England thrashes Wales 48-7 in Six Nations opener with Arundell hat trick

LONDON (AP) — England inflicted a 48-7 hiding on Wales to open its Six Nations title bid on Saturday at Twickenham.

England got a bonus-point seven tries, including three for winger Henry Arundell, in a 12th successive win dating to last year's Six Nations.

The 41-point margin of victory was England's biggest against Wales at home since a 62-5 result in a 2007 Rugby World Cup warmup.

That scoreline looked reachable at halftime when England led 29-0 but the game lost its fizz and descended into errors and indiscipline.

Wales also became more competitive but received four yellow cards and went down to 13 men twice. England received two yellow cards, including one for Maro Itoje just seconds after he came off the bench in a Six Nations match for the first time since 2020.

Wales suffered a record-extending 12th straight loss in the championship dating to 2023 and returns to Cardiff next weekend to face France, the title favorite.

England goes to Scotland, where it hasn't won since 2020.

“To start the championship with that kind of result, we're very pleased,” England coach Steve Borthwick told the BBC.

“I thought we defended exceptionally well, we kicked really well and we scored some nice tries but I think we left a lot out there on the grass. We could do a lot better. Those are the things we need to step up next week.”

England was heavily favored on Saturday and stretched and stressed Wales, but the visitor gifted the home side territory and possession from basic errors, especially in the first half.

“England fought more than us, they were harder in the tackle than us, the rugby they played was beautiful,” Wales try-scorer Josh Adams told the BBC.

“Teams like England, the way they're playing, it’s hard enough with 15 players on the pitch. So with yellow card after yellow card it's impossible to stay in the game and the pressure keeps piling."

Yellow cards galore

Sam Underhill charged down Wales fullback Louis Rees-Zammit — playing his first Six Nations game in three years after his NFL stint — and gave George Ford the opening points off the tee.

Two penalties against Wales, one for obstruction, gave England entry into the Wales 22 and Ford lined up Arundell for his first try.

After Wales front-rowers Nicky Smith and captain Dewi Lake were sin-binned within a minute of each other under tryline pressure, Arundell got his second try from a Ford kick-pass.

Wales conceded a second try while with 13 men when No. 8 Ben Earl carried Ellis Mee over the line.

Just before halftime, a dropped pass by Wales on its 22 was scooped by Fraser Dingwall who released Arundell for his third try, his 11th in 12 tests, and a first hat trick by England in the Six Nations since Jonny May against France in 2019.

“They were tap-ins but a hat trick is a hat trick,” Arundell told ITV.

Dingwall also laid on a try for Tom Roebuck, the late replacement for injured winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, to start the second half.

But at 36-0 in the 45th England went off the boil and Wales showed some pride.

Itoje, on the bench after grieving the death of his mother in December, entered to a loud cheer but went off seconds later when he offended with England on a yellow-card warning.

Wales scored immediately through an Adams try after quick rucks.

Wales center Ben Thomas made a try-saving tackle on Roebuck but was sin-binned for an illegal rip of prop Trevor Davison on the tryline. Taine Plumtree joined him two minutes later and reduced Wales to 13 men again.

Plumtree tackled Henry Pollock into touch over the tryline but his arm tackle around Pollock's neck earned him a yellow card and conceded a penalty try.

England finished the game with 14 after Tom Curry's yellow card but around that center Tommy Freeman had a try ruled out and a try given when he beat three defenders. Ford's sideline conversion hit the post, only his second miss from seven goalkicks.

___

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Arundell hat-trick fires England to emphatic Six Nations win against Wales

  • England 48-7 Wales

  • Earl, Roebuck and Freeman also score tries for hosts

No surprises here, not even a hint of one. England have had tougher training sessions in preparation for this Six Nations and by the end the scoreboard spoke for itself. Wales were not so much beaten as buried beneath an avalanche of seven white tries including a first-half hat-trick for the pacy Bath wing Henry Arundell on his first England start since the 2023 World Cup.

If not quite as big a rout as England’s 68-14 win in Cardiff 11 months ago, the flashing red warning lights were visible from the moment the visitors had two players sent to the sin bin in the first quarter. They never looked like recovering and, in its own way, this disappointment will sting as much as the 73-0 defeat by South Africa in November.

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2026 NBA All-Star Dunk Contest: Lakers' Jaxson Hayes, Spurs Carter Bryant headline participants

There will be a new All-Star Saturday Night Dunk Contest champion — three-time winner Mac McClung is taking this year off.

One of these four men will take the crown as the NBA announced the participants in the 2026 All-Star Saturday Night Dunk Contest:

• Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
• Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
• Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat
• Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic

Hayes has proven himself to be an amazing in-game dunker and has pulled out the East Bay more than once in live action.

For rookie Jase Richardson, he is following in his father's footsteps: In 2003, it was Jason Richardson and Desmond Mason battling it out in the dunk contest.

The Dunk Contest will be part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night — which also includes the Shooting Stars competition and the 3-Point Contest — which starts at 5 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 14 from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The earlier start time is because the All-Star weekend events will flow directly into continued coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on NBC.

How to watch NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Every moment of All-Star Weekend — the Rising Stars challenge on Friday. (Feb. 13), All-Star Saturday Night with the 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest (Feb. 14), as well as the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15 — will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, a time earlier than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The same is true of an earlier start for the All-Star Saturday Night series of competitions.

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you're in the mood for.

Athletics Community Prospect List: Echavarria Takes #9 Spot

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: A detail shot of an Oakland A's hat with commemorative pins prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

*In an effort to make the nomination voting easier for everyone, I will comment, “NOMINATIONS”, and you may reply to that with your picks and upvote the player you’d like to see on the next nominee list.

Taking the ninth spot on our annual CPL is right-handed pitcher Steven Echavarria. The 20-year-old righty had some bumps on the road during his second full season as a professional pitcher on the lower end of the farm but also flashed his awesome repertoire at times. Echavarria has plenty of work to do in the lower levels of the system as a high-school draftee, especially in the control department, but luckily for him he’s still incredibly young for the level he’s at and could show some serious progress this coming season. The A’s clearly think very highly of him.

