INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA Division I Cabinet on Wednesday approved emergency legislation that will severely penalize coaches and schools that sign, add to the roster or allow athletic participation by an athlete in any sport who hasn't yet gone through the portal process.
Penalties include a suspension of the head coach for 50% of a season and a fine amounting to 20% of that sport’s budget.
The rule change, which was initially proposed by the Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee and has been adopted for all sports in Division I, is effective immediately and applies to all transfers on or after Feb. 25, 2026.
“I am grateful the DI Cabinet approved the FBS Oversight Committee’s recommendation to impose significant penalties on head coaches and programs who circumvent transfer rules, along with immediate accountability,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. “This is a necessary step to address a critical roster management issue facing our sport and to protect the integrity of football’s transfer window.”
The “ghost transfers” issue has been on the NCAA's radar since former Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas transferred to Miami without entering the portal in January 2025. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff withdrew from BYU and walked on at Tulane in July.
At the direction of the Division I Board of Directors, an Infractions Process Task Force is reviewing the infractions process and associated penalties for violations of NCAA rules. Among the topics the task force will discuss are enforcement of transfer rules and penalties associated with tampering violations. The task force is expected to provide recommendations for modernizing the infractions process later this year.
Apr 10, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Carlos Estévez (53) celebrates after the win over the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The Royals announced they have placed closer Carlos Estévez on the 15-day Injured List with a left foot contusion and have called up pitcher Steven Cruz. Estévez was hit by a line drive in his only appearance of the year on Saturday and has been wearing a walking boot since then.
Estévez looked off in his season debut against the Braves, allowing six runs while recording just one out in the 6-2 loss. He had trouble breaking 90 mph in spring training, raising alarm bells with many observers. On Saturday, he averaged 91.2 mph on his fastball, and had erratic command, particularly on his change up. He gave up three singles and two walks before giving up a walk-off grand slam to Dominic Smith. After the game, manager Matt Quatraro suggested Estévez may pitch in lower-leverage situations to ease him back after he spent some of his spring training with Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Cruz made 47 appearances with the Royals last year, with a 3.74 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 45.2 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander gave up two hits and two runs with a walk and three strikeouts in his only appearance for Omaha.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 29: Lucas Erceg #60 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on March 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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Carlos Estévez led all of MLB in saves in 2025. He also had a very bad, no-good, borderline horrific day when he first attempted a save for the Royals in 2026. All signs point to him relinquishing the closer’s role, at least temporarily. Matt Quatraro indicated he’d pitch in low leverage for a while, but he’s also been considered day-to-day with a foot contusion after taking a comebacker to the ankle during Saturday’s meltdown.
In the interim, the Royals will need someone else to become the closer. We’ve seen Lucas Erceg close Sunday’s contest, and John Schreiber picked up a save in Monday’s game. Those aren’t even remotely the only options in KC’s bullpen, though.
Erceg obviously has experience as a closer for the Royals, picking up 11 saves down the stretch in 2024, plus two more last year. Schreiber has never been a primary closer, but Monday’s effort means he’s now earned at least one save for five straight years. Similarly, Matt Strahm has never been a primary closer, but he has saves in each of the past four years as well. Nick Mears earned a single save last year, his first. Alex Lange was the primary closer for the Tigers in 2023, but has barely pitched at the big league level since then.
Then, of course, the Royals have Luinder Avila in the minor leagues with perhaps the best strikeout stuff out of all of them, but should the Royals have him attempting to close games now when they still think he could become a frontline starter in the future? Especially when you consider what the pressure might do to an inexperienced reliever such as he. The Royals could also go with a closer by committee, but has that ever truly been a strong solution?
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 31: Shea Langeliers #23 of the Athletics celebrates a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Not much to write home about here after yet another series dropped to begin the 2026 campaign.
Luis Severino took the bump. His second start of the season, following an outing on opening day where he pitched…fine. Across five frames against the Blue Jays he gave up 2 ER while striking out three. Everything would go up today (good and bad). His 7K’s seem a little less impressive when you hold them next to the 4 ER and 5 BB also offered up by the big righty.
Drake Baldwin’s single to left field would net Atlanta their first set of runs. Ozzie Albies and Dominic Smith scored on the base hit, making it 2-0 Braves.
