MIAMI, FL - MARCH 16: A general view of during the 2026 World Baseball Classic WBC game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team Italy at loanDepot park on Monday, March 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Jays made a bit of news today:
Jonatan Clase has been optioned to Buffalo. This is his last option year.
And Javen Coleman, Michael Plassmeyer, Geovanny Planchart, Sean Keys, Charles McAdoo and Arjun Nimmala have been assigned to the Jays minor league camp. Some of those guys got a fair bit of playing time, especially after some of the Jays players went to the WBC.
Tonight Ed Rodriguez starts for Venezuela, he was hit pretty hard earlier in the WBC. And, apparently, MLB teams have been asking them not to use any of the pitchers they used yesterday, which seems hardly fair.
Nolan McLean, who was also hit hard earlier, in the WBC. He made one start for the Mets last season. You would think the USA would have someone better.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and forward Santi Aldama will miss the rest of the season after each had surgery on Tuesday.
Pippen had an operation on his right big toe and Aldama had a procedure and injection to address discomfort in his right knee. The team said both procedures were successful and the players will be ready for next season.
The Grizzlies (23-44) have lost eight straight games and entered Tuesday night nine games back in the race for the final play-in berth in the Western Conference. Star Ja Morant has played in only 20 games this season, missing the last 25 with a left elbow injury.
Pippen had a similar procedure in October and didn’t make his season debut until last month. In 10 games, he averaged 11.4 points.
Aldama was averaging 14 points and 6.7 rebounds this season.
The Chicago Blackhawks made multiple moves leading up to the 2026 NHL trade deadline. This was expected, as the Blackhawks are still rebuilding and are on the wrong side of the playoff line.
Due to this, the Blackhawks traded multiple of their former pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), as Nick Foligno (Minnesota Wild), Connor Murphy (Edmonton Oilers), and Jason Dickinson (Oilers) were all moved.
However, one Blackhawks pending UFA who did not get moved ahead of the deadline is veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. Now, the Blackhawks have a decision to make with the Massachusetts native because of it.
Grzelcyk has been a solid depth addition for the Blackhawks this season. Due to this, could the Blackhawks try to keep the 32-year-old defenseman beyond this season?
The Blackhawks have a young blueline with several promising defensemen. With this, it would not be the worst thing in the world if the Blackhawks extended Grzelcyk and kept him around as a veteran mentor for the club's younger defensemen. Grzelcyk could work well as the Blackhawks' seventh defenseman next season.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what the Blackhawks decide to do with Grzelcyk. In 66 games this season with the Original Six club, he has 12 assists and 30 penalty minutes.
Oct 8, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28), forward Baylor Scheierman (55) and center Luka Garza (52) react during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
HYDE PARK — A whole lot changed for the Celtics after the midseason trade deadline. It’s well-known that the team lost four players: Anfernee Simons, Xavier Tillman, Josh Minott, and Chris Boucher. But some of the players who weren’t traded saw their situations directly impacted, too.’
Luka Garza is one such example. Garza, who joined the team as a free agent last summer, had carved out a consistent role in the rotation when the Celtics opted to flip Simons for Nikola Vucevic in an effort to bolster their frontcourt.
At that point, Garza had played double-digit minutes in 25 consecutive games, establishing himself as Neemias Queta’s primary backup. Vucevic, a former All-Star and perennial NBA starter, was undoubtedly going to shoulder significant frontcourt responsibilities, and it was almost inevitable that Garza’s minutes would decline.
To Garza’s surprise, after the trade, teammates went out of their way to encourage and motivate him.
“When the Vooch trade happened, obviously, it was an amazing thing for our team, and he’s a great player,” Garza said on Tuesday afternoon at a court renovation in Hyde Park. “But obviously, guys know, as a team, that that would probably impact my minutes a little bit. And, I was just really surprised at some of the guys coming up to me and really just kind of giving me motivating thoughts and being like, ‘Hey, like, stay ready. We’re going to need you. You’ve done good things for us.’”
Garza was struck by the fact his teammates opted to so thoughtfully consider his situation in the aftermath of that trade.
