO (AP) — Munetaka Murakami homered, Anthony Kay pitched six sparkling innings and the Chicago White Sox stopped Minnesota's four-game win streak with a 3-1 victory over the Twins on Monday.

Drew Romo also connected for Chicago in the opener of a seven-game homestand. Rikuu Nishida singled in the fourth for his first hit in a successful big league debut.

The White Sox have won seven in a row against the Twins for the first time since an eight-game streak in 1995. The opener of the four-game series was the first meeting of the AL Central teams this season.

Brooks Lee homered for Minnesota, which had won six of seven overall. Zebby Matthews (1-2) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.

Murakami tied it at 1 when he connected for his 18th homer in the first, a 375-foot drive to right. It was the first homer for the Japanese rookie since he went deep twice during an 8-3 victory over the Cubs on May 16.

Romo hit his fifth homer after Tristan Peters reached on a leadoff walk in the second.

That was more than enough for Kay (4-1), who allowed five hits, struck out five and walked one. The left-hander improved to 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in his past four starts.

Kay got some help from Nishida in the second. The Japanese prospect threw out Orlando Arcia when he attempted to score from second on Alex Jackson’s single to right, ending the inning.

The Twins put runners on the corners with two outs in the fifth, but Kay escaped the jam when Austin Martin fouled out.

Seranthony Domínguez handled the ninth for his 11th save in 14 opportunities.

Up next

Joe Ryan (3-3, 3.02 ERA) starts for Minnesota on Tuesday, and fellow right-hander Sean Burke (2-3, 4.08 ERA) pitches for Chicago.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Basketball legend Michael Jordan joined thousands of Manchester City fans paying tribute to Pep Guardiola at the manager's farewell party on Monday.

Guardiola is about to step down after a glorious decade in charge of City and the Premier League club gave him a fitting send-off during a trophy parade in Manchester.

Jordan, one of the NBA's all-time greats, was a surprise participant in the event, delivering a recorded video message saluting Guardiola.

"Hey Pep. This is Michael Jordan. I just wanted to congratulate you on an unbelievable career," the former Chicago Bulls star said as Guardiola watched the video on a screen inside the Co-op Live 'after-party' following the parade.

Referencing Guardiola's fondness for golf, Jordan quipped "Enjoy your retirement. Good luck on the links and keep them straight. Congratulations."

Earlier, fans lined the streets to salute Guardiola as the Spaniard joined City's players and staff on an open-top bus ride to the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola led City to the FA Cup and League Cup in his final season in charge, taking his trophy haul to 20 since arriving in 2016.

He masterminded six Premier League title victories, as well as City's first Champions League crown in 2023.

City finished second in the Premier League behind champions Arsenal this term and were beaten 2-1 at home by Aston Villa in Guardiola's last game on Sunday, with the boss reduced to tears after the final whistle.

The 55-year-old's decision to leave City was officially announced on Friday after several days of speculation that he was set to quit.

A host of current and former City players brought every trophy won during Guardiola's reign onto the Co-op Live stage to cheers from the sell-out 19,000 crowd.

Guardiola said goodbye for the final time in an interview with Oasis rock star Noel Gallagher at the after-party.

"I think, first of all, thank you so much for coming tonight to say bye," Guardiola said.

"To say bye to John (Stones) and Bernie (Bernardo Silva) and all these incredible legends like Vinny (Vincent Kompany), Fernandinho, Eddy (Ederson), Jack (Grealish), all of them and many, many more. 

"I feel tonight that really shows the connection this club has. (City chairman) Khaldoon Al Mubarak and all the people and all the City fans that were connected from the first minute.

"Thank you so much, I don't have enough gratitude. Always, for the rest of my life, I will have you in my heart. Thank you so much."

smg/iwd

The headline represents about all I’ve got for the Cubs’ 2-1 loss to the Pirates Monday afternoon, their ninth consecutive defeat.

Ben Brown was absolutely dealing. He allowed four hits and a run and struck out seven in six solid innings, throwing 83 pitches (58 strikes). The six-inning effort was his longest of the season, but the 83 pitches were just one more than he’d thrown in his previous outing. It was a warm day in Pittsburgh (73 degrees) but not overly hot and humid, so why not let him go one more?

