Giancarlo Stanton makes Grapefruit League debut as Yankees fall to Twins

The Yankees fell to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon by a score of 15-0 in a rain-shortened game.

Here are the takeaways...

-- While Giancarlo Stanton played in the exhibition match against Panama earlier this week, he made his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday, serving as the DH and batting cleanup.

Stanton went 0-for-2 with a punchout.

-- No Aaron Judge in the lineup for the Yankees, as the captain is currently with Team USA. The Yankees shifted Cody Bellinger to right field, a luxury that they can also deploy during the regular season to give Judge a break, when needed.

Bellinger went 0-for-1 with a walk.

-- Paul Blackburn started on the mound, allowing a run in the second inning on a walk, single, and double. Blackburn did help his own cause by making a barehanded play to nab a runner trying to score from third in that inning. He allowed a solo shot to Luke Keaschall in the third, and was then pulled after a walk. Blackburn threw 56 pitches, allowing two earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

The Yankees are stretching Blackburn out to be a multi-inning reliever and a spot starter, and with news that Cam Schlittler is going to start the regular season on a pitch limit, having someone like Blackburn piggyback with him could certainly be on the table.

-- Aaron Boone had Ryan McMahonstarting at shortstop, something that the club has been tinkering with this spring. With Anthony Volpe set to miss the start of the season as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, Jose Caballero will likely be the starter for New York, but the team has been taking a look at McMahon there as well. 

The veteran had a moment to forget in the fourth. With runners on second and third and two away, McMahon made a nice stop deep in the hole, but his throw to first got away, allowing a pair of runs to score on the error. He did bounce back by lining a double into left-center later in the game.

-- The rain started to come down in the bottom of the sixth, and after a brief delay, the game was called. The Yankees allowed 15 runs on 16 hits, and had just two hits themselves.

What's next

The Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at 6:35 p.m., which Schlittler set to make his spring debut.

Tottenham 1-3 Crystal Palace: Premier League – as it happened

Spurs took the lead but Micky van de Ven was sent off conceding a penalty and Palace won easily from there, leaving the home side just a point off the relegation zone

Palace, meanwhile, will look to play off Strand Larsen, with Sarr and Guessand asked to run at defenders, width supplied by the excellent wing-back pairing off Munoz and Mitchell. I quite fancy those two to cause problems, especially if, behind them, Wharton and Kamada are at it with their passing.

So where is the game? I imagine Spurs are playing 4-3-3 – if they are – partly to get down the sides of Palace’s outside centre-backs and in behind their wing-backs. For what it’s worth, 4-4-2 is also a decent antidote to three at the back. Otherwise, they’ll want to serve Solanke cut-backs and low crosses to the front post, with Kolo Muani asked to clear space for him, by carrying the ball, bumping defenders out of the way or both.

Continue reading...

Hannah Hidalgo scores 28 and No. 5 seed Notre Dame women beat Miami 69-54 in ACC Tournament

DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo had 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals, Cassandre Prosper added 12 points and No. 5 seed Notre Dame beat 12th-seeded Miami 69-54 on Thursday in the second round of the ACC Tournament.

Notre Dame (21-9), which received 26 votes in the latest AP poll, moves on to play No. 4 seed NC State in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Fighting Irish have won six consecutive games and eight of the last nine, including downing then-No. 10 Louisville at home on Sunday.

Notre Dame led by 18 points entering the fourth quarter before Miami scored the opening 10 to get within 58-50. Gisela Sanchez made Notre Dame's first field goal of the fourth with 4:21 left for an 11-point lead and the Hurricanes missed their next four field goals.

Notre Dame's lead did not drop below 10 points over the final four minutes of the game.

Hidalgo, who was named ACC player of the year and ACC defensive player of the year on Tuesday, went 12 of 22 from the field to help Notre Dame shoot 46%. Iyana Moore added 11 points and Malaya Cowles grabbed 12 rebounds.

