Andrew Flintoff feels cricket coaching chance ‘saved me’ after Top Gear crash

  • Former cricketer opens up on dark times during recovery
  • ‘I thought my face had come off. I was frightened to death’

Andrew Flintoff has described his return to cricket as a coach over the past 18 months as “the one thing that saved me” as he struggled to come to terms with the mental and physical scars caused in a car accident during filming for the BBC’s Top Gear in December 2022.

Flintoff talks for the first time about the accident and its aftermath in a Disney+ documentary to be released on Friday. “After the accident I didn’t think I had it in me to get through,” he says.

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Golden Knights Recall Seven Players From AHL Affiliate To Form Taxi Squad

Henderson goaltender Carl Lindbom makes a stop during the first period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled seven players from the Henderson Silver Knights to form their playoff taxi squad. 

The Silver Knights fell short of making the Calder Cup Playoffs this season, allowing the Golden Knights to recall seven players to form a taxi squad, who will serve as extra players available if the Golden Knights are ravaged by injuries.

The taxi squad is made up of four forwards: Cal Burke, Tanner Laczynski, Raphael Lavoie, and Matyáš Šapovaliv, two defensemen: Dysin Mayo and Robert Hagg and goaltender Carl Lindbom.

Burke, Laczynski and Lavoie have all played several games with the Golden Knights this season, mostly playing in fourth-line roles. The Golden Knights have Jonas Rondbjerg, Alexander Holtz, and Tanner Pearson currently serving as healthy scratches, leaving a lengthy list of players standing in their way.

Sapovaliv is one of the Golden Knights' top prospects who completed his rookie season in the AHL this year, scoring 11 goals and 19 points in 71 games. The 21-year-old is known for his defensively responsible game but has not made his NHL debut yet.

Mayo and Hagg are veteran defensemen who can step into the lineup and provide stability if need be. With Kaedan Korczak and Ben Hutton serving as healthy scratches, it's unlikely that Mayo and Hagg will be needed. 

Lindbom, like Sapovaliv, completed his rookie season in the AHL. He played in 36 games, posting a .912 SV% and a 2.65 GAA, shaping up to possibly be the future netminder for the Golden Knights. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Golden Knights Sticking With Lines That Have WorkedGolden Knights Sticking With Lines That Have WorkedThe Vegas Golden Knights flamed out in the first round of the playoffs last year to the Dallas Stars in large part due to HC Bruce Cassidy’s inability to find the best lines. The blame can’t all be put on him as the Golden Knights were ravaged with injuries and did not have enough time to build chemistry among linemates. 

Clippers guard Norman Powell trusts his work when taking big shots

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) shoots a 3-point basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and center Nikola Jokic (15) defend in the second half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff series Monday, April 21, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots a three-pointer as Nuggets guard Jamal Murray and center Nikola Jokic (15) defend in the second half of Game 2. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

At no point, Clippers guard Norman Powell maintained, did he waver in his belief in himself. At no point was he going to shy away from taking shots with the game hanging in the balance, despite missing many of his shots.

Powell said he has worked too hard all season to lose his confidence now, even if the stage has gotten bigger because the Clippers are in the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.

He missed his first five shots in Game 2 on Monday night, but Powell kept shooting.

Then he made three of his last four shots in the fourth quarter, during key moments, big-time shots that helped the Clippers pull out the tense game to tie the best-of-seven series 1-1.

Powell shot five for 14 from the field and finished with 13 points. But it was his seven points on three-for-four shooting in the final 12 minutes that showed how he impacted the game.

Read more:Kawhi Leonard’s big night was months in the making during grueling rehab

“Obviously for me, shots or buckets aren't coming as they have been all year,” Powell said after practice Wednesday. “But it's just about staying confident, riding the waves of the ups and downs of it. I’m trusting my work and just continue to take the shots that are open. Every shot that I've taken in this series have been shots I've made all year. It’s just not going in, but I have unwavering confidence in myself. My teammates [and] the coaching staff does.

“Throughout the course of the first two games, they've kept telling me to be aggressive and look for my spots, look for my shots, and late in the game I was able to convert on some of those shots … when we needed them, and that's what matters most is just continuing to believe in myself and find ways to be effective.”

Powell’s floater with 6:30 left gave the Clippers a 91-90 lead. His floater with 5:16 left gave them a 96-92 lead.

It was his three-pointer with 1:35 left, off a pass from Kawhi Leonard, for a 103-100 lead that proved to be biggest of all in the Clippers' 105-102 win. Getting the ball in that big spot showed Powell how much faith his teammates have in him.

“It just shows that they trust the work and they trusted my abilities as a player, as a teammate. Like I said, around this time you need that. You need the confidence in your two star players," Powell said, referring to Leonard and James Harden. "You need the confidence in the supporting cast and the role players to go out there and execute and win.

