Colton Parayko #55 of the St Louis Blues skates against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on December 4, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Blues defenseman Colton Parayko is staying put in St. Louis.
Parayko, 32, invoked the no-movement clause in his contract to prevent a potential trade to the Sabres on Thursday, according to multiple reports on Thursday.
The Blues and Sabres reached a trade agreement to send Parayko to Buffalo, knowing that it could only go through if he decided to waive the clause, ESPN reported.
Colton Parayko skates during the Blues’ road loss to the Bruins at TD Garden on Dec. 4, 2025 in Boston. NHLI via Getty Images
This comes as a huge blow to the Sabres, who are looking to snap a 14-year playoff drought and have the potential to do so this season, entering NHL trade deadline week in second place in the Atlantic Division.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Parayko could have brought a large physical presence to Buffalo’s defense, along with previous playoff experience.
Parayko is in his fourth year of an eight-year, $52 million deal he signed with St. Louis in 2021, which included full no-trade protection.
For the final two seasons of Parayko’s contract, however, the original no-movement clause is modified into a partial no-trade, which typically allows players to submit a list of teams to which they can not be traded.
Colton Parayko of Team Canada skates in the first period of their win over Finland on Feb. 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images
Parayko has spent his entire 11-year NHL career with the Blues after being taken in the third round of the 2012 draft, and was a key member of St. Louis’ 2019 Stanley Cup-winning squad.
He also recently played for Team Canada, taking home the silver medal, at the 2026 Winter Olympics and told reporters in January that it is an honor to represent his home country.
“It’s a wave of emotions. Obviously, a lot of things that kind of go through your mind, you kind of think back at the beginning of everything that has happened along the journey from the start,” Parayko said, according to the St. Albert Gazette.
“A lot of amazing teammates through my career that have helped me and I can’t say enough about that,” he added.
Less than 24 hours after scoring his seventh goal of the season in a 5-1 win over the New York Islanders, Ryan Poehling is now locked in with the Ducks for the next four seasons.
On Thursday, the Ducks announced they have signed Poehling to a four-year contract extension. The contract carries an AAV of $3.75 million (per multiple insiders).
It’s a fine deal for the Ducks and a nice reward for Poehling, who has proven be a jack of all trades for his new team. He’s one of the first players over the boards on the penalty kill and has found himself playing in the top-6 at times due to injuries.
A speedy forward known more for his defensive capabilities, Poehling has also showcased his offensive talents while performing in a mostly bottom-6 role.
Mar 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) speaks with left wing Jeffrey Viel (28) and center Jansen Harkins (24) during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
“Personally, I'd love to be here (long-term),” Poehling said when THN Anaheim spoke to him last Saturday. “For me to have that opportunity, I hope it comes. We’ll see what happens.”
Poehling had previously mentioned what a great city Anaheim is to play in, praised the fans for their support and appeared optimistic about the direction the team is heading in. One of the many players on the team who has never played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and is eager to get there, his play has helped the Ducks to second in the Pacific, just one point back of first place Vegas.
With Poehling’s long-term future secured, the Ducks now foreseeably have their center depth solidified. Leo Carlsson is expected to receive a long-term contract extension this upcoming offseason and both Mason McTavish and Mikael Granlund are signed to multi-year deals.
Poehling’s cap hit won’t prove to be a roadblock either as the cap continues to rise. At 27, he is at his athletic peak and should continue to provide the Ducks with supplementary scoring and above-average defense.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 14: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees puts on a Team USA cap after being named the 2026 WBC Team USA captain during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday, April 14, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Opening Day may still be weeks away, but we’re just hours from the World Baseball Classic bringing us high-stakes, international baseball. Yesterday, Peter kicked off our preview coverage of the WBC, analyzing the five teams that make up Pool A. Today, we’ll turn our attention to Pool B, which will see Italy, Mexico, Great Britain, Brazil, and the United States square off at Daikin Park in Houston starting on Friday. As a refresher, all five teams in the group will play each other once, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage. The eight teams that advance will play a through a single-elimination bracket concluding with the final in Miami on March 17th.
United States
Team USA arrives at the WBC with sky-high expectations and a hunger to avenge 2023’s loss in the finals to Team Japan. They’ve got the roster to get the job done, with the American talent pool seemingly motivated to try and secure the country’s second WBC title.
