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Pens Points: Knockouts Begin

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image was captured using a static remote camera behind the goal.) Players of Team Canada and Team France shake hands after the Men's Preliminary Group A match between Canada and France on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 15, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s do-or-die time in Milan as the Olympic Men’s ice hockey tournament enters the knockout stages of competition, beginning today with four games that will set the Quarterfinal round set to take place on Wednesday. Thus far, Canada, The United States, Slovakia, and Finland have booked places in the quarters based on their performances in the group play. That leaves the remaining eight sides to battle it out in a playoff round to sort out the other four quarterfinalists.

Play begins on Tuesday at 6:10 AM EST with Germany v. France and Switzerland v. Italy. Then it’s Czechia v. Denmark at 10:40 AM EST before Sweden v. Latvia wraps up the day at 3:40 PM EST.

Pens Points…

Three of the Penguins Olympic representatives will be in action on Tuesday, all looking to keep their medal hopes alive and advance to the quarterfinals. Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell hope to keep Sweden in contention and set up a showdown with the United States while going up against Arturs Silovs and Latvia. [Pensburgh]

The last time we saw the Pittsburgh Penguins in action, Avery Hayes was making his NHL debut and scoring two big goals in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Hayes was sent back to the AHL for the Olympic break, but his stay back in the minors may only be temporary. [Pensburgh]

Ville Koivunen has spent time between the AHL and NHL this season as his development continues to progress. Right now he’s in Wilkes-Barre and tearing up the league with 13 points in his last nine games as he helps the Baby Penguins battle for a playoff bye in the standings. [The Hockey News]

In a classic Kyle Dubas move, the Penguins bought (relatively) low on former first round draft pick Egor Chinakhov who was looking for a change of scenery away from Columbus. Since coming to PIttsburgh, Chinakhov has looked every bit of a former first round selection. [The Hockey News]

Another potential Dubas reclamation project came in the form of defenseman Ilya Solovyov, acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in January. After being scratched his first three games after the trade, Solovyov has worked his way into the lineup and is hoping his spot becomes permanent. [Trib Live]

If the Penguins are going to be making move at the trade deadline, it seems the most likely assests they are willing to part with are draft picks, just not their 2026 first round pick unless they are blown away. Given their position in the standings, it seems unlikely any players are on the block. [The Athletic $$]

NHL News and Notes…

Brandon Bussi has been a breakout star for the Carolina Hurricanes this season and they aren’t letting him get away. On Monday, the Hurricanes and Bussi agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep the former waiver wire pickup in Raleigh long term. [Sportsnet]

Jeff Skinner will be looking for a new home once the NHL resumes play next week. Skinner and the San Jose Sharks have agreed to part ways as the forward was placed on waivers for the purpose of having his contract terminated, making him a free agent. [The Hockey News]

Not that there was much doubt coming into the Olympics, but the United States and Canada will face-off for gold in the women’s tournament after both sides won their respective semifinal contests on Monday. The gold medal game is scheduled for Thursday at 1:10 PM EST. [Yahoo!]

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Would Flyers, Jett Luchanko Benefit from a Position Change?

The Philadelphia Flyers may not have the center prospect they thought they did in Jett Luchanko, but that isn't a bad thing.

Since Day 1, Luchanko's skillset and developmental trajectory have been superimposed with those of Zeev Buium, the uber-talented but slight defenseman who was dealt by Minnesota to Vancouver in the Quinn Hughes trade.

The Flyers, of course, could have had Buium, but opted to trade down one spot, acquire a third-round pick, and select Luchanko instead.

Just under two years later, though, the 19-year-old Luchanko has not quite yet made the strides indicative of a future top-six center at the NHL level. There is, however, hope that he could contribute to the top of the lineup in other ways.

After joining the Brantford Bulldogs via trade, Luchanko wasn't exactly blowing the doors off and was quickly buried on the depth chart behind Seattle Kraken prospect Jake O'Brien, the 2025 No. 9 overall pick, and Caleb Malhotra, a top 2026 draft prospect.

But, in the last four games, Luchanko had moved from third line center to first line right wing, flanking O'Brien and 2024 draft classmate Marek Vanacker.