That would be the score going into the 4th inning when none other than Shea Langeliers got ahold of one. That’s five home runs! Five dingers in the first six games.
He’d walk away from today’s action with the lone A’s hit against Atlanta’s ace Chris Sale, continuing to be the only real bright spot in an otherwise dopey start to the season.
Speaking of…
Just a half a frame later, Drake Baldwin would get ahold of another one. This time a double off of Elvis Alvarado which scored Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubon. Both runs would be charged to Severino, who exited the game on 91 pitches in less than four innings pitched.
Matt Olson’s single to right brought in another.
5-1 Braves going into the 5th inning and it would stay that way through the final out.
Another tough day at the plate for A’s hitters. Tough day all around actually. The only real bright spot came in the form of Denzel Clarke’s home run robbery of Drake Baldwin in the 7th. His bat might be non-existent but hey, maybe he’ll bring home a gold glove soon.
The A’s will be given an off day tomorrow and then it’s off to West Sacramento, where they’ll play host to the Houston Astros in their first series of the season at Sutter Health Park.
Maybe the day off will do them good. They can collect themselves, go grab a drink, see a flick. It’s been an unforgiving past six days for the green and gold and any break in that action couldn’t hurt in the slightest.
If you plan on attending any of the games this weekend, feel free to let me know! I’ll be at all three and ready to talk ish with anyone. Let’s have a little fun this weekend and hopefully the energy will help propel the A’s to their first series win of 2026!
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 30: The sneakers worn by Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 02: Former Phoenix Suns player Amar'e Stoudemire smiles during a halftime ceremony retiring his jersey number in the Ring of Honor during the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets at Footprint Center on March 02, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Former Phoenix Suns star and Ring of Honor inductee Amar’e Stoudemire is being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
He joins Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, and Doc Rivers in the Class of 2026.
Amar'e Stoudemire, Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne and Doc Rivers are among the members inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6oPR2gBgtE
The five-time all-star arrived in Phoenix as the 9th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. He won Rookie of the Year and made an All-NBA First-Team in 2007, along with four All-NBA Second-Team nods in 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2011. He ranks seventh in points (11,035) and third in rebounds (4,613) in Suns franchise history.
Stoudemire helped shape an era in Phoenix as the dominant frontcourt presence in the team’s high-powered “7 Seconds or Less” offenses of the mid-2000s. His blend of power, speed, and explosiveness made him one of the league’s most dangerous interior scorers and a focal point of one of the NBA’s most entertaining teams.
I will always remember him for his fearlessness around the rim. He wanted to dunk on anyone in his general vicinity. He went shot-for-shot with prime Tim Duncan at his peak. Some of the best posters in Suns history have come from Amar’e.
Congratulations to STAT, it’s a well-deserved honor.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 03: Adrian Houser #12 of the San Francisco Giants delivers a first inning pitch against Team United States during an exhibition game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants conclude their series against the San Diego Padres this afternoon from Petco Park.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Adrian Houser, making his Giants debut. Houser finished the 2025 season with a 3.31 ERA, 3.81 FIP, with 92 strikeouts to 38 walks in 125 innings pitched between the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.
He’ll be facing off against Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta, who finished the 2025 season with a 2.87 ERA, 3.49 FIP, with 190 strikeouts to 50 walks in 181.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Padres’ 8-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, in which he allowed six runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks in three innings.
The SEC used to be the best conference in college sports, and it lorded its superiority over its peers. It’s not the best anymore. At least, it’s not the best in football or men’s basketball. The Big Ten stole the crown, and the SEC cannot hide from reality.
The Big Ten won the past three college football national championships, but the problem goes deeper than that. The SEC hasn't even reached the College Football Playoff national championship game since 2023 Georgia won it all.
Now, as insult to injury, the Big Ten sent two teams to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, while the SEC sits at home.
Is the SEC still the best conference? Or, does the Big Ten rule?
Adams: The Big Ten wears the crown in football. That's a fact. You can’t argue trophies. You can’t argue the scoreboard, either.
Indiana 38, Alabama 3.
The SEC didn’t just lose its leg to stand on. Indiana devoured the leg.
