SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Michael Lorenzen #24 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After being treated to yesterday’s Rockies vs Team USA exhibition match to kick off the World Baseball Classic, the Colorado Rockies will be hosting the Milwaukee Brewers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in a return to regular spring training match-ups.
Many of the Rockies’ players participating in the World Baseball Classic have departed camp to join their respective countries. The exception is right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who will be making the start today before joining Team Italy later this week.
Lorenzen was not sharp his last time out. Facing his old team in the Kansas City Royals, he gave up five earned runs on four hits—including a home run—and walked four batters without tallying any strikeouts. To his credit, the veteran took the struggles in stride and viewed them as a valuable learning experience early in the spring.
Making the start for the Brew Crew is 26-year-old lefty Robert Gasser. The University of Houston product had a promising MLB debut in 2024, posting a 2.57 ERA in five starts. However, he made just two starts in 2025 and lost the majority of the season to Tommy John surgery.
Gasser throws a fairly balanced five pitch arsenal. His primary pitch is a low-80s sweeper with 35.7 inches of vertical drop and 14.1 inches of glove side break. He also throws a low-90s four-seam fastball and cutter, a changeup, and a cutter.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners takes the mound during the first inning of the spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Peoria Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spring training doesn’t count, but the Mariners currently sit at 3-8 after losing again to the Giants last night. Spring training doesn’t count and also spring training doesn’t count, but it would sure be nice to bank another win, even if spring training doesn’t count.
Lineups:
Also slated to pitch for the Mariners: Casey Lawrence, Blas Castaño, Alex Hoppe, Troy Taylor, Nick Davila, Tyler Cleveland.
Injury updates:
J.P. Crawford continues to progress towards a return to the field. Bryce Miller played catch yesterday and all went well there, so he’ll continue to ramp up towards a return. He’s hoping to be back before Cal Raleigh is back from the WBC “so I can do whatever I want.”
Game information:
Game time: 12:10 PT
TV: Mariners.TV
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, delayed to 7 PT; listen live on the Seattle Sports app or Gameday
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 1: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs up the line on a single during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch on March 1, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Looking for their 10th win this spring training, the Dodgers play the Reds with left-hander Cole Irvin taking the ball for Los Angeles.
The Buffalo Sabres got some bad news on Thursday, as St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko used his no-trade clause to block a trade to Buffalo. With this, the Sabres still must address their major need for another impactful right-shot defenseman.
Parayko would have been an excellent addition to the Sabres' roster. This is because he is a solid top-four defenseman who chips in offensively and plays a smart defensive game. However, the 6-foot-6 defenseman used his NTC to block a move to the Sabres, and now Buffalo must explore their options elsewhere.
When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec stands out as a very intriguing target for the Sabres to consider.
Nemec is a young defenseman who has the potential to become a very impactful player at the NHL level. The 2022 second-overall pick has already shown signs of clear progress this season, as he has set new career highs with nine goals and 21 points in 48 games. With numbers like these, he would be a strong addition to the Sabres' right side.
Furthermore, with Nemec being only 22 years old, he undoubtedly has the potential to get better as he continues to gain experience. Perhaps getting a fresh start on a team on the rise, like the Sabres, could help him take that next step and hit his full potential.
The Blues defenseman signed an eight-year, $52 million extension with St. Louis in 2021. The deal carries a $6.5 million annual cap hit and runs through the 2029-30 season. Because of the no-movement clause, the Blues cannot trade him without his approval.
For now, it appears his preference is to remain in the Western Conference, according to Kevin Weekes.
The report from Weekes on Thursday afternoon indicates that Parayko would be open to a move to either the Los Angeles Kings or the Anaheim Ducks if either team decides to acquire him.
Both California teams could make sense for different reasons; they look to strengthen their blue lines with a proven top-four defenseman who brings size, defensive reliability, and playoff experience.
Los Angeles has been starved for a reliable defenseman on their line this season, with Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin being disappointing this season, and Drew Doughty dealing with injuries. Parayko would be the perfect fit for the Kings' blue line.
If the Kings can somehow flip Cody Ceci for Colton Parayko and still keep Brandt Clarke and Drew Doughty, that would be a big win for Los Angeles, especially for a team that has been looking to solidify its defensive depth as it pushes to remain competitive in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, Anaheim is already a dangerous contender this season, holding the second seed in the Pacific Division, just one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights. If the Ducks can somehow land Parayko, they could elevate their potential to a No. 1 seed in the division and become serious threats in the west.