Flyers Sit Jett Luchanko for 1st NHL Meeting vs. Zeev BuiumFlyers Sit Jett Luchanko for 1st NHL Meeting vs. Zeev BuiumThe Flyers have benched Jett Luchanko before his first meeting with draft classmate Zeev Buium, rehashing a long-standing 2024 draft controversy.

The results? 

The 5-foot-11 speedster has recorded two goals, six assists, and eight points, racked up a +6 rating, and added 14 shots on goal.

On the season, Luchanko now has 38 points in 33 games, and that eight-point outburst at right wing accounts for 21% of his offensive production this year.

Instead of burying a talented player and pigeonholing him into a bottom-six role, Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee, a former teammate of Flyers GM Danny Briere's and a finalist for the head coaching position that went to Rick Tocchet, took a risk and got rewarded.

McKee, Luchanko, and the Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing streak following the position change, and are now winners of four straight on the strength of 17 goals scored across that span.

As it relates to the Flyers, does moving Luchanko to right wing help the rebuild along? No, not really, but it has its merits.

Jett Luchanko Makes the Flyers Roster; Is it the Right Call?Jett Luchanko Makes the Flyers Roster; Is it the Right Call?As he did last year, top center prospect Jett Luchanko has made the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> ahead of opening night, but it's still uncertain as to whether he's truly ready for NHL action.

The hallmarks of the 2024 No. 13 overall pick's game are his speed, playmaking, and attention to detail.

It's undoubtedly an asset, too, that Luchanko can play center and win faceoffs doing it; he's 28/58 in his fledgling NHL career (48.3%) and was 11/21 in four games under Tocchet and the Flyers this season (52.4%).

If Luchanko's best offensive hockey comes from playing on the wing, the Flyers ought to roll with it.

We know now that Christian Dvorak has played that hybrid center/wing role paired with Trevor Zegras, but in the future, a hypothetical version of Luchanko could add tons of surplus value in Dvorak's place with his vision and passing and legs in transition.

Dvorak is a solid player, to be clear, and the Flyers need centers, but this is a "puzzle," as Tocchet would call it, and Dvorak lacks the plus traits Luchanko possesses.

Flyers Will Get Good Look at Top NHL Draft Prospect in OlympicsFlyers Will Get Good Look at Top NHL Draft Prospect in OlympicsThe Flyers should be paying close attention to the only NHL draft prospect featuring in the Winter Olympics this year.

Unless Zegras ends up staying at center and sticks, the Flyers cannot say they have any of their center positions sorted for the future, as it's all in flux.

Another way to put it: Zegras plus Luchanko equals one whole center, and maybe a first-line caliber one at that. The talent is there, but the end product is king in the NHL.

The Flyers have three first-round picks in the next two drafts to find at least one more center to complement Luchanko, Zegras, and perhaps Jack Nesbitt and Jack Berglund, as well as a No. 1 defenseman.

Briere and Co. have their work cut out for them still, especially after this latest development with Luchanko, but it's best to make lemonade with the lemons they've been given.

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Canadiens’ Slafkovsky Earning Praise On The Biggest Stage Of Them All

Four years ago, Juraj Slafkovsky established himself as a dominant force on the international stage, earning the MVP title of the Beijing Olympics hockey tournament. The teenager scored seven goals in as many games as he led Slovakia to a first medal in men’s hockey, the Bronze one. That performance caught the Montreal Canadiens’ eye, and they decided to use the first-overall pick of the 2022 draft on the youngster.

In the run-up to this year’s Olympics, we heard it would be different because the competition would be much better with NHLers being able to take part this time around, but Slafkovsky has been just as dominant, if not more. On the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman summarized it nicely in this way:

If you’re a Montreal Canadiens fan, your nipples have to be erect, seeing how well Juraj Slafkovsky is doing (at the Olympics).
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We’ve said time and time again that the future was bright in Montreal, but we’re slowly starting to see that future come into place, and Slafkovsky’s awakening this season has been one of the best stories in town. Not everyone noticed, though, but now that he’s taking center stage at the Olympics, more people are taking notice.

Former NHLer and Slovak player Marian Gaborik was the highest selected Slovak at the NHL draft until Slafkovsky was claimed first overall by the Canadiens, and he’s one of those who’s been paying attention. The Minnesota Wild draft pick at the 2000 draft played 1035 games in the NHL and gathered 815 points, and he’s spending the Olympics commentating on Slovakia’s games on TV.

