Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas, 25, is facing an 80-game suspension following a failed PED test, according to multiple reports.
Rojas is appealing the test results.
He was originally slated to be a part of the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team, but dropped off the roster last week. He was not with the team when it made its trip to Miami over the weekend.
This marks the second consecutive year the Phillies have had a player suspended due to PEDs. In 2025, reliever Jose Alvarado received an 80-game suspension of his own, which has kept him off Venezuela's roster for the World Baseball Classic.
Johan Rojas stats
Rojas, lauded mostly for his defensive prowess, was expected to platoon in center field alongside rookie Justin Crawford. The three-year vet struggled offensively in 2025, posting a 57 OPS+ and slashing .224/.280/.289 in 71 games.
When will Johan Rojas return?
If Rojas' appeal fails, he will be eligible to return in late June. That said, Rojas' suspension would make him ineligible to participate in the MLB postseason this year. The Phillies have reached the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 04: Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers rebounds a shot during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Arena on January 04, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to avenge their loss on Friday to the Detroit Pistons. Fortunately for them, they’ll have the services of James Harden this time around.
I’ll be in the comments throughout the game sharing my thoughts. Feel free to join in on the conversation and let your voice be heard in the comments below.
Through the first 59 games of his first NHL season, Anaheim Ducks rookie winger Beckett Sennecke has notched 49 points (19-30=49). That places him on a 68-point pace, which would be the most points from a Ducks’ rookie in franchise history and the best scoring rate (.83 points per game) from a Ducks rookie since Bobby Ryan scored 57 points (31-26=57) in 64 games in 2008-09.
Most weren’t expecting the Ducks to draft Sennecke with the third-overall pick in the 2024 Draft, as most outlets had him ranked in the 8-20 range. Many weren’t expecting him to play the entire season with the Ducks, in the NHL, and in a premium top-six role. But he’s earned every opportunity afforded and is making the most of it.
He’s made monumental leaps in his development in just five months, greatly improving his situational awareness and limiting mistakes, while amplifying his impact shift-to-shift, increasingly driving play, and quickly discovering how to best utilize his skillset to become a true difference maker for the Ducks during this transitional season for the franchise.
Sennecke is a puck magnet. He uses his scanning and anticipation skills to read how pucks will bounce loose from battles. His puck skills are dynamic, and when combined with his motor and how slippery he is, it becomes difficult for even the most veteran of NHL defensemen to strip him of the puck cleanly.
If results hold, Sennecke will likely be one of the three Calder Trophy finalists at the end of the year, and in some years, his production rate over a full season would be enough to take home the hardware.
The 2025-26 NHL season has provided a generational rookie defenseman, however. Matthew Schaefer was selected by the New York Islanders with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, having just played 17 games in his draft year and just 11 days away from being eligible for the 2026 Draft.
When Schaefer stepped foot on the ice for the Islanders’ season opener, he became the first player in NHL history born after the Ducks won their sole Stanley Cup championship in June of 2007.
Schaefer’s career began with a six-game point streak, and the trajectory of the Islanders’ franchise shifted completely. Through his first 61 games in the NHL, Schaefer has tallied 44 points (20-24=44) while averaging 24:07 TOI per game, including 3:10 TOI/g on the power play and 1:11 TOI/g on the penalty kill.
He controls the game with and without the puck on his stick, as he can make every dynamic play the current top NHL defensemen can make, driving offense for his club from the blueline. Defensively, he blends his elite speed and four-way mobility to eliminate time and space against opposing attackers, as well as an active and smart stick to disrupt developing plays in all three zones. He’s already one of the NHL’s best defensemen.
“Yeah, it’s skating. His lateral mobility,” Sennecke said when asked about what stands out about Schaefer’s game. “It’s just his ability to look so smooth when he’s skating, so controlled. He’s unbelievable. It’s crazy he’s only 18, doing it.”
Schaefer will likely win the Calder Trophy, and it shouldn’t be close.
Schaefer and his Isles will come to Anaheim on Wednesday to face Sennecke’s Ducks. The first time the two had met was a 5-2 victory for the Isles in New York, and both rookies went scoreless.
At the 2024 Draft, unanimously, Ivan Demidov was ranked second behind Macklin Celebrini by most publications. Questions surrounding his level of competition (MHL) in his draft year and how his game would translate to the NHL led to him “falling” to the Montreal Canadiens at fifth-overall. The moment the Ducks selected Sennecke above Demidov, as they play the same position, likely tied the two together for the entirety of their careers.
