NBA players union says 65-game rule for awards 'must be abolished or reformed'

Cade Cunningham appeared on track for a top-five finish in MVP voting (he was third in the last ESPN straw poll) and a First Team All-NBA nod.

Then he suffered a collapsed lung diving for a loose ball last week. There is no timetable for his return, but there is a chance he will miss the rest of the regular season, or at least enough games that he will not meet the NBA's 65-game threshold to qualify for postseason awards. Cunningham would have to play in five more to qualify.

That led to this statement today from the NBPA, the NBA's players' union:

"Cade Cunningham's potential ineligibility for postseason 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."

Cunningham's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, gave this statement to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

"Cade has delivered a first-team All-NBA season. 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."

Cunningham is not alone. A few weeks ago, we were having the same conversations and concerns about Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama returning from injuries in time to meet the threshold — both did, but can't miss many more games due to injury. Anthony Edwards remains out with a knee injury but needs to play in seven of Minnesota's 10 games to qualify.

The 65-game rule was put in place to discourage load management of star players, and it used the end-of-season awards as leverage. Those awards — making All-NBA or winning MVP or Defensive Player of the Year — are criteria to get a larger "Rose Rule" or "Super Max" extension for players with fewer than 10 seasons in the league. That has led to complaints from players that they have risked their health to return early to ensure they qualify for awards.

The thing is, media members who vote for awards already took games played into account. To use Cunningham as an example, if he does not return to play this season, missing all those games may have knocked him off First Team All-NBA but his impact on the Pistons and their season — where they are almost certain to be the No. 1 seed in the East — meant he deserved a second or third-team spot. That discretion has been taken out of voters' hands.

This is going to be an offseason discussion when the league and its owners start talking about a number of things, including changing the rules around tanking (a pet issue of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver).

Hubert Davis fired by UNC basketball after another March Madness first-round exit

North Carolina basketball is on the search for a new head coach.

Hubert Davis will not return to the Tar Heels, with the coach departing days after its stunning collapse in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Davis' time in Chapel Hill ends with a 125–54 record in five seasons and one Final Four appearance. According to Davis' contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, North Carolina owes Davis $5.312 million for firing him as of April 1.

"We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget,"UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement announcing Davis' firing. "This was not an easy decision because of Hubert's tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level."

The firing marks what has been a rough end to Davis' tenure after such a promising start. In his first season at his alma mater, taking over Roy Williams, he led the Tar Heels to the 2022 national championship game as a No. 8 seed. But UNC was unable to hold onto a double-digit lead against Kansas in the contest.

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis instructs his team against the VCU Rams in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

It felt like it would be the start of a successful run for Davis and keep the blue-blood as a national power, but North Carolina hasn't gotten close since then. It started the following season the No. 1 team in the country but ended up missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.

While North Carolina made the Sweet 16 in 2024, it had first round exits in each of the past two tournaments, the first time that's happened in program history. Against VCU on Thursday, March 19, the Tar Heels surrendered a 19-point lead as the Rams forced overtime, where UNC failed to make a field goal in the extra period in the eventual loss to the 11th seed.

It was the largest comeback in NCAA Tournament first round history.

Now, North Carolina begins one of the most intriguing searches in all of college basketball.

Davis was an assistant on Williams' staff for nine seasons prior to being named head coach, and was the favorite to land the job when Williams retired. With Davis lasting just five seasons, North Carolina will have to decide if it goes outside of the "Carolina family" — someone with past ties to the program — or go for a major hire.

"Hubert cares deeply for our University, and it has been inspiring to watch him instill that love and Tar Heel tradition into the players he has coached," executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark," said in a statement. "Chancellor Roberts, Bubba and I join all of the Carolina community in thanking Hubert and his family for all they have done for UNC."

The job is considered one of the highest profile roles in all of the sport, with a rich tradition, large fan base and an abundance of resources, a coach has everything they could need to succeed. But with that, it also carries tremendous pressure, with the expectation to be a national championship contender every year. The 10 seasons since its last national championship is its longest drought this century.