He had high praise for Slafkovsky when he spoke to NHL.com’s journalist Jean-Francois Chaumont:

Juraj is more mature as a player. We see him accomplishing big things on the Olympic ice. He didn’t have that confidence last year or during his other seasons in Montreal. Four years ago in Beijing, he was dominant for Slovakia with seven goals, but he didn’t play such a complete game. Now, he works as part of a team, he controls the puck, he plays well defensively, and he’s skating with intensity to get back to the bench. He keeps his cool when he’s hit, he doesn’t retaliate, I love the way he handles himself.
- Gaborik on Slafkovsky

A Stanley Cup champion with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, Gaborik even added that the sky’s the limit for Slavkosky. While he’s progressed by leaps and bounds this season, it still feels like he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet, and one has to wonder what that will look like.

It feels like the youngster becomes more confident with each new Olympic game, and in the NHL, he’s on pace for a career year with 45 points in 57 games, on pace for a 64-point season, and his first 30-goal season. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes must be incredibly glad not only that they selected him in 2022 but also that they were able to ink him to a very reasonable eight-year contract with a $7.6 M cap hit. As the years go on and the cap goes up, that contract could become an absolute steal.

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Patrick Marleau’s Son Makes OHL Debut And Longtime Maple Leafs Fans Are Suddenly Feeling Ancient

When the Kingston Frontenacs announced on Monday that Landon Marleau---the son of the NHL all-time leader in games played---would make his Ontario Hockey League debut, a generation of fans immediately felt old. The 19-year-old son of former San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Patrick Marleau was called up from his Junior 'A' club, the Wellington Dukes, and suited up in Kingston's 3-2 loss to the Brantford Bulldogs.

Before the game, Marleau was sporting a shiner he presumably received in a recent game with the Dukes. The 6-foot-1 center was invited to the San Jose Sharks' development camp last summer, where his father served as a coach. The jump to major junior should no doubt help the player carve out his own career.

Given that Patrick is just 46 and suited up with the Leafs as recently as seven years ago, seeing Landon suit up has made many Leafs fans feel the passage of time. Speaking of Landon, the player has 21 goals and 18 assists in 36 games with the Dukes, certainly earning the call-up. Given his massive improvement over last year with the Powell River Kings of the BCHL, there's new debate as to whether or not Landon can forge a path to the NHL and establish a legacy outside of his father's accomplishments.

After the game, Landon spoke to Fronts' team website about the experience, playing his first game against the of the best teams in the OHL in the Bulldogs.

"I thought we played decently. I think there were some time periods where we were struggling, but I think that we came out with a bit of a push decently," Marleay said. "So it wasn't totally bad, but it's definitely a different game compared to the OJ (OJHL), like just all around."

I thought we played decently. I think there were some time periods where we were struggling, but I think that we came out with a bit of a push decently. So it wasn't totally bad, but it's definitely a different game compared to the OJ, like just all around.

Every path to the NHL is unique, and perhaps Landon will find his way. However, it could be a while yet. If he does make it, imagine how old you will feel then.

The elder Marleau originally signed a three-year, $18.75 million contract with the Leafs as a 38-year-old back in 2017. He was later traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in the summer of 2019 as a salary dump. The Leafs traded a first-round pick to the Hurricanes along with Marleau, who was subsequently bought out of the final year of his deal. The Hurricanes eventually selected forward Seth Jarvis with the pick acquired from Toronto.

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Pirates designate Jack Suwinski for assignment

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 2: Jack Suwinski # 65 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on September 2, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates are cutting ties with tenured outfielder Jack Suwinski as they are officially designating him for assignment.

Suwinski has been a part of the Pirates’ organization since July of 2021 when he was acquired in a trade that sent second baseman Adam Frazier to the San Diego Padres. Suwinski having now being DFA’d will have the opportunity to be claimed off waivers by the other 29 MLB organizations. If Suwinski is not claimed off waivers, he will return to the Pirates’ Minor League system and likely elect to hit the free-agency market.

Suwinski being DFA’d frees up space on the Pirates’ 40-man-roster to officially sign newly acquired designated hitter, Marcell Ozuna. The Pirates resigned Suwinski to a one-year contract this offseason to avoid arbitration.