Either way you slice it, Los Angeles needs to acquire Parayko, especially with him now saying that the Kings are at the top of his list as a destination. This move for Los Angeles is exactly what they need to solve their defensive problems.
Still, his contract now complicates the Blues' process with the other teams interested in Parayko, because his indication that he would only join Anaheim or Los Angeles lowers his trade value, and the Kings are most likely not willing to give up much to acquire him.
For now, the deal appears imminent, and the Blues can either keep Parayko for the rest of the season or do as he wishes and trade him to one of the two California teams.
Whatever happens, we only have one more day until the trade deadline, tomorrow until 3:00 PM EST. Could this deal go through before that? Whatever deal happens, it will likely be on Parayko's terms, and the Blues' defenseman remains firmly in control of his decision to land on his next team.
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GOODYEAR, AZ - MARCH 04: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during the game between the Team Cuba and the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Sheridan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds are fresh off of thumping Team Cuba 19-2 in the latter’s final warm-up game before heading to the World Baseball Classic. On Thursday, they’ll jump right back into Cactus League play at home in Goodyear, this time up against the very same team that ended their 2025 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in town, and they’re rolling out veteran lefty Cole Irvin to start on the day. The Reds, meanwhile, will counter with Jose Franco, who’s again looking to impress the very same brass that saw fit to add him to the team’s 40-man roster earlier this offseason.
The Reds are rolling out a strong lineup full of expected regulars featuring Elly De La Cruz.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, are sitting most all of their regulars, though Max Muncy will be in there alongside old friends Santiago Espinal (at 1B!) and Mike Siani.
First pitch is set for 3:05 PM ET, and this one will actually be broadcast on ESPN for your viewing pleasure.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nastja Claessens had 14 points, eight rebounds and a key block in the closing seconds and Kansas State ended the game on a 21-0 run to beat No. 21 Texas Tech on Thursday in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Kansas State (17-16), the No. 12 seed, advances to the quarterfinals against No. 4 seed Oklahoma State on Friday. The Wildcats opened the tournament by breaking an 18-year Big 12 women’s tournament record and tied the school record by sinking 17 3-pointers in a 91-66 victory over Cincinnati.
Kansas State trailed 51-37 with 7:43 left in the fourth quarter after Texas Tech's 10-0 run spanning the third-quarter break. But the Lady Raiders would not score against, missing 13 straight shots and not attempting a free throw in the fourth.
Tess Heal put Kansas State ahead 54-51 with 52.7 seconds left on a driving layup. Texas Tech grabbed an offensive rebound after a missed 3-pointer, but Claessens blocked the putback attempt and secured the ball before calling a timeout with 36.1 left.
Taryn Sides sealed it by making two free throws and Heal added two free throws with 19.2 seconds left.
Sides finished with 13 points, Aniya Foy added 12 and Heal had 10 for Kansas State, which did not have a double-digit scorer until the fourth quarter. The Wildcats were just 5 of 25 from 3-point range and shot 34% overall.
Snudda Collins was the lone double-digit scorer for the fifth-seeded Texas Tech (25-7) with 14 points. The Lady Raiders were 16 of 56 from the field (29%).
Earlier this year, Texas Tech's undefeated season came to an end at 19-0 on Jan. 17 after a 65-59 loss to Kansas State.
Up next
Kansas State beat Oklahoma State 70-61 in the only regular-season meeting on Feb. 10.
Texas Tech is hoping to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013.
India clung on to beat England by seven runs in a thrilling T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai on Friday morning AEDT, despite Jacob Bethell’s superb 105 that put Harry Brook’s side within a whisker of pulling off a record chase.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Elle Ladine scored a season-high 25 points, Avery Howell added 18 points and nine rebounds and Washington defeated USC 76-64 in the second round of Big Ten Tournament on Thursday.
The eighth-seeded Huskies (22-9) will take on top seed and second-ranked UCLA in a Friday quarterfinal.
Hannah Stines scored 12 points, Brynn McGaughy added 10 and Yulia Grabovskaia collected 10 rebounds for Washington. Leading scorer Sayvia Sellers (19.2) dealt with four fouls and had just four points on free throws in 28 minutes. Other Huskies filled the scoring gap with Washington shooting 50% and dominating the boards 44-27 in outscoring the Trojans 40-14 in the paint.