No matter who North Carolina hires, it will have major ripple effects to all of college basketball.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hubert Davis fired by UNC basketball after March Madness exit, search begins

Tony DeAngelo exits with injury as Islanders’ defense takes another hit

Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Islanders on the ice during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Islanders looks on in the first period during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Tony DeAngelo left Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks 12:46 into the first after pulling up while back-checking and did not return, with the Islanders citing a lower-body injury.

Coach Patrick Roy said he will be reevaluated Wednesday.

Tony DeAngelo of the New York Islanders looks on in the first period during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. NHLI via Getty Images

DeAngelo was hustling back to defend a 2-on-0 Chicago rush following a Mat Barzal turnover in the first period, but pulled up and stopped moving easily.

He attempted to defend the rest of the play, but did so ineffectively as Nick Lardis scored to tie the game at one.

DeAngelo went up the tunnel right after that.

Isaiah George, who was recalled Tuesday to serve as the seventh defenseman with Ryan Pulock (lower body) still out, appears to be the next man up if DeAngelo is not ready to play against the Stars on Thursday.

Pulock skated with the other injured players in the morning but did not stay on the ice with the team for morning skate.

How to watch the Braves in 2026

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Braves mascot Blooper poses for a photo at Blooper's Clubhouse in the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Park during the Braves Open House on March 22, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It has been one of, if not the most asked question of the off-season: “How can I watch the Atlanta Braves this year?”

If you are rising from a Winter hibernation, ready to join the land-of-the-baseball-living just in time for Opening Day, here’s the executive summary of what has happened with Braves’ broadcasts since that sunny Sunday in September when Charlie Morton started the final game of Atlanta’s 2025 regular season.

  • Main Street Sports Group (MSSG) – the company behind the regional sports channel known to Braves fans as FanDuel Sports Network – has been unable to find a buyer and missed payments to teams impacting MLB, NBA and NHL franchises whose games are/were carried on the network.
  • The MLB teams, including the Braves, whose broadcasts were carried by MSSG opted out of their broadcast agreement for 2026.
  • The Braves were amongst several clubs to ultimately announce the would produce their own broadcasts.
  • The Braves announced BravesVision as the name of its new broadcast, which will return most of the broadcasters and behind-the-scenes staff who worked Braves games last year. It will also include pre- and post-game shows as part of each broadcast.

Here is the meat-and-potatoes of the announcement, if you missed it, as Braves.tv is now the way that viewers in “Braves Country” can stream games in-market without blackouts. That means every game not carried by a national exclusive rights holder will be available. Up to 18 games per team can be optioned as an exclusive to networks like TBS, ESPN, NBC, FOX, Apple TV, etc, but other than those games, the rest will be on Braves.tv in-market.

Braves.tv/BravesVision In 2026

What areas are considered in-market for the Braves?

Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina and western North Carolina.

What about the other areas of the country?

Braves games are available on MLB.tv, as they have been, and are subject to blackouts based on the “local” blackout rules, same as last year.

Is Braves.tv a stand-alone site?

No, it is part of MLB.tv, which is now owned by ESPN.

I live in-market, can I just sign-up for the overall MLB.tv package and watch the Braves?

No, you have to add Braves.tv on top of the MLB.tv package, if you want to watch Braves game and other MLB teams via the service. If you just want the Braves, you can opt just for Braves.tv.

How much does Braves.tv cost?

It is $99.99 for the season or $19.99 per month.

Where can I watch the Braves without having to buy a streaming package?

That’s a great question – and one with still a considerable amount of unknowns. Here’s a breakdown of what is known as of March 26.

Will games be available over-the-air?

Yes. The Braves and Gray Media will broadcast select number of games (total number of games and schedule not available as of this writing) via Gray Media’s over-the-air channels in the Braves home market again this season. This does include Opening Day. A list of Gray Media television stations broadcasting Braves games is available here.

Will the Braves be carried on my local cable carrier or satellite provider?

