The Kansas City Royals have signed left-handed starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel to a minor-league ...

<p>The Kansas City Royals have signed left-handed starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel to a minor-league contract, <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1942948507339415810">ESPN's Jeff Passan</a> reports.</p><p>Keuchel is expected to report to Triple-A Omaha. At the major-league level, the deal is worth $2 million.</p><p>The 37-year-old last appeared in the majors last year, making four starts for the Milwaukee Brewers. He authored a 5.40 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over 16 2/3 innings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The two-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner memorably won the 2015 AL Cy Young, leading the Junior Circuit with 232 innings while posting a 2.48 ERA. He also finished fifth in AL MVP voting that year.</p><p>The Royals have the third-best starting rotation in MLB, according to <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&amp;lg=all&amp;qual=0&amp;type=8&amp;season=2025&amp;month=0&amp;season1=2025&amp;ind=0&amp;team=0%2Cts&amp;rost=0&amp;age=0&amp;filter=&amp;players=0&amp;stats=sta">FanGraphs WAR</a>. Their starters collectively possess a 3.42 ERA and 3.75 FIP. Breakout southpaw <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10665" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10665">Kris Bubic</a> has become the ace of the staff, boasting a 2.36 ERA and 2.78 FIP over 103 innings while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14571" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14571">Cole Ragans</a> is sidelined.</p>

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 13: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at American Family Field on July 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Report: Royals, Keuchel agree to minor-league deal

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Chet Holmgren have agreed to a five-year rookie maximum contract wo...

<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102801" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102801">Chet Holmgren</a> have agreed to a five-year rookie maximum contract worth $239 million, his agent Bill Duffy told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45700873/chet-holmgren-agrees-rookie-max-extension-thunder">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>The fully guaranteed pact could reach $250 million, Charania adds.</p><p>The 23-year-old averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game while starting 32 contests in 2024-25. He missed three months after sustaining a pelvic fracture in November.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Holmgren was a pivotal component of Oklahoma City's championship run. The 7-foot-1 center put up 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while starting all 23 postseason contests. Though his averages dipped against the Indiana Pacers in the Finals, his 100.9 defensive rating was the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/advanced?CF=MIN*GE*15&amp;PORound=4&amp;PerMode=Totals&amp;dir=A&amp;sort=DEF_RATING">highest</a> among players who averaged at least 15 minutes in the series.</p><p>The Thunder selected Holmgren with the second overall pick in 2022, but he missed what would've been his rookie campaign due to a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, which he suffered during an offseason pro-am competition. However, he returned to start all 82 regular-season games in 2023-24 and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind unanimous winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110276" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110276">Victor Wembanyama</a>.</p><p>The Thunder have had an active offseason following their championship campaign. After extending big man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102798" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102798">Jaylin Williams</a> and re-signing guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121739" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121739">Ajay Mitchell</a> with three-year deals, they reportedly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3306575" href="https://thescore.com/news/3306575">locked</a> up league and Finals MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> to a four-year, $285-million supermax extension, keeping the franchise star in Oklahoma City through 2030-31.</p><p>Charania says the team's attention will now turn toward extending <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a>.</p>

MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 24: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during Round One Game Three of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Thunder, Holmgren agree to 5-year, $239M rookie max

It had been brewing for a while.  The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers stormed the field ...

<p>It had been brewing for a while.</p><p>The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers stormed the field Thursday night after Dodgers reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18792" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18792">Jack Little</a> plunked <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8286" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8286">Fernando Tatis Jr.</a> on the right hand in the ninth inning. It's the third time the Padres superstar has been hit by a Dodgers pitcher in nine days.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Benches cleared during Padres-Dodgers after Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit<br><br>Dave Roberts and Mike Shildt had words for each other <a href="https://t.co/5NQkbRKtlg">pic.twitter.com/5NQkbRKtlg</a></p>— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1935923660776440125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15623" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15623">Trenton Brooks</a> entered the game to pinch run for Tatis and played left field in the bottom of the frame.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>This was the seventh hit-by-pitch of the series.</p><p>While Tatis was on the ground, Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts seemed to kick off the brouhaha, arguing from afar. Both were ejected.</p><p>Postgame X-rays came back negative on Tatis' hand but Shildt said the team is still evaluating the severity of the injury. Shildt added that Tatis got hit in a "tough spot where there's a lot of bones," according to <a href="https://x.com/annieheilbrunn/status/1935937759946084619">Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune</a>. More imaging is scheduled for Friday.</p><p>"Let's just hope the CT scan comes back negative," Padres third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2577" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2577">Manny Machado</a> added, according to <a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/padres/san-diego-padres-news/padres-manny-machado-issues-warning-to-dodgers-following-fernando-tatis-hbp">Valentina Martinez of Sports Illustrated</a>. "(The Dodgers) gotta pray it comes back negative tomorrow. They better put out a candle."</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> was later drilled as well in the ninth, representing the eighth HBP of the set. Ohtani shooed his teammates back to the dugout, preventing a second benches-clearing fracas. Padres pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13691" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13691">Robert Suarez</a> was ejected.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Robert Suarez hits Shohei now and is tossed from the game <a href="https://t.co/0T0iZiw9KM">pic.twitter.com/0T0iZiw9KM</a></p>— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1935929329466421491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Padres were ahead 5-0 at the time of the original incident, looking to avoid a four-game sweep at Dodger Stadium.</p><p>Despite the Dodgers bringing the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, the Friars held on for the 5-3 win with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17233" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17233">Yuki Matsui</a> striking out <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16368" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16368">Dalton Rushing</a> with two runners on to end the game.</p><p>The two NL West rivals meet again for a three-game series beginning Aug. 15.</p>