Taking the next open nominee spot is right-hander Mason Barnett. Considered the prize of the Lucas Erceg trade to the Royals, Barnett was one of the better pitching prospects in the system last year but has dropped down after a lackluster year at Triple-A and some additions to the system. That said he profiles as a back-end starter that could be a legitimate option for the A’s this coming season. He’s already made his big league debut with five starts in September for the A’s and now that he’s gotten his feet wet in the big leagues the righty will almost certainly be an option for manager Mark Kotsay during the coming summer. Will he be able to solidify a spot in the rotation is another matter, but the team is going to give him that chance at some point. You can count on that.

The process for this public vote is explained below. Please take a moment to read this before participating:

  • Please only vote for one. The player with the most votes at the end of voting will win the ranked spot. The remaining four players move on to the next ballot where they are joined by a new nominee.
  • In the comments, below the official voting, the community will nominate players to be put onto the ballot for the next round. The format for your comment should be “Nomination: Player Name”.
  • If a prospect is traded, his name will be crossed out, and all other players will be moved up a space. If a prospect is acquired, a special vote will be put up to determine where that player should rank.

Click on the link here to vote!

* * *

A’s fans top prospects, ranked:

  1. Leo De Vries, SS
  2. Jamie Arnold, LHP
  3. Gage Jump, LHP
  4. Wei-En Lin, LHP
  5. Braden Nett, RHP
  6. Henry Bolte, OF
  7. Johenssy Colome, SS
  8. Edgar Montero, SS
  9. Steven Echavarria, RHP

The voting continues! Who rounds out the top ten players in the farm system? Here’s a quick rundown on each nominee— the scouting grades (on a 20-to-80 scale) and scouting reports come from MLB Pipeline.

Nominees on the current ballot:

Tommy White, 3B

Expected level: Double-A | Age: 22

2025 stats (A+/AA): 395 PA, .275/.334/.439, 23 doubles, 0 triples, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 29 BB, 54 K, 3 SB

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 45

White’s right-handed power is legitimate and he can hit the ball a long way to all fields thanks to his strength and bat speed. He might be known for his home run totals but he’s a better overall hitter than people think, finding the barrel consistently and limiting strikeouts. His knack for contact can lead to him expanding his strike zone, but he doesn’t swing and miss very often.

It will be White’s bat that carries him to the big leagues. He’s a well-below-average runner who likely lacks the range and tools to stick at third base, where he toiled as a sophomore and junior, earning praise for playing through a shoulder injury at LSU in 2023. He’s likely headed to first base long term, which could give the A’s a glut of serious offensive talent between him and first-rounder Nick Kurtz.

Shotaro Morii, SS/RHP

Expected level: Low-A | Age: 19

2025 stats (Rookie Affiliate): 188 PA, .258/.399/.384, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 36 BB, 47 K, 4 SB

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades (hitter): Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Scouting grades (pitcher): Fastball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Curveball: 45 | Splitter: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

At the plate, Morii features a smooth left-handed swing with tremendous balance. His power stands out, as he clubbed 45 home runs as a high schooler. He is considered an advanced hitter with good barrel control. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph and sits around 92-93. He also brings a splitter with nasty movement, a true 12-to-6 curveball and a tighter slider with solid bite and depth, though that offering will probably require some fine-tuning. Having only been pitching with regularity for less than two years, Morii’s arm is relatively fresh as he enters the organization.

Morii’s high-octane throwing arm plays well at shortstop, but some evaluators see a possibility of moving to third base as his 6-foot-1 frame fills out. While scouts see Morii’s long-term future in the batter’s box, the A’s plan on giving him every opportunity to succeed as a two-way player, with excitement already building over his impressive physical traits and desire to become one of the next great players out of Japan.

Devin Taylor, OF

Expected level: High-A | Age: 22

2025 stats (Single-A): 188 PA, .264/.388/.481, 5 doubles, 0 triples, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 21 BB, 37 K, 2 SB

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Taylor shows the potential to become a plus hitter in terms of both average and power while controlling the strike zone. A left-handed hitter with plenty of bat speed and strength, he hits the ball extremely hard and generates power to all fields. He likes to swing the bat but has cut down on his chases this spring. He makes consistent contact and has no problems handling breaking pitches.

The majority of Taylor’s value will come from his offensive production. His speed, arm strength and defensive instincts all grade as fringy, which will limit him to a corner outfield spot in pro ball.

Mason Barnett, RHP

Expected level: Triple-A/Majors | Age: 25

2025 stats (Triple-A): 6.13 ERA, 23 starts (25 appearances), 119 IP, 124 K, 65 BB, 17 HR, 5.53 FIP

2025 stats (Majors): 6.85 ERA, 5 starts, 22 1/3 IP, 18 K, 11 BB, 3 HR, 4.88 FIP

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Barnett leads a four-pitch mix with his fastball. Though it may not reach the 99 mph it once did earlier in his career, he can still rev it up to about 96 mph while sitting around 94. His mid-80s slider has evolved into more of a sweeper with good bite and emerged as a strong secondary pitch, providing solid separation in velocity from his upper-70s curve. He also utilizes a mid-80s changeup that is especially effective against left-handed batters.

Listed at 6-foot and 218 pounds, Barnett is showing all the traits of a “bulldog” on the mound who goes right after opposing hitters. He demonstrated strong improvement in his overall strike-throwing ability with his cleaned-up three-quarters arm slot that at times got a little long in the past. If the improvements hold up at the next level, the A’s view him as a long-term starter and believe he could push his way up to the big leagues at some point in 2025.