Here’s a list provided by the Braves of all of the carriers and providers for BravesVision as of March 27:

  • Xfinity (channel 1254)
  • Spectrum
  • DIRECTV (channel 645 on streaming and satellite; channel 1730 (HD) on U-verse)
  • FuboTV
  • Absolute Cable TV (channel 670, DMAs: Atlanta, GA / Macon, GA / Augusta, GA)
  • Ben Lomand Connect (channels 41 (SD)/341 (HD), DMA: Nashville, TN)
  • CDE Lightband (channel 99, DMA: Nashville, TN)
  • CNSNext (channel 39, DMAs: Thomasville, GA)
  • Comporium (channel 294, DMAs: Charlotte, NC / Columbia, SC / Greenville-Spartanburg, SC)
  • Cox (channel 78, DMA: Macon, GA)
  • Dalton Utilities (channel 34, DMA: Chattanooga, TN)
  • Darien Telephone Company (channel 100, DMA: Savannah, GA)
  • Elberton Utilities (channel 434, DMAs: Greenville, SC / Spartanburg, SC / Asheville, NC)
  • EPB Fi TV (channel 328, DMA: Chattanooga, TN)
  • ETC (channel 14, DMA: Atlanta, GA)
  • FTC (channel 43, DMA: Columbia, SC)
  • HomeTel (channel 16, DMA: Charleston, SC)
  • HTC (Hartwell) (channel 131, DMAs: Greenville, SC / Spartanburg, SC / Asheville, NC)
  • HTC (Horry) (channel 74, DMAs: Myrtle Beach, SC / Florence, SC)
  • Jackson Energy Authority (channel 100, DMA: Jackson, TN)
  • MonCre (channel 504, DMA: Montgomery, AL)
  • Pine Belt Communications (channel 158, DMAs: Meridian, AL / Mobile, AL / Montgomery, AL)
  • Pineland (channel 540, DMA: Savannah, GA)
  • PRTC (channel 1078, DMA: Charleston, SC)
  • Scottsboro Electric Power Board (channels 40(SD)/709(HD), DMA: Huntsville, AL)
  • Southern FiberNet (channel 1612, DMA: Atlanta, GA)
  • Suburban Cable (channel 15, DMA: Macon, GA)
  • SVE Connect (channel 88, DMA: Chattanooga, TN)
  • TDS Telecom (channels 610/1610/TDSTV+/242, DMAs: Charlotte, NC / Knoxville, TN / Nashville, TN)
  • TDS Telecom (channels 610/1610/TDSTV+/243, Camden County, GA)
  • Tullahoma Utilities Board (channel 40, DMA: Nashville, TN)
  • Twin Lakes (channel 41, DMAs: Chattanooga, TN / Knoxville, TN / Nashville, TN)
  • United Teleports (channels 36/1036, DMA: Nashville, TN)
  • Watscon Cable (channel 29, DMA: Macon, GA)
  • And more to come at a later date

Does this mean I can’t watch the Braves on my current provider this season?

The Braves are likely to work out an agreement with all the major carriers – but it means that as of this writing, no formal agreement is in place. It also isn’t yet known if an agreement with those providers could require and up-grade from a “base” package to get the BravesVision network.

What about YouTube TV, Roku, etc.?

That is still an unknown at this point, unfortunately. The Braves did announce an agreement with Fubu on Opening Day.

So the Braves will not be on FanDuel Sports Network this season?

No. Those channel are likely to end broadcasting after the conclusion of the NBA and NHL regular season, unless MSSG finds a buyer. Regardless, that will not impact the Braves in 2026.

I don’t have cable or satellite nor will I sign-up for Braves.tv. How can I watch or listen to the Braves?

The Braves Radio Network will continue to broadcast every game and the network of stations can be found here. Otherwise, you may be relegated to national broadcasts or over-the-air, if you are in-market.

Things aren’t as simple as they were with then-Braves owner Ted Turner put the Braves on TBS and made them available across-the-country. But, with BravesVision, a new generation of fans will be able to access the team via streaming without restrictions in-market for the first time, ever. Braves.tv is also offering a free, seven-day trial, which may be a requirement if you still have traditional cable or satellite and an agreement with your provider isn’t in place prior to Opening Day.

A reminder that Atlanta Braves game previews, game live threads and game recaps for all Braves games can be found on Battery Power throughout the season.