The time that Suwinski spent with the Pirates was highlighted by power at the plate coupled with wild inconsistency. The 27-year-old slugger made his MLB debut in 2022 and played in 106 games for the Pirates that season. Suwinski enjoyed a breakout season in 2023 where he had 26 homers, which ranked as the 20th-most in the National League. Suwinski’s cardinal sin was while he would have incredible power at the plate, he also had a nasty reputation of having a high swing and miss rate. That same 2023 season where he ranked 20th in homers, he also ranked sixth in total strikeouts with 172.

While he had flashes of greatness and potential as a power hitter in Pittsburgh’s lineup, Suwinski was never able to replicate the pop he he showed during the 2023 season. 2024 saw Suwinski appear in 88 games and hitting just 9 home runs.

2025 seemed to be the real breaking point for Suwinski’s time in Pittsburgh. He would appear in just 59 games, as he battled inconsistent play at the plate and did several stints with Triple-A Indianapolis. Suwinski finished the season with a slash line of .147/.281/.534 with 57 strikeouts and a career low t3 homers.

Suwinski’s departure opens the door for prospects Jake Mangum, Jhostynxon Garcia and Esmerlyn Valdez to have more playing opportunities in a thin Pittsburgh outfield group.

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Olympics hockey overtime, shootout rules explained

Olympics hockey, just like the NHL, doesn't allow for ties.

A game will go to overtime if it is tied after 60 minutes and there also is the possibility of a shootout if the game remains tied once an overtime period ends.

But there are differences between NHL rules and Olympic rules on how overtimes and shootouts are conducted. The maximum length of a sudden death overtime depends on the round in which the game is being played. And the shootout format is totally different from the one used by the NHL.

Here's an explainer on how overtimes and shootouts work in Olympic hockey:

Olympic overtime rules

If the teams are tied after 60 minutes in the preliminary round, a five-minute sudden-death overtime will be played at 3-on-3. Unlike the NHL, teams don't change ends for overtime.

Overtime in a playoff game, along with the bronze medal game, lasts a maximum of 10 minutes. It's also 3-on-3, as opposed to 5-on-5 in NHL playoff games.

In the gold medal game, teams play 20-minute 3-on-3 overtime periods, separated by 15-minute intermissions, until someone scores. Teams don't change sides for the first overtime but do for subsequent overtimes.

Olympic shootout rules

If overtime doesn't settle a game outside of the gold medal game, there will be a shootout. The winner of a coin toss gets to choose whether their team shoots first or second.

The format differs from the NHL, with five shooters per team instead of three. If nothing is settled after five rounds, then each round is sudden death as in the NHL. But there's another difference. Olympic teams can use the same shooters multiple times during the sudden death rounds (think back to TJ Oshie in the 2014 Olympics). They also can change goaltenders.

In the sudden death round, the team that shot second in the first five rounds will shoot first. The rounds continue until one team finishes with one more goal than the other. That team is declared the winner.

Overtime games at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Feb. 15 - Switzerland 4, Czechia 3: Switzerland's Dean Kukan scored at 1:49 of overtime.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Overtime, shootout rules in Olympics hockey: How it differs from NHL

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Champions League playoffs: Benfica and Real Madrid meet again, PSG faces Monaco

LONDON (AP) — Real Madrid and Benfica will do it all over again on Tuesday after their epic Champions League showdown last month.

A 4-2 win for Benfica against Madrid in the last round of games in the league phase produced one of the most dramatic finishes in the competition's history.

A goal deep into added time by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin secured Benfica's place in the playoffs. Defeat for Madrid, meanwhile, meant the record 15-time European champion missed out on automatic qualification for the round of 16.

The mastermind behind that win for Benfica was former Madrid coach José Mourinho.

Now he gets the chance to inflict more pain on his old team in the first leg of their playoff series at Benfica's Stadium of Light.

“I don’t think it takes a miracle for Benfica to eliminate Real Madrid,” Mourinho said, although he did acknowledge his team would have to be close to perfect to advance.

Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain is playing at Monaco in the playoffs on Tuesday. Galatasaray hosts Juventus and Borussia Dortmund is at home against Atalanta.

