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Red Sox catcher Wong suffers fractured pinkie

Published in Baseball
Monday, 07 April 2025 20:11

BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong left in the top of second inning of Monday's 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays after fracturing his left pinkie, manager Alex Cora said.

Wong was called for catcher's interference an inning earlier after George Springer's bat hit his glove with two outs in the first.

Cora and a trainer came out of the dugout to check on Wong. He took a few warmup pitches from starter Richard Fitts, stayed in the game, but was later replaced by Carlos Narvaez.

Cora said Wong will be headed to the injured list but is unsure how long he'll be out.

"We're gonna have to make a move," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Orioles reliever Suárez (shoulder) out 'months'

Published in Baseball
Monday, 07 April 2025 20:11

PHOENIX -- Baltimore Orioles reliever Albert Suárez was transferred to the 60-day injured list because of a shoulder issue, the team announced Monday.

The right-hander has made only one appearance this season, throwing 2 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 28. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Suárez wasn't expected to need surgery.

"It's going to be months," Hyde said. "Hopefully just a few months, but it's really unfortunate news."

The 35-year-old Suárez was a big part of the pitching staff last season, compiling a 3.70 ERA over 133 innings in 32 appearances, including 24 starts.

"It's a big blow for us because he was throwing the ball really well in spring training and did so many things well for us last year," Hyde said.

Also on Monday, the Orioles acquired left-handed pitcher Grant Wolfram from the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league outfielder Daz Cameron and cash. Wolfram was put on the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Suárez was moved to the 60-day IL.

Former US Open champion Medvedev has dropped out of the top 10 after a difficult start to the season.

He has not won a title since the Rome Masters in 2023, which was also on clay, and hasn't reached a final since Indian Wells last year.

Medvedev has frequently said he does not like playing on clay, external and reminded the crowd after his victory against Khachanov, saying: "It's the first match on clay - it's not my favourite surface.

"I don't think Karen hit one ace and he's a big server. So, it was pretty slow, but I'm happy with my level in general and looking forward."

Medvedev will face France's Alexandre Muller in the second round.

Seventeen of the men's top 20 singles players will feature in Monte Carlo, including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Britain's Jack Draper.

Gaudreau's widow delivers couple's third child

Published in Hockey
Monday, 07 April 2025 14:07

Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, announced the arrival of the couple's third child.

Carter Michael Gaudreau was born on April 1, seven months after Johnny and his brother, Matthew, suffered fatal injuries when they were struck while cycling by a suspected drunk driver.

"I had our third baby! 4/1/25," Meredith posted Monday on Instagram, noting that the child has the same middle name and the "exact same" size (20.5 inches) and birthweight (8 pounds, 3 ounces) as his father.

"He looks exactly like his daddy too," she wrote alongside photos of her and the baby and their two other children, daughter Noa and son Johnny. "I love you so much my baby! We are going to have so much fun. I can't wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever."

Meredith Gaudreau announced her pregnancy at her husband's memorial service on Sept. 9. The Gaudreau brothers were killed on Aug. 29 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, where they had traveled to attend their sister Katie's wedding scheduled for the following day. Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29.

Johnny Gaudreau was a seven-time NHL All-Star who played 11 seasons, the first nine with the Calgary Flames and the last two with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He tallied 743 points (243 goals, 500 assists) in 763 games.

Leicester lose record 8th in a row without scoring

Published in Soccer
Monday, 07 April 2025 15:16

Leicester City have become the first Premier League team to lose eight Premier League games in a row without scoring a single goal.

Their latest defeat, a 3-0 loss to Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium in which they were two goals down inside 11 minutes, left them above only already-relegated Southampton in the table.

Leicester will be relegated if 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers win their next two games, or the Foxes lose their next two.

The soon-to-be Championship side brought in Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy in November as they looked to halt their slide towards the drop, but the Dutchman was unable to improve upon the results that got his predecessor Steve Cooper the sack.

Leicester have not found the back of the net in the division since Bilal El Khannouss' strike in their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Jan 26.