Los Angeles, CA - June 19: Benches cleared after Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres was hit by a pitch by relief picture Jack Little (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning during a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

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Dodgers plunk Tatis again causing fracas, manager ejections

The Edmonton Oilers pulled starting goaltender Stuart Skinner after the first period in Game 4 of...

<p>The Edmonton Oilers pulled starting goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6553" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6553">Stuart Skinner</a> after the first period in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday after he allowed three goals.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1766" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1766">Calvin Pickard</a> came out to start the second frame in net.</p><p>Skinner has allowed 13 goals over three games dating back to the Oilers' Game 2 loss.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 26-year-old was shelled early, as Edmonton allowed 17 shots in the opening stanza while taking three penalties.</p><p>Skinner entered the game with a 2.84 goals-against average in the playoffs this year and an .894 save percentage. He had become known for big performances in Game 4s, boasting a 6-0 record with a 1.26 GAA and .955 SV% with a pair of shutouts.</p><p>Playing in front of Pickard, the Oilers quickly erased the 3-0 deficit, scoring a trio of unanswered goals with 4:55 remaining in the second period. That left Skinner off the hook for a potential loss, maintaining his undefeated streak in Game 4s.</p><p>The Oilers ultimately won 5-4 in overtime as Pickard stopped 22 of 23 shots.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 12: Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers sits on the bench after a goalie change during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

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Oilers pull Skinner after allowing 3 goals in 1st period of Game 4

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice seems to be expecting some supplementary discipline for ...

<p>Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice seems to be expecting some supplementary discipline for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3007" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3007">Max Domi</a> after the Toronto Maple Leafs forward hit captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3004" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3004">Aleksander Barkov</a> from behind at the end of Sunday's Game 4.</p><p>"I think the league looks at those things," Maurice said postgame, according to <a href="https://x.com/ColbyDGuy/status/1921763358723719539">Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post</a>. "Especially at that point of the game, and they'll do their job."</p><p>Domi hit Barkov from behind and into the boards with mere seconds remaining in the Panthers' 2-0 victory, sparking a post-whistle fracas between multiple players from both teams. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2631" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2631">Eetu Luostarinen</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3946" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3946">Aaron Ekblad</a> quickly came to their captain's defense, hitting Domi and jumping on him with six seconds remaining.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Domi's hit on Sasha Barkov sparks chaos at the final horn <a href="https://t.co/j3zVuJUsDk">https://t.co/j3zVuJUsDk</a> <a href="https://t.co/uqREDFahJs">pic.twitter.com/uqREDFahJs</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1921754148690710921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5591" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5591">Matthew Tkachuk</a> even <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3284454" href="https://thescore.com/news/3284454">got involved from the bench</a> by chirping at the Leafs' <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4180" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4180">William Nylander</a> and others.</p><p>Both Domi, 30, and Barkov, 29, skated off the ice afterward without any apparent ailments.</p><p>"Yeah, I think he'll be alright," Maurice said of Barkov, according to <a href="https://x.com/ColbyDGuy/status/1921761643618242662">Guy</a>.</p><p>The Panthers tied the series 2-2 with the shutout victory, outshooting the Leafs 37-21. Florida lost the first two games in Toronto before defending home ice in the next pair. The series now heads back to Scotiabank Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 11: Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers and Max Domi #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs fight for possession of the puck during the second period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 11, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

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Maurice expects league will 'do their job' after late Domi hit on Barkov

Marc-Andre Fleury announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday after the Minnesota Wild's Ga...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1010" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1010">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday after the Minnesota Wild's Game 6 loss, officially ending a career that spanned 21 seasons.</p><p>The 40-year-old racked up 575 wins and is one of three goaltenders to eclipse the 500-victory plateau, ranking second all time behind Martin Brodeur (691).</p><p>The first overall pick in 2003, Fleury won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His lone Vezina trophy came in 2021 with the Vegas Golden Knights.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Fleury's last NHL appearance came in relief of Filip Gustavsson during Game 5 of the Wild's first-round elimination against the Golden Knights. Gustavsson exited the game due to illness, and Fleury stepped in for the third period and overtime. He made six saves on seven shots in the loss.</p><p>The 40-year-old played one season with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was traded to the Wild during the 2021-22 campaign and spent the final three and a half years of his career in Minnesota.</p>

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - MAY 01: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild reacts after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in Game Six of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 01, 2025 in St Paul, Minnesota.

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Fleury retires after illustrious 21-season career

Major League Baseball's Opening Day is an occasion of hope. Unless, of course, you lose. Then the...

