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Flyers lose to Blue Jackets, fall short in another big game at home

Flyers lose to Blue Jackets, fall short in another big game at home originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

After an impressive sweep of a three-game road trip, the Flyers failed to build on it.

They lost to the Blue Jackets, 3-2, Tuesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

In a meaningful game, it was another disappointing home loss for the Flyers.

Sean Couturier and Jamie Drysdale scored the club’s goals. Drysdale’s marker came late in the third period as the Flyers emptied their net for the extra attacker.

The Flyers (34-24-12) again couldn’t win four games in a row. They haven’t won more than three straight in over two years. The last time they did it was Feb. 6-12 of the 2023-24 season.

“There’s still a lot of hockey left, we still believe in our group,” Couturier said. “We’re going to refocus, get ready for next game, move on and try to get another winning streak going.”

Rick Tocchet’s club dropped to seven points back of the Blue Jackets (38-22-11), who took over second place in a tight Metropolitan Division. The Flyers went 0-2-1 against Columbus this season.

“It’s not like we were going to win out the rest of the year,” Travis Konecny said. “We lost one game against an opponent that was above us, it’s frustrating. But it is what it is. You just regroup. There’s nothing else you can do.”

• Dan Vladar made 16 saves on 19 shots.

The Flyers spoiled a strong first period by surrendering two goals in the opening 2:28 minutes of the second period.

“Couple of mistakes and now you’re chasing the game,” Tocchet said. “But the first period was great, it should have been 3-0.”

It looked like the Flyers had a poorly-timed line change on Mathieu Olivier’s game-tying goal. Zach Werenski handed the Blue Jackets the 2-1 lead when he skated through the slot untouched for a wide-open look.

“You come out for the second, you’ve got to be ready to play the same way and the same style that was working for you in the first,” Travis Sanheim said. “We got away from that and the structure.”

Mason Marchment dealt the Flyers a blow 4:38 minutes into the third period as he cushioned Columbus’ advantage. At that point, the Flyers were in a real hole and the energy in the building was gone.

Blue Jackets netminder Jet Greaves stopped 24 of the Flyers’ 26 shots.

In the first period, he denied Owen Tippett on a breakaway and Noah Cates on a penalty shot to keep the game scoreless.

But Couturier later put the Flyers ahead 1-0. He did an excellent job to win a puck race and keep the Flyers in the offensive zone before being rewarded with the goal.

The Flyers, though, let the momentum go early in the middle stanza.

“I think we just didn’t execute the first five minutes of that second, it cost us the game,” Couturier said. “Other than that, I thought we played a good game, it was tight game out there. It was just a bad couple of minutes there to start the period and it cost us.”

• The Flyers have too often come up short in big games on home ice.

They gain some steam, but then they lose it.

This month, they’ve dropped four of five games (1-3-1) at Xfinity Mobile Arena and have scored just 1.80 goals per game.

They missed out on winning four straight when they were blanked by the Mammoth, 3-0. Four nights later, they were blown out by the retooling Rangers, 6-2. They lost to these same Blue Jackets, 2-1, in a shootout 10 days ago.

“You’ve got to embrace it, get the crowd on your side,” Tocchet said. “Don’t be nervous. I think especially the first period, I thought they were cheering for us, we were getting pucks on net, we had breakaways. That’s the stuff I think you get fans excited about; you’ve just got to sustain it.”

The Flyers had a chance to gain ground in the standings because a lot of scores went their way on a busy Tuesday night around the league. They’re five points back of the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot and six back of third place in the division.

“We’re in a fun spot, we’re playing in high-pressured games,” Konecny said after morning skate. “We know that there’s a good chance that if we keep playing the way we do, we could actually get in. At this point, we know that the teams ahead of us have the pressure and we’re chasing them. Just keep applying it, keep putting it on them and just enjoy the games.”

• Couturier (upper body), Denver Barkey (upper body) and Luke Glendening (lower body) all returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with injuries.

Tyson Foerster, while wearing a non-contact jersey, participated in morning skate and had rehab work after it. The 24-year-old winger is recovering from surgery he had on his arm in December.

While he appears to be making good progress, he’s not expected to return this season.

• The Flyers are back in action Thursday when they host the Blackhawks (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

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Red Wings Drive NHL Viewership Surge in Bruins Clash Becomes Season’s Third-Most Watched Game

The Detroit Red Wings are once again proving their impact on the NHL’s growing popularity, setting another major benchmark in television viewership. For the second time this season, Detroit has played a central role in delivering one of the league’s most-watched games.