"It's a team game. Those guys are going to do what they have to do to put us in position, but it's everybody stepping up and making plays throughout the course of the series, throughout the course of a 48-minute game that's going to dig out wins. Not just going to be one guy, but everybody around here knows the amount I put into this game each and every day. Whether it's a good game, bad game, I'm here the next day putting in the work, getting better, watching film and seeing how I can be the best version of myself for this team. So it means a lot.”

They will need Powell again when the Clippers play Game 3, which will be their first playoff game at their new home, the Intuit Dome, on Thursday night.

Coach Tyronn Lue doesn’t care that Powell is shooting only 38.5% from the field in the series, averaging just 12.5 points after averaging a career-best 21.8 during the regular season and shooting 48.4% from the field, including 41.8% from three-point range.

Lue had a conversation with Powell to offer encouragement.

“He's got to trust in his work,” Lue said. “He works too hard. Sometimes I think too much. So, left him in at the end of the game. We saw what he did for us last year at the end of the games and so this wasn't any different. So, I'm glad he was able to make those three shots in the fourth quarter and hopefully that gets him going throughout the course of this series.”

Clippers applying full-court pressure

There have been times in this series when the Clippers applied full-court pressure on the Nuggets.

Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. would defend Denver point guard Jamal Murray full court in an attempt to wear him down.

Ben Simmons would pick up Denver center Nikola Jokic full court to try to slow him down.

“It helps a lot,” Lue said. “I think it allows them to get into their triggers later in the clock, which takes away Joker’s decision making being able to pass the ball three or four times and make a play. It also wears them down when they are playing so many minutes, so many heavy minutes. I thought when Ben came in the game and picked up Joker full court and kind of denied him and got into him, I thought it wore him down.

"Then DJ picked up Jamal and then Nico [Batum] was up picking up the floor against them. I think as the series goes along and the more minutes they are playing, the more we can be physical, picking up full court and trying to wear them down, it will be good for us.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Juan Soto’s defense plays part in Mets’ win over Phillies: ‘It’s always great to have some role’

Juan Soto wasn’t able to come through for the Mets with the bat during Wednesday’s win over the Phillies -- but he still found a way to make his mark. 

The superstar hasn’t exactly been known for his outfield defense throughout his career -- but that’s exactly where his impact was felt the most during this one. 

With two on and two outs in a 2-2 game in the top of the eighth, Phillies outfielder Max Kepler lined what appeared to be a go-ahead single to right off of Jose Butto; however, Soto fielded the ball and came up throwing.  

The throw was a bit off line but catcher Hayden Senger made a terrific play behind the plate, quickly reaching over to slap the tag on the sliding Nick Castellanos, just in time to keep the score tied and the inning. 

It was Soto’s first outfield assist as a Met -- and it was a huge one.

"It was pretty good," Carlos Mendoza said. "Soto getting behind the ball and then Senger making sure he catches the baseball and then quickly applying the tag -- but the one hope from Soto, just getting behind the ball and making that one hope throw, it was a well-executed play."

The Mets were able to keep things evened up after that before heading into extras.

In the top of the 10th, the Phillies were able to bring across the ghost runner from second base against Edwin Diaz before he was forced out of the game due to a left hip cramp.

Max Kranick then entered and somehow worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam before the Mets fought right back and scored two runs of their own, securing the sweep on a Starling Marte walk-off hit.

“This is a team that doesn’t give up,” Soto said. “We keep working day in and day out every inning — it doesn’t matter if we’re winning by a lot of losing by a lot, I think the guys have been showing that we just never give up.”

Despite finishing the day 1-for-4 with a punchout, the 26-year-old was happy to be able to come through somehow.

“It’s always great to have some role and play a part in the game,” Soto said. “I’m trying my best to come through with the bat, but whenever that doesn’t come through, I have to do something else to help. We play defense, we run the bases right -- today I had the chance to help the team with my defense."

Former BYU standout, NBA lottery pick, Olympian Jimmer Fredette announces retirement from basketball

Jimmer Fredette has a career arc unlike anybody else. A former BYU standout who became an NBA lottery pick, he went on to be a massive star in China, then transitioned into being one of the top 3x3 players in the world and an Olympian.

That basketball career arc is ending for Fredette, 36, as he announced his retirement from the sport.

"It's been unbelievable, rewarding, and I definitely can't complain," Fredette told NBC Sports this summer before heading to Paris as part of the USA's men's 3x3 team. "I mean, what an awesome career I've had and it has built me into the person I am today, and not just a basketball player. So it's been pretty incredible to experience so many cool different cultures and places."

Fredette led the NCAA in scoring during his senior season at BYU, averaging 28.9 points per game and shooting almost 40% from three-point range, and he was voted the Naismith College Player of the Year.

Fredette was the No. 10 pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2011, part of a draft-night trade with the Kings. Fredette was never able to establish himself as a solid rotation player in the league, but he played 241 games across six NBA seasons, averaging six points a game.