Gal Raviv scored 15 points and Ahnay Adams added 13 for Miami (17-14). Ra Shaya Kyle, averaging a team-high 16.8 points per game, had 11 points, 15 rebounds and nine turnovers.

Up next

Miami, which defeating 13th-seeded Stanford 83-76 in overtime on Wednesday to begin the tournament, hopes to receive a postseason invite.

Notre Dame looks for its second victory against NC State this season after a 79-67 contest on Feb. 15.

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

Two unassuming games on tonight’s docket are must-see for Mavs fans

BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 24: Kyrie Irving #11 and Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 24, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks have been without Cooper Flagg for eight-straight games, making for some lousy viewing experiences of late. There is a good chance Flagg returns for tonight’s tip-off against the Orlando Magic, but that’s not the only reason you should be interested in seeing how this one plays out.

On Wednesday, we took a look at the remaining schedule and which games are of most interest the rest of the way, but the game against the Magic didn’t garner much attention. When viewed alongside another game on the NBA schedule, tonight’s outcome could mean much more to the Mavericks than meets the eye. The New Orleans Pelicans are set to face the Sacramento Kings, with the outcome of both games having meaningful impact on Draft positioning this offseason.

Dallas vs. Orlando

Dallas (21-40) currently sits in 12th place in the Western Conference. The Mavs are riding a four-game losing streak and have lost eight of their last ten games. Orlando (32-28) is the Eastern Conference 7th seed, in a veritable tie with the Miami Heat (33-29). Trending better than Dallas, the Magic have won six of ten and enter the night having won their last game.

The Mavericks are an abysmal 7-20 on the road so far this season and will be without a number of rotation players even if Flagg does return. Meanwhile, the Magic have every incentive to hit the gas and hold their ever so slight edge over the Heat who will play the Brooklyn Nets tonight for a likely win.

New Orleans vs. Sacramento

New Orleans (19-44) is currently the 13th seed in the West, right behind Dallas. They have been playing better of late, getting wins in six of their last ten games. The Kings (14-49) hold the dubious distinction of having the worst record in the league and like Dallas, have only won two of their last ten games.

The Pelicans are just slightly worse on the road than even Dallas, going 8-23 away from home to this point. Still, it seems they will have a hard time falling to the Kings who have fully embraced the tank and again, hold the league’s worst record.

Best case scenario

The best-case scenario is a matter of perspective. Assuming you see the value in Dallas picking up better draft positioning, a Mavericks loss and Pelicans win would draw them a bit closer to the sixth best place in the “Tank Standings.”

In a normal scenario, the loss column is what matters as teams jockey for better position and a higher seed. For Dallas, the inverse is true with the win column taking on added importance as they seek better draft positioning. If Dallas takes the L and New Orleans gets a W, the Mavs will only be separated by a single game from the Pelicans. I’m personally not one to outright root for the Mavericks to lose games, but with only 21 games remaining in a difficult season, tonight could play a huge part in how things shake out in the upcoming Draft Lottery.

Jordan Brodess will have his latest Draft Lottery watch to round out the week, so be sure to check that out with the latest updates after tonight’s games are in the books.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Bazzana Gave Guardians’ Fans a Glimpse

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 05: Travis Bazzana #64 of Team Australia hits a solo home run in the seventh inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Chinese Taipei and Australia at Tokyo Dome on March 05, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last night in the World Baseball Classic, Travis Bazzana gave Guardians’ fans a glimpse of what is possible for him as the team’s future second baseman.

You may be tempted to dismiss Bazzana’s 2-4 with a home run performance because it came against Chinese Taipei and not a major league team, but don’t be so quick to rain on parades. Consider the context: opening night of WBC play, Bazzana leading off for an underdog and playing in front of the biggest crowd of his career – 40K+ – in a stadium in which the vast majority of fans were cheering against Bazzana’s team.