<p><em>Major League Baseball's Opening Day is an occasion of hope. Unless, of course, you lose. Then the season is over. Your chances of winning the World Series? Cooked. No team that's lost on Opening Day has gone on to win the Fall Classic. Don't fact-check that. Simply overreact.</em></p><p><strong>Cubs @ Diamondbacks</strong><br><em>Cubs win 10-6</em></p><p>Three games into their season, the Cubs are finally in the win column.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The final game of 2025 Opening Day had multiple repercussions. First, the Cubs are no longer alone in the NL Central's basement - a position they held solely for 10 days. Second, the Diamondbacks, who have a legitimate claim to being the second-best team in baseball, are now two full games back of the Dodgers; an insurmountable hole. And third, the Rockies aren't in last place in the NL West for the first time in 363 days. If Colorado happens to win its opener Friday, while the Padres and D-Backs both lose, it'll be the first time the Rockies are higher than fourth in the division in 722 days.</p><p><strong>Athletics @ Mariners</strong><br><em>Mariners win 4-2</em></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12376" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12376">Logan Gilbert</a>'s splitter is going to propel him to superstardom. The young righty threw five different pitches at least 10% of the time last year, even sprinkling in a handful of sinkers for a sixth pitch. Well, he's clearly identified that those sinkers weren't a good idea, and neither were his cutters (which had a .325 expected wOBA against). Both offerings are completely gone from Gilbert's repertoire through one start as he leaned a lot more on the splitter, making it his put-away pitch for six of his eight strikeouts. This may not even be an overreaction: he's an ace.</p><p><strong>Tigers @ Dodgers</strong><br><em>Dodgers win 5-4</em></p><p>Not a lot of people are paying attention to him, but watch for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> to take a huge step forward this year. He's always seemingly had the tools to be a star, but hasn't quite put it together. Some people were alarmed when a former pitcher was batting leadoff as the Dodgers' designated hitter. But the 30-year-old went 2-for-4 with the game-winning home ru- <em>(taps earpiece) ... He has how many MVPs and is paid how much!?</em></p><p>Earnestly, on the Tigers side, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12328" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12328">Spencer Torkelson</a> might finally be ready for the bright lights. After going first overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, the slugger has really struggled to stick in the majors but has continued to show promise in the minors. At 25, he could finally be putting it all together, showing incredible discipline at the plate by walking four times while also socking a solo dinger. Buy in.</p><p><strong>Twins @ Cardinals</strong><br><em>Cardinals win 5-3</em></p><p>Teams are going to regret not beating down the Cardinals' door to acquire <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2381" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2381">Nolan Arenado</a>. The 10-time Gold Glove winner was aggressively shopped this winter by John Mozeliak and Co., but there were no legitimate suitors Arenado felt comfortable joining. Instead, the eight-time All-Star hit a clutch insurance homer off <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12684" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12684">Griffin Jax</a> to help seal the win in a 2-for-4 day. The asking price will increase the closer the trade deadline gets.</p><p><strong>Braves @ Padres</strong><br><em>Padres win 7-4</em></p><p>In what should have been an exciting potential postseason preview featuring reigning NL Cy Young winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1577" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1577">Chris Sale</a> against a top-heavy lineup, we have a game that was one of <em>nine</em> 4 p.m. ET starts. How does March Madness absolutely nail staggered start times on its first two days, but MLB is still figuring this out? Here, I've figured it out for you for 2026. Use this:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Game</th>
<th>Start time</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Noon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>12:30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>2:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>3:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>4:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>4:30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>5:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>6:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>7:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>7:15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>7:30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>7:45</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>8:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>9:00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>10:00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>MLB's social accounts <a href="https://x.com/Cut4/status/1904952846312763665">post memes</a> about wanting us to call in sick to watch all these games. Make it worthwhile.</p><p><strong>Red Sox @ Rangers</strong><br><em>Red Sox win 5-2</em></p><p>The headlines are about stud prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17320" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17320">Roman Anthony</a> and when he might debut, but the real lefty outfielder whom opponents have to plan around is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13925" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13925">Wilyer Abreu</a>. The 25-year-old will be an unsung star for the Red Sox this year, and the opener showed why, as he slugged a pair of dingers in a 3-for-3 performance. If we only counted Abreu's at-bats, the Red Sox still would've beaten the Rangers.</p><p><strong>Guardians @ Royals</strong><br><em>Guardians win 7-4 (10)</em></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14506" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14506">Kyle Manzardo</a> for AL MVP. The slugger almost hit for the cycle but couldn't get a single, objectively the least cool way to get a hit anyway. They don't pay you for singles and Manzardo knows it. He's heading into the second game of the year with a 2.250 SLG. A single would only lower that. (Even a double would, though by a marginal amount.) Why can't Manzardo just keep only getting extra-base hits? If it looks like a single, round for second base anyway.</p><p><strong>Pirates @ Marlins</strong><br><em>Marlins win 5-4</em></p><p>Time for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17521" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17521">Paul Skenes</a> to demand a trade. To start off his sophomore campaign, the dominant righty outdueled an NL Cy Young winner in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5647" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5647">Sandy Alcantara</a>. With the win in sight, the Pirates' bullpen folded like a cheap suit and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10705" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10705">Oneil Cruz</a> made a pretty crucial gaffe on a deep fly ball off the wall in center to give <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12871" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12871">Nick Fortes</a> a leadoff triple. Once-elite closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9025" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9025">David Bednar</a> gave up the walk-off hit to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13768" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13768">Kyle Stowers</a>. How many times will the Pirates have to apologize to Skenes this year?</p><p><strong>Mets @ Astros</strong><br><em>Astros win 3-1</em></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8415" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8415">Framber Valdez</a> will beat his own record for consecutive quality starts. The underrated lefty fired 25 straight outings of at least six innings with three earned runs or fewer in 2022, breaking a record held by Jacob deGrom. Valdez started off his 2025 campaign against an incredibly potent Mets lineup, which includes $765-million man Soto, allowing four hits and two walks over seven shutout frames before turning it over to the bullpen. The streak starts now.</p><p><strong>Giants @ Reds</strong><br><em>Giants win 6-4</em></p><p>The worst thing you can do on Opening Day is compare any player to one of the best hitters of all time. With that said, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9605" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9605">Heliot Ramos</a> is well on his way to becoming the first Giants hitter since Bonds to break the 30-homer plateau. This team just needed proven winner Buster Posey at the helm to start reliving its prime years again.</p><p><strong>Phillies @ Nationals</strong><br><em>Phillies win 7-3 (10)</em></p><p>Ace-level starting pitching is back, and the NL Cy Young front-runners are two-time runner-up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2917" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2917">Zack Wheeler</a> and young lefty <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12506" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12506">MacKenzie Gore</a>. The latter, a former top prospect who came over in the Juan Soto trade, punched out a baker's dozen while allowing one hit over six innings against the Phillies. That's the most ever on Opening Day for a Nationals starter - a franchise that has employed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a> and Stephen Strasburg. Mere months after we <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3089598" href="https://thescore.com/news/3089598">openly pondered if aces are gone</a>, they're so back.</p><p><strong>Angels @ White Sox</strong><br><em>White Sox win 8-1</em></p><p>The Angels are going to set the record for most losses in a season. The White Sox did it last year, losing 121 contests to become the worst modern-era roster ever assembled. Starting your campaign with a loss to these White Sox, who objectively got worse this past offseason, is simply an insurmountable hole to climb out of.</p><p><strong>Orioles @ Blue Jays</strong><br><em>Orioles win 12-2</em></p><p>The Orioles should somehow convince <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5140" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5140">Tyler O'Neill</a> that every day is Opening Day. That's six straight with a homer for the slugger. And that's despite being on different teams for each of the last three. In those six games, he's hitting a Barry Bondsian .450/.555/1.350.</p><p>On the flip side, the only hitter who seemed to show up for the Blue Jays was offseason acquisition <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8766" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8766">Andrés Giménez</a>, who controversially hit cleanup despite a career .393 slugging percentage. His two-run homer represented Toronto's only tallies on the day. Maybe give <em>him</em> the $500-million extension.</p><p><strong>Brewers @ Yankees</strong><br><em>Yankees win 4-2</em></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12678" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12678">Austin Wells</a> was born to lead off. There was much hand-wringing over the decision to put a catcher at the top spot of the Yankees' lineup, but Aaron Boone was immediately vindicated when Wells became the first backstop in MLB history to homer in his team's first at-bat of the season. Last year's AL Rookie of the Year finalist is going to be incredibly important to New York's success.</p><p><strong>Rockies @ Rays</strong><br><em>No game</em></p><p>Quick, name a Rockies player. Don't worry if you can't; this roster is so forgettable that MLB even forgot to schedule them to play today.</p><p>In actuality, this game was delayed because the league needed more time to prepare the Rays' temporary home for the season in Tampa. At least we can be glad that a real team's season wasn't postponed.</p>

