The AHL revealed its All-Star Game rosters today, with St. Louis Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds forward Matt Luff selected as the organization’s representative.
The 28-year-old Luff has played in both the NHL and the AHL this season. Following training camp and pre-season, he was sent to the AHL, where he’s notched a team-high 12 goals and 30 points in 29 games. The next closest Thunderbirds player is Matthew Peca, who’s recorded 24 points in 32 games.
When injuries in December ravaged the Blues, Luff was recalled to the NHL roster, where he skated in five games in a fourth-line winger role. While averaging 9:08 of ice time, he scored one goal.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic will be held on Feb. 10-11 in Rockford, Ill. 12 players will represent each of the AHL’s four divisions. Committees of AHL coaches determined rosters, and at least one All-Star is selected from each of the 32 AHL teams.
Joining Luff on the Atlantic Division roster are Denver Barkey, Tobias Bjornfot, Patrick Brown, Tristan Broz, Frederic Brunet, Jack Devine, Michael DiPietro, Cole McWard, Sergei Murashov, Gabe Perreault, and Ilya Protas.
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The Buffalo Sabres continue their five-game homestand against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center on Thursday in a rare home back-to-back after posting a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. The Sabres got a pair of goals from Rasmus Dahlin, and singles from Mattias Samuelsson, Jack Quinn, and Ryan McLeod, but only managed 14 shots on goal on Flyers goalies Dan Vladar and Samuel Ersson.
After the game, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that center Josh Norris was injured in the second period. The 26-year-old played only 8:55 in the game and was hurt after Dahlin’s second goal.
"(It was a) cross-check that took him out of the game. He'll be evaluated. I really don't know where we're at with that right now," Ruff said. "We're hoping it's nothing too serious, but I think that's always what you hope."
The 2026 NHL Draft is coming to Buffalo this June.
Norris’s return in early December coincided with the Sabres winning streak that has brought the club back into playoff competition. If it is anything of a serious nature, it could hurt Buffalo’s chances of maintaining this pace and staying in the playoff race.
Ruff also indicated that defenseman Michael Kesselring, who had participated in practice this week, was ruled out of the game against Philadelphia, but was possibly available against the Habs.
"The plan was not to use him in back-to-back. He's available (Thursday). We'll make a decision whether we put him in," Ruff said. "I look at the two guys that played, I thought (Jacob) Bryson has played well, and (Zach) Metsa really played well for us. I've got some pretty good continuity going, so we'll look at whether a couple more days wouldn't hurt. (Kesselring has) really come along these last few days. So we'll bring him in the morning, evaluate him, and make a decision."
Colten Ellis is expected to get the start for Buffalo, while rookie Jacob Fowler will be between the pipes for Montreal.
Defenseman Cole McWard has been selected to the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division All-Star team.
#Isles Cole McWard will represent Bridgeport at next month's AHL All-Star Classic.
Defending Calder Cup champ went 5-11-16, +5 in 29 games this season to earn his first Isles call-up. @TheAHL always does an incredible job with this event. https://t.co/93yqIeBU6d
McWard, 24, signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the New York Islanders organization this past offseason. He has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 29 games with the Bridgeport Islanders this season, leading the team's defensemen in goals and points.
He has also gone pointless across three games in the NHL with New York, serving the last three games as a healthy scratch.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic is set to take place on February 10-11.
LAS VEGAS — Matthew Knies is set to dress for the Toronto Maple Leafs when the club visits the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday.
The forward was not on the ice for the club's full skate, prompting some concern that the Phoenix, Arizona native might not dress. However, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed that the player would be in the lineup that evening.
"Maintenance," is what Berube said as to why Knies was kept off the ice.
Knies logged 14:45 of ice time in Toronto's 6-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. There wasn't anything apparent that suggested Knies was injured out of the game.
Although Knies did not participate, Nick Robertson did skate despite missing Tuesday's game after blocking a shot in Toronto's 4-3 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday and is set to return to the lineup on the third line alongside Easton Cowan and Nick Roy.
Craig Berube says Matthew Knies was off the ice for maintenance but will play tonight. @BodogCA
"It felt like it broke my leg, but iI didn't, thankfully," Robertson said of the injury. It was pretty painful, but I mean, it's part of the game. I'm happy, nothing serious."