In the first inning, Bazzana put up a four-pitch at-bat and got jammed on a curveball on the inside of the plate. In the third, Bazzana put up an EIGHT pitch at-bat and rapped a 102.8 mph single to right field. Bazzana got this first hit of Hsu Jo-Hsi, the best pitcher on the Chinese Taipei team who put up a 2.05 ERA in the Chinese Professional Baseball league last season and features a fastball that comes in 94-98 mph and a sharp slider.

Po-Yu Chen was the next victim for Bazzana, who has 500 or so innings of minor league experience and put up an FIP around 4.5 last season from Double-A to Triple-A. Those numbers aren’t great, but Chen got Bazzana in the fifth on a curveball that Bazzana swung over on the fourth pitch of the at-bat, grounding out. Second time Chen saw Bazzana, though, he threw a well-located (seemingly!) 94 mph fastball on the inside of the plate first pitch and Bazzana was ready for it:

The aftermath of this bash was a reminder of why Bazzana was such a special player to watch in college as he turned to his dugout flexing and yelling to fire them up. He is a tremendous competitor who isn’t afraid to wear his emotions on his sleeve. It was hard not to imagine him doing the same thing in Cleveland someday, after getting a look at a pitcher the first time, then dialing in for success in a second chance as is his pattern.

Bazzana also looked good defensively, including a sparkling play where he dove in the hole to stop a sharp grounder and got up to retire the runner.

I realize that we are probably going to get Gabriel Arias at short and Brayan Rocchio at second for a month or so, and then Rocchio will swap to short while Juan Brito gets a chance at second. But, if there was ever a time for the Guardians to explore buying out the arbitration years of a player who has yet to debut and trying to add a couple years of free agency on to it, I would say it is Travis Bazzana. Is he a “can’t miss” prospect? He would seem to have the solid floor of a decent defender who will get on base and slug a solid number of homers, but there are certainly still questions about his passivity at the plate and ability to get to his power, consistently. Because of that risk, it is a chance for the Guardians to offer Bazzana some security and gain themselves a chance at having the peak years of a potential all-star on a team friendly deal. If that deal could be reached, then Bazzana’s service time would no longer be a concern and the team could simply start him at second base to begin the season. I’d love for the Guardians to consider this option.

I realize some Guardians’ fans are feeling a certain way after seeing Nick Kurtz dominate in his rookie season last year and realizing that, in hindsight, every team in MLB would have drafted Konnor Griffin first if they could have a do-over. But, this mindset is sure to eliminate joy from your life, if indulged. Bazzana put up a 137 wRC+ last season, despite two oblique injuries. Bazzana is a great kid who is unfailingly fun to watch. His draft choice still has a good chance of being a ridiculously good one for the Guardians and their fans, regardless of what Kurtz, Griffin, JJ Wetherholt, Chase Burns and Charlie Condon do.

With that aside, I hope last night was a reminder to Guardians’ fans of another reason to look forward to the season ahead – if healthy, Travis Bazzana WILL debut on the Guardians this year and he is going to be must-watch TV. Get your Australian-themed banners, flags, cheers and merch ready, folks. It won’t be long until the Bazzmanian Devil is stalking pitchers in the big leagues.

Panthers Trade Veteran Defenseman Jeff Petry To Minnesota For Seventh-Round Pick

With less than 24 hours until the NHL Trade Deadline, the Florida Panthers are getting an early start.

On Thursday, the team announced they had traded defenseman Jeff Petry to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a conditional seventh-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.

That pick will become a 2026 fifth-round selection if Minnesota wins two rounds in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Petry plays 50% of the playoff games during those two rounds. 

Florida signed Petry, 38, to a one-yead deal worth $775,000 during the offseason.

He played 58 games with the Panthers, accumulating eight assists, 45 shots, 59 hits, 22 penalty minutes and a minus-10 on-ice rating.

Florida GM Bill Zito will continue to field offers as the Panthers are likely in sell-mode, sitting 10 points out of a playoff spot with just 21 games remaining.