Saturday night’s matchup between the Red Wings and the Boston Bruins drew an average of 1.3 million viewers and peaked at 1.5 million. That audience made it the third-most watched NHL game of the season, continuing a trend of strong national interest when Detroit is in the spotlight.

The Red Wings were already responsible for the previous season high earlier this month, when their game against the New Jersey Devils brought in 941,000 viewers. That broadcast stood as ESPN’s most-watched NHL game in five years, excluding Opening Night and outdoor showcase events.

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In a statement, ESPN highlighted the league’s broader growth across its platforms. NHL on ABC viewership is up 51 per cent compared to last season, while NHL games across ESPN networks are averaging 800,000 viewers through 37 broadcasts, which is a 26 per cent increase year over year.

Detroit’s role in those gains is no surprise as they've been long considered one of hockey’s marquee franchises, the Red Wings continue to show that when the team is competitive, fans across the continent pay attention.

That momentum could carry into another major audience draw on Tuesday night, when the Red Wings face the Ottawa Senators in a game loaded with playoff implications. With postseason stakes rising, Detroit may once again find itself at the center of one of the NHL’s most-watched broadcasts as the race intensifies.

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NBPA rips eligibility rule after Cade Cunningham’s injury as agent calls for ‘exception’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Marvin Bagley III of the Detroit Pistons during the game against the Washington Wizards, Image 2 shows Detroit Pistons player Marvin Bagley III mid-dunk

The National Basketball Players Association had some words to say about Cade Cunningham’s award eligibility.

Cunningham has played 61 games this season, but a collapsed lung might hold him from reaching the 65-game threshold required to be considered for major awards like MVP and the All-NBA team.

ESPN reported last week that the injury could sideline him for an “extended period of time” and that he’d be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Cade Cunningham has played 61 games this season, just short of the threshold for MVP. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

He also narrowly misses the 62-game injury exception for season-ending injuries, which goes into effect if players play more than 85 percent of their team’s games before the injury and reach 62 contests.

“Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for [end of] season awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and yet another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries. Since its implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota.” the NBAPA’s statement read, as first reported by The AP.

Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting 46.1 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from 3-point range

“Cade has delivered a first-team All-NBA season,” Cunningham’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, told ESPN. “If he falls just short of an arbitrary games-played threshold due to legitimate injury, it should not disqualify him from recognition he has clearly earned over the course of the season. The league should be rewarding excellence, not enforcing rigid cutoffs that ignore context. An exception needs to be made.”

His success has helped the Pistons to a 52-19 record, the best team in the Eastern Conference. Detroit sits five games ahead of the No. 2 seed Celtics in the conference and eight games ahead of the Cavaliers in the Central Division.

But Cunningham’s injury could hamper the Pistons as they finish out the regular season.

Cade Cunningham is averaging the second-highest points per game in his five-year career. NBAE via Getty Images

“Obviously, it’s tough,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Thursday. “Tough for Cade to go through what he’s going through now. How important he is to the team, how important being with his team is to him doesn’t make it easy. He’s a huge part of what we do from a leadership standpoint.”

Across five years with the Pistons since being drafted with the first overall pick in 2021, Cunningham has proved his worth.

He’s averaging 22.6 points for his career, including a career-high 26.1 mark last season. He also snagged his first two All-Star selections in the last two years while finishing seventh in MVP voting in 2024-25.

Now, potentially his best season yet could result in no recognition.

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Can Luka Dončić win the MVP award?

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 19, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Even by Luka Dončić’s standards, the run he’s been on recently has been something special.

He led the Lakers on a nine-game winning streak, which included a game-winner over the Nuggets and a 60-point performance against the Heat.

Luka has been named Western Conference Player of the Week for back-to-back weeks, and with the Lakers now sitting at No. 3 in the West, he is being discussed more as an MVP candidate.

But with only a couple of weeks left, is it too late for him to make a run at the current favorite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked if you think Luka should be in the conversation for MVP and where he finishes in MVP voting.

Luka has a strong case as an MVP candidate. He’s an All-Star, the NBA’s leading scorer and undeniably the best player on a contending team.

The pushback he could face is that his defensive numbers don’t make a compelling case for him, and if the Lakers fall to fifth or sixth in the standings, critics will say he’s a great player on a mediocre team.

Still, voting hasn’t happened yet, so Dončić could still win. Also, if he keeps playing at this high a level the rest of the way, he could continue garnering support.

