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NBA cancels Atlanta Hawks' planned Magic City promotion

The NBA has stepped in and cancelled the Atlanta Hawks' plans for a Magic City promotion night on March 16.

The Hawks described Magic City as an "iconic cultural institution" — and it is that, having been around for 40 years — but Magic City is better known as a legendary strip club, one that has been central to the city's hip-hop scene for decades.

"When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks' scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "While we appreciate the team's perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community."

"While we are very disappointed in the NBA's decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect their decision," the Hawks said in a statement. "As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta — with authenticity — in ways that continue to unite and bring us all together."

What Atlanta wanted to celebrate was the unity that the Magic City brings to some in Atlanta. It is a place where T.I., Migos, Jermaine Dupri, 2 Chainz, Killer Mike, Big Boi, Future and many others got a big break by having their music played at the club. It is also famed for its lemon-pepper wings, which were going to be served at the game. However, there was pushback from some players publicly, and other league stakeholders privately.

Some of that will still be available at the March 16 game, including wings, the team announced. Also, Legendary rapper and 'King of the South' T.I. will perform at halftime as previously scheduled.

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Espanyol dominates Oviedo but draw doesn't lift either in La Liga

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Espanyol and Real Oviedo drew 1-1 in a game that extended Espanyol’s winless La Liga run to 10 matches and left Oviedo rooted to the bottom of the table on Monday.

Oviedo came into the game without a win in five but took the lead after eight minutes through Alberto Reina.

However, Espanyol was on top and got a deserved equalizer nine minutes before halftime thanks to Kike Garcia.

Espanyol continued to control the play in the second half and finished with 26 shots to Oviedo’s six. But neither side could find the net again.

A point was a meagre outcome for both clubs and left Oviedo four points adrift at the bottom of La Liga.

Espanyol, meanwhile, has yet to win this year but remains in seventh thanks to a good start to its campaign.

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

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NBA cancels Atlanta Hawks' controversial 'Magic City Monday' promotion

The NBA has canceled a controversial Atlanta Hawks in-game promotion centered around a local area strip club.

The league made the announcement Monday, March 9, citing “significant concerns.” The promotion had been scheduled to take place in a week, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Monday, March 16, during a game against the Orlando Magic.

“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Monday in a statement. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

The promotion was supposed to be a one-night collaboration with prominent Atlanta strip club, Magic City, in what the team was characterizing as an in-game celebration of hip-hop called “Magic City Monday.”

In its initial promotion, the team avoided referring to the establishment as a strip club, choosing instead to lable it an “iconic cultural institution.” The Hawks were set to highlight its “world famous” chicken wings. As part of the promotion, Magic City Kitchen was set to serve two versions of their lemon pepper wings, Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ, named after Atlanta-native and three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year-winner Lou Williams, and traditional lemon pepper.

Williams famously couldn't help but visit the spot for its wings in 2020 when he was excused from the NBA Bubble in Orlando to attend a funeral, while everyone was social distancing due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The moment went viral after a photo he snapped with rapper Jack Harlow during the visit was posted to social media.

Williams received a 10-day quarantine for violating safety protocols but maintains that the league's focus was on him going to a strip club rather than his real reason for going – the food.

The incident did two things: birthed the nickname "Lemon Pepper Lou" and also cemented Magic City's kitchen as the stuff of NBA and Atlanta legend.

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Atlanta rapper and entrepreneur T.I. was expected to perform at halftime. The Hawks were also planning to sell a limited edition hooded sweatshirt with “MAGIC CITY” emblazoned across the chest.

“From the food to the music and the exclusive merchandise, we are excited to team up with Magic City to create an authentic, True to Atlanta-inspired game experience,” Hawks executive vice president and chief marketing officer Melissa Proctor said Feb. 26 in a news release.

The promotion drew a mixed reaction from players and fans. San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet wrote and published an open letter posted to Medium Monday, March 2, asking the Hawks to reconsider.