Robertson explained that the puck caught him in an area around the knee that isn't protected. Despite walking around fine after the game, it was difficult for him to skate on it, which is why he didn't play on Tuesday.
"It feels a lot better today," Robertson said.
It's important to note that no extra forward stayed on the ice to do some additional work, which is customary when they know for certain that a player is out of the lineup. That likely means Knies may be moved to the fourth line for the first time this season.
Knies previously played on the fourth line during the 2023-24 season when he played his first full season in the NHL.
With Bobby McMann fitting in well on the first line alongside Auston Matthews and Max Domi, the Leafs also like their mix on the second and third lines, meaning Knies could play with Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton. Given the maintenance designation, it may also help Knies in limiting his minutes as he deals with whatever caused him to miss the skate due to "maintenance".
Knies missed three games earlier this season in November with a lower-body injury, mentioning that nagging him for a month before deciding to rest it.
Calle Jarkrok is likely the odd man out as a result.
Brazilian teenage tennis sensation says he cannot control expectations but is looking forward to challenging the best again in 2026, starting at the Australian Open
‘My dream is to become world No 1, win grand slam titles and make history for Brazil,” João Fonseca says with simple purity as we reach the crux of his huge ambition. Fonseca is 19 and he makes that succinct list of his goals sound almost as casual as a few fun things a more ordinary teenager might aim to do this weekend. But Fonseca is different.
He is a generational talent who, in recent years, has been spoken of as a future superstar amid predictions that he might have the best chance of denting the dominant hold that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner exert over men’s tennis. But, as time in Fonseca’s company proves, he is remarkably grounded and mature for his age. Those attributes underline his credentials far more effectively than the hype that has trailed him.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan will soon have his Memorial Cup ring.
The OHL's London Knights revealed the rings on Thursday morning, showcasing the one with Cowan's name on it. The 20-year-old was London's top player at the Memorial Cup in the spring, with three goals and four assists in five games.
Cowan was also the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Whenever Cowan and his former teammates acquire their rings, they could be getting two of them for being Memorial Cup Champions.
One of the rings contains the Knights' logo surrounded by what appears to be diamonds, with the player's name etched on the side. The other ring will have the player's number on it — also appearing to be surrounded by diamonds — along with 'London Knights' engraved on each side.
Cowan spent parts of four seasons with the Knights, from 2022 to 2025. The Mount Brydges, Ontario-born forward scored 84 goals and 220 points in 175 games with the OHL club.
He sits atop London's history books when it comes to playoff points. In 60 postseason games, Cowan scored 32 goals and 64 assists for 96 points. Not to mention, the forward also went on a historic (unofficial) point streak of 65 games. The OHL deemed it unofficial because the streak spanned over two seasons.
Cowan, now in his first NHL season, is an integral part of the Maple Leafs. His strong hockey IQ and competitiveness have allowed him to remain with the NHL club this year.
Friday night will be a critical game for one former Colorado Avalanche player.
Ryan O’Reilly has long been a focal point in trade rumors, including speculation about a potential reunion with the Colorado Avalanche, the team that drafted him. Set to turn 35 in February, O’Reilly spent the first six seasons of his NHL career in Colorado (2009–2014), appearing in 427 games and compiling 90 goals and 156 assists during his tenure with the franchise.
Can Ryan O’Reilly Prove His Worth?
Even with the league’s best record, the most explosive offense, and the stingiest defense, coach Jared Bednar sees room for improvement at one position: the Avalanche remain thin at third-line center.
Ryan O’Reilly flipping the no look puck up the ice. If Patrick Mahomes does this we don’t hear the end of it. pic.twitter.com/3CkdfwTPGp
On Friday, the Avalanche (33-4-8) will take on the Nashville Predators (22-20-4), and O’Reilly, who has spent the past three seasons with Nashville, will be facing his former team.
Despite turning 35 soon, O’Reilly is on pace for one of the best seasons of his career. He is currently tracking to finish the year with 23 goals and 46 assists for 69 points.
That projection isn’t far off from his career-best campaign during the 2018-19 season, when he recorded 28 goals and 49 assists for 77 points. That same year, he also won the Stanley Cup and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, posting 23 points in 26 games, including eight goals and 15 assists.