The KIA MVP Ladder has Luka at No. 2 in the MVP race, behind only SGA, and Nikola Jokić is third.

All three players have great cases. With the Thunder as defending champions and SGA having another great season, his individual reward might be another MVP.

Jokić remains the engine that keeps Denver running and he’s set to finish the year once again averaging a triple-double. Over the past five seasons, he’s won the MVP three times and the worst he’s finished in voting is second.

Can Luka make a push here and finish as a top vote getter in MVP voting or even win the award?

Share your opinion by voting and letting us know down below!

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Dodgers on Deck: Opening day, March 26 vs. Diamondbacks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: A general view of a Los Angeles Dodgers logo is seen before the game against the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After 32 exhibition games over the last five and a half weeks, things get real on Thursday for the Dodgers, who host the Arizona Diamondbacks on opening day at Dodger Stadium.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts for the second straight opening day for the Dodgers. He joins Sandy Koufax as the only Dodgers to throw the final pitch of a championship followed by the first pitch the next season.

Zac Gallen starts for the Diamondbacks.

Los Angeles stalwart Keith Williams Jr. will sing the national anthem on Thursday, and Magic Johnson will throw the ceremonial first pitch. The opening ceremonies start at 4:45 p.m., and will include traditional opening day player introductions, plus the raising of the championship flag and 2025 World Series emblem at the stadium.

NBC will exclusively televise this game, with streaming on Peacock. Clayton Kershaw, in his new role as television studio analyst for NBC, will be on-site with Bob Costas for the NBC pregame show, which begins at 5 p.m.

Thursday game info
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Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong is 'everything fans want' with big new contract extension

MESA, AZ — The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong have agreed to a six-year, $115 million contract extension, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports, with a press conference scheduled for later this week in Chicago.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has not yet announced the deal.

The contract extension begins in 2027 and takes Crow-Armstrong through the 2032 season — two years past his original free agent date. The deal includes no option years, enabling Crow-Armstrong to still hit free agency again at the age of 30. It also includes contract escalators that could make the deal worth as much as $133 million.

It’s the largest contract with no club options for a player with five or more years of control at the time of the signing, ranking among the top three contracts for a player not surrendering team control past the age of 30.

While Crow-Armstrong will still earn $894,000 in 2026, the Cubs have spent $347 million this winter, the most by any team in baseball.

“Look, young, very talented players, you want them to be in your franchise for a long time,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday morning. “I think that’s every franchise’s goal.”

Crow-Armstrong, who turns 24 on Wednesday, is certainly the Cubs’ most electrifying player and has been a fan favorite since his arrival from the New York Mets. He became the fastest player in Cubs’ history to reach 30 home runs and steal 30 bases last season, finishing with 31 homers, 37 doubles, 35 stolen bases and 95 RBI.

“He plays with an energy that the fans really appreciate,’’ Cubs veteran Ian Happ told reporters Tuesday outside the clubhouse. “Major League Baseball is like, ‘What do the fans want? They want more stolen bases. More triples. Highlight plays.’ He is everything that the fans want and that the fans enjoy watching. He feeds into that with the energy that he plays with on the field.

“It’s been really easy coming up as a top prospect for the fans to fall in love with him. Obviously, he loves Chicago and has really embraced that part of it.”

Crow-Armstrong, who earned an All-Star berth last summer, has emerged as one of the game’s brightest young stars, and perhaps the finest defensive center fielder in the National League. He was on an MVP-pace in the first half last season, hitting .265 with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases, but tailed off the second half, hitting just .216 with six homers and eight steals.

“Pete is an incredibly entertaining player,’’ Counsell said. “That's a kind of a gift that he has. And you know he's, he's an emotional player. That's great for fans, but as long as fans can understand you're going to get the good and the bad with that. It’s not always the hip-hip hooray stuff, and that's part of it. I love that, and I think fans love it, too. It's just who Pete is.

“He's not trying to put on an act. Players have to be themselves, and a different player it wouldn’t work for, but it’s how Pete needs to play. One of the things I really hope for Pete is that the emotion that he plays with, he harnesses it a little in some better directions at times. But it’s always evident to the fans. I think it's a great thing, and it's a wonderful thing to watch. It really is.’’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete Crow-Armstrong contract extension for Cubs' phenomenal PCA

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ESPN makes bold prediction about Giants ace Logan Webb for 2026 MLB season

ESPN makes bold prediction about Giants ace Logan Webb for 2026 MLB season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Logan Webb always is in the picture for most innings pitched at the end of the year, but wins have been another story.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield weighed in on what the Giants can expect from Webb entering his eighth MLB season, all with San Francisco.