Gerrit Cole feels ‘really strong’ in final spring start as next phase of Yankees rehab comes into view

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole warms up during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz, Image 2 shows New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole against the Chicago Cubs during spring training at Sloan Park
gerrit cole

MESA, Ariz. — Gerrit Cole will return to the back fields of Tampa, and not long after, the minor league circuit.

But on Tuesday, he gave the Yankees one more reminder of the potential prize waiting for them as soon as mid-May, as long as the rest of his rehab from Tommy John surgery continues to go as smoothly as it has to date.

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Cole made his second and final start of the spring, looking sharp once again as he built up to 26 pitches and 1 ²/₃ innings in an 8-3 win over the Cubs at Sloan Park.

“All in all, pretty good,” said Cole, who struck out three, averaged 96.3 mph on his fastball and topped out at 98. “I feel like the level of execution has been really strong. Recovery, for the most part, has been really strong. Just kind of plugging away. 

“Long way to go, but it’s a good body of work so far.”

For the umpteenth time this spring, Cole reiterated that he is sticking to a 14-to-18 month timeline for a return from surgery — “You can write it down, never fails, every single time,” he quipped — which could put him on a big league mound as early as mid-May.

Cole said the potential of going on the 60-day injured list — which would make him ineligible to return before May 24 — has not been brought to his attention, though the Yankees currently do not need to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole warms up during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. AP

Though it might seem like he is ahead of that timeline, Cole indicated he will be going through “a little bit of a download” in his workload for his next few outings.

He will throw in Tampa his next time out and then come to New York for the home opener April 3, after which the Yankees could begin thinking about starting his rehab assignment.

“I’m confident, but there’s a lot of pitching to go,” said Cole, who gave up a solo homer to former teammate Alex Bregman. “We’ll see what challenges come my way. But so far, so good. … I’m very pleased with how things have gone. Even last week, the command wasn’t that great, but we hammered that out this week, stayed disciplined in this game, no overthrowing, corrected some of those mistakes from last week. 

“The threshold of pitches, the threshold of velocity, we’ll hopefully start to increase a little bit.”

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole against the Chicago Cubs during spring training at Sloan Park. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Ryan Weathers piggybacked Cole for his final tuneup of the spring, building up to 80 pitches across five innings of one-run ball. The lefty said he “needed” an outing like this after some ugly numbers his last few starts.

“I think just making quality pitches,” he said. “It felt good today to get the ball on the ground and it go to people, honestly. It was a little bit of a sigh of relief when the first two outs were ground balls finally right at somebody. I was just happy with how my body felt.”


Reliever Osvaldo Bido, one of the final cuts from big league camp, was claimed off waivers by the Braves on Tuesday. … The Yankees traded non-roster infielder Zack Short to the Nationals in exchange for cash considerations.

Joe Flacco agrees to return to the Bengals as Joe Burrow’s backup

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Flacco has agreed to terms to return to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he will serve as a backup for Joe Burrow.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals from the Cleveland Browns in October and made six starts for Cincinnati while Burrow was out with a toe injury.

The 41-year-old Flacco played well despite going 1-5 as a starter with the Bengals. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

He also started the first four games for the Browns last season with two touchdowns with six interceptions.

Flacco, who was Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season, has played for the Broncos, Jets, Eagles, Jets again, Browns, Colts, Browns again and the Bengals.

He has thrown for 48,176 yards, 272 TDs and 172 INTs in 19 seasons. He is 10-6 in the playoffs with 3530 yards passing, 26 TDs and 12 INTs.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Brewers Notes: Outfield plans, bullpen options, and injury updates

Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 23: Garrett Mitchell #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers grounds out scoring a run in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the exhibition game at American Family Field on March 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Milwaukee Brewers finished up their spring exhibition season with a pair of games against the Reds at American Family Field. Next up, the regular season. There’s still so much more to learn about this team and what their plans are for the season and now that we’re in those final few days before Opening Day, that picture is becoming much clearer.

Manager Pat Murphy has been able to provide some more details and answers to questions that a lot of fans have been curious about.