They have not scored a goal at home since Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored a 91st-minute equaliser to earn Leicester a point against Brighton & Hove Albion on Dec. 8.

Leicester are the only team to lose eight consecutive games without scoring in the top-flight since Sunderland managed it in 1976-77.

One reason for optimism arrived in the 74th minute of Monday's game when Jeremy Monga (15 years, 271 days) became the second-youngest player to feature in a Premier League match. Only Arsenal forward Ethan Nwaneri (15 years, 181 days) has played in the league at a younger age.

Monga took to the pitch in a sponsorless kit as his age means he is unable to advertise the services of Leicester's shirt sponsor "BC.GAME" -- an online cryptocurrency gaming platform.

Information from ESPN's Global Sports Research contributed to this report

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Speaking to reporters for the first time since being traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Geno Smith highlighted his relationship with coach Pete Carroll as one of the biggest reasons for wanting to wear the Silver and Black.

"I think there is unfinished business," Smith said Monday. "And I think, when people think about my story, Coach Carroll was a big part of that. He gave me an opportunity when not many people would have."

Smith played four of his five seasons with the Seahawks under Carroll. Smith served as a backup for two seasons before emerging as the team's starter after Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022.

"I'll run through a wall for him, and he knows that."
Geno Smith, on coach Pete Carroll

While serving as a backup, Smith said he always believed that he could be a starter. So did Carroll. Smith played in 37 games under Carroll and threw for 8,641 passing yards, 55 touchdowns and 21 interceptions while making two Pro Bowl appearances.

"I mean, not weeks, I'm talking for years playing behind Russell [Wilson], and he just never let up on that thought. And it was so impressive to me," Carroll recalled. "As soon as we had the opportunity to put him in a position to take the lead, I couldn't wait. And he's been a winner ever since."

Carroll's belief in Smith has created a bond between the two that seems unbreakable. Smith called Carroll "legendary" and believes the 73-year-old's willingness to let players be themselves and track record for winning makes him an attractive coach to play for.

"I'll run through a wall for him, and he knows that," Smith said.

"I want to say, I might hit that wall before you get there," Carroll responded.

When Carroll saw an opportunity to trade for Smith, the team didn't hesitate to get a deal done. The Raiders sent a 2025 third round pick to Seattle for Smith, who said he has no hard feelings about how things ended with the Seahawks.

Smith has since signed a multiyear extension with the Raiders. Terms were not disclosed by the Raiders on Monday, but a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter last week that Smith received a two-year, $75 million extension that can be worth up to $85.5 million and includes $66.5 million in guaranteed money.

In Las Vegas, Carroll said Smith provides "instant stability" at quarterback after three straight losing seasons and having six players start at quarterback since moving on from Derek Carr after the 2022 season.

Despite Smith's final season in Seattle being considered a down year after he threw 15 interceptions, he finished fourth in passing yards (4,320) and fifth in completion percentage (70.4%).

"Not in a cocky or arrogant way, but I just feel that I'm one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL," Smith said. "I'm out to go out there and prove it."

Carroll is not the only one excited about Smith's arrival to Vegas. General manager John Spytek said he's thrilled to have Smith as the quarterback because the veteran's journey could be a great resource to the rest of the team.

Smith even had a facetime call with Tom Brady once the trade had been finalized and was invited to the minority owner's home.

"I went to his home and got a chance to just spend about an hour and just talk ball with him and just talk about life," Smith said. "... I want to learn as much as I can from him, the greatest quarterback to play the game. I mean, there's so many things that you can learn. I think the main thing is that I'm here to win, and I'm here to do the right things for my teammates, just as he did."

After watching the Los Angeles Dodgers secure their first full-season championship in four decades, Andrew Friedman and his front office lieutenants doubled down, adding practically every free agent they wanted over the ensuing offseason and triggering outrage throughout the sport. Their goal was to build one of the greatest baseball teams ever -- one whose talent could overcome the randomness of the playoffs, which has prevented a repeat champion each of the past 24 years, and whose depth could overcome the attrition that impedes so many throughout the regular season.