There are upgrades up and down the roster, but there’s none bigger than the addition of Aaron Judge as Captain America.
Judge opted to sit out the 2023 tournament, choosing to focus on ramping up for the season after signing this nine-year, $360-million contract with the Yankees the previous offseason. Now, Team USA can pencil the best hitter on the planet into the lineup. He’ll be joined by Pete Crow-Armstrong and Byron Buxton as part of a stellar overall outfield. There are also changes to be found on the infield dirt, with Bryce Harper slotting in at first base after Pete Alonso manned the cold corner last time around, while Bobby Witt Jr. will take over shortstop from Trea Turner. Alex Bregman and Gunnar Henderson are the primary candidates to fill out the rest of the infield.
Of course, as star-studded as Team USA’s lineup is, it’s the pitching staff that’s taken a huge leap forward. Pitching was the team’s Achilles Heel last time around, with Lance Lynn, Merrill Kelly, and Adam Wainwright the club’s top starters. This year’s edition will feature none other than two reigning Cy Youngs, with both Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal expected to suit up (though Skubal will only make one start in the WBC). There’s also real depth here, even with Joe Ryan having left the team due to injury, with Logan Webb, Nolan McLean, and Matthew Boyd in the fold. Ryan was replaced with another Ryan, as Yankee lefty Ryan Yarbrough was named to the roster in Ryan’s place.
This is the most talented team in the tournament, and probably the best squad the USA has ever sent to the WBC. Anything short of a title will be a disappointment. Judge will lead the way, with the championship-or-bust mentality all too familiar to him.
Mexico
Team USA is the obvious favorite in this group, but it won’t be a surprise at all if Mexico shows out. Team Mexico made a spirited semifinal run in the 2023 WBC, and brings a solid top-to-bottom roster this year with hopes of running even deeper into the tournament.
Randy Arozarena was the star last time around, and he’ll return to anchor one of the deeper lineups in the tournament:
Mexico adds Alejandro Kirk at catcher, as well as Joey Ortiz at shortstop, while retaining Jarren Duran and Jonathan Aranda from last time out. A number of other big leaguers dot the lineup, including Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales, Nacho Alvarez Jr. of the Braves, and Alek Thomas of the Diamondbacks, as well as Rowdy Tellez, who last played for the Rangers. It’s one of the better lineups at the event, but it will be missing a bit of juice thanks to the absence of Isaac Parades, who hit .375 for the team in 2023.
The pitching staff has some high-octane stuff at the top, led by All-World closer Andrés Muñoz. Taj Bradley and Taijuan Walker are the team’s top starters, as well as José Urquidy of the Pirates. A few other arms with big-league pedigree are here, including Javier Assad of the Cubs, Brennan Bernardino of the Rockies, and Robert Garcia of the Rangers.
Italy
Team Italy managed to make it out of pool play back in 2023, but they’ll face an uphill climb to move past the likes of the USA and Mexico here. They’ll be led by a couple of former Yankee catchers on the coaching staff, as Francisco Cervelli will be the manager and Jorge Posada will tag along as a hitting instructor.
Even if Italy is more of a dark horse than a favorite to advance, there’s still plenty of interesting talent. They have a couple of former top prospects in catcher Kyle Teel of the White Sox and Jac Caglianone of the Royals. Dominic Canzone joins Caglianone in the outfield, as does the pesky Jakob Marsee of the Marlins. Vinnie Pasquantino will be tasked with bringing the pop, while he’ll be joined on the infield by former Yankee Jon Berti.
Italy attempted to build a whole bullpen out of former Yankees, as Greg Weissert and Ron Marinaccio will suit up, as well as Adam Ottavino, who will step away from apparent retirement to represent his country. Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen are the biggest-name starters in Italy’s employ.
Great Britain
Team Great Britain will have some recognizable names in their lineup, none more so than Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is eligible to represent Britain due to his Bahamian heritage. Chisholm and Co. will thankfully don uniforms that don’t look like they were designed by a high schooler using Microsoft Word this time.