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been a name that has come up in recent rumors, as has fellow pending unrestricted free agent A.J. Greer. 

We'll see how things play out in the coming hours. 

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Photo caption: Jan 8, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Jeff Petry (2) plays the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Next in Line: Three Abbotsford Canucks Players Poised for NHL Minutes

The direction of the Vancouver Canucks is no longer subtle. They have officially traded defenceman Tyler Myers to the Dallas Stars, and with that move, the organization has made its priorities unmistakably clear. The future is all about accumulating assets and creating opportunity, specifically for players waiting down with the Abbotsford Canucks

Moving Myers doesn’t just clear cap space, it removes 20-plus minutes of veteran presence from a blue line that is already stretched thin. Pair that with Victor Mancini’s recall on Tuesday and ongoing roster uncertainty, and suddenly Abbotsford becomes the new wave of talent. Three names particularly stand out as the most logical step towards that vacuum.

Arshdeep Bains

Arshdeep Bains remains the most straightforward call-up candidate up front. He has already shown he can handle NHL pace, and more importantly, he’s proven he can contribute without needing ideal deployment. His offensive consistency in Abbotsford continues to reinforce that he’s reliable, dedicated, and loyal. What strengthens his case now is context.

If Vancouver continues to listen on veteran forwards or simply shifts into evaluation mode, Bains becomes the cleanest insertion into the lineup. He can play effective bottom-six minutes, slide up in a pinch, and doesn’t require sheltered usage to survive. Beyond the eye test, Bain's production in Abbotsford continues to trend upward, and his ability to drive play at five-on-five makes him a dependable option. Coaches trust players who don't cheat the system, and Bains rarely does. In a season pivoting toward development, he represents low risk with legitimate upside. 

Sawyer Mynio

On the back end, Sawyer Mynio presents an intriguing case of upside meeting opportunity. The young defenceman has steadily built confidence within the Abbotsford system, showing the kind of mobility and composure that NHL blue lines demand. Mynio’s game is built on strong reads and controlled puck movement rather than flash, but that style often translates well when players make the jump to the next level.

With Myers’ minutes now removed from the equation, the Canucks will need to explore internal options capable of handling increased responsibility. Giving Mynio an NHL look would provide valuable insight into whether his development trajectory can translate against top-level competition. For a team looking toward the future rather than the standings, that kind of evaluation carries real value.

Kirill Kudryavtsev

Then there’s Kirill Kudryavtsev, a name that immediately sparks conversation and interest. What makes him intriguing isn't just his steadiness, it's his projection. He reads the ice well, closes gaps intelligently, and plays a controlled game that often translates better at higher levels than more chaotic styles. In a developmental season, those are the types of players worth testing.

If Vancouver’s commitment to the rebuild signals anything, it’s that the Canucks are willing to live with youthful mistakes in exchange for long-term clarity. Kudryavtsev has quietly built a case in Abbotsford through steady two-way play and composure under pressure. He ins’t flashy, but he moves the puck efficiently and doesn’t force plays that aren’t there. That matters on a blue line suddenly lacking veteran presence. If the goal is to identify internal solutions rather than chase temporary fixes, Kudryavtsev is the perfect player to make his NHL audition before the season closes. 

Beyond those three, Abbotsford continues to showcase several players quietly strengthening the organization’s depth chart. Forward Ty Mueller has brought energy and versatility to the lineup. Danila Klimovich, meanwhile, remains one of the more intriguing offensive projects in the system, possessing the kind of raw skill that could eventually translate into scoring depth if his development continues in the right direction. None of them may be immediate call-ups, but their progress reinforces the idea that Vancouver’s future pipeline extends well beyond a single wave of prospects.