Toppmeyer: Agreed, and the Big Ten’s claim of superiority is helped by the fact three teams produced the past three national championships. Michigan, Ohio State and now Indiana won titles since the last SEC crown. The Big Ten is no one-hit wonder.
What about the SEC’s depth?
Adams: That’s where the SEC’s problem worsens. For a while, even if the Big Ten was better at the top, the SEC was better in the middle. I’m not so sure about that anymore. The SEC looked pretty lousy in postseason games last season, illustrating the depth of the problem.
Toppmeyer: The Big Ten’s crème de la crème has been sweeter than the SEC’s for a few years. Now, it’s sweeter down ballot, too.
Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27.
Illinois 30, Tennessee 28.
Those were postseason scorelines.
Texas saved some face for the SEC by beating Michigan, 41-27, in the Citrus Bowl, but, on the whole, the SEC’s claim of superior depth eroded.
The SEC used to flex unmatched muscle in the boardroom, too, but even that ability is gone. The conference tried to grow the playoff to 16 teams for the 2026 season and beyond, but the Big Ten erected a road block and stopped the SEC’s CFP expansion plans in their tracks.
So, the Big Ten is better at the top, as good in the middle, and it’s a thorn in the side of the SEC’s boardroom operations.
Where does that leave the SEC? Well, maybe it can still say its last-place team is better than the Big Ten’s last-place team.
How’s that for a new conference motto? Our last-place team would beat your last-place team.
On second thought, I’m not sure that’s true. Notre Dame played the worst teams from the SEC and Big Ten in consecutive weeks last fall. The Irish beat Purdue 56-30, then trounced Arkansas 56-13.
Back to the drawing board for the SEC.
OK, but how strong is the Big Ten’s claim of basketball superiority?
Adams: The Big Ten's basketball claim isn’t as entrenched. In 2025, the SEC delivered one of the best basketball performances by a conference ever, and Florida won the national title.
The Big Ten started to make its claim for the basketball throne around the time Iowa bounced the defending champion and No. 1-seeded Gators in the second round of this tournament. Then, Michigan waylaid the SEC's last-team-standing, Tennessee.
This year, the SEC qualified 10 teams to the Big Ten’s nine bids, but the Big Ten produced a better tournament record, four Elite Eight teams and now two teams in the Final Four. At least for this season, the Big Ten rules basketball.
Toppmeyer: The Big Ten’s claim of basketball superiority would be strengthened if either Michigan or Illinois wins the national championship. The conference’s tournament performance has been strong, much stronger than the SEC’s this year, but the SEC finished the job in 2025 thanks to Florida. The Big Ten still has not produced a basketball national champion since 2000 Michigan State. For the Big Ten to fully assert in its basketball status, it needs a champ.
ST. LOUIS — A back issue has landed SNY's Keith Hernandez on the injured list at the start of the 2026 season.
Hernandez, who cited a slipped disc in his back during the broadcast during the team's series with the Cardinals for excruciating pain, will miss the upcoming five games on the Mets' road trip to receive treatment.
Who is replacing Keith Hernandez in SNY booth for Mets games?
Todd Zeile arrived in St. Louis on Wednesday afternoon to do color commentary alongside Gary Cohen for the Mets' series finale against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Hernandez's back issue will force him to miss Wednesday and the entirety of the team's upcoming four-game series against the Giants at Oracle Park, beginning on Thursday.
The 72-year-old Hernandez, who had his No. 17 retired by the Mets in 2022, agreed to a three-year deal to help broadcast games on SNY and PIX11 for the next three seasons.
Hernandez has long suffered from back issues. He underwent surgery in 2019 to help alleviate pain from a ruptured disc and has stenosis in his lower back.
Mar 30, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Things are just different when it comes to sports in Philadelphia. The microscope players are under and the feedback they receive from this fervent fan base, through both good times and bad, is unparalleled. For a city that’s been relatively light on championships for the last century, goodwill is hard to come by.
It’s what makes the discourse around the Eagles, across the street from the Sixers down at the Sports Complex, so confusing. The Eagles have won two Super Bowls within a decade. They won a championship just 14 months ago with Jalen Hurts garnering Super Bowl MVP honors and Nick Sirianni rightfully receiving the iconic Gatorade shower when the game was out of reach.