Perhaps that would have prevented Henry Davis from hitting the solo home run off Trent Thornton that was the difference in the game.

We’ll never know, of course.

The other difference in the game, naturally, was the Cubs’ almost-complete offensive failure. They had six hits and three walks off Carmen Mlodzinski and Wilber Dotel over eight innings (and no runners in the ninth), but again couldn’t get any of the runners across the plate. It was so bad that the RISP numbers were just 0-for-2, largely because they simply couldn’t get anyone to scoring position. Overall the Cubs left seven on base, with one runner (Alex Bregman) picked off.

The only Pirates run off Brown came in the third when he walked Spencer Horwitz with one out and Brandon Lowe doubled him in.

The Cubs tied the game in the fifth when Michael Busch homered off Mlodzinski, his sixth [VIDEO].

Busch has now homered in back-to-back games. So that’s good. Too bad there wasn’t anyone on base. That home run went a long way [VIDEO].

A bit more on Brown’s outing from BCB’s JohnW53:

Ben Brown finished with one run on four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in six innings.

Only 12 previous Cubs starters since 1901 had exactly the first four numbers in at least six innings. Just three did not get a decision: Rube Kroh, first of the 12, in 8.0 innings in 1908 at Philadelphia; Tom Gorzelany, in 6.1, in 2010 at Cincinnati; and Jeff Samardzija, the last before today, in 6.0, on June 23, 2014 at home vs. the Reds.
Eight were winners: Orval Overall (1910), Dick Selma (1969), Fergie Jenkins (1972), Scott Sanderson (1987), Jon Lieber (2000), Mark Prior (2003), Carlos Zambrano (2004) and Rodrigo Lopez (2011).

Prior and Lopez pitched 6.0, as Brown did.

Matt Garza pitched a complete game in 2011 vs. the White Sox and lost, 1-0.

Here’s more on Brown’s day [VIDEO].

As you can see there, Brown used a really good pitch mix and mostly baffled Pirates hitters. Could it be that Ben Brown has finally arrived as a MLB starter? You know I had my doubts, but the fact that he has developed good secondary pitches appears to have made the difference. Great for Ben, and great for the team. Here are Brown’s seven strikeouts [VIDEO].

Thornton retired the first two Pirates in the seventh on ground balls before Davis homered. The pitch wasn’t a bad pitch, either, a cutter down and away, but Davis just got it.

Jacob Webb threw a scoreless eighth, helped in part by this fine catch by Pete Crow-Armstrong [VIDEO].

Craig Counsell sent three pinch hitters to the plate in the ninth, the first was Nico Hoerner for Pedro Ramirez.

I’m having trouble understanding why you’d bat for a switch-hitter (Ramirez) in that situation. Okay, Nico’s experienced at leading off innings, I guess you can make a case for it.

Nico swung at what would have been ball three and grounded out.

Seiya Suzuki, batting for Moisés Ballesteros, struck out and Carson Kelly, batting for Miguel Amaya, grounded out to end the game.

You can tell these guys are pressing, which can happen when a team’s on a long losing streak. All the team can do is pick up and try to win tomorrow.

A couple of likely meaningless notes on the Cubs losing recently: First, this game ran 2:24. It’s the sixth game this year the Cubs have played in that time or shorter. They’ve lost all of them.

Second, and even more meaningless:

Maybe wear the blue alternates the rest of the road trip? Just for the heck of it? Can’t hurt, right?

The Cubs will once again attempt to end the losing streak Tuesday evening at PNC Park. Jordan Wicks will make his first 2026 start for the Cubs and Braxton Ashcraft will go for the Pirates. Game time Tuesday is 5:40 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.

Aston Villa are firmly monitoring Jonathan Rowe’s progress at Bologna this summer, with French journalist Sébastien Vidal confirming that Unai Emery himself has identified the 23-year-old winger as one of the key profiles to strengthen their attacking options. The report, also covered by Sport Witness and TuttoBolognaWeb, makes clear that Aston Villa are not the only interested party; Chelsea and Galatasaray are circling too.

Aston Villa push hard for Rowe as Bologna’s €40m exit clause emerges

Rowe joined Bologna from Marseille last summer for around €20m, with the cut-price fee largely attributed to a falling-out with Adrien Rabiot during his time in France. He endured a sluggish opening to life in Serie A, but things changed sharply in 2026.