The next chapter of Fredette's career largely unfolded in China. He played four seasons for the Shanghai Sharks, was named league MVP in 2017 and was a three-time All-Star. He also played a season in Greece for Panathinaikos, where he helped it win the Greek League championship.

In recent years, Fredette has been one of the top 3x3 players in the world — he won gold medals at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup and the 2023 Pan American Games — and with that represented the USA in the Paris Olympics.

"It's been amazing," Fredette told NBC Sports this summer. "Honestly, it's been an incredible career. I started off up and down in the NBA, obviously, when I got there, it was some great times and some, some really tough times. Kind of a roller coaster at that point. And then I ended up going to China and really had a great career over in China and in Europe. And now to be a 3x3 and be able to be on what is considered one of the best teams in the world and, and to have a chance to go to the Olympics and play in the pinnacle of athletics. It's been unbelievable."

And it won't be forgotten by fans for a long time.

Live And Learn: Batherson Accepts Blame For His Role In Toronto's Game 2 Overtime Winner

On Wednesday morning, following the Ottawa Senators’ tough 3-2 overtime loss in Toronto, winger Drake Batherson stepped in front of the media in Ottawa and took full responsibility for his role in the Maple Leafs' game-winning goal.

April 23, 2025: Drake Batherson speaks with the media in Ottawa on Wednesday (Ottawa Senators).

"You live and you learn," Batherson told the media. "I mean, you make a mistake and you learn from it, and sometimes it's the hard way. And obviously, it costs us the game. So, you live and you learn but like I say, you get to move on to the next one. But I definitely wish I could have that one back, to say the least.

"The best thing you do is come out tomorrow and try to make a difference."

While Batherson taking accountability is both appropriate and admirable, in reality, there was more than one contributor to the series of unfortunate events.

Prior to the game-winning goal, Batherson carried the puck up the left wing as the Senators entered the Leafs' zone. He attempted a soft backhand pass to the middle, trying to connect with Dylan Cozens, but Simon Benoit easily intercepted the pass and rushed up ice. It could have been a disaster, but not because it led to an odd-man rush. It didn't. Toronto made a line change on the rush, so it was a relatively harmless 2-on-4.

The Senators, however, were also in the process of changing their D on the fly. When Batherson lost the puck, Tyler Kleven and Nikolas Matinpalo were heading off, and as Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen jumped on, Ottawa even briefly had too many men on the ice. Matinpalo made it off, but Kleven didn’t. Because of the turnover, Jensen had to return to the bench, while Kleven scrambled to get back into the play. 

That confusion allowed Benoit, who isn’t exactly Cale Makar, to gain the Ottawa blue line with little resistance. Still, it was just a 2-on-4. That play never should have resulted in a shot, let alone a high-quality scoring chance.

Cozens had a chance to defend against Domi but overcommitted on a soft stick check and missed. Batherson also whiffed completely on his attempt to recover. Both players could have ended the threat with even the lightest body contact.

Chabot should have been in a perfect position to provide an extra layer of protection, but instead made a critical mistake by backing in far too deep when Domi was the only threat. 

Chabot then tried to block the shot, but only ended up helping to screen Sens goalie Linus Ullmark, while giving Domi a clean shooting lane. Benoit was also there to help with the screen and probably could have been slowed down by Kleven, who had no one else to cover.

For Sens fans, the goal may have been the hardest pill to swallow since Chris Kunitz’s double-overtime winner in the 2017 Eastern Conference Final — a goal that, coincidentally, came from almost the same spot on the ice.

Batherson deserves some serious blame for the winning goal, no question. But he doesn’t need to carry it all — there was more than enough blame to go around.

What we learned as Jimmy Butler injured in Warriors' Game 2 loss to Rockets

What we learned as Jimmy Butler injured in Warriors' Game 2 loss to Rockets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

HOUSTON – When the Warriors return to San Francisco on Thursday, they’ll be doing so as a beat-up team needing to find their home-court advantage after a 109-94 loss Wednesday to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. 

The loss evened the series at one win apiece. The final score also wasn’t as top of mind as usual.

Warriors star Jimmy Butler exited late in the first quarter after a hard fall to the hardwood that resulted in a pelvis contusion. He will undergo an MRI on Thursday after the Warriors return the Bay Area.

Steph Curry wasn’t able to recreate his masterful Game 1 performance. Curry had 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting and was 4 of 9 from deep in 37 minutes. He also had five rebounds and nine assists, but a game-high six turnovers.

He also was without his co-star for the majority of the game. Butler’s night only lasted eight minutes, in which he had three points on two shot attempts. The rest of the starting five – Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody – combined to score 20 points on 18 shots. Podziemski battled an illness and was scoreless, going 0 of 5 overall.

Golden State’s defense held Houston to six made 3-pointers in Game 1. Jalen Green, who scored just seven points on 3-of-15 shooting to open the series, scored eight threes himself. Green played a huge role in the Rockets’ win, exploding for a game-high 38 points.