– The Brewers will be utilizing a straight platoon for the most part in centerfield to begin the year between Garrett Mitchell and Brandon Lockridge. Mitchell figures to get the lion’s share of ABs given that he’s a LHH that will face righties. Lockridge has done well this spring and has earned some regular playing time, but we’ll see if he can carry that over to the regular season.

– Speaking of Lockridge, the Brewers gave him an inning at first base to end the second exhibition against the Reds. He was getting some work in at the cold corner pre-game and it could be a spot for him to see some action this year, with Murphy noting that they need a third first baseman in the event they have to pinch-run for Andrew Vaughn. This would be similar to Andruw Monasterio’s role at first base we saw last year.

– As for Christian Yelich, he spent last year primarily as the DH with only a small handful of starts in the outfield. That could change this year, according to Murphy. Now another year removed from back surgery, physically he’s capable of handling that kind of workload, but it will largely hinge on what happens in that centerfield platoon between Mitchell and Lockridge.

Murphy noted that if that centerfield group isn’t “offensive enough” that they could put Yelich in the outfield more often, signaling that Jackson Chourio would move from LF to CF similar to how he did last year in the absence of Mitchell.

– Reliever Blake Holub pitched 1.1 IP in the first of the two exhibition games and Murphy said after the game that “he’s a young man that doesn’t realize how close he is [to the big leagues]”. Holub didn’t allow a run across his seven appearances this spring. He’s slated to be in Triple-A Nashville’s bullpen to start the year but could very quickly find himself in the big league bullpen when a need arises.

– The Brewers were still seeking more right handed bullpen depth, so they acquired Jake Woodford from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league reliever KC Hunt. Woodford provides a multi-inning option for the Crew and will be placed on the roster once he arrives. It’s still unclear if he will be activated in time for Opening Day, but he’ll have to be on the roster by game two on Saturday at the latest. Woodford is out of minor league options.

– Akil Baddoo was placed on the 60 day IL to accommodate the acquisition of Woodford. He’s not expected back from his quad strain until June.

– Brandon Woodruff and Logan Henderson will both throw simulated games on Wednesday in Nashville. Woodruff has been in Milwaukee so he will be flying down to the Volunteer State to make this sim game and continue his buildup for the regular season. Woodruff is scheduled to start next Tuesday against the Rays.

– Rob Zastryzny is very close to returning from his rhomboid injury. He’s slated to start the year on rehab assignment in Triple-A Nashville and has an estimated return of early April for this Brewers bullpen. He is also out of minor league options.

– Craig Yoho is a little further behind in his return from a calf injury, but not by much. He’s projected to return in early-to-mid April.

– Quinn Priester is continuing to ramp up his throwing program and threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. They’re estimated he could go on a rehab assignment in early April to build up and Pat Murphy projects an early May return to the big league rotation for Priester.

– Outfielder Steward Berroa is back to DHing in games in Arizona and is expected to return to full game action in early April. It’s likely he’ll be sent straight to Triple-A Nashville once he’s cleared to go.

Yankees 'excited' by great camp, Gerrit Cole injury recovery progress

MESA, AZ — New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole looked to his left, pulled out a bat from outfielder Jasson Dominguez’s bag Tuesday, and rapped his left knuckles on it for good luck.

Yes, things are going so good for the Yankees this spring, and Cole’s elbow recovery, that he wasn’t about to jeopardize anything now.

Cole, in his second outing of the spring, took another critical step in his rehab from Tommy John surgery with a dominant six-batter outing against the Chicago Cubs, and if everything keeps progressing, should be returning to the Yankees rotation within two months.

It may be premature to be counting down the days to his season debut, but after not pitching in a game that counts since the 2024 World Series, this torturous layoff has given him even further admiration and love for the game.

“Having not played much the last couple of years,’’ Cole said, “I think there’s just maybe a little greater appreciation for the game. The level of talent. The level of intensity. The demand of the game. It demands your focus, it demands your appreciation.

“I enjoy that, so that’s been nice to get back into that environment. It’s a good prep for what’s to come the next few weeks.’’