“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world,” Kornet wrote. “We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.

“Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”

Kornets’ perspective split the NBA world, with some feeling that his stance was dismissive of the cultural impact of Magic City on the hip-hop scene in Atlanta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Hawks' Magic City Monday promotion with strip club canceled

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Marušić goal in stoppage time gives Lazio win over Sassuolo

ROME (AP) — A stoppage time goal from Adam Marušić gave Lazio a 2-1 win over Sassuolo and snapped its four-game winless streak in Serie A on Monday.

Marušić headed in his first goal of the season after 90+3 minutes.

Lazio had not won since January or scored in over a month but Daniel Maldini opened the scoring two minutes after kickoff.

The son of AC Milan great Paolo Maldini pounced on a loose ball to fire home from close range.

However, Sassuolo’s in-form winger Armand Laurienté equalized just before halftime with a well-placed drive from 12 meters out. It upped his recent stats to two goals and four assists in his last four league games.

Lazio had the lion’s share of the chances but its toothlessness in front of goal looked to be its undoing once again until Marušić popped up in the final seconds.

The result lifted the capital side one place into 10th, a point and a place behind Sassuolo.

It was only the second defeat in seven games for Sassuolo.

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

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NBA cancels Atlanta Hawks’ theme night with strip club Magic City after backlash

The NBA on Monday announced it had canceled a theme night planned by the Hawks to commemorate Atlanta strip club Magic City.Photograph: Ashley Landis/AP

The NBA has called off the Atlanta Hawks’ plans for a night celebrating the city’s famed Magic City strip club, saying it did so because of “concerns” from many across the league.

Atlanta announced the plan last month, saying the team would pay tribute to an “iconic cultural institution” with food – including the club’s famous lemon pepper wings – along with a live music performance by Atlanta native TI and exclusive merchandise.

After the Hawks announced plans for the promotion, San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet spoke out about the idea and urged the parties involved to reconsider. And the league evidently heard the same messaging from others.

Related: Luke Kornet says Atlanta Hawks’ theme night with strip club Magic City objectifies women

“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

The Hawks had no immediate comment. The tribute game had been scheduled for next Monday against the Orlando Magic.

Kornet wrote in a Medium post that it “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society”.

“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience,” he wrote. “The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”

Al Horford, the Golden State Warriors center who played nine seasons for the Hawks, reposted Kornet’s letter with the caption, “Well said Luke”.

Rappers Drake, Quavo and 2 Chainz have praised Magic City’s impact on music and celebrity culture. Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal have also visited, while MLS’s Atlanta United celebrated their 2018 title at the club.

Hawks principal owner Jami Gertz was a producer for a five-part docuseries that explored Magic City’s history, its place in Black and hip-hop culture and what it means to the city.

“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy,’” Gertz, who is also a film-maker and actor, said when the promotion was announced. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

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Hornets ship second-round draft pick to Heat following Terry Rozier saga

The Terry Rozier saga between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets has come to a close.

Charlotte will send a second-round selection in the 2026 NBA Draft to Miami as part of the dispute concerning the January 2024 trade that shipped Rozier to the Heat, two people with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The people spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

Charlotte had held multiple second-round picks in the draft; the pick sent to Miami will be the more favorable one that originally belonged to the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets.

The decision was announced in a league memo sent to all NBA general managers.

Neither the NBA nor the Hornets disclosed information to the Heat about irregular betting activity around Rozier’s performance during a March 23, 2023 game prior to the trade. The Heat had no knowledge about the suspicious betting activity raised in March 2023 by integrity monitoring services, nor did the Heat have knowledge about the subsequent federal investigation into Rozier until both became public in January 2025.

According to the NBA’s constitution and by-laws, when a trade is executed, the general managers of all teams involved are required to first send an email with the terms to the NBA league office.

Then, representatives from each team jump on a “trade conference call” with the league office that includes league lawyers. The call is recorded and the terms of the deal, including the terms of each player contract involved, are read aloud.