Now? Well, those guys have been receiving nonstop heat since. A new story from ESPN’s Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler regarding Hurts, featuring hard-hitting, legitimate reporting for sure, dropped on Wednesday morning. It showcases that, both within the walls of an organization and for fans across the region, winning doesn’t actually cure everything.
“Win it all and you’ll never pay for a drink in this town again.”
Uh, that went out the window pretty quickly in this city, huh? Portions of the fan base still lob a ton of criticism Hurts and Sirianni’s way.
That brings me to Joel Embiid, the Sixers’ MVP-winning center who is more known, both locally and in the greater basketball community, for his health woes and his inability to even rack up a Conference Finals appearance than for his historic scoring touch.
Embiid is one of the most talented players who’s ever picked up a basketball. Even still, his tumultuous injury history and lack of playoff success are the things that have defined him the most. While I’m not proclaiming it’s happening this spring and summer, but if, somehow, someway, Embiid could string together a healthy postseason and carry the Sixers to a championship and an ensuing parade down Broad Street, how much would it really change the way people talk about the big fella?
For anyone with the slightest clue in this world, it should change everything. It would be a triumph more than a decade in the making, a capstone for a player who’s battled injuries year after year. A ring paired with his scoring titles and accolades would make him one of the definitive athletes in Philadelphia history and give him an unassailable achievement, the thing that we’re all supposed to value the most. An Embiid-led Sixers title would also make the ever-controversial Process a smashing success, too.
For everyone else, however, I can’t imagine it would change much, as sad as that is to say.
I’m sure Sixers fans would be subject to social media posts about how it’s a “Mickey Mouse” championship or something outrageous along those lines. The narrative would shift about how Embiid has “only” won a single title compared to some of the all-time great big men that the NBA has seen. That’s before getting into how, in the time following a hypothetical Embiid championship victory, people would complain about the slightest things that go wrong right here in Philadelphia.
That’s the nature of sports in general and the great city of Philadelphia specifically. The Eagles are a clear-cut example of winning is only a temporary respite from criticism. If Embiid and the Sixers ever win it all one day, and I certainly have my doubts on that front, they would find that out the hard way as well.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 01: Dylan Beavers #12 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Colton Cowser #17 after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 01, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What a difference a day makes. After two games of a frustrating lack of offense and problems with the starting pitching, the Orioles came into Wednesday afternoon looking to avoid a sweep by the Rangers with #1 starter Trevor Rogers on the mound. Even with the challenge of Texas pitcher Nathan Eovaldi awaiting them, the hitters were able to break out, Rogers continued to pitch well, and the team came away with an 8-3 victory to even up their record at 3-3 for the season.
The early games of the 2026 season have not done a lot to dispel any concerns that carried over from last year, when the team was often unable to shake off setbacks within a single game or from a game-to-game basis. Fighting to avoid this sweep is another point towards thinking maybe these guys are different. They will still have challenges to overcome, such as Zach Eflin’s injury from Tuesday, the impact of which is still not totally known on the roster. Just, maybe they’re capable of overcoming the challenges sometimes.
One thing that always helps on the road to victory is when the bottom of the order can deliver. It was the 6-9 batters in the order who opened up the scoring against Eovaldi in the game’s early innings. Consecutive one-out singles by Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras put men on the corners in the bottom of the second. The #9 batter, Jeremiah Jackson, succeeded at his job of putting the ball in play productively, delivering a deep fly ball that handily scored Cowser from third. Taylor Ward continued Tuesday’s explosion by adding an RBI double, giving the O’s a 2-0 lead heading into the third inning.
The bottom of the third saw Pete Alonso lead off the inning with a walk. He was still on first base two outs later, then came some bottom of the order contribution again. Dylan Beavers hit a single and Cowser drew a walk to load the bases. The light-hitting Taveras was able to capitalize with a double off the wall in right field, plating two more runs.
This 4-0 lead proved to be all that the Orioles would need to win the game, not that you could have known it at the time. Texas got Rogers on the ropes a bit in the top of the fourth, scraping together four singles in a row after Rogers had gotten two outs. This brought two runs home, cutting the deficit in half. The fourth inning also saw Rogers throw over 30 pitches in that one frame.