Cole Miller, RHP

Expected level: Single-A | Age: 20

2025 stats (ROK, Single-A): 1.90 ERA, 12 starts (15 appearances), 52 IP, 45 K, 11 BB, 1 HR, 3.38 FIP

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

The A’s were working on some mechanical adjustments with Miller prior to his injury. His electric fastball ticked up to 96 mph in high school and displayed excellent movement down in the zone. The mid-80s slider is a hard breaker and was showing signs of improvement. His low-80s changeup showed some potential as an average third pitch.

There was real excitement within the organization for Miller’s professional debut. His three-pitch mix and large 6-foot-6 frame give off the potential of a workhorse-type starting pitcher in the big leagues. The A’s also loved the competitiveness they saw from him on the mound while scouting him. After an unfortunate delay, he finally got his first opportunity to make an impression this summer.

* * *

Programming Note: Each CPL vote will run for around 48 hours, so don’t delay in making your vote!

Player review: Tyler Rogers

Jun 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers (71) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the eight inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

2025 stats: 81 G, 77.1 IP, 1.98 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 203 ERA+, 0.94 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 0.8 BB/9, 2.4 bWAR

w/Giants: 53 G, 50 IP, 1.80 ERA, 2.64 FIP, 222 ERA+, 0.86 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 0.7 BB/9, 1.7 bWAR


So much has already been written. So much praiseheaped. What more is there to write about Tyler Rogers other than it’s over

I did my part. I said my prayers each night, wishing the separation would be temporary, that after trading him, we’d re-sign him in the offseason. How could we not? Weren’t there still 8th innings to be pitched in 2026? And batters to be spun like tops? After seven years of scraping his knuckles on our mound, of inspiring a generation of little league submariners from Seaside to Sacramento…the story of Tyler Rogers and us couldn’t just end with a transaction

But our awkward bullpen bird had outgrown the nest. Rogers found a home in Toronto, bagging the first big contract of his career. Three years, 37 million dollars. Imagine: thousands of dollars for each 80 MPH fastball, for each rising slider, for each awkward swing, for each dink and doink cued off the end of a baseball bat. Worth every penny in my mind. Based on recent events, it’d be easy to feel sorry for Blue Jays fans — but I don’t, just a whole lot of envy and a dash of regret that this didn’t happen sooner. If only they had made a play for Rogers at the deadline…man, they could’ve used him in Game 7. 

We all could’ve used him in Game 7. As if Giants fans needed more incentive to pull for Toronto — but to see Rogers sling one of his saucers on the biggest stage in the sport with the game on the line against the hated Doogers would’ve been worth the heartache of watching him depart. A victory for the good guys! A triumph of weird over the forces of obviousness! Rogers would’ve come out on top in a string of hypotheticals. Would Max Muncy have lifted that solo shot in the 8th? No! Would Miguel Rojas have gained count leverage in the 9th? Double-no!

No doubt in my mind, Rogers would’ve sealed the deal — an instant Canadian legend. Those up-northerners probably would’ve named the whole dang stadium after him. It’s got a nice ring to it: The Tyler Centre. 

Alas…

Tyler Rogers last appearance as a Giant in 2025 came against Pittsburgh on July 29th. He got billed for the loss, the two earned runs he allowed providing the difference in score. A fitting end in one sense considering the rally mounted against him was a typical soft-contact coup: Five groundballs, four singles with just two of them getting out of the infield.

These have been the kind of fluky frames that have dogged him throughout his career, that have been used as proof rather than an exception to why he could never serve as a true closer. No matter how good he is at attacking the strike zone, at avoiding the barrel and dulling hard-hit rates, at keeping the baseball grounded and in the park, there is a solid underlying belief, grounded in fear of the inexplicable, that how he pitches shouldn’t work, that at any moment the luck will run out, and one of his levitating orbs will serve as a Proustian madeleine to a struggling .600 OPS hitter, and unlock some core memory of smoking wiffle balls in his backyard. 

We have seen this happen. Jake Cave in Colorado. Nick Ahmed in LA. That one-percent home run rate is seared into our brain, so much so it’s hard to insist that the results in the aforementioned alternate-2025 would’ve been any different. Rogers is so exciting to watch because he stares into the eyes of logic when he takes the mound. A mix of moxie, forgetfulness, and humor is required for a high-leverage submariner. Let us never forget Dan Quisenberry’s mustache — and the fact that he wrote a book of poetry.

Compare Rogers’s career 4.07 ERA in the 9th to his 2.35 ERA in the 8th, and it seems he himself lost faith in his quirk and frequently looked down on his tight-rope walk when it came to closing out a game. The most opportunities Rogers got in the 9th came in 2021, his breakout year, in which he earned 12 saves over 22 innings and 24 appearances. From late May to early June, Rogers appeared in 8 consecutive games in the 9th, and the team went 7-1 in them, despite a three run whoopsie against the Doogers (that was forgiven by a 3-run homer by Grand POBO Posey off of Blake Treinen). But more crooked numbers allowed against key opponents ultimately swelled his final frame ERA to 5.24. His ERA in the 8th: 1.24. That dominance, and the presence of much more traditional closer options (ex. Jake McGee, Camilo Doval, Ryan Walker), seemed to cement Rogers’s role for the rest of his tenure in San Francisco.  

 That final appearance as a Giant was the 392nd of Rogers’s career, placing him at 10th on the franchise list for relievers. If he had stayed in San Francisco, his 81 games on the year would’ve moved him past Santiago Casilla, Jeremy Affeldt, and Rod Beck to sixth on the list. His climb up the club rankings is over, but for the man with the rubber arm, it’s not hard to think he’ll keep gobbling up games. He led the Majors in appearances for a second straight year, and his 81 games was a career best (while his 77.1 innings pitched was second to his 81 IP mark set in 2021).

Rogers’s age 34 season was arguably his best. His 1.98 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 0.944 WHIP, and 203 ERA+ were all career marks — and those reflect a bit of a backslide in the second half as a Met. Over 50 innings pitched, Rogers owned a 222 ERA+. His 1.7 bWAR had already surpassed his final marks from the previous three full seasons. He didn’t get one, but he absolutely deserved an All-Star nod.