Oct 28, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kirill Kudryavtsev (59) shoots during warm up prior to a game against the New York Rangers at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Oct 28, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kirill Kudryavtsev (59) shoots during warm up prior to a game against the New York Rangers at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The Myers trade reinforces the organizational shift: Vancouver is no longer patching holes, it’s rebuilding structure. Bains provides immediate forward stability, Mynio represents emerging defensive potential and Kudryavtsev could be next if management truly commits to seeing what it has. These final weeks aren't about salvaging a record, they're about defining roles, determining who fits into October's lineup and who remains organizational depth. 

With the trade deadline looming and management clearly prioritizing draft capital over short-term stability, this stretch is where internal evaluations matter more than ever. Vancouver isn't chasing a playoff spot anymore, it's chasing a base strong enough to build from. A foundation is only as good as its prospects, and its time for Vancouver to see what theirs are capable of. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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How to watch Warriors vs. Rockets

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 26: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket on Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup at Chase Center on November 26, 2025 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors begin a three-game road trip Thursday night with a matchup against the Houston Rockets. The game is set for 4:30 PM PT in Houston and can be watched on Prime Video and NBC Sports Bay Area.

Previously with the Warriors:

Golden State enters tonight’s matchup on a two-game losing streak following Monday’s 114-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors started off strong, jumping out to a 31-19 lead in the first quarter and building a cushion that reached as many as 17 points. But the Clippers slowly worked their way back before taking full control after halftime, outscoring the Warriors 72-45 over the final two quarters.

Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 23 points for Los Angeles. Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 22 points, while two-way wing Nate Williams provided a surprising spark off the bench with 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting.

What to watch for tonight:

One of the main storylines heading into Thursday’s matchup is the availability of Kristaps Porzingis. The Warriors’ newly acquired big man has appeared in just one game for Golden State while missing the past five with an illness. Porzingis has already been ruled out for tonight’s game, but he did travel with the team unlike the previous road trip, offering hope that he could return at some point during this stretch.

Without Porzingis, Stephen Curry, and now Moses Moody — who is also out after injuring his shoulder against the Clippers — generating offense will be a challenge for Golden State. That task becomes even tougher considering their opponent is a Rockets team that ranks fifth in the NBA with a defensive rating of 111.7 and features athletic young wings like Amen Thompson.

That puts additional pressure on Podziemski to carry the scoring load. The third-year guard is averaging 12.4 points per game this season and is the only Warrior to appear in all 61 games. He has scored 16 points or more in four of the team’s last five games and will likely need another strong performance for the Warriors to have a chance in this one.

Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!! 

Projected Starters

Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Draymond Green, Al Horford

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

How to watch Regular Season Game 62

Who: Golden State Warriors (31 – 30) vs. Los Angeles Rockets (38 – 22)

When: Thursday, March 5th, at 4:30 p.m. PT

Where: Toyota Center — Houston, Texas

TV and Streaming: Prime Video and NBC Sports Bay Area (available on fuboTV)

Rockies 2026 Spring Breakout rosters announced

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JULY 22: Colorado Rockies 2025 first round draft pick, Ethan Holliday participates in his first work out at Salt River Field at Talking Stick on July 22, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Today the Rockies announced their 2026 Spring Breakout roster. Since it began in the 2024 season, Spring Breakout is meant to pit the top prospects, regardless of level, against those of another organization.

This year the Rockies top prospects will be facing off against those of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, March 21st at 5:00 PM MST. The Rockies roster for the game will be:

Left-Handed Pitchers

Right-Handed Pitchers

Catchers

Outfielders

Infielders

The only players that made this years pre-season PuRP’s list that are not present on the roster are: RHP Jordy Vargas (no. 21 PuRP), LHP Michael Prosecky (no. 25 PuRP), and RHP Oscar Pujols (no. 30 PuRP).

Who are you most excited to watch? Let us know in the comments!

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Washington Nationals announce a stacked Spring Breakout roster

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Seaver King #7 of the Washington Nationals runs out a single during the seventh inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

On March 19th at 4:30 PM EST, the Nationals are playing in the Spring Breakout game against the Cardinals. The Spring Breakout game is a very cool concept the MLB introduced a few years ago where teams top prospects play against each other in a showcase event. It gives fans a chance to see prospects they would not otherwise be able to watch.