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 27: A view of the 2025 Opening Day logo before an MLB game between the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals on March 27, 2025 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/30758273/related

Overreactions from each Opening Day game

Lewis Hamilton's first win with Ferrari is in the books.  The seven-time champion won Saturday's ...

<p>Lewis Hamilton's first win with Ferrari is in the books.</p><p>The seven-time champion won Saturday's sprint race in China, converting on his pole position at Shanghai International Circuit.</p><p>"It's hard to put into words what it feels like," Hamilton said after the victory, according to <a href="https://x.com/LukeSmithF1/status/1903294863207961075">The Athletic's Luke Smith</a>. "Obviously it's a sprint race, not the main race, but it's a good stepping stone to what I've been working towards."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>McLaren's Oscar Piastri passed four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen late to end the race in second place, nearly seven seconds behind the leader. Verstappen rounded out the podium, finishing in third.</p><p>Full points for the abbreviated 19-lap event:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Chinese GP sprint race result" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-lwHPd" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lwHPd/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="850" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Qualifying for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix is slated for 3 a.m. ET Saturday.</p><p>It was the first sprint race of the young F1 season after the campaign opened last weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. Lando Norris won the opener while Hamilton disappointingly debuted in 10th.</p>

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the sprint race of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on March 22, 2025.

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Hamilton earns 1st victory with Ferrari in Chinese sprint race

The 2025 Formula 1 campaign is officially underway.  McLaren's Lando Norris won the season-openin...