Rogers was able to keep the game from spiraling and add another two more innings on top of that, finishing the day with two earned runs allowed over six innings. It’s only disappointing if you were expecting him to carry last year’s 1.81 ERA or better all season.
The Orioles offense also proved to be capable of adding on further runs after scoring some early in the game. The inability to do this year ago was another frustrating feature of that season. None of that on Wednesday. After a quiet bottom of the fourth, Samuel Basallo announced his presence with authority. Leading off the bottom of the fifth, the Orioles catcher was heaved a middle-middle mistake and he did not miss.
There was a satisfying crack of the bat, a majestic flight path apparent even before the camera cut away to show the ball in flight, and by the time the ball landed in front of the batter’s eye beyond center field, it had traveled a Statcast-estimated 437 feet. That’s the good stuff.
After Eovaldo walked the next batter, Coby Mayo, he got the hook from the game. Texas brought in reliever Tyler Alexander, who allowed the inherited runner to score plus one more of his own as, again, the bottom of the order helped get things done. The Orioles even scored two runs over the remainder of the inning after laying down a tactically-unsound sacrifice bunt, which is how you really know things were going in their favor in the game. Jackson and Ward cashed in with an RBI apiece as the Orioles lead grew to 7-2.
With a safe-seeming lead and three innings left to cover, the Orioles turned to Albert Suárez to get them the rest of the way. The 36-year-old Suárez rejoined the team as the player called up when Eflin landed on the injured list. He needed to be called back up after not making the roster following spring training. Suárez’s objective for the game was to make sure the Orioles would not need to use any of their other pitchers.
Although there was some traffic on the bases in the seventh and Corey Seager led off the top of the eighth with a solo homer, Suárez proved up to the task that he was asked to do. He notched a classic three-inning save, allowing the one run on the solo shot over his three innings. The bullpen gets a day to rest, so hopefully it will be at full strength when the series against the Pirates opens on Friday.
Former Orioles minor leaguer Carter Baumler, who’s now with the Rangers as a Rule 5 pick, pitched two innings for Texas. He gave up a solo home run to Beavers across his two innings. Maybe he’ll pitch badly enough that he’s offered back to the Orioles. Maybe it won’t matter all that much whether he’s offered back or not.
The game wrapped up on an amusing note that’s only possible in this era of Automated Ball/Strike challenges. Suárez tossed a 1-2 pitch to Evan Carter that looked to be in the strike zone yet was called a ball. Basallo, behind the plate, tapped his helmet immediately, initiating a challenge. The replay came back and showed a clear strike in the zone, reversing the ball and ending the game on a third strike looking instead. In all, the Orioles made three challenges and won each of them.
The team will be back in action in Pittsburgh on Friday. The game is the Pirates home opener, so there’s a weird 4:12 scheduled start time. Kyle Bradish and Mitch Keller are the currently-scheduled starting pitchers.
As this game has ended in an Orioles victory, it is time to proclaim a Most Birdland Player for the game. Who is your pick for the player who made the most unlikely and/or fun contribution to the O’s winning the game? Nominate your choice in the comments below.
Our NBA player prop projections are set for tonight’s Western Conference clash between the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors, with the model pinpointing several standout opportunities.
By analyzing the data and comparing it to current market lines, we’ve uncovered the bets with the highest value.
Wemby has also gone Under in 5 of his last 10 games at a 25.5-point line, reinforcing the potential for a more muted scoring output in this matchup.
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De'Aaron Fox Under 6.5 assists (+115)
Projection: 5.5 assists
De'Aaron Fox has gone Under 6.5 assists in 7 of his last 10 games, and this matchup against the Warriors sets up for that trend to continue.
Against the Warriors, pace is a key factor. Golden State's slower tempo reduces overall assist opportunities. Fewer trips up and down the floor make it harder for Fox to rack up counting stats in the playmaking department.
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Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 12.4 rebounds
The Spurs rank fourth in the league in offensive rebounding over their last five road games, and Wemby has been the most consistent presence on the glass, going Over 11.5 rebounds in 7 of his last 10 outings.
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Warriors computer picks
Brandin Podziemski Under 17.5 points (-115)
Projection: 17.4 points
Given the Warriors’ pace of play, Brandin Podziemski could fall just short of clearing his points prop, especially after going Under in 4 of his last 10 games at a 17.5-point line.