Most MLB fans do not go to many minor league games, but a lot go down for Spring Training. This event exposes a lot of more casual fans to these prospects. I think it is a great idea and teams have really bought into it. The Nats roster for this event is filled with their top prospects. Most of the Nats top 30 prospects that are not injured are on the roster. Here is a look at the roster.

There are a number of really interesting names that are all in different parts of their careers. Some of these guys are knocking on the door of the big leagues, while others are teenagers who just got drafted. That variety is part of what makes this event so exciting.

I wanted to highlight a few names I am eager to see. One of them is Luis Perales, who actually pitched today against the Mets in Spring Training. He was acquired for Jake Bennett this offseason in a rare prospect for prospect trade. Perales has absolutely electric stuff, but also has serious relief risk.

We saw the full package in his outing today. He averaged nearly 100 MPH on his fastball and showcased a pair of nasty breaking pitches. However, the command was erratic, especially with his fastball. He only walked one batter, but there were a lot of deep counts. The stuff was absolutely filthy and when he was executing, he was getting whiffs.

This year, the Nats are going to have to decide whether Perales is a starter or a reliever. He is likely to start the year in the AAA rotation. However, the bullpen is a strong fall back option. He is already on the 40 man roster, so the Nats will have to make a decision on him before too long. I am really excited to see Perales pitch though.

A position player I am excited to watch is Marconi German. There are a ton of middle infielders on this roster, so there is no guarantee he plays much in the game. However, I want to just see what he looks like out there. He has yet to make his stateside debut, but lit up the Dominican Summer League last year. I know his stats, but I feel like I do not know the player yet.

Getting to know the player beyond just the stats is a lot of what this Spring Breakout is all about. This is the first time fans are able to see a lot of these players. It can also be the first time these players ever play in their team’s uniform. 2025 draft picks like Coy James, Miguel Sime Jr., and Landon Harmon have yet to play a professional game. That means the Spring Breakout game is the first time any fans will see them.

The teams are also all in on this idea, which makes it really work. 91 of the top 100 prospects will be playing in the Spring Breakout game. The only ones that are not are injured players like Jarlin Susana or guys who are locks to make the team like Nolan McLean of the Mets. 

This participation is part of what makes the event so fun. Basically every relevant Nats prospect that is able to play is on the roster. This might be my favorite part of Spring Training and it is such a great idea from the MLB. Set your calendars for March 19th at 4:30.

Flyers Sign Longtime Phantoms Forward To NHL Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed forward Garrett Wilson to a two-way contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

Wilson was also placed on waivers by the Flyers, as it is needed before his contract with the Metropolitan Division club is finalized.

Wilson is currently in his sixth season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and is serving as their captain. In 51 games with the AHL club so far this season, the 2009 fourth-round pick has recorded four goals, 12 assists, 16 points, and 99 penalty minutes. 

Wilson's last NHL appearance was during the 2018-19 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since then, he has exclusively played at the AHL level. He played one season with the Toronto Marlies before joining the Phantoms ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Overall, this is a nice gesture by the Flyers. Wilson has earned this NHL deal for all the time he has put in with the Phantoms. 

In 84 career NHL games split between the Florida Panthers and Penguins, Wilson has recorded two goals, eight points, and 42 penalty minutes. 

Golden Knights Acquire Forward Nic Dowd From Capitals

For the second time this week, and third time before the trade deadline, the Golden Knights have made roster acquisitions.

The team announced Thursday it has acquired forward Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Jesper Vikman, a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, and a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Entry Draft.

The Knights acquired forward Cole Smith from Nashville on Tuesday, and defenseman Rasmus Andersson in January.

Dowd, who has skated in 55 games for the Capitals this season, registered 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) while averaging 15:33 time on ice.

The 35-year-old's shorthanded ice time per game of 2:40 ranked highest among Washington’s forwards and 10th of all NHL forwards this season.