He scored eight goals and contributed five assists across 42 competitive appearances; four of those goals came in the Europa League, including a well-taken strike against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. With both Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey expected to leave Villa Park this summer, Emery needs width, and Rowe sits firmly at the top of the list.

Bologna finished outside European qualification, and that financial hit may force them into selling one of their prized assets, with TuttoBolognaWeb reporting a price tag of around €40m as the starting point for negotiations. Rowe’s contract at the Stadio Dall’Ara runs until 2029, which gives Bologna proper control, but the absence of European football weakens their hand considerably.

Should Aston Villa sign him?

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 23: Jonathan Rowe of Bologna FC clebrates during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and FC Internazionale at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on May 23, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

We feel they should, and without hesitation. Aston Villa are heading back into the Champions League, and Emery has a well-established track record of getting the very best from direct, transition-oriented wingers. Rowe has all the attributes as he is quick, decisive, and has already proven he belongs at a high European level. Stan Collymore put it bluntly after the Europa League quarter-final, describing Rowe as exactly what Aston Villa need: physically strong, direct, lightning quick, and unafraid to shoot.

At €40m for a 23-year-old English winger with a contract running to 2029 and genuine Champions League ambitions, this deal makes complete sense. Emery wants to reduce Villa’s over-reliance on Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins in the final third, and Rowe gives him a genuinely different threat out wide. Bologna will sell. Aston Villa should be first through the door.

A resurfaced Kyrie Irving tweet is fueling fresh NBA trade speculation — and Minnesota Timberwolves fans are running with it.

According to Sporting News, shortly after the Dallas Mavericks parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd, an old social media post from Irving’s 2017 free-agency period began circulating online again. In the post, Irving identified Minnesota as one of his preferred destinations before he was ultimately traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics.

Kyrie Irving has listed the Timberwolves as a preferred landing spot 👀 https://t.co/YIl5mT4jyo

— MNMuse (@_MNMuse) May 20, 2026

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Nearly a decade later, with Dallas entering another organizational reset, the timing of the tweet’s return has reignited talk of Irving potentially landing in the Twin Cities.

The renewed chatter comes as league insiders increasingly expect teams to explore Irving trade scenarios this offseason, even after the nine-time All-Star missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from ACL surgery.

NBA reporter Marc Stein recently noted there is “anticipation leaguewide” that the Mavericks could receive calls about Irving regardless of whether Dallas actively shops him. That conversation has only intensified following Kidd’s exit and the arrival of Masai Ujiri as the Mavericks’ new president of basketball operations.

Minnesota’s interest is tied closely to Anthony Edwards, who has reportedly made it known privately that he wants to play alongside Irving. A Timberwolves source described the potential pairing as “sweet,” while another league figure told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson that “Irving in Minnesota makes the Timberwolves a contender.”

The idea of pairing one of the league’s most explosive young stars with one of its most skilled veteran guards has quickly become one of the NBA offseason’s loudest rumors.

Irving’s future in Dallas suddenly looks less stable than it did a year ago. The veteran guard signed a three-year, $119 million extension after helping lead the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, but the franchise has since spiraled into chaos.

Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the blockbuster move that reshaped the organization; Anthony Davis lasted only 29 games before being moved again; and Kidd exited after reportedly unsuccessfully pushing for expanded control over basketball operations.

According to Robinson’s reporting, Kidd “wanted out” after Patrick Dumont hired Ujiri instead of elevating the coach into a larger executive role. Kidd’s departure marked another dramatic shift for a Mavericks franchise that has spent the past two seasons dismantling the core that reached the Finals.

Dallas is now reportedly preparing to build around Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick who arrived after the team’s collapse following the Dončić trade.

That uncertainty is why Irving’s name keeps surfacing across the league. The Timberwolves are believed to be searching aggressively for a veteran playmaker, while the Houston Rockets are also reportedly monitoring Irving’s availability.

Any deal would be complicated by salary-cap restrictions and Irving’s no-trade clause, but the conversation is no longer staying quiet behind the scenes.

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If you're looking to attend the 2026 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club, there's still time to get tickets.