Londynn Jones scored 19 points, Kennedy Smith added 14 and Laura Williams had 13 rebounds to go with nine points for the Trojans (17-13).
Big Ten freshman of the year Jazzy Davidson, who leads the Trojans in scoring, rebounding and assists, scored eight points on 2-of-13 shooting over 29 minutes. Davidson, who appeared to hurt her shoulder early on, sat out the final seven minutes.
The Huskies led by double figures throughout the second half and by as many as 23. They shot 67% in the third quarter with Ladine scoring eight points to lead 56-36. USC got as close as 10 with two minutes left in the game.
After a first quarter when the teams combined for just 14 points, Ladine scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the second including the last six points for a 32-20 halftime edge.
USC won a home meeting with Washington 59-50 in the regular season.
Up next
Washington lost at UCLA 82-67 on Feb. 19.
USC waits to see where it will land in the NCAA Tournament field.
Detroit Tigers prospect Josue Briceño bats at practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland on Friday, Feb. 20, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Detroit Tigers’ fourth ranked prospect, slugging catcher and first baseman Josue Briceño was reported to be dealing with right wrist inflammation on Monday, March 2. Unfortunately, testing revealed an underlying issue that required surgery on a tendon. The 21-year-old, currently ranked the 63rd best prospect in baseball per FanGraphs, could miss from months to the whole season, though the timetable for a return is unclear at this point.
This is the second major injury for the Venezuelan born slugger. Back in 2024, Briceño suffered a PCL tear in his right knee in May, and missed the rest of the regular season. He took advantage of the bad break and the rehab process by getting leaner and stronger. He re-worked his swing to get his legs more involved to add loft, and he then proceeded to destroy the Arizona Fall League, winning 2024 MVP against much older competition by launching 10 homers and posted a 1.376 OPS.
That got him into top 100 lists everywhere, and he backed it up with a huge campaign at High-A West Michigan in 2025, earning a promotion to Double-A Erie in July. He cooled off a little there as the toll of his first full season catching and better pitching limited his power numbers there. Still, it was a heck of a season for a 20-year-old and there was growing optimism that he might be able to reach the major leagues sometime in 2026.
Briceño has the arm strength to catch, but his progress in blocking and framing has been much slower, even after getting in outstanding condition during the PCL rehab. There’s been a growing sense that his bat would out pace the defense enough to convince the Tigers he should just move to first base full-time. Not only does Briceño show easy plus power to all fields, he walks a ton and has enough contact ability to cover all parts of the zone while keeping the strikeouts in check.
Rumors were rampant all week that the injury was serious enough to require surgery, and unfortunately that’s how it played out. Briceño had been scheduled to make the Dominican trip, but instead he stayed behind and had the surgery on Wednesday, March 4, as first reported by Evan Petzold of the Freep.
Unfortunately, he’ll be on the shelf awhile, and we’ll just have to wait and hope he comes back good as new. He’s young enough, and has played so little due to the injuries, that there’s probably more upside in him as a catcher than some think. However, losing more development time with a bat so advanced is tough on his defensive profile. Still, he won’t even turn 22 until later this summer so there’s no real need for haste either. Most important is obviously getting that wrist back to 100 percent. Hopefully he’ll be able to return sometime this summer, but depending on the specifics it’s possible he could miss the regular season.
It’s easy to forget now, both with Jayson Tatum’s impending return sending a jolt of energy through New England, and the way the Boston Celtics have so greatly outkicked outsider expectations throughout his nine-month absence. But it didn’t feel like things could get much worse for Celtics fans back on May 12.
Tatum was in the midst of one of his finest postseason performances before the Achilles rupture that shrouded his future in uncertainty. The Celtics were headed for a 3-1 series deficit against the Knicks, and the reality quickly sunk in that their hopes of repeating as NBA champions had been effectively dashed.
Worse yet, a very uncertain summer awaited knowing the second apron was about to tear apart the beloved core of the 2024 title team.
So it almost feels like a miracle that, 297 days later, Tatum is about to be back on the floor for a new-look Celtics team with legitimate title potential. Even as Tatum navigated the final stages of his rehab and put himself in position to rejoin the team, the reality didn’t hit us until the Celtics shipped out the injury report heard ‘round the world on Thursday that upgraded Tatum to questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.