While the Giants got an impressive package of MLB-ready-or-near-ready talent (RHP Jose Butto, OF Drew Gilbert, and  RHP Blade Tidwell) for him, looking ahead to the state of the relief corps in 2026, you can’t help but feel there’s a hole. Erik Miller in the 8th? Joel Peguero? There’s firepower, sure — but just as much inexperience, errant command, and maddening walks in those arms.

For all the perceived unpredictably inherent to his style, Rogers has been consistent for a half-a-decade. We knew this, and we’re going to miss this. Hot take: It’s nice not to have to worry about your game plan in the late innings. Life with a lead is definitely better when there is a plan, rather than having first time manager Tony Vitello be-bop and scat in and out of dicey, late-and-close situations. Re-signing Rogers was an emotional-and-sensical move that didn’t happen. Considering the team’s needs, bringing him back would’ve made a bunch of people inside and outside (Rogers included) pretty happy. Given the brass’s reluctance around handing out a longer-term, six-figure deal for a starting pitcher, Rogers eventually moved out of the club’s determined price-range. Tough beans for the bullpen in 2026. Bittersweet for us fans. Selfishly, I wish he was still our little secret; but damn, I’m happy he’s getting paid. He’ll make nearly $9 million as a Jay next year, then $13.66 million through his age 37 season and be guaranteed $12 million in 2029 if he stays healthy and on the mound in the coming years.  

Hey, maybe the Giants will re-sign Rogers then. With his mechanics, he’ll be throwing 70 innings a season well into early 40’s.  

Nuggets vs Bulls Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

A pair of black and blue teams tip off at United Center tonight when the Chicago Bulls host the Denver Nuggets.

Both teams are potentially dealing with key injuries, with Josh Giddey ruled out for Chicago and Nikola Jokic questionable for Denver.

Jamal Murray has stepped up in a big way for Denver over their last few games, and I’m predicting another high-flying game for the guard in my Nuggets vs. Bulls predictions & NBA picks for Saturday, February 7.

Nuggets vs Bulls prediction

Nuggets vs Bulls best bet: Jamal Murray Over 25.5 points (-115)

Nikola Jokic returned from a knee injury in late January but is right back on the injury list for tonight’s game with an ankle sprain. Of course, NBA players play through sprains all the time, but Jokic has not quite looked like himself since returning from his knee injury, shooting just 45% from the field.

Fortunately for the Denver Nuggets, they’ve got another capable scorer in Jamal Murray, who’s been carrying the load for the past month.

Murray is fresh off two straight games with 32+ points, and since the start of 2026, is averaging 27.7 ppg in 37 minutes per contest. The Nuggets guard is shooting and scoring more than ever, and seems to be thriving in this role.

Murray has scored Over 25.5 points in nine of his last 15 games and looks poised for another big performance vs. a Chicago Bulls defense that ranks fifth-last in the NBA (120.2 papg).

Nuggets vs Bulls same-game parlay

Christian Braun has played just 16 games this season due to an ankle injury and hasn’t been much of a factor in his few appearances this calendar year. The Nuggets guard has scored six points or fewer in each of his last six outings.

Still, the Nuggets should cover the spread tonight, especially if Jokic is good to go. Denver has covered the spread in 57.7% of its games this season – the third-highest mark in the NBA – while Chicago’s lineup is in turmoil right now with injuries and ongoing trades.

Nuggets vs Bulls SGP

  • Jamal Murray Over 25.5 points
  • Christian Braun Under 11.5 points
  • Nuggets -5.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Nuggets hope for a healthy Jokic

Jokic posted a triple double on Wednesday and leads the NBA with 17 this season – seven more than anyone else. If Joker is healthy, he’ll dominate against a depleted Bulls team.

Nuggets vs Bulls SGP

  • Jamal Murray Over 25.5 points
  • Christian Braun Under 11.5 points
  • Nuggets -5.5
  • Nikola Jokic to record triple-double

Nuggets vs Bulls odds

  • Spread: Nuggets -5.5 (-110) | Bulls +5.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Nuggets -215 | Bulls +180
  • Over/Under: Over 232.5 (-115) | Under 232.5 (-105)

Nuggets vs Bulls betting trend to know

The Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Bulls.

How to watch Nuggets vs Bulls

LocationUnited Center, Chicago, IL
DateSaturday, February 7, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVAltitude, CHSN

Nuggets vs Bulls latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Deadline Decisions: Senators Can Further Boost Playoff Hopes By Upgrading One Position

Two weeks ago, it would have been easy to write off the Senators.

After blowing multi-goal leads to the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators within a few days, the prospect of reaching the postseason seemed far gone.

Now, after the Senators won five of their last six games, beating Vegas, Colorado, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, their postseason hopes do not feel as fleeting, even after the Senators’ disappointing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this week.

GM Steve Staios was asked at his January 4th mid-season media availability about the possibility of being active again at this year's trade deadline.

By beating the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, the Senators now sit six points back of the Boston Bruins and the Eastern Conference’s second wild card seed.

Moneypuck currently lists the Senators’ postseason odds at 40.4 percent, but what is really encouraging is that, for all of the talk about the strength of schedule and the Senators’ difficult slate of games to conclude the season, the Bruins have it worse.

According to Tankathon, only the Pittsburgh Penguins have a more difficult schedule than the Bruins. Their remaining opponents have a combined points percentage of .586, while the Senators have the ninth hardest schedule (.573).

There is still ground to cover, and the team will obviously need to win the majority of the games, regardless of opponent quality, but all that matters is that the Senators are within striking distance.

With just four games left before the NHL’s trade deadline on Friday, March 6th, general manager Steve Staios is in an intriguing predicament.

So, what will he do?

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman had a “theory.”