The Warriors’ loss looked more like a football game or rugby match than basketball. WrestleMania made its way to Houston but these aren’t actors. There were a handful of “F–k you, Draymond” chants from Rockets fans and technical fouls for both sides. 

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ Game 2 loss.

Physicality Ramps Up 

The next time someone says the modern NBA is soft, show them this series. It already was obvious the Rockets were going to grab Curry until the referees blew their whistle. Anything to slow him down. In the first quarter alone, it felt like these two teams were going to trade the ball for boxing gloves. 

With four minutes left in the first quarter, Steve Kerr called a timeout not to slow the Rockets’ momentum but to let his feelings be known loudly to the refs. Not even two minutes later, a scary sight had everyone on the edge of their seats as Amen Thompson got under Butler in mid-air and the Warriors star slammed to the ground. He took a long time to get up before taking two free throws, missing his first and making his second. 

Butler shortly after limped to the locker room with his personal trainer, as well as Warriors director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini. He was ruled out for the rest of the game with eight minutes left in the second quarter because of a pelvis contusion.

His injury was far from the only example of an extremely physical game. Curry and Kerr showed more frustrations than usual, and the Warriors looked like a team that desperately needs this series to end as quickly as possible.

Depth Tested

Podziemski was a late addition to the Warriors’ injury report with an illness three hours before tipoff. Coach Steve Kerr said Podziemski had a stomach issue from something he ate and had to go through pregame warmups to see if he could beat his bug. Podziemski battled through his shooting routine but toughed it out and was in the starting lineup. 

The second-year pro came up clutch Sunday in his playoff debut, scoring 14 points with a team-high eight rebounds, plus five assists and two steals, making him a game-high plus-17. Right away, it was clear how much Podziemski was hurting in Game 2.

Kerr’s first substitution was bringing Gary Payton II in for Podziemski. He returned but Curry replaced him for the final 28 seconds of the first quarter and Podziemski, during the second quarter,r was deemed questionable for the rest of the game while in the locker room because of his illness. Podziemski made his return with a little more than six minutes left in the third quarter as the Warriors trailed by 15 points.

Butler’s injury opened the door for the return of Jonathan Kuminga, who was a DNP-CD (Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision) in the Warriors’ previous three games. Pat Spencer came in for Podziemski and played his most real minutes since the Warriors’ win against the Rockets on Feb. 13. The backup point guard deserves to be commended for his efforts, recognizing the Rockets’ foul trouble and scoring nine points over nine minutes in the second quarter.

Kuminga had 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting in 26 minutes.

Help Wanted 

There isn’t a world where Spencer can be one of the Warriors’ most reliable bench scorers and they move onto the next round. Kuminga got to the basket, but he was far too inefficient trying to score by himself, missing at the rim on multiple occasions. Rust is a factor, but he didn’t look like a player Kerr can rely on, even if Butler misses the next game or more.

Rookie center Quinten Post undoubtedly made mistakes. He also proved getting through the first game loosened him up, and Post hit four 3-pointers for 12 points in 25 minutes off the bench. His role could increase moving forward. 

Maybe Podziemski gets over his illness quickly and he finds his shot again. Moody knocked down three threes but they felt empty and Buddy Hield was a non-factor for the second straight game. Gui Santos’ minus-8 plus/minus was the worst among Warriors reserves.

The Warriors have scored under 100 points in the first two games of the series and in five of the seven games against the Rockets this season.

The fact is, the Warriors don’t have a No. 2 scorer without Butler. His MRI results could erase major worries. Someone, though, will have to step up with or without him.

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5 Flyers Prospects Worth Watching in 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs

Jett Luchanko played four NHL games for the Flyers already this season. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

For the first time in what feels like a while, the Philadelphia Flyers have a strong contingent of young talent featuring for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.

The Phantoms, who kick off Game 1 of their Calder Cup run against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night, have had an infusion of exciting prospects in recent weeks with hockey seasons elsewhere coming to a close.

So, while the Flyers themselves missed the playoffs, they have several potential future stars drawing attention to themselves this spring.

With that said, I’ve identified five Flyers prospects, in particular, worth watching and becoming more familiar with during the Phantoms’ Calder Cup run.

No. 5: Emil Andrae, LHD

Flyers fans became very familiar with Emil Andrae throughout the 2024-25 NHL season. After a four-game cameo last season, Andrae impressed again in training camp, and despite not making the Flyers’ initial roster, ended up playing a significant amount of minutes at the NHL level for the first time.

In 42 NHL games, Andrae finished with one goal, six assists, and seven points. And despite the unimpressive scoring relative to his skillset, the 23-year-old controlled the run of play more often than not.

According to MoneyPuck, Andrae was second on the Flyers in 5-on-5 on-ice expected goals percentage with 55.3%.