<p>The 2025 Formula 1 campaign is officially underway.</p><p>McLaren's Lando Norris won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, converting his pole position at a rainy Albert Park.</p><p>Reigning champion Max Verstappen crossed the line for Red Bull less than 1 second behind Norris.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I know what I'm capable of, I know what I can do, but obviously it's just round one, so we need to go and do it again next weekend and then continue from there," Norris said, according to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3243440" href="https://thescore.com/news/3243440">Associated Press</a>. "A long season ahead, we've just got to keep our head down and keep pushing."</p><p>Mercedes' George Russell rounded out the podium in third.</p><p>The race was not without incident, with Oscar Piastri sliding off track late while in second due to wet conditions and costing himself a podium finish. The Australian impressively made it back onto the track despite appearing beached on wet grass but wound up finishing ninth in his home race.</p><p>The chaos started immediately with rookie Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls crashing on the formation lap. On restart, fellow first-year Jack Doohan also went off track and was forced to retire his Alpine on Lap 1. During the ensuing safety car, 2024 Australian GP winner Carlos Sainz became the third retirement in his Williams debut.</p><p>Inexperience wasn't the only cause of accidents, though, with 43-year-old two-time champion Fernando Alonso putting his Aston Martin into the wall on Lap 34.</p><p>Lewis Hamilton finished 10th, claiming one point for his efforts in his long-awaited Ferrari debut. His teammate Charles Leclerc placed eighth.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Drivers' Standings" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-lz5MM" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lz5MM/3/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="946" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Kimi Antonelli, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes, incredibly battled back from qualifying 16th to crossing the line in fourth. A late 5-second penalty briefly placed him in fifth before it was rescinded. Antonelli was one of two rookies to actually complete the race.</p><p>The other was Haas' Ollie Bearman, finishing as the backmarker in 14th to end a trying weekend for him that featured multiple crashes during practice.</p><p>Aston Martin's Lance Stroll finished sixth and Kick Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg, who started 17th on the grid, took seventh.</p>

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren inspects his trophy on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Norris holds off Verstappen for season-opening win in Aussie GP

Running back Miles Sanders intends to sign a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, sources told ...

<p>Running back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/109486" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/109486">Miles Sanders</a> intends to sign a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, sources told <a href="https://x.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1900396691305422965">ESPN's Jeremy Fowler</a>.</p><p>The former Pro Bowler spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers where he rushed for 637 yards and four touchdowns over 27 games.</p><p>Sanders, 27, is a six-year veteran, playing his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. For his career, he's averaged 4.7 yards per carry while racking up 23 rushing touchdowns and four additional receiving scores.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The move comes after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/110092" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/110092">Rico Dowdle</a> departed via free agency, reportedly landing a one-year deal with the Panthers. Dowdle ran for 1,079 yards with the Cowboys last season.</p><p>Sanders joins a Dallas backfield that includes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161816" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161816">Javonte Williams</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188341" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188341">Deuce Vaughn</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/174768" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/174768">Malik Davis</a>.</p>

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 05: Miles Sanders #6 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Report: Miles Sanders plans to sign 1-year deal with Cowboys

The four major top 100 prospect lists from MLB Pipeline, Baseball America, ESPN, and FanGraphs ar...

<p>The four major top 100 prospect lists from <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects">MLB Pipeline</a>, <a href="https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2025-top-100-prospects/">Baseball America</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/43549082/top-100-mlb-prospects-2025-kiley-mcdaniel-roki-sasaki-roman-anthony">ESPN</a>, and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board">FanGraphs</a> are live ahead of the 2025 campaign with 152 unique players named across them.</p><p>How do we reconcile all these discrepancies? Well, we combine them, assign equal weights to each, and tada: We have our annual composite rankings.</p><p>Based on the rankings, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the best farm system in baseball, led by consensus No. 1 prospect Roki Sasaki topping every list. The Detroit Tigers', Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox systems are just behind the Dodgers. The Tampa Bay Rays have the most players named across all lists with 11 (though only six made the consensus top 100).</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Every organization carries a player in the consensus top 100 this year. The Toronto Blue Jays debut furthest down the list, with Arjun Nimmala as their sole representative at No. 84. As a result, the Jays' system is also the worst according to these rankings, narrowly behind the Houston Astros.</p><p>Without further ado, here's the composite top 100, which also notes the highest and lowest rankings each player received on a major list.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Top 100 MLB Prospects" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-J30E2" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/J30E2/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="4821" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/30575474/related

MLB composite top 100 prospect rankings

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk got emotional after teammate and friend Josh Norris was sen...