How utterly improbable that these Celtics have already vaulted from the depths of May despair to a ceiling-less future in such a short period of time.
We don’t suspect Brad Stevens or Joe Mazzulla ever sat around feeling sorry for themselves back in May. Stevens dove headfirst into a roster overhaul that culminated with the Celtics shedding $350+ million in roster costs that delivered Boston below the luxury tax at February’s trade deadline.
Still, the Celtics thrived. Mazzulla famously phoned Derrick White on his birthday during the offseason and declared, “Everybody thinks we’re going to suck. I love it,” then hung up. Mazzulla has pushed every right button and accelerated the development of the team’s youngest players while entrenching the Celtics as the No. 2 seed in the East.
All the questions that surrounded this team — even beyond Tatum’s health status — have been answered this season.
Jaylen Brown became the 1A focal point and thrust himself into MVP conversation, carrying the Celtics at times with his two-way prowess. Neemias Queta deserves consideration as the NBA’s Most Improved Player while elevating from fourth-string center to starting big man with one of the league’s best net ratings this season.
Boston’s entire gaggle of young wings has thrived in various spots with Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and rookie Hugo Gonzalez all proving capable of being rotation presences on Boston’s next title-contending team.
Which, as Tatum returns to the floor, might just be this squad.
The Celtics are now the favorites to win an Eastern Conference that already felt wide open without him. Detroit, Cleveland, and New York all present unique challenges, but Boston is the least flawed and most playoff-experienced group of the bunch, especially if Tatum gets back closer to the All-NBA presence he was before his injury.
Even if it’s not this year, the Celtics are set up incredibly well for the future. Nearly the entire core will return next season, and staying below the tax for one more year might allow the team to splurge big in the summer of 2027, all while still being a contender before that point.
In the infancy of Tatum’s return, expectations should be tempered. There will be rust. And even with his familiarity with much of this core, Tatum must develop chemistry with a new-look roster. Those who fret about the reintegration process are not without merit, based on the somewhat unprecedented nature of adding a previously top-five player to a title-chasing team in March.
But they do seem to ignore the fact that Brown and Tatum have always figured out how to bring the best out of each other. And they have stacked up plenty of playoff success because of it. Why would this foray be any different if Tatum can get back to his old ways?
Still, nine months ago, pundits were suggesting a “gap year.” Everyone was wondering if Tatum might not return to the TD Garden floor until October 2026. The idea that Boston would be where they are at this very moment seemed pure fantasy.
Feb 19, 2026; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Teddy McGraw (87) during spring training photo day in Peoria, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
There is a very good chance that Teddy McGraw debuts as a Mariner before anyone else on this list. There is also a very good chance he never debuts at all.
The question isn’t one of talent – McGraw has two ultra-elite curveballs (they call him Curveball Jesus, per Ryan Divish) that could play in the majors tomorrow.
In addition to the strikeout stuff, McGraw can also induce grounders with his heavy sinker, which also features plus movement.
Yeah, the stuff isn’t the question.
The question is one of health. A two-time veteran of Tommy John before even finishing his college career, McGraw continued to struggle with injuries as a pro. The Mariners took the Wake Forest product in the third round of the 2023 draft, but a flexor tendon injury kept him from making his professional debut until the very end of 2024. McGraw finally began pitching regularly in 2025, working his way from the ACL up to Everett as a starter but working brief starts of no more than three innings at a time and missing about a month in July with another injury. However, he was able to finish the season strong and earned himself an invite to the Mariners big-league camp. It looked like it would finally be Teddy’s turn.
But once again, injuries have gotten in the way. McGraw is currently down with biceps tendinitis and is yet to make his spring debut. A full time reliever now, the Mariners are managing McGraw’s outings carefully and under controlled conditions, still optimistic he’ll one day be able to contribute to the big-league bullpen.
McGraw, for his part, is also optimistic. He’s come this far, fought through so much, and made difficult choices about his health journey that would challenge someone twice his age. In talking to him, you get the feeling that McGraw won’t let this story end until he’s standing on a big-league mound.
For now, though, he’s being forced to bide his time, once again. But “Curveball Jesus” knows that patience is a virtue. And so we all wait together.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards looks on from the bench during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena on February 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis has been cleared for limited individual on-court activities and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced Thursday.
Davis has been sidelined since early January due to ligament damage in his left hand. The 32-year-old elected against surgery while with the Dallas Mavericks before he was traded to the Wizards at February’s trade deadline.