“I have a theory about what they've been trying to do, but it's something I have to check because they were mad at me a couple of weeks ago,” Friedman explained. “I'll just let them calm down before I make them mad at me again.

“I don't want to make any wild guesses, but I have a theory about what they're looking at. We have talked about this. Remember Alex Anthopoulos going out to get David Price because their run differential was good, even if their record wasn't.

"(The Senators’ goal differential is) plus seven. You look at the teams that are out of the playoffs right now, as we wake up on Tuesday morning in the Eastern Conference, the third-best team, Columbus, has made a great run of it under (Rick) Bowness. They're minus five. Washington's plus 12, and they're right there. Ottawa's plus seven. Everybody else, Florida, Toronto, Philly devils, Rangers, they're in the double digits. Minuses, I think they are trying to do something there in Ottawa and a couple of other things.”

The Blue Jays analogy is interesting because of the commonality. The Senators’ record is not indicative of their greater play.

Staios has assembled a competitive team that has posted some incredibly strong underlying numbers.

Heading into Thursday night’s game in Philadelphia, only the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes have posted a higher five-on-five expected goals percentage (xGF%) than the Senators’ 54.41 xGF%. And, according to Natural Stat Trick, the Senators are one of the best teams in the league when it comes to suppressing the shots and chances the opposition creates.

  • 51.37 shots allowed per 60 (CA/60), 2nd
  • 23.55 shots on goal allowed per 60 (SA/60), 3rd
  • 2.25 expected goals allowed per 60 (xGA/60), 1st

Unfortunately, Ottawa’s shortcomings have undone what has been a collectively strong defensive effort. Recognizing that and wanting to give his players an opportunity, if the Senators can address their shortcomings and get some saves, they could push for a playoff berth and be an undesirable opponent if they get in.

The difficulty for Staios is that the Senators’ farm system is not exactly laden with safely projectable blue-chip prospects beyond Carter Yakemchuk. It is a problem compounded by the lack of a 2026 first-round pick.

This lack of surplus prospect capital puts Staios in a delicate position. There is absolutely something to be said about the quality of the Senators’ young core and the complications that stem from the fact that Drake Batherson (UFA in 2027), Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot (UFAs in 2028) are eligible to test unrestricted free agency within the next two years.

This is not intended to instill fear in the fan base that any of these players will leave. They could, but they could just as easily sign extensions in belief of what the organization is building here. The problem is that their next contracts will likely be more expensive, and despite the cap ceiling going up, the more money spent on players already in the fold, the more challenging it becomes to insulate them with higher-quality, and often more expensive, talent.

As loath as Steve Staios may be to move considerable draft capital to push this group forward while some of his better players are on relatively cheap deals, he may look at this window and decide to push his chips in as Anthopoulos did with the Blue Jays at the 2015 trade deadline.

If Friedman’s “theory” holds true, Staios will look to address this team’s weaknesses.

The Senators’ goaltending has put their season in jeopardy.

Through 57 games played, the Senators’ all situations .868 save percentage is the worst in the NHL. Leevi Merilainen has the second-worst goals saved above expected metric (-14.22 GSAx) in the league behind Jordan Binnington, while Linus Ullmark has the fourth-lowest (-7.50 GSAx).

The Minnesota Wild have spurred rumours by reportedly dangling the highly regarded Jesper Wallstedt as a trade chip. With former Senator Filip Gustavsson inked to an inexpensive long-term deal, it makes sense for the Wild to use this young asset to address a position of weakness on their roster: the centre position.

The presence of Dylan Cozens, Ridly Greig and Shane Pinto as depth options behind Tim Stützle certainly gives the organization the flexibility to consider making a move, but admittedly, making a trade of that magnitude feels like something the Senators would be better served to do in the offseason. Similarly, if the Senators were to acquire a future number one in Wallstedt while Ullmark is signed for another three seasons, it would inevitably raise questions about the veteran’s long-term future in Ottawa.

What would make more sense for the Senators right now is to address the right defence position.

After undergoing a hip resurfacing procedure during the offseason, the hope was that Nick Jensen could eventually resemble the player he was for the first three months of the 2024-25 season.

Even though he returned faster than anyone anticipated, it may have been naive to believe that the 35-year-old defenceman could get back to that level.

The 2025-26 season has been a struggle for the defenceman.

In 54 games, Jensen has compiled four goals and 15 points. In the 844 minutes that Jensen has played at five-on-five, the Senators have generated 47.52 percent of the shots (CF%), 49.32 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), 44.09 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 49.39 percent of the expected goals (xGF%) per Natural Stat Trick.

HockeyViz’s isolated impacts for Jensen are not particularly flattering either.

Hockeyviz.com
Hockeyviz.com

Evolving-Hockey’s data shows that of all the defensive pairings in the league that have logged more than 400 minutes together at five-on-five, Chabot and Jensen have the fifth-highest goals allowed per 60 rate.

Ottawa’s goaltending certainly impacts those numbers, but in smaller sample sizes, the metrics when Jensen has played with Tyler Kleven and Jake Sanderson have not been strong either.

Of the 404 defensive combinations around the league that have two defencemen log 50 or more minutes of ice time together, no pairing has allowed a higher rate of goals allowed per 60 than Sanderson and Jensen. Kleven and Jensen? They have the eighth-highest rate.

Considering the strength of the Senators’ underlying metrics and their staunch structural play, Jensen’s metrics reflect a significant departure from the rest of the defencemen. And, with 25 games left in the season, the organization may simply have to come to terms with the likelihood that this is the post-surgery version of the player.

If the Senators are serious about improving the roster, the easiest way to do it would be to find an upgrade on right defence.

A pipe dream target would be a staunch defensive defenceman like Colton Parayko, but the Senators have been linked to MacKenzie Weegar. The return of Dylan DeMelo would also make sense on several levels, but if the Senators are looking for an inexpensive option, impending unrestricted free agent defenceman Connor Murphy might be a strong fit.