Dowd was third on the Capitals with 113 hits this season, which also would have ranked third on the Golden Knights, behind forwards Keegan Kolesar (217) and Jeremy Lauzon (187).

Dowd spent each of the last eight seasons in Washington and posted at least 20 points in six of those campaigns. Prior to that, Dowd played one season with the Vancouver Canucks (2017-18), and parts of three with the Los Angeles Kings (2015-18).

PHOTO CAPTION: Washington Capitals center Nic Dowd (26) skates with the puck as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) defends in the first period at Capital One Arena.

24 Hours Until NHL Trade Deadline: Blackhawks Still Have Moves To Make

The Chicago Blackhawks and National Hockey League are now within 24 hours of the 2026 Trade Deadline. Once 2 PM CT on Friday passes, NHL players are no longer allowed to be traded. Contenders are looking to make themselves better right now, while sellers are dealing with the future in mind. 

For the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s been all selling. So far, they've shipped Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, and Colton Dach out of town. All three of them went to the Edmonton Oilers, but in two separate trades. 

In return, they've acquired a second-round pick in 2028, a conditional first-round pick in 2027, and Andrew Mangiapane. 

Are they done making moves? They officially have less than 24 hours to do so. Ilya Mikheyev, Nick Foligno, and Matt Grzelcyk are the pending unrestricted free agents that may be of the highest consideration. 

Colton Dach does not fall under that cloud, so Kyle Davidson is clearly okay with adding sweeteners to deals. Is Kevin Korchinski or Landon Slaggert an option in that regard? It is certainly possible. 

Earlier this season, the Blackhawks tried to extend Mikheyev, but to no avail. Now, they may trade him, despite being a good bottom-six depth piece on a short-term deal. If they are unable to move him by Friday, both sides may reconsider, but they are running out of time to make a trade. 

Trading Grzelcyk will be a matter of whether or not they can get anything for a depth offensive defenseman. A team would come in knowing he's a bottom pair, power play two guy, and that might not be worth a draft pick in a buyer's mind. 

Foligno is an entirely different story. You don't see team captains traded every year, but that could be the reality for the Blackhawks and Foligno if a deal comes together.

He is now a bottom-six forward who can play center or wing, but his leadership qualities in the room are Hall of Fame caliber. Contenders like to add guys like that ahead of deadlines. 

Kyle Davidson has made it clear with his actions that he emphasizes acquiring elite-level draft picks when he makes trades. If he is looking to add any more before the season is over, he doesn't have much time. It's officially a 24-hour warning. 

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Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Gameday Thread, #13 @ Cubs

MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 3: A general view at Sloan Park on March 3, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A batch of cuts this morning. The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves and have 62 players in camp.

Optioned to Triple-A Reno:

  • RHP Yilber Diaz
  • RHP Dylan Ray

Reassigned to Minor League camp:

  • C Gavin Logan

No real surprises there. Ray had only appeared in one spring game, pitching 1.1 innings, and allowing four runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks. Diaz’s numbers were uglier still: 1.2 innings, four earned runs on three hits and two walks. The jury is still out on whether his “yips” from last year are fixed, but this relatively quick optioning suggests not. Logan had actually gone 5-for-8 across his six games, but is probably quite a way down the depth chart at the position. Here’s this afternoon’s line-up against the Cubs.

After Ryne Nelson, we can expect to see some of RHP Kevin Ginkel, RHP Ryan Thompson, RHP Drey Jameson, LHP Spencer Giesting, RHP Shawn Dubin and RHP Junior Fernandez, so looks like an A-bullpen day. Or as close as you might expect to get at this point in spring training! Nelson’s first start was excellent, facing the minimum over two innings, with no hits or walks and three strikeouts. Of course, it’s just as meaningless as a bad outing. But there’s no question about which I would prefer to see, spring training or not. No broadcast of this game today, so follow along on Gameday!