Credit: Winslow Townson. O'Reilly hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues.
Is Ross Colton at Odds with the Avalanche?
Over the past several seasons, the Avalanche have rotated Ross Colton between center and wing. On the wing, the former Stanley Cup champion has been highly productive, but his offensive output has generally dipped when deployed as the third-line center.
Recently, Colton has hinted at potential friction with the Avalanche. Last month, he managed just two points in 14 games, raising questions about his role and fit within the lineup.
The Robbinsville, New Jersey native found a spark when moved to the second line alongside Valeri Nichushkin and Brock Nelson against the Ottawa Senators, recording his first three-point game of the season.
Credit: Ron Chenoy. Ross Colton has not scored a goal since November 26 against the San Jose Sharks.
“Feel like I’m playing well. I feel like part of it’s how you’re deployed, the minutes you’re getting. Long stretch there, we weren’t playing a lot, so it’s hard to do stuff when you’re playing less than 10 minutes,” Colton said. “We were doing everything that we could, playing the right way, doing little things right.”
While Colton’s performance against the Senators was encouraging, he won’t remain a second-line winger once captain Gabriel Landeskog returns from injury. Any offensive surge he produces could be short-lived.
Meanwhile, Jack Drury has filled the third-line center role over the past eight games, but it’s clear Bednar isn’t fully committed to him in that position. If he were, there wouldn’t be as much experimentation with the lineup.
Taken together, there’s a lot at stake for both Colton and O’Reilly — though in O’Reilly’s case, only if he actually wants to leave Nashville. Predators general manager Barry Trotz has made it clear that any trade involving O’Reilly would only happen at the player’s request.
Why O’Reilly Could Be a Perfect Fit
After the Avalanche traded O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Nikita Zadorov, J.T. Compher, Mikhail Grigorenko, and a second-round pick, O’Reilly eventually landed in St. Louis, where his career truly took off. In his first season with the Blues, he won a Stanley Cup and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
O’Reilly spent parts of five seasons with St. Louis before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 17, 2023. He played 13 games with Toronto before signing with the Nashville Predators in the following offseason.'
Given his $4.5 million cap hit and consistent level of performance, O’Reilly would be a dream addition for an Avalanche team that is already one of the league’s most dangerous. In Nashville, he has been one of the few bright spots on a roster clearly in need of a new direction.
By comparison, Colton makes slightly less than O’Reilly at $4 million, but has only posted 20 points with five goals and 15 assists in 45 games. O’Reilly has nearly doubled that production despite being five years older and playing on a worse team.
The most significant obstacle could be a bidding war. Securing a player of O’Reilly’s caliber would likely demand a substantial return, yet the potential reward—a decisive edge in the pursuit of another Stanley Cup—could justify the cost. Should he deliver an eye-opening performance on Friday against the league’s top team, it would be difficult for Colorado to ignore the opportunity to at least place a formal offer.
SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga became trade eligible Thursday, and to state the obvious, he wants a new NBA team to call home.
The fifth-year pro has demanded a trade, league sources confirmed Thursday to NBC Sports Bay Area. Kuminga was in attendance for a rare home shootaround at Chase Center before the Warriors play the New York Knicks. Once reporters were allowed in, a smiling Kuminga sprinted off the court without comment.
About six hours later, Warriors coach Steve Kerr, during his pregame press conference, was asked about the latest chapter in the Kuminga era that could end in the next three weeks by the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Kerr first reiterated his statement that he and Kuminga are on cordial terms.
“Our relationship is fine,” he said.
Aside from that, Kerr didn’t dive much deeper into the specifics of Kuminga’s hope for a fresh start.
“There’s not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff,” Kerr continued. “It is what it is. Difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league, part of this job. We just keep moving forward. But it’s a tough situation and I don’t really have much to add.”
Since being a healthy DNP-CD (Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision) on Dec. 7 in a blowout win against the Chicago Bulls, Kuminga has played in only one of the Warriors’ last 17 games. He played nine and half minutes in a one-point loss to the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 18. Kuminga hasn’t taken his black warmup shirt off and gotten off the bench to enter a game at all in the 13 games since.