<p>Ottawa Senators captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7845" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7845">Brady Tkachuk</a> got emotional after teammate and friend <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9904" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9904">Josh Norris</a> was sent to the Buffalo Sabres in a blockbuster deal ahead of the NHL trade deadline Friday.</p><p>"Yeah, it's pretty tough," Tkachuk said, fighting back tears, when asked about the deal. "It sucks. Losing a guy like that. Obviously everyone knows how much he means to me."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG6HKIFxVun/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG6HKIFxVun/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>Norris was sent to the Sabres on Friday along with defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10497" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10497">Jacob Bernard-Docker</a> in exchange for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10037" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10037">Dylan Cozens</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9933" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9933">Dennis Gilbert</a>, and a 2026 second-round pick.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Just spent the last little bit with him and trying to take advantage of every minute the rest of the day," Tkachuk said when asked if he had spoken with Norris shortly after the trade broke.</p><p>While Tkachuk was visibly upset by losing Norris, he also noted it's a "business" and was excited about the deadline additions.</p><p>"We're getting back important pieces that are really going to help us," he said. "It sucks. It's part of it. But with (Cozens) and Gilbert, we're going to welcome them with open arms and I feel bad a little bit that this is the initial reaction. I think they're going to understand why it's a little bit of a whirlwind for me personally. But with that being said, it's all about being a good captain, being a good teammate, and making sure they have everything that they need and have the support right from day one."</p><p>Norris and Tkachuk are longtime friends and notably lived together, along with Tim Stutzle, back in 2021.</p>

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal with Center Shane Pinto (57) and Center Josh Norris (9) during first period National Hockey League action between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators on February 13, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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Brady Tkachuk emotional after Norris traded to Sabres

The Charlotte Hornets are exploring ways to dispute Mark Williams' failed physical that rescinded...

<p>The Charlotte Hornets are exploring ways to dispute <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102765" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102765">Mark Williams</a>' failed physical that rescinded their trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1889152126665773314">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>The Hornets have contacted the NBA regarding the issue, Charania adds.</p><p>The Hornets traded Williams to the Lakers for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121679" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121679">Dalton Knecht</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69535" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69535">Cam Reddish</a>, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2031 unprotected first-rounder ahead of the league's trade deadline Thursday. Deals can't be amended following the deadline.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Williams' physical with the Lakers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3213882" href="https://thescore.com/news/3213882">reportedly</a> showed multiple issues unrelated to the 23-year-old's back ailments, leading L.A. to nix the deal.</p><p>The Hornets issued a statement after the trade was undone, <a href="https://x.com/hornets/status/1888435234036695091">saying</a>: "We are excited to welcome Mark back to our Hornets organization. After the other team aggressively pursued Mark, we made the difficult decision to move him."</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 03: Mark Williams #5 of the Charlotte Hornets plays against the Washington Wizards during their game at Spectrum Center on February 03, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Report: Hornets considering options to dispute nixed trade with Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks organization is reportedly worried about the safety of president of basketba...

<p>The Dallas Mavericks organization is reportedly worried about the safety of president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison after the team traded <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> to the Los Angeles Lakers, <a href="https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1887973854460379257">ESPN's Tim MacMahon</a> reports.</p><p>As a result of Harrison being "subjected to death threats," with some including "racial epithets," the executive won't be sitting in his normal seat in the stands and security will be increased to deal with protests outside Saturday's home game against the Houston Rockets.</p><p>Saturday marks the Mavericks' first game in Dallas since trading Doncic away in a Feb. 2 blockbuster deal that brought in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11373" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11373">Anthony Davis</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102775" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102775">Max Christie</a>, and a 2029 first-round pick. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The report comes one day after Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd told <a href="https://x.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1887659318301921535">TNT's Allie LaForce</a> that Davis has "the shoulders to carry this load," alluding to the blowback the organization expects.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/5334" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/5334">Klay Thompson</a> said Thursday that he expects "<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3212362" href="https://thescore.com/news/3212362">probably some boos</a>" from Saturday's home crowd.</p><p>Since the deal, discourse about the trade has barely slowed, with many <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3207400" href="https://thescore.com/news/3207400">online reactions from players in disbelief</a> going viral.</p>

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 24: Nico Harrison of the Dallas Mavericks arrives to the arena before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 24, 2024 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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Report: Mavs GM receiving death threats after Doncic trade

One member of the Ball family will get to attend the NBA All-Star festivities.  LiAngelo Ball wil...

<p>One member of the Ball family will get to attend the NBA All-Star festivities.</p><p>LiAngelo Ball will perform Feb. 15 as part of All-Star Saturday Night at Chase Center in his first televised performance, the league announced, according to <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1887969084739895643">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>Ball spent time with the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets organizations but never made an NBA appearance. He last played professionally in Mexico.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>In January, he signed a multimillion-dollar record deal with Universal under the stage name GELO. His latest single, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gajxasUoSc&amp;ab_channel=GELO">Tweaker</a>, features a verse from four-time Grammy winner Lil Wayne.</p><p>All-Star Saturday Night events include the Three-Point Contest, Skills Challenge, and Dunk Contest. The NBA All-Star Game will take place Sunday.</p><p>His older brother Lonzo plays for the Chicago Bulls and is averaging 7.2 points and 3.4 boards while playing 21.6 minutes over 30 games. The 27-year-old has missed the previous two seasons due to injury.</p><p>His younger brother, LaMelo, plays for the Hornets. Over 31 appearances, LaMelo has averaged 28.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in 33.3 minutes.</p>

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 17: LiAngelo Ball attends game between the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls on January 17, 2025 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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LiAngelo Ball to perform at NBA All-Star Saturday Night

The Dallas Stars and forward Oskar Back agreed to a two-year extension through the 2026-27 season...