It is during these calls when pertinent medical information is discussed. One section in the constitution states that teams are prohibited from making “any other material misrepresentation or fail to disclose any other material information during the Trade Call.”

Once the terms are agreed upon, teams must certify that there are no other terms that were not mentioned and agreed upon during the call.

Afterwards, logistics about timing of the trade announcements are discussed.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson (5) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena on Mar 31, 2025.

Rozier was arrested Thursday, Oct. 23 for his alleged role in an insider sports-betting scheme. He is accused of manipulating his performance during a March 23, 2023 NBA game when he was a member of the Hornets, to benefit illegal betting.

On Dec. 8, he pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Rozier, 31, has been away from the team as his court case proceeds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat get NBA draft pick from Hornets after Terry Rozier gambling saga

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NBA cancels ‘Magic City Night’ on Atlanta Hawks after Luke Kornet’s criticism

BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Luke Kornet #7 and Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 26, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks planned ‘Magic City Night’ for March 16 during a game against the Orlando Magic to “celebrate Atlanta’s iconic cultural institution.” The Hawks lined up a special edition hoodie, planned on having legendary Atlanta rapper T.I. perform at halftime, and were set to serve Magic City’s infamous Lemon Pepper wings.

So much for that. The NBA canceled ‘Magic City Night’ a week before it was supposed to happen after criticism from San Antonio Spurs big man Luke Kornet. NBA commissioner Adam Silver did not like one of his teams honoring the famous strip club, and now it’s the celebration is over before it started. Here’s the statement from Silver on the decision:

Kornet’s blog post criticizing the Hawks for ‘Magic City Night’ started a wave of attention on the Hawks’ promotion. Silver ultimately decided he wasn’t okay with it, and ‘Magic City Night’ is no more.

Atlanta, the NBA, and Magic City have been intertwined publicly since Lou Williams admitted to getting the strip club’s Lemon Pepper wings during the pandemic, which earned him a 10-day quarantine when he returned to the bubble.

Magic City is part of Atlanta’s cultural identity. It seemed like the Hawks had a creative promotion tied to a local business that would help inject some excitement during the March doldrums of the season. It’s too bad the NBA wasn’t comfortable with it. Blame or credit Luke Kornet for amplifying the conversation around this one.

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March Madness: How to watch and what to watch in the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament

March Madness is almost here.

The beloved annual tradition that is the NCAA Tournament opens with Selection Sunday this weekend, opening the door for hundreds of thousands of fans to fill out brackets and take a shot at winning the office pool.

The tournament tips off with the First Four on March 17-18 in Dayton, Ohio, with the first round starting March 19 at sites across the country. For the first time, the NCAA will punish teams that do not provide player availability reports. Fines start at $10,000. The reports are intended to to combat betting-related pressure, solicitations and harassment athletes receive from bettors connected to their playing status.

Bubble teams have the rest of this week to prove to the NCAA Selection Committee they belong in the 68-team field. This is also championship week for the nation's biggest conferences whose teams can jockey for better seeding with a good run.

If you like the tourney at 68 teams, enjoy the moment! Discussions continue on whether to expand the field by at least fourteams and possibly more.

The betting favorites

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the favorites to win the national championship are Duke (plus-320), Michigan (plus-325), Arizona (plus-475) and defending champ Florida (plus-675).

Food for thought: Michigan State in 2000 was the last Big Ten team to win the national championship, which was played that year in Indianapolis, the site of this year’s Final Four. But remember: Three of Duke’s five national championships (1991, 2010 and 2015) were won in Indianapolis while Arizona captured its only national title in Indy in 1997. Florida also won the first of back-to-back national championships in 2006 — also in Indy.

How to watch

Every game of the men’s tournament will be aired — here is a schedule that will be updated with matchups — either on CBS, TBS, TNT or TruTV and their digital platforms, including Paramount+. TBS will broadcast the Final Four and national title game this year. The NCAA will also stream games via its March Madness Live option.