In 12 of the Warriors’ 13 games during that span, Kuminga has continued to be a healthy DNP-CP. Kerr said on 95.7 The Game the morning of the Warriors’ eventual 37-point blowout loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 2 that Kuminga was in his plans to play. But Kuminga was a late addition to the Warriors’ injury report with lower back soreness and did not dress in a game Golden State also was without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
While the outside noise continues to become louder, Kerr says none of this is a hindrance to who Warriors are and won’t cause problems.
“It won’t be a distraction,” Kerr said. “Jonathan’s a great young guy. His teammates like him. He’s handling himself well. There won’t be a distraction.”
Kuminga signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract with a team option on the second season two days into training camp. The start of the season was seamless with Kuminga scoring 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, having nine rebounds and six assists in an opening-night win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Kuminga started the first 12 games of the season, averaging 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.l assists per game.
The Warriors went 6-6 in those first 12 games. They’ve gone 16-13 after moving Kuminga out of the starting lineup two months ago. Kuminga has played in just six of those games, starting once, and averaging 16.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Late Thursday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a deal with the four-time MLB All-Star and 2022 World Series Champion, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million contract that includes an opt-out after the second season. The pact carries one of the highest average annual values in baseball history and once again underscores the Dodgers’ willingness to operate at the very top of the sport’s financial ecosystem.
For months, Tucker’s free agency felt like a slow-burning standoff. Executives around the league believed his market would soar past $400 million on a long-term deal, especially given his age, durability, elite defense, and left-handed power bat. Tucker, coming off a season with the Chicago Cubs after being traded from the Houston Astros last offseason, was widely viewed as the rare free agent who checks every box: postseason pedigree, consistent production, and star presence without volatility.
But the market never quite erupted.
Instead, it pivoted.
As winter dragged on, the industry began buzzing about a different approach—shorter deals, massive annual value, and the chance for Tucker to re-enter free agency while still firmly in his prime. That’s where the Dodgers and New York Mets entered the picture in earnest. The Mets reportedly offered four years and $200 million, a strong bid that reflected their continued pursuit of top-tier talent. The Toronto Blue Jays, fresh off a 2025 World Series runner-up finish, went longest with their offer, hoping stability and years would sway the slugger north of the border.
In the end, Los Angeles wouldn’t be outdone.
The Dodgers pushed their offer to a level no one else could touch, combining financial dominance with flexibility.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the deal is fully guaranteed. Includes opt-outs after years two and three. Comes with a $64 million dollar signing bonus, includes $30 million in deferred money, and is a record by AAV by over $6 million (previous record, Juan Soto by the New York Mets last season).
Tucker batted .266 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 136 games with the Cubs last season. He was voted to his fourth All-Star Game in July.
Tucker is expected to start in right field for the Dodgers, moving Teoscar Hernandez to left field, where he played predominantly during the 2024 World Series season. The Dodgers needed another outfielder after left fielder Michael Conforto didn’t quite pan out as the team had thought in 2025.
Tucker slides into an already formidable Dodgers lineup as a middle-of-the-order force, capable of changing games with one swing while providing Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield. His postseason résumé only strengthens a team that measures success in October, not summer standings.
For the Dodgers, this signing isn’t just about winning the offseason. It’s about control—of the market, of the narrative, and of the championship window. While other teams blinked or hedged, Los Angeles leaned in.
Kyle Tucker bet on himself.
The Dodgers bet on now.
And once again, the rest of baseball is left reacting to a move that reshapes the balance of power—one expensive, deliberate swing at a time.
Late Thursday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a deal with the four-time MLB All-Star and 2022 World Series Champion, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million contract that includes an opt-out after the second season. The pact carries one of the highest average annual values in baseball history and once again underscores the Dodgers’ willingness to operate at the very top of the sport’s financial ecosystem.
For months, Tucker’s free agency felt like a slow-burning standoff. Executives around the league believed his market would soar past $400 million on a long-term deal, especially given his age, durability, elite defense, and left-handed power bat. Tucker, coming off a season with the Chicago Cubs after being traded from the Houston Astros last offseason, was widely viewed as the rare free agent who checks every box: postseason pedigree, consistent production, and star presence without volatility.
But the market never quite erupted.