“As people, as players, that’s the kind of guys that are in that locker room,” he said. “And for me, that really meant a lot. I’m always going to be the guy with a very positive mindset. But, when you hear things like that, it helps you a lot.”
Garza, who has been in the NBA since 2021, said the Celtics’ locker room stands out when it comes to off-court camaraderie.
Last week, for example, the team watched a movie together in Oklahoma City. And, players regularly grab food and discuss things unrelated to the game itself.
“Guys get more comfortable with each other as the season goes on — obviously, you’re on the road, you start going to dinner more, and just kind of learning more about each other.”
So, when adversity strikes, players know they can lean on one another.
“With this team, I think it’s honestly unique, just how close we are off the court,” he said. “Just everyone wanting to know about each other’s personal lives, and checking in, and all those kinds of things.”
The Milwaukee Brewers' Luis Rengifo, right, steals second as Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts waits for a late throw during Monday's game. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
After a few days away, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts returned to Camelback Ranch over the weekend, now a father of three after his wife, Brianna, gave birth.
The 33-year-old Betts said earlier in camp he was looking to ease into spring training ahead of his 13th major league season in an effort to turn the page from a career-worst statistical year in 2025. There have been encouraging signs as he's hitting .316 in Cactus League play, which includes a home run in Sunday's split-squad win over the Chicago Cubs.
“I just want to get better,” Betts said. “I’m not content with being where I’m at. I want to continue to get better in life and everything, and you know, be able to kind of teach my son how to be great. You know, I’ve got to go through it first. When you’re open-minded, there’s endless possibilities.”
Betts kept an open mind when he first learned of teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s unique workout routine, which includes javelin throwing, yoga, and working with personal trainer Osamu Yada. Betts credits his improved defense at shortstop to the new training methods that he’s adopted.
“I’m not fully in his whole routine,” Betts said of Yada, who is often referred to as Yada Sensei. “But I wake up every morning and do my stretch routine that Sensei showed me, throwing the javelins every day. I think throwing javelins is the reason why I can make a play in the hole like that and throw it in the air on a line. I’m really grateful for Yoshi and Sensei, because they have definitely changed my perspective, changed my life, changed my game.”
Betts graded as a below-average defender in his first season at the shortstop position in 2024, posting a minus-6 in Defensive Runs Saved and a minus-3 in Outs Above Average. Last season, he saw a sizable improvement, leading MLB shortstops in DRS (plus-17) and placing in the top-third in OAA (plus-6).
It wasn’t hard for Betts to look at Yamamoto and think that the Japanese superstar may have been onto something.
“So I mean, Yoshi came over and [got] $300 million, and he hadn’t even thrown a pitch over here,” Betts said. “So, I’m pretty sure he does something right.”
Betts has yet to see the workouts translate offensively, but expects that to come in due time.
“He said eventually I’ll feel where it helps me hitting, but I haven’t gotten to that point yet,” Betts said. “I think he should be back, so you’ll see us back working, and eventually I’ll get it, but he said it will take a little time.”
In the meantime, Betts believes he’s found an easy fix that should return him to the MVP-caliber player he had been for close to a decade. Betts says he lost 10 mph in bat speed last season.
“I think the most important part is now that I think I’m 178 [pounds] now, almost 180, so I’m able to just have speed,” Betts said. “When I lost all the weight, I was down 10 mph in speed. You’ve got guys throwing 100 mph with a slow bat, it’s going to be hard to do. It’s not an excuse, but it’s a fact. So, now I’ve got my speed back, I don’t have to hurry up and make decisions so fast.”
Said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: "I like where he's at physically. He looks stronger."
A stomach illness prompted Betts to lose 15 to 20 pounds last spring, putting him behind the eight-ball, and he never quite caught up after that.
“[I was] down 10 mph in bat speed,” Betts said. “Do you know how hard it is for somebody that weighs 160 [pounds] to gain bat speed, to gain strength and play a game all at the same time during the season? It’s tough to do. I tried it. I failed at it. But we’re in a new spot now, and we’ll try to stay here.”
Shohei Ohtani to pitch in Cactus League game
Shohei Ohtani, who was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, will pitch in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch, his first Cactus League action this year.