<p>The Dallas Stars and forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/11021" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/11021">Oskar Back</a> agreed to a two-year extension through the 2026-27 season that carries an annual average value of $825,000, the team announced Thursday.</p><p>The 24-year-old rookie has tallied one goal and eight assists over 31 games this season.</p><p>Back was originally selected in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Swede scored 19 goals and added 69 assists over three seasons in the AHL.</p>

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 02: Oskar Back #10 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Utah Hockey Club on December 2, 2024 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Stars, Oskar Back agree to 2-year extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks and former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes agreed to a six-year, $210-mill...

<p>The Arizona Diamondbacks and former Cy Young winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9580" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9580">Corbin Burnes</a> agreed to a six-year, $210-million contract that includes an opt-out after two seasons, <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1872890526766383374">Jon Heyman of the New York Post</a> reports.</p><p>Burnes, 30, was the top free-agent pitcher available. The right-hander is coming off a strong season with the Baltimore Orioles, authoring a 2.92 ERA and 3.55 FIP over 194 1/3 innings to place fifth in AL Cy Young voting. </p><p>The San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays offered Burnes more money, but Arizona's lower tax rates evened the monetary playing field, according to <a href="https://x.com/BNightengale/status/1872891913520726260">USA Today's Bob Nightengale</a>, who <a href="https://x.com/BNightengale/status/1873053996518433104">adds</a> the deal includes a full no-trade clause through 2026 prior to his opt-out. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Family also influenced Burnes' decision, as he and his wife wanted to stay where they currently live in Arizona after she recently gave birth to twins, per <a href="https://x.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/1872893323666702691">ESPN's Alden Gonzalez</a>.</p><p>The contract is the most lucrative in Diamondbacks franchise history, eclipsing the six-year, $206.5-million deal the club gave starting pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/230" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/230">Zack Greinke</a> during the 2015 offseason.</p><p>Despite his K/9 dropping for the fourth straight season, Burnes remained effective at generating swings and misses in 2024. He ranked in the 89th percentile for chase rate and 74th for whiff rate. </p><p>Prior to last year, the four-time All-Star spent six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, winning the 2021 NL Cy Young award.</p><p>Burnes has a 3.19 ERA and 3.21 FIP over his seven-year career, making 138 starts and 61 relief appearances. </p><p>He strengthens an Arizona rotation anchored by incumbent ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9755" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9755">Zac Gallen</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4059" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4059">Merrill Kelly</a>, and lefty <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4216" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4216">Eduardo Rodriguez</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13779" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13779">Ryne Nelson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14055" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14055">Brandon Pfaadt</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8295" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8295">Jordan Montgomery</a> will likely compete for the final starting spot.</p><p>The Diamondbacks failed to make the 2024 postseason despite winning five more regular-season games than the 2023 club that won the NL pennant.</p>

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 20: Corbin Burnes #39 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, September 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Report: Diamondbacks, Burnes agree to 6-year, $210M pact

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James took aim at the NFL's schedule-makers Wednesday immedia...

<p>Los Angeles Lakers superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/72">LeBron James</a> took aim at the NFL's schedule-makers Wednesday immediately following an epic Christmas Day bout against the Golden State Warriors.</p><p>"I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day," James said after the Lakers eked out a narrow 115-113 win in San Francisco in an instant classic that saw the future Hall of Famer drop 31 points.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron to the NFL: <a href="https://t.co/6rvo5OncTt">pic.twitter.com/6rvo5OncTt</a></p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1872124706675105823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Wednesday was the fourth consecutive year the NFL scheduled at least two games on Christmas Day, with the Kansas City Chiefs trouncing the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens dominating the Houston Texans.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Meanwhile, scheduling games on Christmas Day has been an NBA tradition since the league's second season in 1947. Wednesday marked the Lakers' 51st game on Dec. 25.</p><p>Lakers-Warriors was part of a five-game slate Wednesday in the Association. The first four games were decided by two possessions or fewer, with the Phoenix Suns' 110-100 win over the Denver Nuggets being the most decisive of the day.</p>

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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LeBron takes jab at NFL: 'Christmas is our day'

The New York Mets are bringing back left-handed starter Sean Manaea on a three-year, $75-million ...

<p>The New York Mets are bringing back left-handed starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4239" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4239">Sean Manaea</a> on a three-year, $75-million contract, <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1871084494184460421">Jeff Passan of ESPN</a> reports.</p><p>Manaea's deal contains $23.25 million in deferred money, a source told <a href="https://x.com/WillSammon/status/1871220042945150993">Will Sammon of The Athletic</a>. The deferrals will be paid out annually in equal amounts over 10 years beginning in 2035.</p><p>The 32-year-old authored a 3.47 ERA and 3.83 FIP over 181 2/3 innings last year while making 32 starts and garnering down-ballot Cy Young consideration.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Manaea originally joined the Mets on a two-year, $28-million contract last winter. He exercised an opt-out at the beginning of this offseason that cut the deal short.</p><p>New York then tendered him a $21.05-million qualifying offer, which was also declined. As a result, if Manaea signed elsewhere, the Mets would've recouped draft-pick compensation.</p><p>Manaea owns a 4.00 ERA and 4.01 FIP over his nine-year career, making 198 starts and 30 relief appearances. He broke into MLB with the Oakland Athletics and has also had one-year stints with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: Sean Manaea #59 of the New York Mets pitches during Game 6 of the NLCS presented by loanDepot between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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Report: Mets re-sign Manaea to 3-year, $75M deal

Who's the best pitcher in baseball right now?   The pitcher you'd trust above all in a must-win g...