The 50th anniversary of the event, which takes place June 4-7, has multiple options available for those looking to acquire tickets and see if Scottie Scheffler can capture a third straight title. Last year, he brought home $4 million for his win.

Here's a look at what it will cost you to get into the tournament, be it for a day or for the whole week. Information is current as of the afternoon of May 24, and parking is free.

What does it cost to attend a practice round?

There are options available for fans wanting to see members of the field get their early swings in.

A ticket for each day of practice rounds is $20 and still available on the tournament's official website. Practice rounds will be played June 1-3.

There are cheaper options on the resale market. Ticketmaster.com's resale platform has practice round tickets for each of the first two days for as low as $5.83, and there are also Golden Bear Club options as low as $11.65.

The final practice day is slightly more expensive: a single ticket starts at $12.82 and a Golden Bear Club ticket at $18.64.

How much are resale tickets for the 2026 Memorial Tournament?

The cheapest days to attend the Memorial Tournament are the first and the last. On Ticketmaster, a single-day pass is $93.20 for June 4, $116.50 for June 7, $173.59 on June 5 and a tournament-high $177.08 on June 6.

Tickets for the Golden Bear Club follow the same pattern. Day one tickets start at $111.84, with June 7 tickets at $160.77, June 5 at $227.18 and June 6 at $262.13.

All prices include fees but not taxes.

Can I get tickets without buying resale?

Yes, if you want to purchase a ticket for the full week. The tournament's website has patron grounds tickets available that give you access to all three practice days and the four-day tournament.

A weekly ticket package is $336, while a Golden Bear Club weekly package is $446.

Are there other options to purchase resale tickets?

Yes. Here's what tickets for each day cost on other resale websites.

June 1

• Stubhub: $7; $4 for Golden Bear Club
• SeatGeek: $7; $8 for Golden Bear Club

June 2

• Stubhub: $5; $7 for Golden Bear Club
• SeatGeek: $8; $10 for Golden Bear Club

June 3

• Stubhub: $11; $14 for Golden Bear Club
• SeatGeek: $13; $15 for Golden Bear Club

June 4

• Stubhub: $78; $103 for Golden Bear Club
• SeatGeek: $85; $108 for Golden Bear Club

June 5

• Stubhub: $158; $212 for Golden Bear Club
• SeatGeek: $144; $198 for Golden Bear Club

June 6

• Stubhub: $167; $214 for Golden Bear Club
• SeatGeek: $169; $198 for Golden Bear Club

June 7

• Stubhub: $109; $127 for Golden Bear Club
• SeatGeek: $103; $118 for Golden Bear Club

Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How much tickets for the 2026 Memorial Tournament

When it comes to Cincinnati Bengals undrafted free agents, some big names stick out. 

Bengals undrafted rookies like Eric Gentry and Jack Dingle were some of the big names making waves right out of the gates. 

Rather far removed from the draft now and with OTAs hovering around, another name has started to emerge, though. 

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport looked at the most exciting undrafted free agent for each team and circled Bengals cornerback Ceyair Wright. 

“Now, Ceyair Wright isn't going to challenge for a starting spot in the Queen City,” Davenport wrote. There's a reason why he wasn't drafted—his speed and agility are average at best. But the 6'0", 185-pounder started 32 games over five seasons at USC and Nebraska, and he has good technique and isn't afraid to get dirty in run support.”

There’s a lot right there the Bengals will love. Wright has experience starting inside and out. Bonus points for his aggressiveness against the run. 

Frankly, the Bengals didn’t appear to do enough at slot cornerback this offseason (yet, anyway). And better depth at the boundary is always welcome in the pros. 

Since Wright can do both and has good size, he feels like a fit and could always be an outside name to keep in mind by 53-man cutdown day. 

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals undrafted free agent getting some national love

Going into a regional round hosted in Tallahassee for the third straight year, No. 10-seeded Florida State baseball is eyeing another trip to the Super Regionals and beyond. Firstly, they'll have to get through three other teams: Coastal Carolina, Northern Illinois, and St. John's. But what are the Seminoles' records against each of these teams?

FSU's record vs. Coastal Carolina (37-21 in 2026) is the most lopsided of the bunch, with the Seminoles dominating the Chanticleers 13-1 overall. In their last matchup in 2015, FSU was handed its lone loss against CCU, 4-2. The series dates back to 1991, but their best win came in 1994 with a 17-2 blowout.