Cole looked a whole lot like his old self Tuesday, the one that has dominated hitters throughout his 12-year career, earning six All-Star berths, a Cy Young award and two ERA titles. He pumped 96-to-98-mph fastballs against the Cubs in the Yankees' 8-3 victory, striking out three of the first four batters he faced without a walk. He threw 17 of his 26 pitches for strikes in his 1.2-inning outing, throwing 11 pitches at 96-mph or higher. He was satisfied with all but two pitches, he said, and that didn’t include the 416-foot homer he gave up to All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman on a 96.1-mph sinker low in the zone.

“That was a good pitch,’’ said Cole, “but a better swing. So it’s the way it goes with good players sometimes.’’

While the Yankees departed Tuesday for their 2026 season-opener against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, Cole will be heading back to their minor-league complex in Tampa. He will travel back to New York to be with the Yankees for their home opener April 3 against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium. He will then spend the next month training in Tampa before eventually beginning his rehab assignment with hopes of rejoining the Yankees in mid-to-late May.

“I felt good coming into camp,’’ said Cole, “and I feel good now. ... My level of execution has been really strong, and the recovery for the most part has been really strong. Just kind of plugging away. It’s a long way to go, but a good body of work so far. …

“I’m confident, but there’s still a lot of pitching to go. We’ll see what challenges come my way. But so far, so good. I keep stacking as many good days together as I can. I’m very pleased with how things have gone.’’

Gerrit Cole pitching against the Cubs.

Really, it’s the same sentiment the Yankees are feeling about themselves, having one of the best spring trainings during manager Aaron Boone’s tenure.

“I’m excited,’’ Boone said. “Look, I caution it’s only camp, but we’ve had a hell of a camp. Like, we’ve had a lot of the answers we were hoping to get. Knock on wood, a lot of good health. A lot of guys that are on their way back, trending in a really good direction with their rehab. I feel like the young players that are going to be future core of this, maybe sooner than later, really showed well.

“And I feel like we’re going to have competition brewing for opportunities throughout the year because of our depth right now. And hopefully that remains with good health and good performance. But camp-wise, it’s hard for it to go much better than it did, but that’s camp. Nobody cares about camp 10 days from now.

“It’s about the 162 now, and we’re excited to get after it.’’

It’s a whole different feeling leaving camp than a year ago, when Cole underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, starters Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt were injured and missed the start of the season, and DH Giancarlo Stanton was sidelined most of the spring with tennis elbow that delayed his season debut until June.

This time, not a single major injury, with Gil expected to be called up and rejoin the rotation in early April and Carlos Rodon projected back in late April or early May.

Certainly, there will be no excuses for the Yankees, who will be judged differently than everyone else beginning in their season opener.

Every victory will be exaggerated.

Every defeat will be overblown.

All that matters is October.

Get to the postseason and lose, it’s a bust.

Get to the World Series and lose, it’s still a bust.

Win the World Series, OK, it’s about damn time.

“I’m 53,’’ Boone said. “This is my life. That’s all I’ve lived all of my life. October is a long way away. Obviously, we want to get there and play in it, and be the last team. But there’s just so many things you got to go through as a team and give yourself a chance to be in that position. …

“We’re just looking forward to getting going.’’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees excited by spring training, Gerrit Cole Tommy John recovery

Freeway Series game III chat

Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) warms up prior to a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Dodgers conclude their 2026 spring training against the Angels at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday evening, wrapping up the Freeway Series as the final tune-up before Opening Day. 

Shohei Ohtani makes his second start of spring training. Jack Kochanowicz takes the ball for the Angels. 


Tuesday game info

  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Angels
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
  • Time: 5:10 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA, Fan Duel Sports Network West (Angels), MLB Network (out of market)
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Reds to place Nick Lodolo on injured list with blister issue

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Nick Lodolo #40 of the Cincinnati Reds gets set to throw a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on March 12, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The good news is that Cincinnati Reds lefty Nick Lodolo isn’t really injured, per se. He’s once again dealing with a blister issue on his left (throwing) hand, one that popped up in his final appearance of Cactus League action down in Arizona during a record-touching heat wave.

Apparently, though, it’s bad enough that they want to be careful with him – so careful that they’re going to place in him on the IL to begin the season. Gordon Wittenyer of The Enquirer relayed the news on Tuesday evening, noting that the Reds will use their deep set of starters to stack Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Brandon Williamson in the rotation behind Opening Day starter Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer.