In his rookie season, Demidov has scored 47 points (12-35=47) in 59 games, and his numbers are remarkably similar to Sennecke’s. At 5v5, Sennecke has produced 2.3 points per 60 minutes, and Demidov has produced 2.65. On the power play, Sennecke has scored 4.71 points per 60, and Demidov has scored 4.76.
Sennecke has the underlying advantage over Demidov, as when Sennecke’s on the ice at 5v5, the Ducks account for 51.25% of the shots on goal, 51.98% of the shot attempts, and 51.30% of the expected goals. When Demidov is on the ice, the Habs account for 45.69% of the shots on goal, 45.95% of the shot attempts, and 46.39% of the expected goals.
After the Ducks host Schaefer’s Islanders on Wednesday, Sennecke and the Ducks will go head-to-head against Demidov and the Canadiens on Friday at Honda Center. Sennecke and Demidov, though likely always linked moving forward, have never shared the ice.
All three players are having special seasons and project as key pieces if/when their franchises are contending in the future. However, Schaefer’s impact is undeniable, and the excellence of his first season in the NHL, at his age, can’t be understated.
“It’s awesome. Those guys are incredible,” Sennecke said when asked about his upcoming games against Schaefer and Demidov. “Schaefer’s like breaking all the records right now, which is pretty crazy. It’s nice to see, and it’s cool.”
Luis Rey holds a Mexican flag outside of Chase Field before they play Colombia during the World Baseball Classic in Phoenix on March 11, 2023. Baseball World Baseball Classic Opening Day
The tune-up for the World Baseball Classic also gave the D-backs a chance to run out some young players, with the absence of a number of regulars, now off to play for their country. Those actually include Alek Thomas, who was in the opposition dugout here, and went 2-for-3, driving a run against his regular employers. Six of the eight Arizona pitchers used put up a zero today. That included starter Zac Gallen, who worked two innings in his second start of spring. It only took him 22 pitches for Zac to get through his work today, allowing one hit, without a walk or a strikeout.
After that, there were zeroes put up by Taylor Clarke, Joe Ross, Andrew Hoffmann, and in his debut, Grant Homan, of the players expected to be competing seriously for a roster spot. Hoffman looked particularly good, striking out two of the three batters he faced in the sixth. Most of the damage came off Juan Morillo, who was ambushed for four hits in his first handful of pitches, on his way to a four-run fourth for Mexico. Dylan Ray allowed a home-run in the eighth to land mammal Rowdy Tellez, and another in the ninth to Alejandro Osuna. ABS was not in play this afternoon, so nothing to report there.
On offense, both sides notched eleven hits. Tim Tawa and Jordan Lawlar each had a pair of hits among the starters, while LuJames Groover went 2-for-2 off the bench. James McCann had an RBI single and a walk, but the D-backs spurned a number of chances to come back after falling 4-0 down. They were 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position – significantly more chances than the Mexican squad, who were 3-for-9 with RISP. Still, a better performance by the D-backs than the Giants, who were murdered to the tune of 15-1 by ‘Merica. Hey, and the British team beat the Brewers 7-3, Kristin Robinson notching a pair of hits for Blighty.
Normal Cactus League service will be resumed again at Hohokam, with a game against the Athletics. Brandon Pfaadt is your scheduled starter there, in a 1:05 pm first pitch.
Roki Sasaki had his second outing of Spring Training on Tuesday, and it didn’t start very well.
After allowing a single and two walks to the first three batters, Sasaki gave up a grand slam to Kyle Manzardo. He then walked the next batter and then was removed from the inning. Roki re-entered the game in the bottom of the second, looking much better. He struck out two and induced a fly out. He also set down the side in the bottom of the third.
After his outing, Sasaki told reporters that his upper body mechanics felt “off”. He was able to get things more in sync in the second and third innings, saying “Actually, I was able to find something I could really trust. But I still need to work on [it] to produce in the game.” In an interview with Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA, Sasaki remarked that once he stood up straighter, then everything started going better.
In the first inning, Sasaki was missing everything arm side. In the second, he started the first batter with two balls but then found his groove, recording strikes on seven of his next eight pitches. He struck out two with his splitter.
Those four runs were all the Guardians would be able to score against the Dodgers, however. The rest of the pitchers on the day combined to strike out 11, while allowing two hits and walking four.
World Series hero Will Klein looked especially good, striking out two and retiring the side on just nine pitches.
River Ryan is keeping his name in the starting rotation talk with another good outing. Across two innings and 28 pitches, Ryan didn’t allow a hit or a run, striking out three, including Jose Ramirez, and walking one.
Miguel Rojas continues his hot spring, going 2-for-3 including a two-run homer in the third inning. Rojas is batting .375 with a .952 OPS so far this spring.