While FSU might not have played Northern Illinois (35-17) as much, only once in 1971, the Seminoles did emerge from that game victorious, 7-1. For the first time in 55 years, perhaps the two will have a chance to meet again this weekend.

Finally, FSU has only played St. John's (33-24) three times, all in 2016, where the Seminoles took the series against them, 2-1. A 16-4 opener, followed by a 9-2 second game, was wrapped up with a 5-1 loss.

FSU will face St. John's first on Friday at 3 p.m. ET, with the result of Coastal Carolina and Northern Illinois determining their second-game opponent of the regional.

Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of FSU news, notes, and opinions. Jacob Smith is a contributor for FSU Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. You can also follow Jacob on X at @jsmith_sports.

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Baseball: Series records vs Coastal Carolina, NIU, and St. John's

IO Interactive releases the first 13 minutes of 007 First Light 007 First Light is coming to PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 on May 27th, and IO Interactive has released the first 13 minutes of the game. This gameplay is for the opening mission of 007 First Light. If you want to avoid […]

The post IO Interactive unveils the first 13 minutes of 007 First Light gameplay appeared first on OC3D.

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After updating to One UI 8.5, some Samsung Galaxy users noticed an issue with Dark Mode in Google apps such as Gmail, Google Messages, and others. Usually, Dark Mode should look very dark with deep black backgrounds. But now, many users are seeing light gray or washed-out dark screens instead of real black.

While Samsung has not officially confirmed or addressed the issue yet, users have discovered a simple workaround that restores the expected Dark Mode appearance. The fix is using the Color Palette feature. This feature changes the overall colors of the phone system. When it is turned on, it can bring back proper Dark Mode in Google apps.

To use this fix, first press and hold on an empty space on your home screen. Then tap on “Wallpaper and style.” After that, tap on “Color palette.” Turn it ON, choose any color you like, and then tap Apply.

With the issue, the screen looks brighter in dark mode, and text sometimes does not stand out clearly. The issue seems to have started after the One UI 8.5 update. Many people think it is caused by a small problem between Samsung’s system theme and Google’s Material You. This is why different Google apps are showing wrong or inconsistent dark colors.

After doing this fix, Google apps go back to normal Dark Mode. The background becomes darker again, closer to true black, and everything looks clearer and better to read. One Galaxy user, @saichandudodda, shared that this method worked and fixed the problem on their phone.

Until Samsung releases an official update, this Color Palette method is the easiest way to fix the Dark Mode issue and make your phone look normal again. Try it now!

The post Samsung Galaxy Dark Mode looks off? Fix it with this easy trick appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Alongside the Reno16 and Reno16 Pro smartphones, today in China Oppo also unveiled the Pad 6 tablet. It comes with a 12.1-inch LCD screen with 3000x2120 resolution, 7:5 aspect ratio, 144Hz refresh rate, and 900-nit peak brightness. It's powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s SoC, and it has a couple of 8MP cameras (one on the front, one on the back), as well as a 10,420 mAh battery with support for 67W wired charging. It runs Android 16 with ColorOS 16 on top. The Oppo Pad 6 has six speakers, two mics, and no fingerprint sensor. It measures 266.93 x 193.35 x 5.99 mm and weighs...

Cristiano Ronaldo’s post-championship celebrations suffered an immediate setback following Al Nassr‘s 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title triumph, as manager Jorge Jesus abruptly announced his departure from the club. However, the 41-year-old superstar may yet see a dramatic U-turn, with Al Nassr’s president publicly revealing that the front office is launching a massive push to retain the veteran tactician.

Following Thursday’s title-clinching victory over Damac FC, Jorge Jesus shocked reporters by using his post-match press conference to announce he was stepping down, stating he had fulfilled the exact promise that led him to accept the vacancy in the first place. With his current deal expiring in June 2026, the manager remained tight-lipped regarding his next destination, noting only that he was headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a well-deserved vacation.