Less than two weeks into the 2025 season, the latter hope is already being tested.

Mookie Betts suffered through a mysterious stomach ailment that caused him to shed close to 20 pounds, keeping him out of the first two games in Japan. Freddie Freeman slipped in the shower and reaggravated the ankle injury he played through during last year's playoffs, triggering a stint on the injured list. And on Sunday, Blake Snell, the two-time Cy Young Award winner signed to a $182 million contract over the offseason, was shut down with what was diagnosed as shoulder inflammation.

Through that, though, the Dodgers have continually found a way to win. They were undefeated in their first eight games, giving them the longest season-opening winning streak for a repeat champion, and sit 9-2 despite dropping two of three on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies. The season is young, but it feels as if we've already learned so much about one of the most decorated teams in this sport's history.

Below are the six biggest takeaways.


Their offense is even deeper than we imagined

Freeman has sat out the past six games and Betts sat out three of the first five. The Dodgers have yet to roll out their optimal lineup.

It hasn't really mattered.

Through their first 11 games, they're doing what they always seem to: come up with timely hits and, mostly, slug. They're second in the majors in home runs, fourth in hard-hit percentage, seventh in OPS and first in win probability added by a wide margin.

Max Muncy, Enrique Hernandez and Andy Pages are all off to slow starts, but Tommy Edman has brought production from five different spots in the lineup. Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Michael Conforto have swung hot bats, and Betts has found enough strength to be a major contributor.

They'll all inevitably go cold at varying points this season, but others should pick up the slack.

Said Teoscar Hernandez: "That's just the depth that we have."

And when everyone is clicking, a starting nine of Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Muncy, Smith, Conforto, Pages and Edman -- in that order or close to it -- is the best in the sport.


The return of two-way Ohtani might take longer than we thought

Ohtani went 32 days between throwing off a mound, from Feb. 25 to March 29. Before spring training, the month of May looked like a realistic target for his return to a two-way role. That no longer seems to be the case. Ohtani kept his arm active during his recent shutdown by throwing off flat ground at moderate intensity, but he is essentially starting his pitching buildup from scratch. His bullpen session on March 29 saw him throw roughly 20 pitches, after which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged, "We're a ways away."

This, Ohtani said through an interpreter in Japan, is "according to plan." He wanted to "prioritize the hitting aspect as we're getting into the season," he added, "to get a little breather mentally and physically on the pitching side of things."

Ohtani is throwing full bullpen sessions every Saturday, with a lighter one in between. He'll continue to mix in breaking balls, build stamina, proceed toward facing hitters, then begin a quasi-rehab assignment by throwing in simulated games. (Given his importance to the lineup, the Dodgers won't be sending him out on a traditional rehab assignment.)

There is no timetable for his return to the rotation, and there probably shouldn't be. Ohtani is coming off a second repair of his ulnar collateral ligament, not to mention a torn labrum he suffered on his non-throwing shoulder. He is again attempting to do something that is largely without precedent. And the Dodgers should have enough starting pitching depth to get by, especially after watching Dustin May roll through the Atlanta Braves in his first appearance in more than 22 months earlier this week.

If Ohtani throws 100 innings during the regular season, it'll be a shock. What's most important is for him to be at his best as a two-way player in October.


Roki Sasaki might be more of a work-in-progress than expected

A clip of Sasaki seemingly on the verge of tears from the top step of the Dodgers' dugout on March 29 made the rounds on social media.

Sasaki had recorded only five outs against the Detroit Tigers, 10 days after recording only nine outs against the Chicago Cubs. Through his first 4 innings in the major leagues, he had walked nine batters. Fastball command was elusive. His splitter and slider weren't generating enough chase. Just as prominent to evaluators, he looked nervous. Scared, even. Some of those who spent years watching Sasaki in Japan could hardly recognize him. The entire industry knew that Sasaki, still only 23 years old, required seasoning before establishing himself as a top-of-the-rotation starter. But it seemed as if he needed even more than many anticipated.