Instead, it pivoted.
As winter dragged on, the industry began buzzing about a different approach—shorter deals, massive annual value, and the chance for Tucker to re-enter free agency while still firmly in his prime. That’s where the Dodgers and New York Mets entered the picture in earnest. The Mets reportedly offered four years and $200 million, a strong bid that reflected their continued pursuit of top-tier talent. The Toronto Blue Jays, fresh off a 2025 World Series runner-up finish, went longest with their offer, hoping stability and years would sway the slugger north of the border.
In the end, Los Angeles wouldn’t be outdone.
The Dodgers pushed their offer to a level no one else could touch, combining financial dominance with flexibility. Four years. $260 million. An opt-out after year two. It was the perfect blend of security and leverage for Tucker—and a familiar aggressive strike from a franchise that has mastered the art of roster construction in the modern era.
Tucker batted .266 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 136 games with the Cubs last season. He was voted to his fourth All-Star Game in July.
Tucker is expected to start in right field for the Dodgers, moving Teoscar Hernandez to left field, where he played predominantly during the 2024 World Series season. The Dodgers needed another outfielder after left fielder Michael Conforto didn’t quite pan out as the team had thought in 2025.
Tucker slides into an already formidable Dodgers lineup as a middle-of-the-order force, capable of changing games with one swing while providing Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield. His postseason résumé only strengthens a team that measures success in October, not summer standings.
For the Dodgers, this signing isn’t just about winning the offseason. It’s about control—of the market, of the narrative, and of the championship window. While other teams blinked or hedged, Los Angeles leaned in.
Kyle Tucker bet on himself.
The Dodgers bet on now.
And once again, the rest of baseball is left reacting to a move that reshapes the balance of power—one expensive, deliberate swing at a time.
After going 0-for-6 for the first three games of their seven-game road trip, power-play coach Ray Bennett has elected to play Simon Holmstrom on the top unit, moving the struggling Jonathan Drouin to the second unit.
This change did happen late in their 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, I believe.
Holmstrom has been playing at the top of his game as of late, with four goals and one assist over his last four games. Drouin, who signed a two-year deal this summer worth $4 million annually, has gone 23 games without a goal. He has six assists over that span.
The Islanders' power play sits last in the NHL at 15.2 percent. They've been, more or less, able to overcome the man-advantage issues this season thanks to strong defense and tremendous goaltending, both of which have played a part in their penalty-kill bounce-back.
We'll see if Holmstrom can take advantage of his elevated power-play role.
Puck drop between the Islanders and Oilers comes your way at 9 PM ET.
The Knicks have hit a bit of a midseason rough patch, now 2-6 in their last eight games, missing Jalen Brunson, and in danger of falling out of the second seed.
With the season at a pivotal juncture, fans and even management may not be satisfied only making a modest upgrade at the incoming trade deadline.
New York’s cap, asset, and tradable talent limitations have left the rumor mill and fan base’s potential outcomes resigned to acquiring Jose Alvarado or Jeremy Sochan.
But if the losing continues and the Knicks get desperate, here are three bold trade ideas they can consider instead...
Knicks get: Cam Thomas Nets get: Guerschon Yabusele and Tyler Kolek
What the Knicks lack in maneuverability they can make up for in pure, unadulterated risk-taking with this move. Thomas' value seemingly can’t be lower after a no-bid free agency followed by the Nets finding competence in his absence, which makes him an attractive candidate for an asymmetric trade.
New York would be risking a couple of reserve bodies, including Kolek, who remains a promising bench guard. This deal comes with a price if Thomas blows up across the river as well.
But if this trade can set Thomas right and get him to buy into a contender, the Knicks would get more than just another reliable ball-handler. He’s one of the most gifted young scorers in the league, a three-level threat who would be far more dangerous in a pointed role off the bench.
Yes, this trade is the basketball equivalent of your friend pitching you on the unheard-of stock trading at $0.12 that he swears is going to the moon. But the Knicks don’t have much more than $0.12 to spend, and need to find a rocket fast.
Knicks get: Ivica Zubac Clippers get: Mitchell Robinson, Yabusele, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2032 Knicks first round pick
If Thomas is the penny stock, Zubac is the giant real estate development your well-off grandfather helped funnel your savings into. The Knicks take a swing on a real upgrade at center in talent and reliability without gutting their rotation.