Yet, the separation might not be a done deal just yet. In a statement compiled by Saudi outlet Al-Wyam, Al Nassr club president Abdullah Al-Majed made the board’s aggressive stance abundantly clear: “At the current moment, there are ongoing attempts to convince Jesus to stay, and we will convince him, God willing.“

Alongside high-profile arrivals like Iñigo Martinez, Joao Felix, and Kingsley Coman, Jorge Jesus masterminded one of the most dominant campaigns in Al Nassr history. The 71-year-old manager orchestrated the best start to a season in SPL history with 11 consecutive wins, while also shattering the club record with a 20-match win streak across all competitions (16 in league play, four in the AFC Champions League Two).

Having already experienced immense success with arch-rivals Al Hilal, Jesus was personally targeted for the job by Ronaldo, eventually guiding the club to the finals of both the Saudi Super Cup and the Champions League Two. Over his 49-game tenure, he accumulated an outstanding 40-2-7 record, averaging a staggering 2.49 points per match.

Al-Majed also established clear timelines and expectations for Al Nassr’s upcoming 2026-27 campaign. “Work on the next season will begin immediately after the Eid al-Adha holiday (in June), focusing on preparing the squad and securing upcoming transfers… the work ahead will be very substantial,” the club president concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly pressuring management to finalize renewal

By declaring his mission accomplished at Al Nassr, Jorge Jesus immediately sparked rumors linking him to high-profile roles at Fenerbahce, a return to Brazilian club soccer, or potentially taking over the Portugal national team after the World Cup. With the manager’s future hanging in the balance, Ronaldo is reportedly eager to flex his immense institutional leverage to force a change of heart.

According to 365 Scores Arabic, Ronaldo is heavily pressuring Al Nassr’s executive board to iron out the details and lock Jesus down to a one-year contract extension. The timing of the contract is critical; Ronaldo is currently tied to the club through June 2027, meaning Jesus would have the opportunity to manage the iconic forward through what could realistically be the final season of his legendary professional career.

As it stands, Jesus holds all the leverage in negotiations and will likely demand significant backing from the hierarchy to reconsider his exit. Reports suggest the manager’s list of demands includes a substantial salary increase paired with a guarantee of six major summer signings, a clear effort to avoid the squad depth issues that plagued the club during the 2026 winter window, when a lack of transfer activity reportedly prompted a frustrated Ronaldo to go on a brief two-game strike.

Fenebahçe Başkan Adayı Hakan Safi ile geçtiğimiz günlerde İstanbul'da bir araya gelen Paolo Maldini'den dikkat çeken bir paylaşım geldi.

Paolo Maldini, Fenerbahçe Başkan Adayı Hakan Safi ile görüştüğü anları paylaştı. Paolo Maldini, Fenebahçe Başkan Adayı Hakan Safi ile geçtiğimiz günlerde İstanbul'da bir araya gelmişti.

Maldini paylaşımında şu ifadeleri kullandı:

-İstanbul’da Hakan Safi ile harika vakit geçirdik. Güçlü bir futbol zihni, tutkulu bir lider ve en önemlisi gerçek bir dost. Futbol üzerine harika sohbetler ettik ve gelecekte birlikte daha pek çok an paylaşmaya devam edeceğimizden eminim.

Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu, 2026 sezonu Ziraat Türkiye Kupası ve Trendyol 1. Lig'i tescil etti.

Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF), 2025-2026 sezonunda Ziraat Türkiye Kupası ve Trendyol 1. Lig müsabaka sonuçlarının tescil edildiğini duyurdu.

TFF'nin internet sitesinden yapılan açıklamada, "Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nı kazanan Trabzonspor Kulübünün Ziraat Türkiye Kupası şampiyonu olarak tesciline, 2025-2026 sezonu Trendyol 1. Lig puan cetvelinin tesciline, Trendyol 1. Lig müsabakaları sonucunda puan cetvelinde ilk 2 sırada yer alan Erzurumspor FK ile Amed Sportif Faaliyetler ve play-off müsabakaları sonucunda başarılı olan Arca Çorum FK takımlarının Trendyol Süper Lig'e yükseltilmelerine karar verilmiştir." denildi.

Trendyol 1. Lig müsabakaları sonucunda puan cetvelinde son 4 sırada yer alan Serikspor, Sakaryaspor, Atakaş Hatayspor ve Adana Demirspor takımlarının Nesine 2. Lig'e düşürülmelerinin de tescil edildiği belirtildi.