“It’s not bold to predict that Logan Webb will lead the National League in innings pitched,” Schoenfield wrote in a piece published Tuesday. “He has done that three seasons in a row.”

Webb barely had the edge on Garrett Crochet last season for innings pitched in the entire league with 207.1.

“The last pitcher to lead his league four consecutive seasons was Greg Maddux,” Schoenfield continued. “He did it five years in a row from 1991 to 1995. Before Maddux’s run, Robin Roberts was the last to do it from 1951 to 1955.”

Webb has been the ace in San Francisco for years now and has gained the respect of everyone in the clubhouse, from teammates to coaches. Schoenfield had a hot take that could age well when it’s all said and done this season.

“Let’s up the ante, though,” Schoenfield continued. “Webb also gets more run support than he’s used to and leads the NL with 18 wins — the first Giants pitcher to top the circuit since John Burkett tied with Tom Glavine in 1993 with 22 wins.”

Freddy Peralta led the NL in wins last season with 17, but Webb wasn’t too far behind. Going 15-11 last season, the run support for the Rocklin native was less than expected.

With the additions of Harrison Bader, Luis Arráez, and a full season with Rafael Devers, the Giants are expected to make a leap offensively this season.

If Webb is on the mound when the offense is clicking, 18 wins is an extremely attainable goal.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Joel Embiid questionable for Sixers-Bulls after missing last 13 games

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 10: Trendon Watford #12, Joel Embiid #21, and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers sit on the bench during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Don’t look now, but the Sixers actually might have over half of their starting lineup available.

Philadelphia released their injury report ahead of their matchup with the Chicago Bulls, and there’s some potentially good news: Joel Embiid is listed as questionable. Embiid has yet to play in the month of March, suffering an oblique strain on Feb. 26 after a collision with Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware. Embiid has only played in five games since the beginning of February.

During this absence, there was a slight glimmer of hope he’d get on the court earlier. Embiid was briefly listed as doubtful for their March 19 matchup against the Sacramento Kings, but was ultimately ruled out hours before tip-off.

The Sixers didn’t hold an official practice Tuesday, but Nick Nurse said in a pregame availability the day before that Embiid would go through a heavier workout and the team would go from there. Given the upgrade in status, it would seem everything is going well so far.

After being banged up for most of the month, the Sixers could suddenly get a lot of reinforcements back all at once. Regardless of if Embiid is able to go against the Bulls or not, Paul George will play in his first game back from his 25-game suspension. Despite the lack of practice, George did speak to reporters for the first time since the suspension.

Quentin Grimes, who missed the Sixers’ last game against the OKC Thunder with an illness, is only questionable against the Bulls. Dominick Barlow, who sprained an ankle two games ago in Utah, is not listed on the injury report.

Another reunion with an old friend isn’t likely for this one though. For the Bulls, Guerschon Yabusele is listed as doubtful with an ankle sprain. He didn’t play in their most recent matchup against the Houston Rockets. On top of guys they’re trying to shut down for the year, Anfernee Simons and Isaac Okoro are also doubtful for Chicago.

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Celtics, Thunder injury reports have lots of good news

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 12: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

When the Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder face off on Wednesday night, both teams will be at relative full-strength. Everyone is available for the Celtics, except for Nikola Vucevic, who first suffered a fractured right ring finger on March 6th and remains out.

Jayson Tatum, meanwhile, will appear in his 9th game for the Celtics; so far, he’s averaged 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds.

For the Thunder, Jalen Williams will play in his second consecutive game; he’s coming off an 18-point performance on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams has appeared in only 27 games this season, dealing with a myriad of wrist and hamstring injuries.

How the Celtics, Thunder stack up

Despite having an injury-riddled season, the Thunder have been the NBA’s most dominant team all season. They currently have the league’s best net rating at a +11.1. The Celtics have the league’s third-best net rating at a +7.8.

The Thunder have won 15 of their last 16 games, and 12 straight.

Dealing with a busted bracket?

The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.

The Celtics, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. The Celtics have won 6 of their last 10 games, and are 6-2 with Jayson Tatum in the lineup.

Last time the two teams faced off, the Thunder came away with a 104-102 victory, thanks to game-winning free throws from Chet Holmgren off of an offensive rebound. But both teams were without key players in that March 12th game; the Thunder were without Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, while the Celtics were without Tatum and Derrick White.