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Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds (-110)
Projection: 6.8 rebounds
The Warriors have ranked as the third-best offensive rebounding team in the league over their last 15 games, and Draymond Green stands to benefit from those extra opportunities on the glass, having gone Over 5.5 rebounds in 4 of his last 10 games.
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Gui Santos Over 1.5 3-pointers (-190)
Projection: 2.4 3-pointers
The Spurs have operated at the ninth-fastest pace in the league over their last five games, which should create additional possessions for the Warriors and more chances for Gui Santos to connect from deep, especially after going Over 1.5 three-pointers in 5 of his last 10 games.
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How to watch Spurs vs Warriors tonight
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees pitches against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on March 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After opening up the new season on a West Coast road trip, the Yankees are finally headed home this weekend. However before they do, there’s till one more game to finish up, as they’re set to play the Mariners one last time. The Yankees dropped the opener in Seattle on a Cal Raleigh walk-off, but they rebounded last night thanks to another excellent effort from Max Fried. Although they already have a winning road trip guaranteed (5-1 or 4-2), they won’t rest on their laurels, and they will try to take a second-straight series on the new year.
The first time around in the rotation, Fried threw a scoreless outing on Opening Day, and was followed by Cam Schlittler doing the same in San Francisco for Game 2. Today, Schlittler will attempt to repeat that pattern after Fried kept the M’s off the scoreboard on Tuesday night.
Despite facing a righty in George Kirby, the Yankees are giving starts to both Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario, in an otherwise normal lineup. At least in the case of Rosario, that may have something to do with Ryan McMahon looking lost at the plate so far this season. This will be Goldschmidt’s first appearance of the season, as Ben Rice shifts to DH and Giancarlo Stanton takes a seat on the bench. Stanton’s been hotter than just about anyone in baseball, but the Yankees perhaps understandably being cautious with the oft-injured 36-year-old is nothing new.
As mentioned, Kirby will take the mound for the Mariners, coming off a season debut where he held Cleveland to one run in six innings. The M’s will roll out a similar cast of characters to last night in their starting lineup, though they did tag in Dominic Canzone for Rob Refsnyder at DH and Luke Raley for Victor Robles in right field. Offseason trade acquisition Brendan Donovan also returns to the leadoff spot after hitting sixth against Fried.
We hope that you’ll come join us in the game thread for this afternoon’s action, and here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.
How to Watch
Location: T-Mobile Park — Seattle, WA
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
TV broadcast: YES Network (NYY) | Mariners.TV (SEA)
Mar 31, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) is forced out at second as Seattle Mariners shortstop Leo Rivas (76) throws to complete a double play during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: John Froschauer-Imagn Images | John Froschauer-Imagn Images
Lousy Smarch Weather! Hey look at that, no more March baseball, which really shouldn’t even be a thing. Now we’re playing in April, like the good baseball gods intended where it is also cold and rainy. Nevertheless, DAY BASEBALL on a WEDNESDAY! Let’s get into it.
The Mariners had their first true stinker of a game last night in a lifeless 5-0 shin-kicking by the Yankees, but the M’s can bounce back today and stroll off with a series win versus the big baddies of the AL East. Taking the mound for the Mariners is Furious George Kirby versus Cam Schlittler, who has all the letters in his last name for multiple frowned upon words and names. Fun fact: Kirby, who grew up in Rye, New York, has pitched at least 7.0 innings in both of his career starts against the Yankees. Let’s see if he can match or top that in today’s tussle.
Lineups!
And these guys:
I will begrudgingly hand it to them for the cool 80’s Fleer/Topps mash-up style baseball card graphics, though. Big shoutout to friend of the site Dave Sims, too.
First pitch: 1:40 PM PDT TV: Mariners TV, which you can a subscription to online or watch on several cable networks. Kate’s got the details. Radio: 710 KIRO, in Rick Rizzs’s final season
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Gavin Fien #8 and Eli Willits #2 of the Washington Nationals look on prior to a spring training Spring Breakout game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Nationals minor league rosters are here. We now know where all of the Nats prospects will start the season. Every level has intriguing names, but the Fredericksburg Nationals and Rochester Red Wings look like must watch teams. With a new player development focused regime in place, it will be very interesting to watch the Nats minor league teams this season.