Zach Ehrhard tripled in two runs in the fourth, and then scored to give the Dodgers the lead that they would carry to the end of the game.
The Dodgers will face Team Mexico on Wednesday at Camelback Ranch. Tyler Glasnow will pitch for the Dodgers, against a TBD starter for Mexico.
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Kevin McGonigle #85 of the Detroit Tigers hits a triple during the first inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on February 28, 2026 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers vs. Dominican Republic
Time/Place: 6:05 p.m., Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal – Santo Domingo, DR Media: MLB Network, Tigers Radio Network
Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin congratulates Vanderbilt's Braden Holcomb (26) on a home run during their game against Marist at Vanderbilt’s Hawkins Field Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. | Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
4:30pm CT SECN+
On the Mound
Tuesday @ 4:30pm SECN+
Vanderbilt #77 Jr. RHP Alex “The Kranz” Kranzler (1-1; 13.50 ERA)
vs. Central Arkansas #39 Jr. RHP Patrick “It’s Pat” Fernandez (1-1; 6.75 ERA)
The Vancouver Canucks’ D-core keeps getting younger and younger. With Tyler Myers being held out of the lineup due to roster management reasons and Pierre-Olivier Joseph out due to an upper-body injury, Vancouver has recalled defenceman Victor Mancini from the AHL in preparation for their home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Mancini, who had a strong training camp for Vancouver, has skated in 10 games for the Canucks this season. He was sidelined due to injury on October 26 and did not return to play until about a month after. In January, he spent five more games with Vancouver before being re-assigned to Abbotsford. Mancini currently has four goals and eight assists in 33 games played in the AHL this season.
With Mancini now expected to skate against the Hurricanes, the average age of Vancouver’s D-core is now around 24. Mancini, Tom Willander, Zeev Buium, and Elias Pettersson are all under 24 and collectively have skated in a total of 221 NHL games. All four have yet to play in their first full NHL season.
Wednesday will mark the last game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Ahead of it, nearly every member of the Canucks organization has had their name mentioned in trade rumours. With the passing of the trade deadline will come a conclusion to the Myers saga, which is expected to give Vancouver more clarity on how their blueline could look in the coming seasons.
Jan 27, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Victor Mancini (90) skates in warm up prior to a game against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Canucks take on the Hurricanes on Wednesday at 7:00 pm PT.
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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Jul 23, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas (23) hits an RBI single against the Boston Red Sox in the eleventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Yesterday, there was a report that Johan Rojas had been removed from the Dominican Republic WBC roster for “personal decisions” as termed by Nelson Cruz, decisions that have now been given a little more clarification.
Phillies OF Johan Rojas did fail a test for PEDs. He, like Profar, is appealing the positive test. @wilberdata 1st reported Rojas’ failed test.
As said above, Rojas is reportedly appealing said failed test.
This is sad news for a few reasons, number one of which that Rojas would consider taking PEDs. We knew that his place in the organization had slipped quite a bit from being the center fielder of the future to “maybe he’ll make the roster?” Perhaps that fall had led to his apparent decision to partake in PED usage, but now he is facing an 80 game suspension from MLB as well as not being able to participate in this or the next World Baseball Classic.
Mar 3, 2026; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) singles during the fourth inning against Team Canada at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Canada 7 Blue Jays 10
It looked like a runaway, early, the Jays were up 7-0 after 2 innings. But Team Canada tied things in the top of the eighth. Then the Jays scored three more in the bottom of the inning.
Kevin Gausman cruised through his two innings, allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. He looked good.
Other Jays pitchers:
Angel Bastardo: 1 inning, 1 hit.
Braydon Fisher: 1 inning, 3 strikeouts.
Mason Fluharty: 1 inning, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.
Lazaro Estrada: Got 2 outs, gave up 3 hits, 2 earned.
Gage Stanifer: Gave up 3 hits, 4 earned, 1 walk, 1 home run, and hit a batter, without getting an out.
Jack Cushing: 2 innings, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.
Hitting, Jays starters:
George Springer: 0 for 2, walk, RBI, strikeout.
Nathan Lukes: 2 for 2, 2 RBI, 1 walk.
Daulton Varsho: 1 for 3, 2 runs.
Addison Barger: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Davis Schneider: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Jesús Sánchez: 2 for 3, 3 RBI and a caught stealing and picked off.
Brandon Valenzuela: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Arjun Nimmala: 0 for 2, walk, k.
Sean Keys: 0 for 2, walk, 2 k.
Others:
Josh Kasevish: 1 for 2, double.
Yohendrick Pinango: 0 for 3, k.
Jonatan Clase: 0 for 1.