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

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Open Thread: Jeremy Sochan is going to be a father

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Jeremy Sochan. After a year riding the pine for the San Antonio Spurs, he and his camp received permission to pursue a trade. The one trade that was publicly shared was the offer from the New York Knicks, which was rejected by the Spurs.

After a suitable trade did not materialize before the deadline, the Spurs graciously waived him, allowing Sochan flexibility to his future.

Jeremy signed with the New York Knicks, packed up, and took himself out East.

And now it has been revealed that Jeremy and his girlfriend Mya Mills are going to be parents.

Mills, a British model and social media influencer, made the announcement via Instagram. Looks like their baby girl is expected May 20th, one day after Mills turns twenty-five.

Sochan is currently twenty-two-years-old. The Knicks is his second NBA team after starting his career in 2022 being drafted by the Spurs.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

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Teenage Canadian Samra's century proves in vain as New Zealand powers into T20 World Cup Super 8s

CHENNAI, India (AP) — Canada batter Yuvraj Samra’s exhilarating century proved in vain as New Zealand advanced to cricket's T20 World Cup Super 8s with an eight-wicket win on Tuesday.

New Zealand’s resounding victory knocked 2024 semifinalist Afghanistan out of the tournament, with the Black Caps joining England, South Africa, West Indies, India and Sri Lanka in the next round.

Australia will miss out for the first time since 2009 if Zimbabwe beats Ireland in their Group B tussle in Pallekele later on Tuesday.

On a perfect batting wicket, Glenn Phillips (76 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (59 not out) led New Zealand to 176-2 in 15.1 overs as the Black Caps claimed their third win in Group D.

Samra’s 110 off 65 balls, which included six sixes and 11 fours, had earlier guided Canada to 173-4 after captain Dilpreet Bajwa won the toss and elected to bat.

The 19-year-old Samra, who caught the eye last year when he smashed a 15-ball half century against Bahamas, became the first batter from an associate country to score a hundred at the T20 World Cup.

Bajwa made 36 off 39 balls and together with Samra put on 116 for the first wicket.

New Zealand struggled to stem the flow of runs and felt the absence of captain Mitchell Santner, who was ruled out of the game due to a “dodgy burger” on Monday night, and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson.

Ferguson is on paternity leave but is expected to re-join the team for the Super 8s.

Samra was dropped, but not before he had raised his century off 58 deliveries, when the ball burst through the hands of James Neesham at long-off.

His belligerent knock ended in the final over when Phillips caught him at deep backward square leg at the second attempt.

When it came to New Zealand's reply, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert fell inside four balls in the power play before Phillips and Ravindra shared an electrifying 146-run partnership in just 12 overs.

Nepal, which lost its first three Group C games, takes on Scotland in Mumbai later on Tuesday.

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

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No. 3 Duke routs Syracuse 101-64, shifts focus to weekend showdown versus No. 1 Michigan

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Cameron Boozer had 22 points and 12 rebounds and helped No. 3 Duke rout Syracuse 101-64 victory Monday night.

Isaiah Evans scored 21 points, Nikolas Khamenia added 14 points off the bench and Patrick Ngongba and Cayden Boozer each had 12 for the Blue Devils (24-2, 13-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who looked primed for a weekend nonconference showdown with top-ranked Michigan.

Duke shot 62.3% from the field, including 12 for 20 from 3-point distance.

Boozer shot eight for 10 from the field and finished with the 14th double-double of his freshman season.

William Kyle III scored 12 points and Nate Kingz added 10 for Syracuse (15-12, 6-8), which failed to carry the momentum from back-to-back victories for the first time since winning three straight in January.

NO. 6 IOWA STATE 70, NO.. 2 HOUSTON 67

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Nate Heise hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and Tamin Lipsey came up with an offensive rebound in the final seconds to cap Iowa State’s rally in a victory over Big 12 leader and Houston.

Heise was 3 for 3 from 3-point range hours after sister Taylor Heise scored to help the U.S. Women’s Olympic hockey team beat Sweden 5-0 to reach the gold-medal game in Milan.

The Cyclones (23-3, 10-3) closed with a 17-4 run to take down a second top-10 team in three days. Iowa State topped No. 8 Kansas 74-56 on Saturday.

The Cougars (23-3, 11-2) had their six-game winning streak snapped and their conference lead was cut to a half-game over No. 4 Arizona heading into their matchup Saturday in Houston. Iowa State is third, a game behind Houston.