Britain will feature some top prospects, such as catcher Harry Ford of the Nationals (who starred for them last time around), and a chunk of former top prospects, like infielder Lucius Fox and outfielder Kristian Robinson. There’s also infielder Nate Eaton, who proved useful as a utility player for the Red Sox last year.
The pitching is thin here, with Yankees prospect Brendan Beck in the mix. The right-hander is a fine prospect, but that the Yankees’ 22nd-ranked farmhand is included on the staff probably says more about the state of Britain’s roster. The de facto ace is Beck’s older brother Tristan, who has 157 big-league innings to his name with the Giants. Otherwise, the biggest name here is… Vance Worley. Yes, that Vance Worley, bespectacled former MLB journeyman whose last pitch in the majors came in 2017 and whose last professional appearance came at the last WBC, where he tossed 2.2 innings and gave up two runs. Here’s hoping he finds himself back on the field one last time!
Brazil
Making their first appearance in the WBC since 2013 is Brazil, though they carry probably the thinnest roster in this group. The first name Yankees fans will recognize is Dante Bichette Jr., the club’s top pick in 2011. It’s a family affair elsewhere on the team, with Joseph Contreras, the 17-year-old son of former Yankee Jose Contreras, on the pitching staff. Contreras is committed to play for Vanderbilt but is rated among MLB Pipeline’s top 50 2026 draft prospects. They’ll look to write some new history for Brazil’s national team, with few highlights to speak of thus far, outside of a rousing three-game win streak in qualifying play last year that punched Brazil’s ticket to the tournament.
Find more Pinstripe Alley WBC pool previews here: Pool A, Pool C, Pool D.
With less than 24 hours until the deadline, Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland's name continues to be mentioned in trade rumours. Based on reports, multiple teams have shown interest in the 29-year-old whose six-year extension kicks in next season. Garland has spent the last five years with Vancouver and has 26 points in 50 games this season.
If the Canucks are going to part with Garland, the best time to do so is before July 1, 2026. His new contract includes a no-move clause for the first three years and a modified no-trade clause for the final three. Garland's new contract will carry an AAV of $6 million until the 2032 off-season.
Jan 25, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) during a stop in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is scheduled for March 6 at noon PT. While the team is in Chicago, managment will be at Rogers Arena trying to pull off last-minute deals. Once the deadline is done, GM Patrik Allvin is scheduled to speak with the media.
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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ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 15: Cole Ragans #50 of the Texas Rangers delivers a pitch during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field on May 15, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today the Texas Rangers play their first night game this spring in an intriguing Cactus League affair where they will be the road squad from their home camp in Surprise, Arizona with the Kansas City Royals acting as the home team.
Furthering the intrigue will be a matchup between two high profile lefties with MacKenzie Gore set to pitch for Texas against former Rangers first-rounder Cole Ragans for Kansas City.
Heading into Friday’s trade deadline, the Senators have played themselves into the playoff conversation by going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
Ottawa has compiled 67 points through 60 games played and presently sits six points back of the Boston Bruins and the Eastern Conference’s second wild card seed. They have put themselves within striking distance, but the Senators still have work to do to leapfrog some of their peers.
The precarious nature of their playoff odds has generated significant intrigue about what general manager Steve Staios could do as his organization approached the deadline. In theory, his team should be in a better position because of how well they have defended at five-on-five this season. The Senators currently reside in the top five in the percentage of shots allowed (52.91 CF%, 5th), shots on goal allowed (53.86 SF%, 3rd), and expected goals (54.21 xGF%, 4th) per Natural Stat Trick.
On Thursday afternoon, we got our answer.
The Senators dealt a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional swap of 2026 third-round picks with the Los Angeles Kings for left winger Warren Foegele.
Listed at 6’2 and 205 lb, the 29-year-old Foegele is currently in the second year of his three-year contract, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $3.5 million. In 47 games with the Kings this season, Foegele has compiled seven goals and two assists - a massive reduction in production from the winger when he recorded back-to-back 20-plus goal and 40-plus point seasons with the Oilers and Kings, respectively.
2023-24 with Edmonton: 82 games, 20 goals, 41 points
2024-25 with Los Angeles: 82 games, 24 goals, 46 points
It is also worth noting that Foegele is a highly effective penalty killer.