Celtics-Thunder tips off at 7:30pm at TD Garden.

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Mets reveal the moment Carson Benge made the team in new video

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A New York Mets player in a batting helmet high-fives teammates in the dugout, Image 2 shows Two baseball players in blue jerseys embracing

The Mets announced Carson Benge as their starting right fielder Monday.

But the story behind the announcement is even better.

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On Tuesday, the team released behind-the-scenes video of Benge finding out his fate. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza brought Benge into his office to give him the good news.

Mendoza first started his spiel.

“You carry yourself like a big leaguer. You play like a freaking big leaguer,” he told the rookie.

Then, he finished with one question.

“You come to Citi Field, you take batting practice, what was going through your head that day?” Mendoza asked.

“Holy s–t, I want to be here,” Benge responded.

“Well, guess what? On Thursday, you’re gonna get that opportunity,” Mendoza said. “You made the team, you’re gonna be in the lineup, you’re gonna be playing right field for the New York Mets.”

The decision came after Benge had a phenomenal spring training in Port St. Lucie, where he hit .366 with an .874 OPS in 14 games. His chances were also improved when outfielder Mike Tauchman suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Carson Benge has hit over .350 in 14 Grapefruit League games this spring. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

In the offseason, the Mets also shipped off Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, leaving an outfield of Juan Soto, Tyrone Taylor, Luis Robert Jr. and potentially Brett Baty.

“I am happy that I carried myself in a really good way,” Benge said. “I showed everyone what kind of person I am and I feel like that is what spoke the loudest for me.

“Joy over everything, I would say,” Benge later added of how he felt after receiving the news.

Last year, Benge split time between High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. He had a batting average over .300 and on-base percentage over .400 at both High-A and Double-A but struggled in Syracuse, albeit in just 24 games.

Carson Benge will likely start next to Juan Soto and Luis Robert Jr. in the outfield on Opening Day. Getty Images

He slashed .178/.272/.311 in 103 plate appearances, though his improvement this spring outweighs those numbers.

As Mendoza alluded to, Benge will likely mostly play right field, but the Mets also said he could rotate into center when Robert needs a day off.

His first MLB action won’t be easy, though — he’ll face Paul Skenes and the Pirates on Opening Day Thursday.

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Yankees trade INF Zack Short to Nationals for cash considerations

With the Yankees just a day away from their Opening Night matchup with the San Francisco Giants, the club announced a trade on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Bombers have traded veteran infielder Zack Short to the Washington Nationals in exchange for cash considerations. 

Short, 30, had 18 at-bats for the Yankees this spring, hitting .278 with one RBI. 

Signed to a minor league contract in December, Short had a chance to earn a bench role for the Yankees, but with the Opening Day roster now set, the Yankees sent Short to Washington.

Short has appeared in 241 career regular season games, including 10 games with the Mets in 2024.

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Public Skate: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 11: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against Mason Lohrei #6 of the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden on November 11, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by China Wong/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

In normal times, this would be a nice early playoff preview, with the Bruins and Maple Leafs preparing to meet in the first round for the 1,399th consecutive year.

Instead, the Leafs are just about the only Atlantic Division team not in the playoff picture (along with Florida), while the Bruins are hoping to hang onto their spot.

If you said before the season that the Leafs and Panthers would miss the playoffs but the Sabres and Bruins would get in, you probably would’ve gotten some funny looks.

Anyways, that’s all a bit premature at this point. Tonight’s task is to secure two points against a Toronto team that is just about done with this season.

Bruins! Maple Leafs! LIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!

Discuss.

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Antoine Kelly, Chris Campos made strong impressions in Dodgers camp

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 20: Chris Campos #62 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch on March 20, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers opening day roster has been finalized, if not yet officially announced, since Sunday when Alex Freeland beat out Hyeseong Kim for a platoon role at second base. Antoine Kelly and Chris Campos were the last two non-roster pitchers remaining in camp, and made the trip to Southern California for the Freeway Series after having strong showings in Arizona.

Kelly signed to a minor league deal by the Dodgers in November after pitching six minor league seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, and Colorado Rockies systems. The 26-year-old left-hander has yet to reach the majors, but it’s not hard to see that changing some time this season after his impressive spring.

Kelly led Dodgers pitchers in Arizona with nine appearances, with 11 strikeouts and a 34.4-percent strikeout rate in 8 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and walked four, and was consistently pitching in the high-90s along with an effective slider.