Who is playing

There are 31 automatic bids for league tournament champions. The selection committee will then pick 37 at-large teams. The full field will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 15, starting at 6 p.m. Eastern.

When the Madness begins

After the First Four, the first- and second-round games will be played March 19-22 in Buffalo, New York; Greenville, South Carolina; Oklahoma City; Portland, Oregon; Philadelphia; San Diego; St. Louis; and Tampa, Florida.

Sweet 16 games will be played March 26-29 in Houston (South), Washington (East), Chicago (Midwest) and San Jose, California (West).

The Final Four is Saturday, April 4, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with the title game the night of Monday, April 6, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Mets vs. Marlins: Spring training lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 3/9/26

Mar 8, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Zach Thornton (80) stretches the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Mets lineup

  1. Mike Tauchman – CF
  2. Luis Torrens – C
  3. Carson Benge – RF
  4. Tyrone Taylor – LF
  5. Ronny Mauricio – SS
  6. Ryan Clifford – 1B
  7. Christian Arroyo – 3B
  8. Vidal Brujan – 2B
  9. Hayden Senger – DH

Zach Thornton – LHP

Marlins lineup

  1. Xavier Edwards – 2B
  2. Connor Norby – 3B
  3. Christopher Morel – 1B
  4. Heriberto Hernández – LF
  5. Maximo Acosta – SS
  6. Kemp Alderman – RF
  7. Daniel Johnson – CF
  8. Brian Navarreto – C
  9. Andrew Pintar – DH

Tyler Phillips – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 6:10pm EDT
TV: SNY

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USA's Tarik Skubal won't pitch again in 2026 WBC despite second thoughts

After some deliberation, Tarik Skubal is sticking to his original plan to return to Detroit Tigers spring training after his lone appearance in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced on Monday, March 9.

Skubal, the Tigers' back-to-back Cy Young winner, is a free agent after the 2026 season and had always planned to return to spring training in Lakeland, Florida after making his start on Saturday against Britain.

But in the days before the tournament, Skubal stressed how much he was loving the experience and hinted at a plan to regroup with the national team in Miami and at least be a cheerleader. And after his scheduled outing on Saturday in Houston, Skubal explicitly said that "things have changed."

"When you get into these environments, when you get this team, it’s hard to walk away from that," Skubal said after tossing three strong innings in the Americans' 9-1 win over Great Britain.

"I didn’t expect these types of emotions to run through my brain or my thoughts to differ. I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp," Skubal said. "Things have changed, obviously, that’s why I’m going to have some conversations to try and figure out a plan for me."

Skubal, 29, is expected to sign the richest contract of any pitcher in MLB history this winter, perhaps approaching $500 million and his USA teammates were more than understanding about his plan.

“He's got the two Cy Young awards, but this guy's about to make half a billion dollars here in the next offseason,’’ three-time MVP and Team USA captain Aaron Judge said. “So, for him to put it all on the line for his country, and come out here and show up for us. ... You know, maybe it is just one game, but you know there's a risk with everything you do, and for him to take that risk and come out here and be with us, the boys love it."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tarik Skubal won't pitch again for Team USA in World Baseball Classic

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Ask Pinstripe Alley: Yankees mailbag questions request

Ask Pinstripe Alley

Spring plods along, and we’re now just a few weeks away from Opening Day and the real start of the 2026 season. The World Baseball Classic will cover a good portion of that time, and the tournament is heating up as pool play is wrapping up in the next couple of days. The United States squad has gotten off to a strong start, and seem likely to end up advancing to the quarterfinals — it’s just a question of whether they’ll win out and take the top seed of their pool or not.

While we wait for the eventual champions to be determined, Yankees camp continues to churn out results. The competition within the pitching staff is ongoing, as Ryan Weathers endured his first blowup in spring on Sunday while Paul Blackburn similarly struggled on Thursday. Will there be a race for the fifth starter after all, or will spring results only shift around roles in the bullpen? How will the Yankees returning from the WBC do jumping back to spring action? If you have questions like these, or anything else on your mind, send ‘em in for a chance to be featured in our Yankees mailbag.