Roberts said he was uncertain how many innings he would pitch against the Giants and that he'll likely pitch one of the Freeway Series games against the Angels next week as he continues to ramp up to be part of the Dodgers' starting rotation.
"Even with the buildup, he was very clear on what he was going to do to prepare for the season," Roberts said.
Roberts also said Yamamoto is scheduled to start Friday's Cactus League game against the San Diego Padres.
The play was routine. In the third quarter of a Bucks win against the Pacers on Sunday, Giannis Antetokounmpo used a spin move then rose up for a slam, but when he landed, his left knee buckled a little underneath him. He pushed through it, and the next time down the court, he attempted another dunk, but it was clear he was in pain. Antetokounmpo shot his free throws and then went back to the locker room and did not return. Even so, after the game, Antetokounmpo didn't even think he'd need an MRI.
Things have changed in the last 48 hours. Now comes the word that Antetokounmpo is out Tuesday night with a left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise.
Injury Update: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Left Knee Hyperextension; Bone Bruise) is out for tonight’s game vs. Cleveland. https://t.co/FYbVWk9fN1
"The good news was it was a really good image, so there was no damage. Nothing. It was really just good news. But I don't know the next part (re: a timeline)."
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Antetokounmpo out for the season, although he will push back against that. The harsh reality is that the Bucks are 5.5 games out of the play-in with 15 games left in the season. Even with Antetokounmpo in the lineup, it is a long shot at best that the Bucks will make the postseason. The smart play would be to rest him and not risk further injury.
When healthy this season, Antetokounmpo has played at an MVP level, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists a game, shooting 62.4% from the floor. The problem is that he has played in just 36 games this season due to an assortment of knee, groin, and calf injuries.
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 07: A general view of the World Baseball Classic logo on the field prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool D game presented by Capital One between Team Israel and Team Venezuela at loanDepot park on Saturday, March 7, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Venue: loanDepot Park — Miami, Florida, USA
And it all comes down to this.
Tonight the home United States team will welcome Team Venezuela to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic.
If the US wins, it will be their first WBC championship since 2017. This will be Team Venezuela’s first appearance in the WBC title game.
And now to the lineups.
Venezuela will start LHP Eduardo Rodriguez who has had one previous outing in the 2026 WBC. When facing the Dominican Republic, he went 2 2/3 innings and surrendered home runs to Juan Soto and Ketel Marte.
The rest of the lineup looks like this:
Ronald Acuña Jr., RFF
Maikel Garcia, 3B
Luis Arraez, 1B
Eugenio Suárez, DH
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Ezequiel Tovar, SS
Wilyer Abreu, LF
Salvador Perez, C
Jackson Chourio, CF
In addition to Ezequiel Tovar, don’t forget that RHP Antonio Senzatela is on Team Venezuela.
For the United States, RHP Nolan McLean will toe the rubber. In his most recent appearance against Team Italy, he allowed three earned runs in three innings.
Mar 10, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; United States starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) pitches against Italy in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Cubs are continuing to evaluate Seiya Suzuki, whose MRI on his right knee showed a strained posterior cruciate ligament. Cubs manager Craig Counsell: “We got good news.” The club will wait until the weekend before making a decision on Suzuki’s Opening Day availability.
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: For those interested, there will be a separate game thread posting at 6:15 p.m. CT for the WBC championship game between the USA and Venezuela that begins at 7 p.m. CT.
Shōta Imanaga will start for the Cubs. The only other Cubs pitcher scheduled today is Javier Assad, now back from the WBC. Looks like the Cubs might be doing a piggyback two-pitcher game as they did last night against the Guardians.
Mitch Farris will start for the Angels. Other Angels pitchers scheduled today: zzzz
No TV today. There will be radio broadcasts on WSCR The Score and the Angels flagship station, KLAA 830.
Please visit the Angels site Crashing The Pearly Gates. If you do go there to interact with Angels fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 8 p.m. CT and 9:35 p.m. CT.
These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Mar 16, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela center fielder Jackson Chourio (1) advances to third base in the seventh inning against Italy during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here we are!
After starting with 20 teams earlier this month, we’re down to just two squads vying for the World Baseball Classic title in tonight’s championship game.