While one of the All-Stars the Wizards acquired at the deadline, Trae Young, will make his team debut tonight, it appears Davis is much farther away from making his. When Davis is re-evaluated in two weeks, Washington will have just 13 games remaining in its final rebuilding season.
It’s possible Davis takes the additional time to fully recover before making his Wizards debut next season.
LeBron James may not be putting up 30 points a night anymore, but the veteran forward continues to do the little things.
The Los Angeles Lakers bring a three-game winning streak up the mountain to face the Denver Nuggets tonight, needing James to continue to pack the box score.
Facing a depleted Denver frontcourt, LeBron is set for a big night on the boards in my Lakers vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, March 5.
Lakers vs Nuggets prediction
Lakers vs Nuggets best bet: LeBron James Over 5.5 rebounds (+122)
LeBron James has upped his efforts in the rebounding department in recent outings, bringing down six or more boards in four of his last five games.
This tracks with LeBron’s work before the All-Star break, when he averaged 6.5 rebounds over a 21-game stretch — including nine boards in the Los Angeles Lakers' win over the Denver Nuggets in January.
James has seen 9.2 rebounding chances over those past five contests, and projections range from 5.9 to 7.4 rebounds tonight.
Lakers vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Lakers have momentum and the No. 5 seed in the West in their sights. The team may be 0-11 ATS in their last 11 games as underdogs, but this is also the first time in a long time the roster has been healthy. Game models call for a Denver win but L.A. sticking within the spread.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets run one of the slower tempos in the NBA, and the Lakers have tightened the screws on defense in recent outings. Game projections call for a sub-240 finish on the scoreboard in Denver.
LeBron has grabbed six or more boards in four of his past five games, with models projecting 7+ rebounds tonight. He’s also collected nine rebounds in three of his last four matchups against the Nuggets.
Lakers vs Nuggets SGP
Lakers +5
Under 241.5
LeBron James Over 5.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: King Me
Denver isn’t playing its best basketball at the moment, and the Lakers are getting hot (and healthy) at the right time.
Not only does LeBron bang the boards, but his scoring projections sit as high as 22 points.
Lakers vs Nuggets SGP
Lakers moneyline
LeBron James Over 20.5 points
LeBron James Over 5.5 rebounds
Lakers vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Lakers +5 (-110) | Nuggets -5 (-110)
Moneyline: Lakers +160 | Nuggets -190
Over/Under: Over 241.5 (-110) | Under 241.5 (-110)
Lakers vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Lakers don’t struggle in the thin air of Denver — at least when it comes to covering the spread. Los Angeles is 8-4-1 ATS at the Pepsi Center since 2021-22 (3-10 SU). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Lakers vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Lakers vs Nuggets latest injuries
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The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons remain entrenched atop their respective conferences, but the teams jockeying for playoff seeding beneath them have turned into this into a race worth monitoring with so little time left before the postseason starts.
Over the past week, the Minnesota Timberwolves have surged past the Denver Nuggets into the top four of the Western Conference and could soon pass the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 seed. Including the Los Angeles Lakers, there are four teams out west duking it out for the chance to have home-court advantage in a first-round playoff series. The top four in the Eastern Conference is more entrenched, with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers likely to join the Pistons barring a poor close to the regular season.
But how those teams shake out in terms of seeding could have a profound effect on later rounds in the playoffs and matchups. The seeding for the play-in tournament is also a dynamic situation, although there isn't currently much drama regarding the four play-in teams in the Eastern or Western Conferences due to the tanking dynamics at play.
Here's a breakdown of the current NBA playoff picture, including what teams would make the postseason if the regular season ended today:
The final day of the regular season is Sunday, April 12.
When is NBA play-in tournament?
The NBA play-in tournament will begin Tuesday, April 14 and conclude Friday, April 17.
How does NBA play-in tournament work?
The tournament is divided into two rounds for each conference:
Round 1
Game 1: No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed
Game 2: No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed
The No. 7 and No. 9 seeds play at home in the first round. The winner of Game 1 secures the No. 7 seed in their respective conference playoff bracket. The loser of Game 1 continues to the second round and hosts the winner of Game 2. The loser of Game 2 is eliminated from playoff contention.
Round 2
Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 winner
The winner of this game secures the No. 8 and final seed in the playoffs. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention.