Rafael Lantigua: Walk.
Carlos Mendoza: 0 for 1.
Eloy Jiménez: 1 for 1.
Geovanny Planchart: 0 for 1.
Josh Rivera: Walk.
Riley Tirotta: 1 for 1, home run, 3 RBI.
On the Canada side:
Adam Macko pitched a scoreless inning with a hit against.
Jacob Robson hit a home run.
Josh Naylor: 1 for 2 with a walk and stole a base.
Otto Lopez: 1 for 3, walk.
Tyler Black: 1 for 3, walk.
Denzel Clarke: 1 for 4, double.
The Jays have tomorrow off from spring training games, then a game against the Braves on Thursday, a 1:00 Eastern start time. The Jays will be on MLB TV as their Free Game of the Day
Last year Sunderland departed West Yorkshire on a snowy February night with their hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship in tatters. Leeds had come from behind to clinch a 95th‑minute win that would take them top of the second tier and only the most optimistic visiting fans expected a rematch this season.
Fast forward to a balmy March evening, though, and Régis Le Bris’s well‑executed gameplan lifted an injury hit yet streetwise Sunderland and their debutant goalkeeper Melker Ellborg to 11th in the Premier League.
Hearing that the Flames have their eye on Xhekaj is easy to understand. With the Flames rebuilding, they should be looking to add young talent with good upside. At 25 years old, Xhekaj would have the potential to fit in nicely on a team that is focused on the future, like the Flames.
If the Flames acquired Xhekaj, he would have a far better chance of receiving consistent playing time. This is because the left side of the Flames' defense is weaker than Montreal's. With this, Xhekaj could even be a potential option for Calgary's second pairing if brought in.
Yet, while Xhekaj is generating interest from the Flames, the Canadiens trading him would come with some real risk. Xhekaj is exactly the mean and bruising defenseman that contenders need to have when the games get tougher during the playoffs. As a result, the Canadiens may be better off holding on to him rather than trading him.
Nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see what happens between the Canadiens and Xhekaj leading up to the deadline.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins checks Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins in the first period at the TD Garden on January 11, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Tuesday Night Hockey, folks!
After a disappointing showing in Philadelphia, the Bruins will face another team from the Keystone State as they welcome the Penguins to TD Garden.
The Penguins are having a surprisingly good year and are fresh off of a thorough beating of the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
The Bruins have been great at home lately and will look to recover from Saturday’s (hopefully) blip.
The standings are getting tighter too, with Washington, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Ottawa all within four points of the Bruins for that second wild card spot.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Pitcher Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros exits the game against the Athletics in the bottom of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park on September 23, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Astros will host Team Venezuela for an exhibition this evening at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches ahead of this year’s World Baseball Classic.
RHP Cristian Javier is set to make his Spring debut while Team Venezuela will start SEA RHP Eduard Bazardo, who’s been scoreless through two appearances (1.1 IP) this Spring.
Isaac Paredes will make his spring debut at first base.
Tonight will mark the Spring debut for RHP Cristian Javier. In his return from Tommy John surgery in 2025, Javier made eight starts, going 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA (19ER/37IP), 34 strikeouts and a .230 opponent average. In his career, Javier has held opponents to a .203 (397×1956) batting average. Among AL pitchers to toss 525.0-plus innings between the 202025 seasons, Javier ranks first in the AL in that category. He’s also helped author several notable moments in his career, starting a combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, as well as a combined no-hitter in June of that season at Yankee Stadium.
TODAY’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: RHP Sam Carlson, LHP Bryan King, RHP Michael Knorr, RHP Jayden Murray, RHP Ryan Weiss, LHP Tom Cosgrove and RHP Christian Roa.
ABOUT TEAM VENEZUELA: For the second straight World Baseball Classic, Team Venezuela will be managed by Astros bench coach Omar López. Team Venezuela advanced to the quarterfinals in the 2023 WBC prior to being eliminated by the United States in the quarterfinals. The Astros and Team Venezuela also met during Spring Training in 2023, with the Astros hanging on for a 9-8 win at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Notable players on Team Venezuela include: LHP Eduardo Rodríguez, LHP Ranger Suárez, C Salvador Pérez, C William Contreras, IF Luis Arráez, IF Eugenio Suárez, IF Willson Contreras, IF Gleyber Torres, OF Jackson Chourio and OF Ronald Acuña Jr.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, March 3, 5:05 p.m. CST
Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL.
Joe Espada said he asked Omar López to keep his Team Venezuela starters in for a while and hopes to get Ryan Weiss and Bryan King into the game against the lineup after Cristian Javier. https://t.co/UnhBxtNpEr