There will be no shortage of names on Staios’ wish list before March 6th, but the list of NHL sellers is short, and the price for a right-shot defenceman may be steep. So finding a sensible deal that meaningfully improves the Senators’ playoff chances is far easier said than done.

By Graeme Nichols
The Hockey News

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Imagn Images photo montage: Left to right, Colton Parayko, MacKenzie Weegar, Dylan DeMelo, and Connor Murphy.

Detroit's AHL Griffins Give Fans Hockey Fix During NHL Hiatus

With the Detroit Red Wings idle until Feb. 26, when they return to action against the Ottawa Senators, fans still have reason to keep a close eye on the organization during the break. Attention now shifts to the Grand Rapids Griffins, who have dominated the American Hockey League this season and will provide the next stretch of meaningful hockey within the Red Wings system.

The Griffins will play their final game before the AHL pauses for its All-Star festivities, which run Tuesday through Wednesday. Grand Rapids will then return to action the following weekend, giving fans two opportunities to check in on Red Wings prospects before the NHL club resumes play.

The timing creates a natural midseason checkpoint for the organization’s top developmental pieces, including Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Sebastian Cossa, as well as a chance to assess where the Griffins stand as a team.

Grand Rapids opened the season with a historic 34-7-2-1 start, shattering multiple league records and establishing itself as the class of the AHL. While the Griffins have been nearly unbeatable for much of the season, some cracks appeared heading into the All-Star break. They have dropped seven of their last 12 games and appear poised to benefit from a much-needed reset.

Offensively, Grand Rapids began the season overwhelming opponents, with several players producing at a point-per-game pace. That output has slowed, leaving forward John Leonard as the lone active Griffin averaging at least a point per game. The 27-year-old is enjoying another standout campaign and earned his second consecutive AHL All-Star selection after posting 26 goals and 14 assists for 40 points in 32 games.

Leonard’s performance earned him a nine-game stint with the Red Wings, where he recorded four points and provided a steady presence. He was ultimately returned to Grand Rapids, where he continues to anchor the Griffins offense.

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Another player who saw NHL time this season is Red Wings first-round pick Nate Danielson. The rookie center showed flashes of his potential during his time in Detroit, recording two goals and five assists for seven points in 28 games. Since returning to the AHL, Danielson has reminded the organization why he is viewed as a cornerstone prospect, producing 12 points in 14 games with the Griffins.

Detroit hopes Danielson can eventually translate that success to the NHL, a challenge also facing fellow first-round pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. The Norwegian winger surprised even himself by making the Red Wings roster out of training camp and played the first nine games of the season in Detroit.

While his physicality stood out as he led the team in hits, his offensive impact was limited to one assist. After being sent back to Grand Rapids, Brandsegg-Nygard has focused on adjusting to the pro game by speeding up his decision-making and refining his overall play. He has recorded 24 points in 39 games this season.

The Griffins’ biggest strength, however, has been their goaltending. Sebastian Cossa has been sensational, posting a 19-4-2 record with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in 25 games. His performance has placed him firmly on the doorstep of an NHL call-up. With current Red Wings backup Cam Talbot set to become a free agent after the season, Cossa is widely viewed as a likely successor and could see NHL action if the opportunity arises.

The trio of Danielson, Brandsegg-Nygard and Cossa has helped make this season a memorable one in Grand Rapids and provides Red Wings fans with compelling hockey while the NHL club remains on pause. The Griffins close out play before the All-Star break Saturday against the Charlotte Checkers and return to action next Friday when they host the Texas Stars.

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'What a suck up': Jay Bilas clowns Duke alum Jay Williams for Tar Heel chant

Someone is going to need to check in on Jay Williams after Saturday's edition of "College GameDay" after the heart attack he just gave Duke basketball fans.

Why? Well, the former Blue Devils point guard started a Tar Heels chant during Saturday's pregame show inside Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina ahead of Saturday night's top-15 ranked men's college basketball matchup between the Tobacco Road rivals.

"I just want to witness this for one second because I usually never do this," Williams said before starting the chant while next to former Duke center Jay Bilas.

Bilas, perhaps speaking on behalf of former Duke players, was rather blunt with his response.

"What a suck up," Bilas said.

The Blue Devils head into Saturday's top-15 matchup looking for their fourth consecutive win over the Tar Heels, after sweeping the regular season series and picking up a win over UNC in the ACC Tournament semifinals last season.

Led by star freshman Cameron Boozer, Duke ranks No. 3 in the NET rankings with a 9-1 Quad 1 record, which is the second most Quad 1 wins — an important statistical used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee — in the country, only behind top-ranked Arizona.

The Tar Heels, led by their star freshman Caleb Wilson, find themselves ranked in the top 30 of the NET Rankings at No. 27. A win for Hubert Davis' squad would be a significant one, as it would give them just their fifth Quad 1 win of the season.

UNC and Duke are slated for a 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Duke guard Jay Williams breaks out Tar Heel chant UNC rivalry game

The Harper family will team up for the Kia Shooting Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 25: Dylan Harper poses for a photograph with father Ron Harper and brother Ron Harper Jr. after being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs during the 2025 NBA Draft - Round One on June 25, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Spurs’ representation at All-Star weekend just got even wider as the Spurs announced the Harpers will participate in the Kia Shooting Challenge together. That will include Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, his brother Ron Harper, Jr., who is currently a two-way player for the Boston Celtics, and their father: five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Sr.

Dylan was already set to represent the Spurs in the Rising Stars Challenge, along with sophomore and reigning MVP of the event, Stephon Castle. Spurs two-way player David Jones-Garcia was also set to participate on the G League team but has been ruled out after undergoing ankle surgery last week. Also representing the Spurs will be their other rookie, Carter Bryant, in the dunk contest, and of course Victor Wembanyama will be an All-Star starter for Team World in the main event.