Team USA took down the Dominican Republic on Sunday in a closely fought 2-1 game, while Venezuela beat previously undefeated Italy 4-2 on Monday night.
Tonight’s game features a few of the Brewers’ top players, including second baseman Brice Turang for the USA (batting eighth) and catcher William Contreras (not in the lineup), outfielder Jackson Chourio (batting ninth), and lefty reliever Ángel Zerpa for Venezuela.
Mets’ pitcher Nolan McLean gets the start for the USA, while the Diamondbacks’ Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Venezuela. Team USA is the home team in this one, though based on how loud the Venezuelan fans were in last night’s win, it may feel more like a road game despite being played on home turf in Miami.
First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. CT on Fox, and the full lineups are included below.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 13: Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks reacts against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 13, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (44*-25) return home to face the struggling Pacers (15-53), who enter on a 13-game losing streak. New York beat them just days ago behind big showings from Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, and OG Anunoby. Indiana has been one of the league’s worst teams on both ends and is dealing with major injuries. As of this writing, Brunson is ruled OUT and Robinson is available.
Tip-off is 7:30 pm EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Indy Cornrows. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Enjoy each other’s company, respectfully. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but NBA Cup Finals wins blow away like dandelions.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 08: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter at Target Center on December 08, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 108-105. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lawrence Butler made his spring debut for the A’s today in Glendale against the White Sox | Getty Images
With just more than one week before opening day, the Athletics faced off against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona this afternoon. Luis Morales took the mound for the A’s against Anthony Kay for the Sox.
Kay kept the A’s off balance, allowing two base hits but no runners advancing to second throughout the first three innings. With one out and a 3-2 count in the bottom of the third, Chase Meidroth homered off Morales to deep right center field. He then walked the next two batters and gave up an RBI double to Austin Hayes. That ended the day for Morales*, having given up two runs and being responsible for the runners on second and third with two outs. James Gonzalez replaced him and promptly gave up a three-run blast to Andrew Benintendi, bringing the score to 5-0 and finalizing Luis Morales line at 2.2 innings, four earned runs, on three hits and two walks.
Morales returned to pitch the bottom of the fourth inning. He tossed a hitless, scoreless inning. Andy Ibáñez homered against Kay to get the A’s on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Jedixson Paez replaced Anthony Kay. Zack Gelof walked and Nick Kurtz doubled, scoring Gelof. Morales continued to pitch the bottom of the fifth, giving up a homer to Munetaka Murakami. That brought the score to 6-2 in favor of the Pale Hose.
Luis Medina entered the game to pitch the sixth for the A’s. He tossed a scoreless inning, as did Joel Kuhnel in the seventh inning. Zack Gelof walked off former A’s hurler Sean Newcomb to lead off the eighth. He was replaced by pinch runner Euribiel Angeles.
Lawrence Butler made his 2026 debut, DH’ing for the A’s today. He went 0-3 with two strikeouts and was removed for a pinch hitter in the eighth. Shane McGuire, hitting for Butler homered, driving in Euribiel Angeles.
That ended the scoring and the A’s dropped this one 6-4 to the White Sox. They have a rare spring day off tomorrow and will hit the field again on Thursday against the Mariners at 6:05 PM PDT.
*Morales final line was 4.1 innings, giving up five earned runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out five Sox today.
Rutger McGroarty is a prospect who the Pittsburgh Penguins are hoping will be a big part of their future. The 2022 first-round pick has yet to blossom into a full-time NHL player, but he has been showing promise during his second professional season at the AHL level.
In fact, as the season rolls on, McGroarty is only continuing to stay hot with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
McGroarty has been making a real impact offensively with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, as he has two goals and five points over his last five games with the AHL squad. He also has 16 points over his last 15 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, so he has done a good job staying consistent.
Due to his hot streak, McGroarty has seven goals, 17 assists, 24 points, and a plus-7 rating in 22 games this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. With numbers like these, it is clear that he is taking his game to a new level this season at the AHL level. He is producing at over a point-per-game pace in the AHL this season after he had 39 points in 60 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this past campaign.
It will now be interesting to see how McGroarty continues to perform from here. In 20 NHL games this season with Pittsburgh, the 6-foot-1 winger has two goals, five points, and 21 hits.