The Flyers presumably re-assigned Andrae to the Phantoms on April 18 with the intention of giving him more reps in meaningful, intense games. He has three goals, 13 assists, and 16 points in 25 AHL games this season, and the longer his seasons, the better off he’ll be as an NHL regular down the line.

With his rock-solid play in the NHL and hard work to get there, Andrae could position himself nicely to make the Flyers outright next season with a strong finish to the season.

No. 4: Helge Grans, RHD

In a contract year, Helge Grans is finally showing some signs of life as a pro player again.

Acquired by the Flyers from the Los Angeles Kings, Grans was once one of the most enticing defense prospects in the world due to his alluring combination of size, skating, and passing abilities.

Going into the 2020 draft, Grans was ranked 19th overall by EliteProspects, who gave his skating a 6.5 grade out of 9 and passing a 7.0 out of 9.

The 6-foot-3 Swede scored 24 points in 56 games in his first season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, but in the next two seasons between the Reign and the Phantoms, scored a combined three goals, 14 assists, and 17 points in 105 games.

Grans sought to pursue an NHL roster spot this season, and although he, like Andrae, didn’t get the call immediately, he still ended up making his NHL debut for the Flyers, filling in for an injured Jamie Drysdale.

Overall, Grans played six NHL games this year, earning his first NHL point in his first NHL game with an assist against the Colorado Avalanche.

And despite playing limited minutes, the former second-round pick played quite well for the Flyers in a contract year.

According to MoneyPuck, Grans led all Flyers defensemen in 5-on-5 on-ice expected goals percentage with 55.8% of the share.

A pending RFA, Grans’s development could prove to be a revelation for the Flyers heading into next season.

Flyers GM Danny Briere revealed in his end-of-season press conference that Rasmus Ristolainen, a fellow right-shot defensemen, could miss the start of the season, which may open the door for Grans to make a name for himself going forward.

As far as the Calder Cup playoffs go, Grans was benched for a game by head coach Ian Laperriere last season, so this postseason campaign will be an opportunity to prove himself in more ways than one.

Grans has a career-high eight goals and 23 total points in 66 games with the Phantoms this season.

No. 3: Nikita Grebenkin, LW

Nikita Grebenkin may have only been with the Flyers for 30 minutes this season, but I have a feeling he’ll spend more time with them than that at some point next season.

Grebenkin, 21, has been nothing short of a beast since arriving in the Scott Laughton trade.

In 11 games with the Phantoms, the former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has produced three goals, four assists, and seven points, giving him a total of 12 goals, 16 assists, and 28 points in 40 AHL games between the Phantoms and Toronto Marlies this season.

Grebenkin did play seven NHL games for the Maple Leafs earlier this season, but failed to record a point whilst playing in a limited role.

It might be a while before Grebenkin becomes a full-time NHLer, but his bubbly personality, size, aggressiveness, hands, and shooting and passing skills are sure to make him a Flyers fan favorite in due time.

When he makes his Calder Cup playoffs debut, Grebenkin will be playing postseason hockey for just the second time as a pro; Grebenkin played 23 Gagarin Cup (KHL) playoff games for Metallurg Magnitogorsk last season, scoring three goals and three assists.

No. 2: Jett Luchanko, C

Expectations should probably be tempered for Jett Luchanko over the next few weeks, but I’d be remiss to exclude him from this list of Flyers prospects.

Between the Flyers, the Phantoms, the Guelph Storm, and World Junior Championships, Luchanko has played at four different levels of competition this season.

The Flyers' top 2024 NHL Draft selection joined up with the Phantoms in recent weeks and has since played in nine games, recording no goals and three assists.

Luchanko's future, as far as next season goes, is totally uncertain, but a nice finish to a whirlwind season can help give the Flyers a better idea of what to do with him next season.

The 18-year-old's offensive game, particularly in the end-product department, has not taken off quite as fast as many would have hoped, but there is still plenty of time. It’s entirely plausible that Luchanko may need another four or five seasons to become an NHL regular, as the Flyers are most concerned with identifying his peak and helping him get there.

But he won’t get there without stringing together strong AHL seasons, which makes this playoff run all the more important.

No. 1: Alex Bump, W

All eyes are on newly-signed Flyers prospect Alex Bump heading into the Calder Cup playoffs.

Joining the Phantoms on an amateur tryout offer, Bump made his pro debut on April 18, earning an assist. In his encore, one day later, Bump added a goal and an assist, giving him three points in two AHL games.

Another thing to chew on: in two games with the 21-year-old in the lineup, the Phantoms are undefeated and have out-scored opponents 11-6.

Bump just won the NCAA championship two weeks ago, jumped right into the lineup, and immediately started playing at a high level.

There is a reality where Bump is on the Flyers’ opening night roster next season, so, for all intents and purposes, these next few games in the AHL can be considered an early audition for that.