Saturday, though, provided some much-needed optimism. Sasaki took the mound in the bandbox known as Citizens Bank Park, faced a Phillies lineup that is among the sport's most dangerous and held his own. He pitched into the fifth inning, at one point retired 12 of 13 batters and, with some good fortune, gave up only one run. Sasaki simplified his repertoire, throwing fastballs and splitters with 63 of his 68 pitches, and made better use of his lower half as he drove toward home plate. As his start prolonged, his confidence seemed to grow.

There will continue to be growing pains, but Sasaki's third start provided the first glimpse of what he can be at this level. After it was over, he again hung on the railing of the Dodgers' dugout -- only this time he was smiling.


Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto demand more attention

It's pretty telling of the Dodgers' star power that Glasnow and Yamamoto, signed to long-term deals totaling more than $460 million in December 2023, were basically forgotten members of this rotation when the year began. But their health and success will be crucial to a talented-yet-highly-volatile rotation.

Yamamoto, who sat out close to three months with a rotator cuff strain in his transition from Japan to the major leagues last year, drew effusive praise from Dodgers officials throughout spring training. They believed that Yamamoto's age-26 season would see him elevate to one of the game's best starting pitchers. Three starts in, Yamamoto has done nothing to temper those expectations, giving up three earned runs and striking out 19 batters in 16 innings.

After a 2024 season that ended prematurely because of what was diagnosed as an elbow sprain, Glasnow and the Dodgers worked on making his delivery more compact and revamping his throwing program. He ditched weighted balls and got back to more long-tossing. After his first start of the season, when he shut out the Braves through five innings and struck out eight batters, Glasnow said he felt "more fluid."

Glasnow's second start was a struggle; he battled the rain Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, put the first five batters on in the third inning and promptly exited. But the Dodgers have high hopes for Glasnow this season nonetheless. With Snell on the shelf and Sasaki still developing, his success is crucial.


They might actually have a weakness: defense

Betts attempted to turn a double play in Tuesday's second inning and threw so errantly to first base he had to chase the baseball himself. About 24 hours later, Muncy made two throwing errors and Pages misplayed a ball near the warning track. The Dodgers overcame those defensive mistakes and won anyway, but it underscored what is seen as a potential glaring weakness.

Betts is making an unprecedented transition to shortstop. He has worked since early November to get it right, but if he is merely average at the position, the Dodgers will be happy. Muncy, who doesn't have elite range, has the lowest fielding percentage among those who have played at least 250 games at third base since the start of the 2022 season.

Pages has a great arm in center field, but scouts have raised concerns about his ability to read balls off the bat. Conforto and Teoscar Hernández, who make up the outfield corners, have combined for minus-16 outs above average over the past two years. Even Freeman, a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman throughout his career, doesn't move around the way he used to at 35 years old and coming off ankle surgery.

Given the elevated strikeout and home-run rates of this era, defense has never been less important. But as the New York Yankees showed in letting the Dodgers come back in Game 5 of last year's World Series, it still matters. Very much so.


They have an underappreciated trait: fight

The Dodgers aren't all glitz and glamor. They're resilient -- hardened by past October disappointment and buoyed by the injuries they overcame to secure a championship last fall. They know how to overcome, and they never seem to be out of games.

"It's kind of a hallmark of our club," Roberts said.

It's showing once again. The Dodgers breezed past the Cubs in back-to-back games in Japan without Betts and Freeman. After a week off, they beat Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, on Opening Day. The next night, they erased two separate two-run deficits to win in extra innings. Twenty-four hours later, they won again even though their bullpen had to record 22 outs in relief of Sasaki. On Wednesday, the Dodgers fell behind 5-0 after an inning and a half against a Braves team desperate for its first win and still came out victorious.