Given the decision to do the move to the IL right now, though, means that Lodolo will only miss the first 12 days of the regular season. That stretch of games includes a pair of days off, meaning the Reds are effectively going to skip him roughly one and a half times through the rotation (depending upon how they choose to line things up for a road trip that takes them first to Texas and then Miami.)

Is it great news? Obviously not.

Is it terrible news? Not really.

The Reds have five starting pitchers of incredible quality lined up right now to start the season despite the fact that Hunter Greene is on the 60-day IL and Lodolo, too, is now on the shelf. They’ll be able to carry an extra reliever now that their ‘six for five’ starting conglomerate has been thinned again, and while that’s a test of their depth to start the season it’s also an immediate testament to the depth they’ve built up.

The biggest hope here, of course, is that a blister issue that has haunted Lodolo multiple times already in his career has gotten itself out of the way right now, and won’t be a further problem down the road this season by taking the time right now to make 100% sure it’s right.

The fine folks at Razzball are still very much saying ‘giddy up’ about Cincinnati’s starting pitching.

The streak lives…for one more day

Aug 15, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Heliot Ramos (17) fields a fly ball against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

To start, and going against all the advice I give my students about constructing effective persuasive arguments, feel free to disregard this idea from the jump. Tony Vitello already has. I can hear his disembodied voice, sounding suddenly a lot like Graham Chapman, tutting in my ear as I write this: Stop that, it’s too silly

Yes, having Heliot Ramos anywhere but left field in the Opening Day roster would be a silly thing to do, especially if the sole reason for doing so is to maintain the San Francisco Giants’ freak-streak of starting a different Opening Day left fielder every year since Barry Bonds in 2007. 

Yet it is late March. Baseball blooms. The days widen. Flowers throw color from their petals, and I remember Nori Aoki.  

The Streak lives — at least, for one more day. And while I believe thatthe list of left fielders, repeated enough, becomes a poem, a mantra, tied to a breath, a reliquary, its names cupped around a sacred pearl, I don’t believe in the cosmic jinx. Ramos is penciled in as the Giants’ starter for Wednesday’s Opening Day, and no soliloquy or ode or incantation will change that.   

Roberts…Lewis…DeRosa… 

Parker…Pence…Joe… 

Each successive name represents the un-fillable void. Physical manifestations of the player to be named at the last minute, the who-cares? At some point, the surnames should’ve been struck from the back of their jerseys. Instead: Not Bonds.  Nearly two decades later, with Cy Youngs and an MVP award won, division crowns, three World Series Championships, a franchise regular season win-record, among other club accolades, Barry’s absence is still felt to this day. 

One more day.

Is this streak a living tribute to the best there ever was? A memorial? Or is it a dubious log of ineptitude? A curse, with its true consequences finally rearing its ugly head? 

As Bryan points out, the Giants stand at the threshold of franchise notoriety, with four non-winning seasons under their belt. Are they about to start a fifth? One could certainly argue now is the time to exorcize some demons and end the streak at 19 with Ramos. Willy Adames’s 30 home runs in 2025 slayed another weird franchise bogeyman, and with it brought some perspective: It’s better when players hit 30 home runs than not. It stands to reason a consistent left fielder rather than a carousel of players is better too. Change should be invited by a club with one foot so often stuck in the mud of nostalgia. This, I suppose, is a problem for many franchises. We want the glorification of a successful past to boomerang fans to thinking about a successful present. Check this out: One unbroken line of winning by winners. But for so many, the “remember those guys!” celebrations serve as a distraction from the uncomfortable “who are these guys?” populating the field now. 

Time to slash through these tired and tarnished artifacts that were so burdensome yet felt oddly comforting.

Yes, it’s possible I’m reading too much in the meter of Dickerson and Slater // Pederson and Sabol. Sometimes the only way we can exert some semblance of control over these weights on our backs is to make them heavier with meaning.

Brewers win final spring exhibition in 4-1 victory over Reds

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Sproat (23) stretches during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Box Score

The Milwaukee Brewers picked up another win at American Family Field on Tuesday afternoon, winning their final spring exhibition over the Reds by a 4-1 final.