Heise hit the 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:17 to play to give the Cyclones a 69-67 lead. Houston had two chances to tie or take the lead, but was called for a shot-clock violation with 43 seconds to play, then Chris Cenac Jr., missed a shot with four seconds left.

Blake Buchanan was fouled after rebounding Cenac’s miss, but missed the front end of a one-and-one. Lipsey, though, got the offensive rebound, tapping the ball back to Joshua Jefferson, who was fouled with asecond left. Jefferson made his first free throw for the final margin.

Jefferson led Iowa State with 12 points. Heise had 11 and Buchanan had 10.

Kingston Flemings led Houston with 22 points. Emanuel Sharp had 16 points, all in the first half. Milos Uzan had 11 points.

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Walker Buehler signing minor-league deal with Padres after disastrous 2025

Walker Buehler pitching for the Boston Red Sox.
Walker Buehler throws a pitch during a June 2025 game for the Red Sox.

Former World Series hero Walker Buehler is getting another chance to revive his MLB career — and this time, it’s with a former rival.

Buehler, 31, has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Padres, and he’ll get a chance to compete for a spot in their starting rotation throughout spring training, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Triston McKenzie, Matt Waldron, Germán Márquez, JP Sears and Marco Gonzales are all competing with Buehler for likely just one rotation spot with the Padres, according to the Union-Tribune.

Walker Buehler throws a pitch during a June 2025 game for the Red Sox. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

The deal marked a return to the NL West division where Buehler starred for the first seven seasons — not counting 2023, when he missed the entire campaign due to a second Tommy John surgery — with the Dodgers and won a pair of rings with them in 2020 and 2024.

Buehler, though, has mostly struggled since returning from the procedure, and in 2025, he didn’t even last the entire season with the Red Sox before getting demoted to their bullpen and then ultimately released — landing a minor-league deal with the Phillies ahead of the postseason.

He started just one game for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and appeared in three — while starting two — for the Phillies the rest of the season. Buehler finished with a 4.94 ERA across his stints with both teams in 2025.

“It’s obviously disappointing,” Buehler said after being demoted to the Red Sox’s bullpen. “It’s the first time in my career that I’ve been in a situation like that, but at the end of the day the organization and to a lesser extent myself, kind of think it’s probably the right thing for our group and it gives me an opportunity to kind of reset in some ways.”

Walker Buehler reacts during a June 2025 start for the Red Sox. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

But at the peak of his career, Buehler was an ace for the Dodgers who topped 23 starts in a season three times and finished inside the top-10 for Cy Young voting twice.

During the Dodgers’ World Series run in 2024, Buehler threw five shutout innings against the Yankees in Game 3 before recording the final three outs in Game 5 to secure Los Angeles’ championship.

He also delivered a strong start for the Dodgers during Game 3 of the NLCS against the Mets.

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Yankees news: A busy Spring Training Monday

Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits during live batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

MLB | Bryan Hoch: Flame-throwing prospect Carlos Lagrange knew he’d be throwing a three-inning live batting practice session. He did not know he would be facing the greatest hitter on the planet, Aaron James Judge. Each got the better of the other, as they faced off three times. Judge demolished a 99-mph heater from Lagrange out over the left field wall. Later, Lagrange struck out Judge with 102.6-mph gas. There’s video of the two facing off over on X, so it’s not hard to find Monday’s battle of power versus power.

The Athletic | Chris Kirschner ($): Speaking of Judge, he is preparing for more than the regular season. For the first time in his career, he will represent Team USA at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Monday, he gave some of his thoughts on the opportunity. Noting that Team USA fell short against Japan in 2023, Judge made his feelings clear that he wants a rematch with the reigning champions this time around. “They’re the reigning champs. They got a great squad coming back. I think that’s why Team USA really bulked up this year to go out there and take care of business. If (Japan) is bringing back the same crew they did three years ago, it’s gonna be a heavyweight fight…”

ESPN: One more from the Yankee Captain. Discussing the club’s offseason, Judge made it clear he was impatient for the Yanks to make some moves. “Let’s sign these guys right now and start adding more pieces because I’m seeing other teams around the league get better… They’re making trades. They’re signing big prospects or big players. And we’re sitting there for a while kind of making smaller moves.” Judge also clarified that he expressed his discontent to the front office. All that said, with the first games of the spring coming later this week, Judge is confident the Yankees are right where they need to be.