<p>Who's the best pitcher in baseball right now? </p><p>The pitcher you'd trust above all in a must-win game.</p><p>Zack Wheeler? He finished second in NL Cy Young voting for the second time in his career Wednesday, and leads the league in fWAR over the past four seasons. Chris Sale's an option after finally winning his first Cy Young, capping his incredible late-career resurgence. Tarik Skubal? He won pitching's Triple Crown and is now a Cy winner, too. Or maybe you're a Paul Skenes person.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>What's not up for debate: none of today's active top hurlers are surefire Hall of Famers, which is both surprising and largely unprecedented in baseball history. Baseball's aces are going extinct.</p><p>So, what's happening?</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756199/cropped_GettyImages-2178623418.jpg?ts=1732029363" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756199/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178623418.jpg?ts=1732029363 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756199/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178623418.jpg?ts=1732029363 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756199/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178623418.jpg?ts=1732029363 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756199/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178623418.jpg?ts=1732029363 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756199/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178623418.jpg?ts=1732029363 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Heather Barry / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>In short: Teams are simultaneously asking less and more of starting pitchers than ever.</p><p>Less in terms of workload. Cleveland pulled Tanner Bibee from Game 2 of the ALCS after he recorded only four outs, and he was essentially the Guardians' only effective starting pitcher at the time. The move wasn't even that controversial when it was made.</p><p>But teams are asking more in terms of pitchers needing to optimize each offering every time they wind up, thinking of spin rate, vertical and horizontal break, tunnelling, and whatever other buzzwords are going around that we don't even know about yet. All while working against an actual pitch timer that wasn't part of any phase of their development. Oh, and if you can throw 100 mph while doing all of that, even better.</p><p>The average innings thrown by a starter in any given game has been trending down for years:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Average IP per start" aria-label="Interactive line chart" id="datawrapper-chart-GzvtM" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/GzvtM/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="414" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>There's been some variance the last few seasons - perhaps related to pitchers still recovering from the shortened 2020 COVID campaign - but a starter's now recording two fewer outs on average every time he takes the mound compared to a decade ago.</p><p>This means two things for the future: The definition of true "ace" will have to change, and the bar for Hall of Fame acceptance for a starting pitcher will need to be lowered. (Sale's remarkable career <em>maybe</em> puts him into HOF contention; he'll be a fascinating test case for a contemporary starter when he becomes Cooperstown-eligible.)</p><p>Here's a list of baseball's top starters going back to 1990, in rolling four-year fWAR windows, featuring four HOFers and one who has the numbers but is being kept out (Roger Clemens): </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="SP WAR leader in 4-year windows" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-N1J0F" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/N1J0F/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="1012" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>We have to account for Johan Santana, who I'd argue should be in the Hall, and who I believe will eventually get there. That's not truly fair, though, as he's unequivocally an outlier in this group as one of five pitchers listed at least three times who either isn't enshrined or isn't currently considered a first-ballot guarantee once eligible. That's staggering and shows how far Santana fell after his world-beating crescendo.</p><p>The list could keep going, but you get the idea. Once you get past Greg Maddux's run in the 1990s, you get a few years of Clemens, whose steroid use is keeping him from enshrinement. There were a couple of interesting cases in the early 1980s in Dwight Gooden and Fernando Valenzuela, who had unbelievable early peaks but couldn't manage the longevity required of their era. Since them, though, it's been a consistent truth: if you were in the conversation for best pitcher in baseball at any point during the 30 years between 1990 and 2019, you were bound for Cooperstown.</p><p>That no longer appears to be the case, and it's one of the consequences of the post-ace era. While we enjoy whatever's left of the magical HOF careers of Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander, we simultaneously acknowledge that bullpen games are the new normal. Even in the World Series, and even when baseball's two richest teams play in the Fall Classic.</p><p>Now, Cooperstown isn't going to stop admitting starting pitchers because of any of this. A HOF resume isn't a static idea; it evolves. Fans will have to adjust their sights, too. Gerrit Cole's likely heading to the Hall, for one. Beyond him, the squinting turns more into closing your eyes entirely in order to imagine what Aaron Nola, Corbin Burnes, Logan Webb, or Walker Buehler (to name a few) would have to accomplish in order for them to get there. And then there's Shane McClanahan and Spencer Strider, too, at the beginning of their promising careers and scheduled to return to the mound next season after Tommy John surgeries.</p><p>The goalposts will need to be adjusted moving forward. Once Wheeler's career ends and we wait the requisite five years for him to be on the ballot, the bar <em>will</em> be lower and his case will likely appear much more solid. We'll likely look back and laugh at the implication he wasn't headed to Cooperstown.</p><p>Baseball's changed monumentally from a generation ago. There was always a chance the golden era of starting pitching fans recently witnessed - prime Kershaw, Scherzer, and Verlander, all dominating at the same time - would be fleeting. But its actual end feels more dire than what could've been imagined.</p>

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Where did all the aces go?

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