Roberts admitted that he was "a little dumbfounded" by watching his team rally to a 6-5 victory that night -- both by the defense that triggered the early deficit and the resilience that erased it. The Dodgers had recorded their second walk-off hit -- a home run by Ohtani on his bobblehead night -- and their sixth comeback win in eight games. They now have a major league-leading seven. Nobody else has more than four.

"The belief is big here," Snell said. "We believe we should win every game. It's fun to be around, and it's fun when everyone knows that we're gonna find a way."

MannKind To Support Conor Daly

Published in Racing
Monday, 07 April 2025 08:59

INDIANAPOLIS MannKind Corp. announced a continued partnership with Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season.

Daly was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) when he was 14 and uses his racing career to help raise awareness about diabetes treatments and innovations. MannKind will be a primary sponsor on the No.76 at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13.

Were thrilled to introduce a head-turning livery as Conor represents JHR this weekend through the streets of Long Beach, said Dominic Marasco, President, Endocrine Business Unit of MannKind Corp. As part of an extended marketing partnership, we will work closely with Conor on a series of appearances to raise awareness about diabetes and innovative treatment options, aligning with key factors that are important with IndyCar speed and control.

Conor Daly expressed his excitement for the partnership: Im really happy to keep working with MannKind. Ive learned so much from a lot of the folks there and we have been able to tell an incredible story. They have helped me share my Type 1 diabetes (T1D) story with so many around the world, so to be able to represent Mannkind and tell my story living with Type 1 diabetes is really amazing.

MannKind will also be a primary sponsor of the No.76 at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on June 1 and at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 15. MannKind will continue to be an associate sponsor of Conor throughout the rest of the schedule.

Sprint Rankings: Weather Takes Out A Row

Published in Racing
Monday, 07 April 2025 09:00
Only one of the 18 410 winged sprint car races scheduled this past weekend was run. All others were canceled or postponed because of weather concerns. As a result, there were few changes in the regional standings within the National Sprint Car Rankings this week. Anthony Macri won the only feature of the week, claiming victory at Pennsylvanias Lincoln Speedway. The National Sprint Car Rankings will not open until drivers start reaching the 20-start plateau later this spring. Twenty-three drivers have won features this season, with Gravel leading the way with five victories. Despite being winless in 13 starts, Brock Zearfoss leads the Eastern region standings. Sam Hafertepe Jr. won his second feature of the season over the weekend, and he leads the Western region standings. Gravel heads the Mid-America region and Cap Henry is on top in the Great Lakes stanza. A.J. Flick leads the board in the OH-PA region.

Eastern Region

  1. Brock Zearfoss 435
  2. Anthony Macri388
  3. Danny Dietrich 350
  4. Chase Dietz332
  5. David Gravel 330

Blues Hog Supports Zilisch & JR Motorsports

Published in Racing
Monday, 07 April 2025 10:16

MOORESVILLE, N.C. JR Motorsports today announced that Blues Hog, the multi-time world champion barbecue competitors, will join the organization as the primary partner for Connor Zilisch and the No. 88 Chevrolet for three NASCAR Xfinity Series events, beginning with Texas Motor Speedway on May 3.

From there, the No. 88 Blues Hog Chevrolet will hit the track at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31, followed by Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 27.

Its great to welcome a new partner like Blues Hog to JR Motorsports and to our No. 88 Chevrolet, said Zilisch. I think that the car looks great and I cant wait to get on the track with them in a couple weeks. Its going to be a great time.

Founded by Barbecue Hall of Famer Bill Arnold, Blues Hog is a perennial contender in the barbecue competition world. Having won over 35 Grand Champion titles and over 40 Reserve Grand Championship titles, Blues Hog is known nationwide as one of the top barbecue brands in the country.

The fastest growing BBQ Sauce company is proud to join the fastest race team in the industry with JR Motorsports, said Blues Hog owner Tim Scheer. Were excited to partner with the competitive spirit of motorsports while bringing the award-winning heat and flavor of Blues Hog BBQ sauce into the spotlight, creating a fun and memorable connection with fans of both worlds. Stay Saucey.

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