MLB Trade Rumors | Charlie Wright: Finally, there is actually news that has nothing to do with Aaron Judge. Yanquiel Fernandez, whom the Yankees claimed from the Colorado Rockies, has cleared waivers after the club designated him for assignment. That enables the Yanks to outright Fernandez, once one of the brightest prospects in the Rockies’ system, to Triple-A. A path to the Bronx in 2026 for Fernandex is unlikely barring a whole slew of worst-case scenarios. But he provides depth and who knows… maybe the 23-year-old can figure it out with a change of scenery.

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Purple Row After Dark: Who will be the Rockies’ fifth starter?

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Members of the Colorado Rockies pitching staff meet prior to a spring training workout at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 12, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)

Spring training is in full swing. Pitchers and catchers reported to camp last Thursday, and the rest of the squad is set to officially join them tomorrow.

At the end of last season, the Colorado Rockies looked like they were going to once again trot out a very young rotation that saw Chase Dollander and McCade Brown make their MLB debuts, and Tanner Gordon and Bradley Blalock enter their second years in MLB after debuting the previous summer.

Kyle Freeland and Germán Márquez filled out the rotation after Antonio Senzatela was relegated to the bullpen, and Ryan Feltner spent nearly the entire year on the Injured List.

However, since January, the Rockies have signed a trio of veteran starters who are now set to join the rotation alongside Freeland. Blalock was designated for assignment to make room for Michael Lorenzen, and Márquez recently signed with the San Diego Padres as a free agent. Senzatela appeared poised to remain in the bullpen at the end of last year, but manager Warren Schaeffer is giving him a chance this spring to potentially be a starter once again.

So, if the rotation is set with Freeland, Lorenzen, Tomoyuki Sugano and José Quintana, who is the fifth starter that will break camp with the Rockies? Will it be Feltner in his return from injury? Will Dollander prove himself right out of the gate? Will it be Senzatela making his case to return to the rotation? Or will it be someone else — Gordon, Brown, or someone else entirely?

Let us know your thoughts!

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Trea Turner claims ‘phone never rang’ about WBC chance after being Team USA hero in 2023

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies in a red Phillies hoodie and hat holding a baseball glove, Image 2 shows USA shortstop Trea Turner reacting after hitting a grand slam
Trea Turner didn't get a chance to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this year.

Phillies shortstop Trea Turner wanted to run it back with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

He had a convincing case, too, after tying the tournament record and leading his country with five homers back in the 2023 iteration of the event, too.

But when Team USA announced its roster ahead of this year’s tournament in March, Turner was left off it and he revealed Monday that it wasn’t because he turned down an opportunity to play.

“It’s something I wanted to do, but the phone never rang,” Turner told reporters from his locker at the Phillies’ spring training complex. “It’s so much fun. I gladly would have done it again. I said it last time, if they ever ask, I would say yes.”

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa and general manager Michael Hill selected the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. and the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson over the 32-year-old Turner as Team USA shortstops — giving the infield a different complexion as they look to win the tournament after falling to Japan in the 2023 championship game.

Trea Turner is pictured during the Phillies’ spring training session Feb. 16. AP

Led by captain and Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, Team USA’s star-studded roster also includes two of Turner’s Phillies teammates in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.

“They’ve got a great roster this year,” Turner told reporters Monday. “It’s stacked.”

Trea Turner celebrates after hitting a grand slam during a March 2023 game in the World Baseball Classic. USA TODAY Sports

Instead, Turner will remain with the Phillies for the entirety of their Grapefruit League slate and spring training.

The next chance for Turner, whose vintage WBC moments in 2023 included a go-ahead grand slam against Venezuela in the quarterfinals, to play for Team USA will be in 2029, when the tournament unfolds next.

“I think we’re in a good spot to win,” Turner told reporters of Team USA, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’ll definitely be watching it, and I wish Kyle and Bryce and all these guys, [Edmundo] Sosa, everyone playing, I hope they perform well for their countries, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Turner won the National League batting title last season after collecting a .304 average — in addition to 15 homers and 69 RBIs — in what served as his best season since signing with the Phillies ahead of the 2023 season.