Zubac is coming off a career-year in which he averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 63 percent shooting from the field, made All-Defensive Second Team, and had a case to be an All-Star. He started off slower this year but is back at cruising altitude. While he isn’t the offensive rebounding freak Robinson is, he brings much more to the table overall.
Brunson would get his first real dynamic roll threat since Isaiah Hartenstein, someone who can screen hard, dive, and read the defense to make the right read. His low-post scoring is a major threat, too, offensive options that are largely off the table when Robinson’s playing.
The price might look steep, but the market appears hot for Zubac’s services and the Clippers have little incentive to move him unless they’re getting a nice return. Even this package might not be enough, but if Los Angeles is willing to hear it out, New York has to consider a move like this.
Knicks get: Jaren Jackson Jr. Grizzlies get: Josh Hart, Robinson, Pacome Dadiet, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2030 Knicks first round pick swap, 2032 Knicks first round pick, up to five second-round picks
Something short of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, but in the same vein of one last all-in push to make the Finals. This would absolutely decimate New York’s asset pile, but land them an All-Star two-way player that solves a few of their problems at once.
That would require Jackson returning to some of his past glory, as this season has been a down one for him. If he can tap into the player who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, or averaged 22 points on 38 percent shooting from three last season, the Knicks could make real noise with him.
Losing Hart, a core piece of the team’s identity and best friend of the team’s best player, won’t be an easy pill to swallow. But he has his flaws -- size and how defenses treat him from behind the arc. Same goes for Robinson, who is limited offensively and can’t make free throws.
Jackson isn’t perfect, but he can be a defensive upgrade at the four, make up for some of New York’s lack of size, somewhat spread the floor, and slide down to the five at times if needed. He also happens to be a former client of Leon Rose, making him a more realistic target than one would think.
The price is the price, especially with the return Memphis got for Desmond Bane. But if the Knicks feel their backs approaching the wall, and this is the trade that’s available to them, why wouldn’t they at least consider it?
CARY, N.C. — Clayton Kershaw isn’t done pitching just yet, agreeing to join the U.S. team for this year’s World Baseball Classic.
A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues at a time he had a one-year, $20 million contract with the Dodgers.
New Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman also announced he will join the U.S. team.
Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.
The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.
The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Brazil, Britain, Italy and Mexico.
DENVER — Right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Colorado Rockies finalized their one-year, $8 million contract.
Lorenzen gets a $7.75 million million salary this year, and the deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027 with a $250,000 buyout plus award bonuses.
Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.
Lorenzen, 34, was 7-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 26 starts and one relief appearance last year for Kansas City, which guaranteed him $7 million in a one-year deal. He earned an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for innings and games pitched.
Lorenzen struck out a career-high 127 in 141 2/3 innings, but also tied for the major league lead with 12 wild pitches.
Colorado has lost 101 or more games in each of the past three years, including a major league-high 119 in 2025. It’s last winning record was 91-72 in 2018.
Paul DePodesta was hired as Colorado’s president of baseball operations in November, and Warren Schaeffer was promoted to full-time manager after finishing last season as the interim skipper.
The current nucleus for the rebuilding Rockies includes All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. The team also selected shortstop Ethan Holliday with the No. 4 pick in last year’s amateur draft.
Lorenzen broke into the majors with Cincinnati in 2015. He is 54-55 with a 4.08 ERA in 395 career appearances, also pitching for Texas, Detroit, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Angels.
Lorenzen was traded from Detroit to Philadelphia on Aug. 1, 2023. He threw a no-hitter in his home debut with the Phillies, striking out five and issuing four walks in a 7-0 victory over Washington.
He would get $100,000 each for winning an MVP award or Cy Young Award and $50,000 for second through fifth in the voting. Lorenzen also would earn $100,000 apiece for BBWAA Reliever of the Year and Rivera/Hoffman Reliever of the Year, and $50,000 for second through fifth in the BBWAA voting and second or third in the Rivera/Hoffman.
He would earn $100,000 for World Series MVP, $75,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $100,000 for Comeback Player of the Year and $25,000 each for All-Star selection and winning a Gold Glove.