Could double first bases prevent Luis Arráez-like collisions? Padres manager Mike Shildt not opposed to it

San Diego Padres' Luis Arraez lies on the ground after a collision with with Houston Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubon, left, as Padres first base coach David Macias (46) along with an Astros' trainer check on him at first base during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
The San Diego Padres' Luis Arráez lies on the ground after a collision with Houston Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón, left, as Padres first base coach David Macias and an Astros trainer check on him during the first inning of a game Sunday in Houston. (Karen Warren / Associated Press)

Umpires call it a train wreck, a play that results in a horrific collision through no fault of the baserunner or fielder. No interference or obstruction is called. It's considered "just baseball" and seemingly unavoidable.

The most recent example began with a bunt by Luis Arráez of the San Diego Padres against the Houston Astros on Sunday. First baseman Christian Walker fielded the ball and tossed it to second baseman Mauricio Dubón, who'd raced over to cover first.

Dubón's momentum carried him directly behind the base as he touched it with his foot to record the out. Arráez, meanwhile, motored up the line and through the base, then slammed into Dubón. Arráez got the worst of it, suffering a concussion that landed him on the injured list.

Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs. Nobody likes seeing an injury, but the game is the game and, as the saying goes, it hasn't changed in 150 years.

Now, though, tweaking rules and introducing concepts are in vogue, whether to improve the pace of play with a pitch clock, increase stolen bases with larger bags, or address player safety by eliminating catchers blocking home plate.

Read more:How four rule changes will impact Major League Baseball

Addressing collisions at first base might be next. They are frequent, and often result in serious injury.

Padres' Luis Arráez (4) collides with Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón.
The Padres' Luis Arráez (4) collides with Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón, left, at first base, resulting in Arráez being carted off the field. (Karen Warren / Associated Press)

An abbreviated list of memorable train wrecks at first base:

— 2023: The Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis flips over Cleveland Guardians first baseman Gabriel Arias and lands on his face, with his neck bending as his legs fly up and over his body.
— 2022: Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gets his free hand stepped on while stretching for a throw.
— 2017: The Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper hyperextends his left knee when he lunges to beat a throw and slips on a wet base during a crowded play at first.
— 2013: The New York Mets' Eric Young steps on the right ankle of Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson, who is covering the bag on a ground ball to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Hudson suffers a fractured ankle.

And, of course, Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy suffers a torn ulnar collateral ligament when the Brewers' Jace Peterson slams into his left arm as he reaches into the base line to catch a throw in the last game of the 2021 regular season. Muncy is out for the entire postseason and the injury lingers into the next spring.

"I definitely felt like my arm wasn't there," Muncy said.

Read more:Haunting memories of last year are driving Max Muncy

Several if not all of those calamitous collisions could have been avoided with one simple solution: Follow the lead of NCAA baseball and utilize two first bases, an orange or green one for the runner and a white one for the fielder.

The injury to his three-time National League batting champion Arráez fresh in his mind, Padres manager Mike Shildt said on the "Starkville" podcast with Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville that common sense dictates Major League Baseball explore the two-base solution.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to it,” he said. “I haven’t seen it or played with it to form a real strong opinion. But conceptually, it’s one of those things where you go: You know, why not? I mean, we want our players to be safe and on the field. ... Conceptually, it does check some boxes to me that make sense — that listen, let’s just create a lane for everybody.”

Shildt said Arráez seems to be recovering well so far.

“He’s sore, as you would expect,” Shildt said. “But nothing from a CT scan that’s alarming in the cervical area or the jaw line, because he got a little abrasion on his jaw. And cognitively, [he’s] alert, remembers what’s taken place, is testing positively to this point on anything relative to the concussion side of it.”

Read more:Shaikin: Are Dodgers ruining baseball? 'There are some owners that have concerns'

Pushback on implementing double first bases might come from purists, but player safety has become an overarching concern as salaries have increased. The average MLB salary this year is $5 million, which is what Dubón will make. Arráez will make $14 million.

The collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2026 season. Top of the agenda for owners in negotiations will be the creative spending of deep-pocket teams such as the Dodgers and Mets. Another hot-button topic is player safety, which union chief Tony Clark mentions at every turn. Double first bases, anyone?

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

What we learned as Logan Webb, Wilmer Flores spark Giants' win over Brewers

What we learned as Logan Webb, Wilmer Flores spark Giants' win over Brewers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO — Through the first month of the season, Logan Webb has already faced Hunter Greene (twice), Carlos Rodón, Tyler Anderson and Freddy Peralta. That’s just part of being the Opening Day starter, but so far the difficult slate is working out well for Webb and the Giants. 

The staff ace threw 6 1/3 shutout innings Wednesday, outdueling and outlasting Peralta, who entered as one of the league’s ERA leaders, to pick up his third win of the season. With a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, the Giants improved to 4-2 in games started by Webb and 7-6 during this stretch of 17 consecutive games. 

Webb didn’t need much help, but Mike Yastrzemski provided a boost in the top of the sixth by making a perfect throw from right to nail William Contreras at third and keep the Brewers from having runners on the corners with one out in a scoreless game. In the bottom of the inning, the Giants broke through for four runs, and they ended up needing that big frame.