Answers will run on Friday afternoon. All questions received by the night of March 12th will be considered. You can leave your submissions in the comment section below or by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Braves keep the line moving in spring win over Twins

NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 04: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the game between the Team Columbia and the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Grace Hoppel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Spring Training tends to be silly, and that was perhaps best exemplified by Monday afternoon’s game against the Twins. The Braves won 9-8, but gave up a whopping five homers. I guess a 12/0 K/BB ratio is the saving grace when you give up five homers, but considering the Braves didn’t hit any homers, it just goes down as a meaningless March statistical curiosity.

Even though the game ended at 9-8, the regulars basically kept the line moving off Zebby Matthews to start the game. They sent 12 men to the plate in the first frame, riding a bunch of bloops to a massive eight-run inning (capped by Drake Baldwin actually barreling a ball for his second hit of the frame). Matt Olson made two of the inning’s three outs, but if you ever wanted to see a team and rotation hopeful (Matthews, who can win a spot on the Twins’ staff given Pablo Lopez’ absence) tormented by every bloop finding a hole, this was the game for you.

After that outburst, it was all Twins — albeit, against guys that don’t really factor into Atlanta’s big league future. Carlos Carrasco gave up two dingers in 2 2/3, but at least he didn’t walk anyone. A procession of relievers did a nice job, until the Twins knocked another homer off Hayden Harris, who struck out three in his inning of work. The game only got “close” because of the efforts of undrafted free agent Trent Buchanan, who was the victim of two more Twins homers while collecting just two outs. Eventually, Adam Maier came on and threw a single pitch to end the game.

The Braves had one barrel to the Twins’ eight. Fun times.

Austin Riley went 3-for-3, and Mauricio Dubon went 2-for-3 with a double that got out to the track. Eli White and Drake Baldwin also collected a couple of knocks.

Spring Training continues with the Braves visiting the Jays in Dunedin tomorrow.

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Rockies injury updates: March 9, 2026

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: RJ Petit #58 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields on Friday, February 20, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper)

The Colorado Rockies provided the following medical updates on Monday morning:

  • RHP McCade Brown is still dealing with right shoulder inflammation. He is day-to-day and progressing in his throwing program.
  • INF Blaine Crim is still nursing a left oblique strain. He is day-to-day and continuing treatment.
  • RHP Jeff Criswell is working his way back from Tommy John surgery. He remains on the 60-day IL, but is continuing his throwing program.
  • RHP Pierson Ohl suffered a right UCL tear and underwent Tommy John surgery last week.
  • RHP RJ Petit suffered a right UCL sprain on Wednesday against Team USA. The team is determining next steps.

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Joey Wentz to miss season, per report

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Joey Wentz will miss the 2026 season with a torn ACL, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman and the AJC’s Chad Bishop. Wentz was injured in a Spring Training game on Sunday, March 8, 2026 when covering first base.

Wentz joins fellow starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep in missing at least a big part of the 2026 season, if all all of it, thinning Atlanta’s starting rotation options greatly.

Wentz, once a top Atlanta Braves prospect, re-joined the organization and found some success after being thrust into starting duty when injuries mounted during the 2025 campaign.

The injury to Wentz leaves Atlanta’s starting rotation thin – with Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez and Grant Holmes in the the top four spots. Bryce Elder is the front-runner for the fifth spot with prospect JR Ritchie a potential option to start the season. Veterans Martin Perez and Carlos Carrasco are both in camp on minor league contracts. Veteran Jose Suarez, who pitched with Atlanta last season, and returned to the team this off-season after being designated for assignment, is another option.

Wentz debuted for the Detroit Tigers in 2022 and has also appeared for the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates during his career. He pitched in 14 games with Atlanta in 2025, making 13 starts.

This is a developing story.