This season obviously represents a marked step back from his previous two seasons, but Foegele is still on the right side of 30 and has good years left. It is worth mentioning that Foegele’s most common linemates this season were Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore. The trio was used primarily as a shutdown line, but after they all had strong 2024-25 seasons, they fell off a cliff offensively.
Danault contributed zero goals and five assists in 30 games before being dealt to Montreal. Moore’s production has also fallen precipitously after recording 57 points and 40 points, respectively, over the last two seasons.
Some Senators will inevitably balk at the idea of trading a valued high pick for a depth forward having a down offensive year, especially in a year when the Senators may not make the postseason.
Having lost their 2026 first-round selection as punishment for former general manager Pierre Dorion’s mishandling of the Evgenii Dadonov no-trade list, the Senators do not presently own a pick in either of the first two rounds of this year’s NHL draft. In consideration of the fact that the Senators’ pipeline of prospects isn’t exactly brimming with blue-chip prospects, the lack of draft capital at the top of the draft is certainly a concern.
Foegele represented an ideal buy-low target, but the Senators paid a relatively high price for a player having a down year who offers them only one more year of team control.
At the same time, the addition of Foegele could potentially afford the Senators the flexibility to move depth forwards out to recoup some of the draft capital that they have lost. Similarly, the Senators are currently playing Nick Cousins in a third-line capacity when he is probably best suited for a fourth-line role. In light of expiring contracts for players like Cousins, Lars Eller and David Perron, the opportunity to add Foegele to the mix as depth carries weight, too.
Given the costs of what other checking line forwards were going for at the deadline, the price does feel somewhat mitigated, but the teams taking those swings are comfortably in the playoff mix.
Understandably, if the Senators make the playoffs, no one will be worrying too much about the price that was paid. Inevitably, however, everyone’s eyes will be on what the Senators do next.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will miss at least two more weeks as he continues to recover from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
The Grizzlies announced Thursday that Morant was progressing in his rehabilitation but was still experiencing discomfort. The two-time All-Star had follow-up imaging Wednesday that showed what the team described as “incomplete healing of the injury.”
The Grizzlies said Morant will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Morant has appeared in 20 games this season, averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists. He hasn’t played since injuring his elbow on Jan. 21.
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico (AP) — John Daly II had an easier time, and a far easier golf course, than his father in his PGA Tour debut. The 22-year-old son of John Daly opened with a 2-under 70 in the Puerto Rico Open on Thursday, where the kids were all the rage and Chandler Blanchet wound up with the lead.
Blanchet bogeyed his first hole and that was his only mistake. He followed with nine birdies for an 8-under 64, his lowest round on the PGA Tour for a one-shot lead over Gordon Sargent, the former top college golfer who has struggled the last few years.
“It was good,” Daly said. “Feel like I left a few out there, but I made it up with just a couple good saves and nice chip-in on 16.”
John Daly, the former PGA and British Open champion, made his first PGA Tour-sanctioned start nearly 40 years ago. But that was Shinnecock Hills — not Grand Reserve — and it was the 1986 U.S. Open, not an opposite-field event in Puerto Rico. Daly shot 88 that first round.
His son was not the only player getting attention. Blades Brown, the 18-year-old who played in the final group with Scottie Scheffler when the world's No. 1 player won The American Express, opened with a 69. It was his 16th score in the 60s in his 34 career rounds on the PGA Tour.
Miles Russell, the 17-year-old from Florida and among the top amateurs in the world had a 71. The other young prospect, Zhou Yanhan of China, shot 72. The 17-year-old Zhou had seven wins on the China Tour last year.
Blanchet earned his PGA Tour card through the Korn Ferry Tour last year, winning twice, including the circuit's Tour Championship. But it has been a slow start to his first season in the big leagues, missing the cut in all five tournaments he has played.
He hopes there's plenty of learning that comes with those weekends off, and Blanchet said he looked forward to facing more challenges, such as dealing with short putts he misses. He wants to get mentally stronger to deal with that.
“I missed a 5-footer right on the first hole and I looked at my caddie and he said, ‘This is our test.’ Handled it well,” Blanchet said. “Then made some good birdies over the next few holes. Yeah, really solid day.”