“Big fastball, easy velocity, slider. He’s been filling up the strike zone. He’s had a tremendous camp. And I think as far as some guys that weren’t on our radar that are now, he’s one of them,” manager Dave Roberts said Monday. “For us, just getting him here on this trip was something that he earned, and we wanted him to kind of reward him with his spring. So yeah, he’ll go down to OKC, and won’t be surprised to see him at some point with us in a relief role.”

Campos grew up going to games at Dodger Stadium, born in Montebello and playing baseball at Damien High School in La Verne. He was a two-way player at St. Mary’s College, the same school that produced Corbin Burnes and Tony Gonsolin, to name a few.

Roberts said his son Cole while at Loyola Marymount played against Campos. Cole Roberts walked against Campos, who struck out seven in four innings in that 2022 game.

Campos pitched almost exclusively as a starter or in bulk relief in his four professional seasons since getting drafted in the seventh round in 2022. This spring as a reliever, he allowed only a run on 11 hits in his 10 innings of work over seven appearances this spring. Campos didn’t walk a batter until issuing two free passes Monday night in his Dodger Stadium debut, and struck out 12 of his 43 batters faced (27.9 percent).

“I like him. He’s just very confident, and I wish everyone carried themselves the way he carries himself on the mound, with the confidence that he has,” Roberts said of Campos. “He’s not a high velocity guy, he’s a command guy. Uses three, four different pitches, and so just probably lets his stuff play up in a relief role and see how he can, you know, bounce back”

They didn’t make the opening day roster, but Kelly and Campos sure pitched themselves into consideration for a call-up at some point this season.

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New Dodger Stadium food and drink includes margarita water cooler

MLB Opening Day is just two days away and while the iconic Dodger Dog is the go-to concession choice for fans headed to Chavez Ravine to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers begin their quest for a three-peat, they'll have some more options to fill up on this season.

Among the additions to the menu at Dodger Stadium for 2026 are a Habit Burger & Grill location in the centerfield plaza, cochinita pibil bone marrow tacos, char siu pork loaded fries, a "loco moco" bowl, PB&J smashburger, fried chicken bucket and to wash it all down, a watermelon habanero margarita -- tequila shaken with lime juice and a house watermelon-habanero mix, served in a souvenir cooler cup with Tajín on the rim.

Here's a rundown of some highlighted selections from the many new food and beverages at Dodger Stadium for 2026:

Related: Inside the best new ballpark food, drinks and treats hitting MLB stadiums

Watermelon habanero margarita

As mentioned above, this new 21+ drink delivers a balance of "sweet and heat" served over ice for what could help fans cool down on a hot summer night.

Cochinita pibil bone marrow taco

Levy Restaurants, the Dodgers' food, beverage and hospitality partner, turned to one of Mexico's most historic indigenous communities for inspiration. It features cochinita pibil -- a traditional slow-roasted pork dish originating from Yucatan -- on a blue corn tortilla topped with pickled onions, bone marrow and cilantro.

Char siu pork loaded fries

Sticking with the pork theme, house-made char siu -- a Cantonese-style barbecued pork -- with furikake spice and sriracha mayo top an order of crispy french fries.

Loco Moco Bowl

Based on a staple of Hawaiian comfort food, this dish features a juicy seared beef patty over fluffy steamed rice, smothered in a savory brown gravy with a sunny-side-up egg on top.

Habit Burger & Grill

Replacing the former Shake Shack stand in the centerfield plaza is The Habit, a Santa Barbara-based burger chain known for their signature charburgers and chicken sandwiches that has rapidly grown into a west coast favorite.

Two years ago, they famously trolled In-N-Out with a billboard near LAX boasting about the results of a USA TODAY poll.

All these items will be available when the Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day this Thursday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Every new food and drink concession at Dodger Stadium for 2026 season

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Penguins Forward Day-To-Day With Upper-Body Injury

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without one of their best players for Tuesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Evgeni Malkin is out for the game with an upper-body injury. He appeared to injure his hand while blocking a shot during Sunday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was flexing it after blocking the shot, but still finished the game. 

Penguins PR announced the news shortly before Tuesday's morning skate. 

Ville Koivunen will replace Malkin in the lineup after he was brought up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton prior to the morning skate. He's set to skate on the third line with Ben Kindel and Justin Brazeau. 

Malkin has been outstanding for the Penguins this season, compiling 15 goals and 52 points in 50 games. He's in the final year of his contract, but hopes to remain with the Penguins next season.

Puck drop for Tuesday's game between the Penguins and Avalanche is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

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