The Fred Nats are the team I am most excited about, so let’s start with them. They have some of the best collection of 18-20 year old talent you will see in the minor leagues. Eight of the Nats top 30 prospects will start the season in Low-A, including four of the top 10. The star of the show is number one overall pick Eli Willits, but there is so much more than just him.
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) March 31, 2026
This team is stacked across the board. Gavin Fien, who was the headlining piece of the MacKenzie Gore trade, will also start his season in Low-A. Interestingly, Fien was listed as an infielder/outfielder. Most evaluators thought Fien would be a third baseman in pro ball, but the Nats seem like they will give him reps in the outfield.
Another infield prospect who will be getting time in the outfield is Luke Dickerson. The Nats second rounder from 2024 is repeating Low-A after a lackluster first season. However, he has the tools to be a breakout candidate. One guy on this team who has gotten a lot of buzz this spring is Ronny Cruz, who came over in the Michael Soroka deal. He played last season in rookie ball, but was really impressive in my viewings of him and always seems to be on the tip of Paul Toboni’s tongue.
On the pitching side, we saw some aggressive assignments. I figured Landon Harmon and certainly Miguel Sime Jr. would start their seasons in rookie ball. However, they are both with the Fred Nats. That shows the Nats front offices’ belief in these two teenaged arms. Both have massive upside.
Moving on to High-A Wilmington, the Blue Rocks are not as stacked but have some interesting names. They should also be seeing some of the players who are on the Fred Nats right now at some point this season. To start the year, they have a couple solid names though.
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) March 31, 2026
Two guys who stick out are Devin Fitz-Gerald and Angel Feliz. Fitz-Gerald has only played 10 games in Low-A and Feliz has only played 31. However, with the amount of infield talent the Nats have at the lower levels, some of those guys had to go to High-A. Picking those guys shows confidence in their skills, as well as their ability to handle adversity.
Ethan Petry is another intriguing name to watch. He has big power upside but will have to keep his swing and miss in check. Former top prospects who have lost their shine, such as Elijah Green and Cristhian Vaquero are also here. Wilmington is a bit light on the pitching side, with Yoel Tejada being the best arm there.
Moving up to Double-A Harrisburg, the Senators roster is filled with a mix of journeymen, bounce back candidates and some top prospects. Seaver King is one guy I will be watching very closely. He has performed in the AFL and in Spring Training, but he needs to do it in the real games.
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) March 31, 2026
An under the radar name in Harrisburg is Sam Petersen. He has not been very durable in his pro career, but whenever he has been on the field, he has raked. Caleb Lomavita is another guy who is trying to regain some momentum.
On the pitching side, it is a weird and interesting mix. The top prospect here is Alex Clemmey. Despite being around for what seems like a long time, he is still just 20 years old. That means he is ahead of schedule being in Double-A. I am interested to see how his game evolves this year. Davian Garcia and Eriq Swan are two more arms to watch. Shinnosuke Ogasawara is also down here.
We have already talked a bit about the Rochester Red Wings, but I am going to talk about them some more. It is such a fascinating roster filled with prospects and guys who used to be top prospects. Of course, the biggest name down here is Dylan Crews, who is trying to get his career back on track.
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) March 27, 2026
However, Crews is far from the only guy at this level. Harry Ford, Robert Hassell, Abimelec Ortiz and Christian Franklin are a few more big name bats in AAA. All of these guys are hungry to establish or re-establish themselves as big leaguers. Most should get an opportunity at some point this season, but they will have to earn it.
It is not just bats though. There are a number of really intriguing arms. Mitchell Parker was a mainstay in DC the last two years, but he is a Rochester Red Wing now. Luis Perales and Riley Cornelio are two fun prospects in the Red Wings rotation. Andrew Alvarez proved himself last September, but he is back in Rochester.
There are also a number of relievers with MLB experience. We will see a lot of current Red Wings in Nats uniforms this year. This is the most exciting AAA team I think the Nats have ever had.
There is a lot of depth throughout the organization now. That is so exciting and it is a new phenomenon. The biggest names are in Low-A and Triple-A, but every level has guys who fans should be interested in seeing. If you are a Nats fan into minor league baseball, you should have a blast this year.
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