All-Star weekend will take place next weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. You can check out the entire schedule here. Rising Stars will be on Friday, February 13 beginning at 8:00 PM CT on ESPN. Saturday will feature Shooting Stars starting at 4:00 PM CT, followed by the 3-point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest (I guess the Skills Challenge is defunct now), and finally the All-Star Game on Sunday, beginning at 4:00 PM CT.

Open vent thread: Get it all out before pitchers and catchers report

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 02: A Toronto Blue Jays fan reacts after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Instead of a question, today, we have an open thread to let out all your complaints about the Jays, or about the MLB if you want. (I’ll admit these topics aren’t my choosing, it’s an SB Nation thing).

Hmmm vent….

Well, I would have liked them to sign Bo, but I can’t blame them for not matching what the Mets offered, so that’s not really a rant. I mean, they could have worked harder to make a deal before he reached free agency, but then it takes two. And I wouldn’t have wanted them to go 14 years as they did with Vlad.

I thought the club would sign a closer, but they improved the bullpen. Edwin Diaz would have been nice, still I wouldn’t have tried to beat the Dodgers 3-year, $69 million deal.

I guess I will vent a bunch if MLB forces a stoppage next year.

I am happy that the club is replacing the stupid statue of Ed Rogers with a Joe Carter statue. It is hard to believe how tone-deaf Rogers Corp was in putting up that statue of Rogers in the first place, but someone has finally talked sense into them.

The beer at the park costs too much. There is something I could vent about.

Ok…..you get to vent…

Little Signings Everywhere

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 30: Andy Ibáñez #77 and Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers celebrate after the Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians in Game One of the American League Wild Card Series b at Progressive Field on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Not that Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman make a bad double play combo to anchor your infield, but didn’t the A’s go into the off-season with different goals than their current outcomes? What is the method behind the madness?

The A’s off-season shopping list started with the rotation, where the team was statistically among the worst in MLB last season. Terrible production at 2B and 3B was also noted and the team was without a closer following the Mason Miller trade.

So what has the off-season brought so far? Need a SP? Well…….the most we can say about that is “Hey, pitchers and catchers haven’t reported yet…” Need a closer? The bullpen additions have been Mark Leiter Jr., a solid under the radar set up man and now Scott Barlow, he of the many walks, many strikeouts, and ERA consistently around 4.00. 3B and 2B? Meet Jeff McNeil and … Andy Ibañez, more of a utility infielder pick up than anything.

So as it stands, we hit February 7th with the rotation still looking like Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Jacob Lopez, Luis Morales, and perhaps Jack Perkins backed by several talented but unproven youngsters. The bullpen has gotten deeper but not demonstrably more dominant in any way. 3B still appears to belong to Max Muncy backed by Brett Harris now backed by Andy Ibañez with Darell Hernaiz potentially in the mix.

In other words, other than at 2B not all that different from how we left off in 2025. Now the good news is that the A’s weren’t necessarily a “76-86 team” in 2025 even though that was their record. The roster which finished the season went 34-24 over the last 60 games, good for a .567 winning percentage also known as a 92 win pace. Just look around the inexplicable 1-20 stretch and you see a team that was 9 games over .500 for the year.

But still, some key upgrades were identified as needed and as Super Bowl Sunday approaches with Valentine’s Day not far behind, the moves are … guys like Ibañez and Barlow. Why?

Reason # The First One: Opportunity

The meme is proving to be a reality: luring pitchers to a AAA facility that proved to be a launching pad in 2025 is nigh impossible. Pitchers who have multiple options and desirability simply are going to be hard pressed to select Sacramento no matter how lovable our team is. Offers have undoubtedly been made, and rejected, by starting pitchers we would have been glad to see added.

Reason # The Second One: The Best Moves

The cliche is also a reality: sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make. The A’s best avenue for bolstering the rotation probably comes from the trade market and you can be sure David Forst has had umpteen conversations around available pitchers.

The issue becomes what other teams want in return for a starting pitcher worthy of slotting into the middle of a rotation. These are highly valuable commodities in what has been an extreme seller’s market — nearly every team identified adding starting pitching as a priority this off-season.

What that means is that teams offering pitching are looking more for a Tyler Soderstrom in return than a Colby Thomas, more for a Gage Jump prospect than a Mason Barnett. The A’s may have wisely “stayed the course” by not making these key players and prospects available just to try to improve the rotation for 2026.

Reason # The Third One: It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over

My Aunt Bertha has yet to sing (and that’s always a good thing) and out of necessity to some degree, the A’s might be “waiting out the market” hoping a quality player will sign who wasn’t willing to before. Pitchers and catchers may be reporting next week, but pitchers like Chris Bassitt and Justin Verlander have nowhere to report to. With each passing day, the possibility that a pitcher who said “no” before now sees Sacramento as viable becomes greater. Many of the best SP have come off the market, of course, but several quality arms remain and you only need one.

We also don’t know to what extent the A’s are trying to load up for 2026 or whether their sights are more to 2027 or 2028 — in which case their prized SP addition could be Gage Jump or Jamie Arnold, their missing infield Leo De Vries, and so on.

I have felt strongly all along that one way or another, one day or the other, this off-season the A’s are going to add a starting pitcher. I still believe that and still have no idea from where this pitcher will come. But if you want them to report on time, you had better get them on your roster before all the Valentine’s Day candy is sold. It’s almost “show time”…

Terrance Gore, World Series champ and ex-Met, dead at 34

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A smiling Kansas City Royals player in uniform, Image 2 shows A Kansas City Royals player in a blue uniform with the number 0 runs on the baseball field

Former MLBer Terrance Gore has passed away.

Gore died during “what was supposed to have been a simple procedure,” according to a post on social media from his wife, Britney. 

He was 34 years old. 

“Our hearts are shattered, my babies are shattered,” she wrote. “Our whole family is lost. This was so unexpected.”

Terrance Gore passed away at 34 years old this week. MLB Photos via Getty Images

Gore spent eight seasons in the big leagues, making a name for himself as a baserunning specialist for the Royals during their AL pennant-winning seasons in 2014 and 2015. 