Ryan Walker came on in a non-save situation and again struggled to put hitters away. After two singles, a hit-by-pitch and a double, Walker was pulled for Camilo Doval, who struck out Jackson Chourio and then got Christian Yelich to ground out to pick up his fourth save of the year. 

Walker has given up six earned runs in his last two outings after going 15-for-15 previously in save opportunities. The struggles have come out of nowhere and might lead to a change in the ninth far sooner than anyone could have expected.

Here are the takeaways as the Giants improve to 16-9 this season:

Mr. 200?

Webb said at the end of camp that he would like this to be the year he wins his first Cy Young. He also said he would like to finally join the 200-strikeout club, and that one is starting to look like a lock if he stays healthy. 

Webb struck out six on Wednesday to get to 44 through six starts, putting him on pace for about 240 over a full season. His previous career-high is 194 and he has only one previous season with an average of even one strikeout per inning. He currently ranks third in the NL in strikeouts and, as always, he is among the league leaders in innings pitched. Only Zack Wheeler currently ranks ahead of him there. 

Put those two numbers together with an ERA that dipped to 1.98 and Webb is among the early favorites for the Cy Young, which is no surprise. He currently ranks fifth in the NL in ERA behind Yoshinobu Yamamot, Nick Pivetta, Mitchell Parker and Andrew Heaney. 

Mr. 100? 

Wilmer Flores has just one season in his career with more than 60 RBI, and his career-high is 71, set in 2022. At the moment, he’s on pace to more than double that total. 

Flores bounced a single up the middle and off shortstop Joey Ortiz’s glove in the sixth and two runs scored easily, getting him to 27 RBI, the most in the big leagues. He’s one ahead of a couple of New York sluggers, Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso. The hit came after singles by Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee and a walk by Matt Chapman, and it ignited a four-run rally.

Going For Gold, And Then Platinum

Chapman and Patrick Bailey are coming off Gold Glove seasons, and both look like they’ll win again this year. There’s a level beyond gold, though, and last year’s Platinum Glove winner is in this series, too. 

Brewers second baseman Brice Turang got the honor of being named the best defender in the NL last year, but he has had a rough three days in San Francisco. Turang had two balls bounce off his glove Monday, although he recovered both times to avoid errors. 

In the sixth Wednesday, Turang couldn’t glove a double-play ball from LaMonte Wade Jr., and the Giants piled on. The error allowed a run to score and the Giants made it a four-run inning when Ortiz made a wide throw on a bouncer up the middle from Christian Koss.

Turang led all big leaguers with 22 Defensive Runs Saved last season but he was at negative one coming into Wednesday’s game. Chapman is currently at three DRS, which is tied for third in the NL behind Tommy Pham (six) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (four).

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European football: Milan blow away Inter to reach Coppa Italia final

  • Jovic double gives Milan 3-0 win over rivals
  • Juventus lose 1-0 at Parma in fresh setback

Milan ruined Inter’s push for a treble and advanced to the Coppa Italia final with a 3-0 derby win courtesy of two goals from Luka Jovic.

Inter pressed forward early on and Federico Dimarco struck the crossbar in the 23rd minute. But Jovic put Milan ahead 13 minutes later with a powerful header and then doubled the advantage from close range shortly after the break. Tijjani Reijnders added another for Milan in the 85th minute by finishing off an excellent team move, giving them a 4-1 aggregate triumph over two legs.

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Both Brett Baty and Hayden Senger improved their industry standing during surprise Mets opportunities

When the Mets started talking last year about getting Brett Baty reps at second base, the rational response was … what? That Brett Baty? The bat-first corner guy? The one who does not seem to possess the tools of a middle infielder?

It felt like a classic case of a team floating a topic that it knew made little sense, but that it hoped rivals would notice enough to increase a player’s trade value.

In the offseason, when president of baseball operations David Stearns continued to praise Baty’s work at second, it seemed more of the same. The Mets weren’t actually planning to do this at the major league level, were they?

But then Jeff McNeil suffered an oblique injury during spring training. Nick Madrigal, the infielder who would have backed up McNeil, was already out for the season after separating his shoulder. That left Baty and Luisangel Acuña with an opportunity to split time filling in for McNeil.

A funny thing happened when reality met expectations. Baty ended up exceeding all internal and external projections for his defense. He utilized a strong work ethic and naturally quick first step to perform capably at second base. If he goes back to Triple-A on Friday, as seems likely with McNeil’s expected return, he will do so with increased value and versatility.

Similarly, Hayden Senger – a catcher who was long perceived to have a big league-caliber glove but perhaps the bat of an org-gut or non-prospect – has hit well enough during Francisco Alverez’s stint on the injured list to prove himself a viable MLB player.