With Brandon Sproat on the mound for one last tune-up outing, he worked around a Matt McLain walk for a scoreless first, including strikeouts of Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. Righty flamethrower Chase Burns did him one better in the bottom of the inning, striking out Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, and William Contreras in order.

Sproat worked around another walk in the second, picking up another strikeout and a double play to end the inning. In the bottom of the inning, the Spring of Jake Bauers continued, as he crushed a two-out solo homer 401 feet over the wall in right-center to give Milwaukee a 1-0 lead. It marked Bauers’ seventh homer of the spring.

Sproat worked another strong inning in the third, picking up a pair of strikeouts to work around a two-out single. Milwaukee went down in order once again in the bottom of the inning, while Sproat had yet another solid frame in the fourth, giving up a single to Eugenio Suárez but nothing else.

That would mark the end of the day for Sproat, as he went four scoreless frames with two hits and two walks allowed, striking out five.

After Milwaukee went down 1-2-3 against Burns in the fourth, Kyle Harrison took over on the mound for the Brewers. He allowed a walk and a single but picked up two strikeouts as Milwaukee’s lead held at 1-0 halfway into the game.

The Brewers tacked on another in the bottom of the inning, as Bauers doubled and later scored on a David Hamilton single. Hamilton also stole second, his seventh of the spring, but he’d be stranded there.

In the sixth, Harrison allowed a leadoff homer to De La Cruz to cut the lead to 2-1. After Stewart followed with a single, Harrison settled in to get a strikeout, a groundout, and a lineout. Rhett Lowder took over for Burns in the bottom of the sixth and worked around a William Contreras single and an error that allowed Andrew Vaughn to reach.

Harrison allowed another single and hit a batter in the seventh, but didn’t allow either runner to come around. In the bottom of the inning, Sal Frelick reached on an error to begin the inning and Joey Ortiz singled two batters later. Frelick was replaced by Cooper Pratt, Luis Lara took Ortiz’s place on the basepaths, and both pinch runners came around to score on a two-run single by Brandon Lockridge to make it 4-1. Gary Sánchez also singled, but the inning would end on a pair of groundouts.

The eighth and ninth innings came and went without much excitement — Harrison picked up a double play in the eighth, the Brewers went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning, and Brian Fitzpatrick picked up the final two outs in a scoreless ninth.

Bauers was once again the star, going 2-for-4 to finish his spring with a stellar .462/.571/1.154 line with seven homers, six doubles, nine RBIs, and 14 runs across 15 games. No other Brewer finished with multiple hits, as six others had a single apiece.

On the mound, Sproat took the win while Harrison got a hold over 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and a walk with five strikeouts.

Opening Day is on deck this Thursday, as the Brewers will take on the White Sox in Milwaukee. Jacob Misiorowski gets the start in that one, with Shane Smith starting for Chicago. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m.

Brian Snitker to be inducted into Braves Hall of Fame on April 25

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout prior to Game 2 of the 2021 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves will inducted former manager Brian Snitker to the organization’s Hall of Fame on April 25, 2026. The third winningest manager in franchise history with 811 regular season victories, Snitker also led the team to the 2021 World Series championship – the organization’s first since 1995.

Snitker, who joined the organization as a player in 1977, began his coaching career in 1980 in the Braves minor league system garnering his first managerial opportunity in 1982 in the South Atlantic League. For the next four decades, he was a manager or coach with the organization in the minor leagues or with the big league club.

Snitker replaced Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez during the 2016 season on a interim basis. He would go on to manage the team through 2025, winning six consecutive National League East Division titles from 2018 through 2023 and making the post-season in seven of the nine season’s he was at the helm of the team for the entirety of the year.

After the end of the 2025 regular season, Snitker announced he would retire from managing. He is now an advisor in the organization.

The ceremony will take place prior to a game with the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Snitker will be the first inductee to the Braves Hall of Fame since 2024.

Cavs vs. Magic open gamethread

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 11, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to push their winning streak to four games as they take on the Orlando Magic on national TV.

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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.

Go Cavs!