Eugenio Chacarra, who began his pro career on Saudi-backed LIV Golf in 2022 and became the first player from the rival league to a get sponsor exemption on the PGA Tour, opened with a 73.
The winner of the Puerto Rico gets into The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, along with a two-year exemption on tour. But it does not qualify for the Masters.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Ryan Ritter #8 of the Colorado Rockies in the outfield during the spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies lost to the Milwaukee Brewers today, 10-8. For more details, click here.
And now to the postgame comments.
First, here’s manager Warren Schaeffer:
Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen weighed in before heading out to play for Team Italy in the WBC:
And, finally, Tyler Freeman discussed his return to action:
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21, 2026: George Valera #7 of the Cleveland Guardians runs to third base during the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on February 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Feel free to also discuss Australia vs. Czechia starting at 10am ET below, but here is your Guardians’ lineup vs the White Sox starting at 8pm ET:
Colombia visits host nation Puerto Rico tonight, continuing Pool C play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. First pitch comes your way at 6:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
My Puerto Rico vs. Colombia predictions and World Baseball Classic best bets expect the Colombians to play tough in a low-scoring affair on Friday, March 6.
Puerto Rico vs Colombia prediction
Puerto Rico vs Colombia best bet: Colombia +3.5 (-115 at DraftKings)
The Puerto Rico lineup took a major hit with insurance issues, and MLB staples Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa and Javier Baez won’t be playing in the World Baseball Classic.
As a result, I’m happy to take the runs with the Colombians.
Colombia has a veteran-heavy lineup with former MLB talents Gio Urshela, Harold Ramirez, and Jorge Alfaro leading the way, and starter Jose Quintana has 14 years in the majors.
This is also the first game of the WBC for both teams, so the Colombian bullpen will be rested and have all its best arms available to follow Quintana.
In addition to the lineup hits to the Puerto Rico lineup, ace Seth Lugo stands to hold the Colombians in check.
Lugo was the 2024 American League Cy Young runner-up, and he’s spun a tidy 3.51 ERA and 1.19 ERA over 609 2/3 innings across the past five MLB seasons.
Puerto Rico vs Colombia opening odds
Moneyline: Puerto Rico -320 | Colombia +245
Run line: Puerto Rico -2.5 (-130) | Colombia +2.5 (+105)
Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-110) | Under 9.5 (-110)
How to watch Puerto Rico vs Colombia and game info
Location
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
First pitch
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
FS1
Puerto Rico starting pitcher
Seth Lugo
Colombia starting pitcher
Jose Quintana
Puerto Rico vs Colombia weather
Expect a warm, sticky night in San Juan with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s°F (mid-20s°C). There’s a slight chance of passing showers and light winds, typical for evening games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PEORIA, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Kade Anderson #13 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Julia Jacome/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Opening Day for the 2026 Major League Baseball season is about three weeks away (beginning officially with a standalone game between the Yankees and Giants on March 25), and while there are several former Tigers already in the Big Leagues, LSU’s pipeline to The Show is alive and well.
On Thursday the MLB announced preliminary rosters for the third annual Spring Breakout Games. If you’re unfamiliar, this showcase is a chance for the best prospects across the MiLB to show why they’re the next crop of stars and LSU will be all over these games.
In total, 15 former Tigers made the preliminary rosters to compete for their respective clubs, highlighted by Seattle’s Kade Anderson, Houston’s Ethan Frey, and Boston’s Anthony Eyanson. LSU and Tennessee tied for the most preliminary selections; the final rosters, consisting of 23-27 players, will be announced on March 18.
As it stands right now, here are the 15 former Tigers that made the preliminary rosters.
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Former major league baseball and game analyst Rex Hudler looks on a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals will get ready for their close up on TV tonight, under the bright lights of Surprise Stadium. The big name players are at the World Baseball Classic, so tonight it’s…..Lane Thomas! Brandon Drury! Josh Rojas! All the remaining stars on one stage!
Hey, you can see Cole Ragans and Carter Jensen, that’s not nuthin’.
Cole takes the mound under the lights in Surprise.
The Rangers start left-hander Mackenzie Gore, who they acquired from the Nationals this offseason. They have a few starters in the lineup too – Wyatt Langford, Corey Seager. It’s probably too soon to see Andrew McCutchen in a Rangers uniform.