Senger will also likely head to Syracuse prior to Friday’s game, but he will leave having added potential years to his professional career. That’s likely no exaggeration; now that Senger has shown that he belongs, he could break through as someone’s backup rather than wind down his career in the minors. For that matter, Luis Torrens proved he can be a starting catcher, which is why he’ll continue to see significant playing time after Alvarez returns on Friday.

Baty, of course, holds more significance to the franchise. A one-time top prospect, he has established a pattern of raking in spring training and at Triple-A and failing to control at-bats while with the Mets. He now finds himself blocked by Mark Vientos at third base.

Talk of Baty switching positions or serving in a utility role long seemed fanciful. Through no fault of his own, Baty was born with the broad lower half of a corner guy. Increasing his agility at third seemed a more reasonable goal.

But while Baty will never be as naturally slick and rangy at second as Acuña (who has earned a lasting place on the team) or Jose Iglesias, he left a deep impression on the Mets with his progress there. Just as Senger can survive at the plate in the big leagues, Baty has now shown that he can play a credible middle infield. Both he and the Mets staff, from Triple-A manager Dick Scott to major league infield instructor Mike Sarbaugh, deserve praise.

He has also validated the confidence that the Mets showed in him earlier this month. On April 9, Baty went 0-for-3 in a loss to Miami, striking out twice and hearing boos from the home fans. It seemed like a moment to consider optioning him to Triple-A, but the Mets did not seriously weigh it. Between that day and Tuesday of this week, Baty batted .280 with a .797 OPS.

On Wednesday, he homered when Zack Wheeler left a fat cutter over the plate, punishing the ball at 113.9 miles per hour. He also made a pair of slick plays and second on well-struck balls. If Baty goes down now instead of outfielder Jose Azocar, roster construction will be to blame, not the quality of his play.

This all means that, if Baty is forced to take another trip to Syracuse, it will be as a player enhanced by this stint in Queens, not diminished by it. Now the Mets – and perhaps as importantly, with Vientos emerging – other teams can view him as more versatile and attractive.

Mets' Carlos Mendoza on perfect homestand: 'There’s a lot of good things happening'

Down 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 10th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets’ six-game winning streak and hopes of a possible perfect homestand seemed to be dwindling at Citi Field on Wednesday.

At least outside of the Mets’ dugout, that is.

Inside the dugout, the Mets never lost faith, and their fundamentally sound play in the field and in the batter’s box paid off as they came back to win 4-3, finishing off a perfect homestand and a three-game sweep of the NL East-rival Phillies.

“That’s a huge team win there,” Carlos Mendoza said afterward.

And that statement couldn’t be more true, as it felt like every player on the roster contributed in one way or another, whether it was Juan Soto gunning down Nick Castellanos at home plate in the eighth, or Max Kranickrelieving a cramping Edwin Diaz to escape a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the 10th, or Pete Alonso coming up clutch with a game-tying double that led to Starling Marte’s walk-off single.

Baseball is a game of fundamentals, and right now, perhaps no one is playing better fundamental baseball than these Mets.

“Today is a perfect example of a lot of winning plays, a lot of fundamental plays,” Mendoza said. “…Outfielders getting behind the ball on shallow fly balls with runners on third base, Soto making a huge throw at the plate, [Hayden] Senger not only catching the ball but making the tag, Pete being in the right spot with cutoffs. There’s a lot of good things happening. There’s a lot of good at-bats, getting big hits, walks, and then from a pitching standpoint, not giving in.

“There’s a lot to like about the way the guys are playing.”

While players like Soto and Alonso are expected to come up huge in big moments given their salaries and stature within the game, the unheralded Kranick played a huge role on Wednesday. After Diaz had to come out of the game due to what the team said was cramps in his left hip, Kranick faced a bases-loaded one-out jam against a Phillies lineup that has the potential to have things snowball.

But Kranick, who has been terrific so far this season to the tune of a 2.81 ERA, stopped any potential avalanche before it could even start, getting Bryson Stott to fly out weakly to center before Max Kepler followed suit to right.

Kranick’s magic act only fueled the Mets’ fire heading into the bottom of the inning.

“For Kranick to keep it there and what’s coming for us offensively when you see it’s Soto, it’s Pete, it’s [Mark] Vientos, it’s [Brandon] Nimmo,” Mendoza said. “So you’re like ‘We’ve got a chance, we’ve just got to keep it somewhat close,’ and that’s what Kranick did. Coming into the bottom of the 10th, we liked our chances. There was a good feeling in that dugout, and I’m glad Pete came through and then the other guys and then Marte there.”

It was almost fitting that it was Marte who walked the Mets off with a win, as he’s perhaps the perfect embodiment of what the Mets have become: a player putting the team first, and someone who has gone from being a full-time outfielder to a part-time DH, yet he still did his job when called upon.

“Not an easy role for him now after being an elite player in this league for a long time,” Mendoza said. “…At some point he’s going to contribute, and sure enough he did it today.”