The team’s first Rule 5 pick since 2011 must be on the major league roster all season or be placed on waivers and offered back to the Cardinals for half of his $100,000 selection fee if he clears waivers.
Winquest has intrigued the organization since it nearly selected him in the 2022 draft, but the hard-throwing righty hasn’t been overly impressive in limited spring work, going 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and .316 BAA in 4 ²/₃ innings.
The 25-year-old worked primarily as a starter last season, posting a 3.19 ERA in eight starts at Double-A (Springfield) after recording a 4.52 ERA in 17 games at High-A (Peoria).
“I would say he’s in the mix, but also the next few weeks matter, too, for a lot of people,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think he’s flashed things that we like about him. We like his fastball. We like the curveball … Because we don’t necessarily have that long window with him, we gotta kind of [give him a] baptism by fire a little bit. I haven’t hesitated bringing him in, in the middle of an inning or whatever. I think he’s worked really diligently at developing that routine [as a reliever] and getting used to it, and I think all in all, it’s gone pretty well.”
Cade Winquest throws a pitch during the Yankees’ Feb. 26 Grapefruit League game against the Braves. Charles Wenzelberg
Winquest — a former eighth-round pick out of UT-Arlington — has been pleased with the development of the sinker he added since joining the Yankees, but he acknowledges that he is still searching for consistency with a fourth pitch (sweeper/slider).
In Tuesday’s rain-shortened 15-0 loss to the Twins at Steinbrenner Field, Winquest wasn’t hit hard in one inning of work, but he allowed two runs (one earned), two (infield) hits, one walk and one wild pitch, with one strikeout in his fourth spring training appearance.
“I’m still adjusting to the reliever role, bouncing back quicker, but I feel like my routine is starting to make that step forward and I’m getting used to it,” Winquest said. “It’s definitely more mental than anything. If you tell yourself you feel good, you’re gonna feel good. I think I have the mentality to get there. Now, I just need to adjust the routine on the body.
“Starter, reliever, whatever, it’s just a great opportunity for me. The opportunity is right there. I just gotta walk through that door and take advantage of every opportunity I have and just see what happens.”
Winquest has never pitched above Double-A, where he’s only thrown 42 ¹/₃ innings.
Cade Winquest prepares to deliver a pitch during the Yankees’ Feb. 26 game. Charles Wenzelberg
His career ERA in the minors (4.19) offers little excitement.
“It definitely gives me confidence being the first Rule 5 pick in 14 years,” Winquest said. “I know this organization wants me. They’ve been looking at me since the 2022 draft. That helps the mental side of it. They believe in me. I believe in myself. I know I have the stuff out there. Now, I just have to make the adjustment and face big league hitters. The more reps I get, the better I’ll get.”
DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Uche Izoje recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead Syracuse to a 70-59 win over California on Thursday in the ACC Tournament.
It marked Syracuse’s first ACC Tournament win since 2021 and sent the Orange to the quarterfinals after doubling their conference win total from last season.
The Orange struck quickly, opening the game on a 9-0 run and never trailing. Syracuse extended the margin to 37-16 by halftime as California struggled offensively.
The Golden Bears shot 25% from the field in the first half and committed 10 turnovers, producing their lowest scoring half of the season.
California pushed back in the second half, trimming its deficit that had reached 21 points. A 3-pointer from Lulu Twidale pulled the Bears within 56-52 midway through the fourth quarter.
Syracuse answered behind Izoje, who scored during a decisive stretch late in the game. Laila Phelia connected with Izoje on an alley-oop that pushed the lead to 61-53 with just over three minutes remaining.
The Bears were unable to get closer, going the final two and a half minutes without a field goal as Syracuse closed the game at the free-throw line.
Phelia added 17 points for the Orange, while Sophie Burrows extended her streak to 16 straight games with a made 3-pointer. Izoje, the ACC rookie of the year, was 11 of 19 from the field.
Sakima Walker led California with 19 points. Twidale finished with 14 and Gisella Maul added 13.
Up next
Syracuse will play No. 2 seed Louisville on Friday in the quarterfinals.
California awaits an invitation to play in a postseason tournament.