In those two playoff runs, Gore stole four bases in five attempts and scored two runs across 10 appearances, culminating in Kansas City’s 2015 World Series win. 

He played in only 112 games and came to the plate just 85 times during his career, but he made a major impact on the bases, stealing 43 bags out of 52 attempts while often coming into the game in late pinch-run situations. 

Gore was also excellent in the outfield with his blazing speed, posting +6 Outs Above Average in just 188 1/3 regular-season innings in the field.

Drafted by the Royals in the 20th round of the 2011 MLB draft and debuting in 2014, Gore spent the first five seasons of his career in Kansas City.

After coming off the bench for those mid-2010 Royals teams, Gore bounced around the big leagues with stints on the Cubs, Dodgers, Braves and Mets. 

He won two more World Series rings with Los Angeles in 2020 and Atlanta in 2021. 

Terrance Gore of the Royals runs the bases as he advances to third base on an errant pick off throw in the game against the Minnesota Twins on April 10, 2016 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Getty Images

In 2022, Gore stole three bags for the Amazin’s before retiring after the season. 

The sports world came out in droves after news of his passing broke. 

“We are heartbroken from the loss of Terrance Gore, and send our love to his family and loved ones,” the Royals wrote in a statement on X.

“We join the Gore family and the world of baseball in mourning the passing of Terrance Gore,” the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate, wrote on social media. “Known for his great speed but even more so for his kindness and joyful smile, Terrance will be remembered as a tremendous teammate and a dedicated family man.”

Who are the Yankees’ spring training non-roster invitee hitters?

On Thursday, the Yankees announced the group of 27 players who they are inviting to spring training as non-roster invitees. This cohort of NRIs consists of 13 position players and 14 pitchers, headlined by several of their top prospects in addition to some familiar veteran names. I’ll be taking a look at some of the more notable names on the position player side, while my colleague Nolan introduced you to the pitchers earlier today.

Catchers

Abrahan Gutierrez

The Yankees purchased the contract of Abrahan Gutierrez in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft from the Pirates. He is a right-handed hitting catcher who slashed .235/.316/.275 with one home run and six RBIs in 32 games between Low-A and Triple-A in 2025.

Payton Henry

Payton Henry signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees back in December after electing free agency from the Phillies’ system. The righty catcher was drafted by the Brewers in the sixth round in 2016 and was traded to the Marlins in 2021 for reliever John Curtiss. He made his MLB debut for Miami in 2021 and got 20 big league appearances between that season and the next, slashing .186/.314/.209 with no home runs, four RBIs, and a 58 wRC+ in 51 plate appearances.

Miguel Palma

The Yankees signed Miguel Palma to a minor-league contract in December after he missed much of the 2025 season to injury in the Astros’ system. He’s another right-handed hitting catcher who played 41 games between Rookie, Double-A, and Triple-A last season, slashing .155/.264/.264 with two home runs, 12 RBIs, and a 51 wRC+ in 148 plate appearances.

Ali Sánchez

Ali Sánchez is the fourth righty catcher the Yankees are inviting to camp, signed as a minor-league free agent after getting DFA’d and released by the Red Sox. The 29-year-old was signed as an international free agent by the Mets in 2013 and has since played for the Cardinals, Marlins, Blue Jays, and Red Sox. In 50 big league appearances across the last six seasons, he has slashed .183/.220/.233 with no home runs, four RBIs, a 24 wRC+, and -0.3 fWAR in 133 plate appearances. Presumably, he would be the emergency third catcher option if any of Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra, or Ben Rice get hurt in camp.

Infielders

Jonathan Ornelas

Jonathan Ornelas joined the Yankees last November on a minor league pact after getting DFA’d and electing free agency from the Braves. He was the Rangers’ third-round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft, and he earned the organization’s 2022 minor league Defender of the Year honors. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and received an 18-game runout in 2024 as an injury replacement for Corey Seager before getting traded to the Braves the following year for cash considerations. In 32 games at the big league level, the righty-hitting shortstop and third baseman slashed .208/.263/.245 with no home runs, three RBIs, a 47 wRC+, and -0.2 fWAR in 58 plate appearances.

George Lombard Jr.

George Lombard Jr. was the Yankees’ first-round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft and is their top-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline at No. 32 overall. The son of former major-league outfielder George Lombard, the 20-year-old shortstop played 132 games between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset in 2025, slashing .235/.367/.381 with 32 doubles, 9 homers, 35 stolen bases, a 15-percent walk rate, 25.2-percent strikeout rate, and a 127 wRC+. He struggled initially at the plate upon his promotion and is unlikely to be called up to the majors in 2026 according to Brian Cashman, though the GM said in the same sentence that his defense was big-league ready. This is his second spring as an NRI after impressing last spring with a pair of home runs in 28 plate appearances.

Paul DeJong

Paul DeJong is a former All-Star shortstop with the Cardinals who is now with his seventh organization. He signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees on January 4th after missing half of the 2025 campaign with a fractured nose and cheekbone, sustained upon getting hit in the face with a 93-mph fastball. He spent the first seven seasons of his career in St. Louis, leading all NL shortstops with 25 home runs in 2017 en route to finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting behind Cody Bellinger, and slugged a further 30 in his lone All-Star season in 2019.

However, injuries sapped DeJong’s effectiveness not long after signing a six-year, $26 million extension with St. Louis, and he was subsequently traded to the Blue Jays and picked up off waivers by the Giants before signing a one-year deal with the White Sox, getting traded to the Royals, and finally signing a one-year deal with the Nationals. In 57 games for Washington last year, DeJong slashed .228/.269/.373 with six home runs, a 76 wRC+, and 0.2 fWAR. He seems to profile as infielder injury insurance should someone join Anthony Volpe on the IL to begin 2026.

Zack Short

Zack Short signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees in December after bouncing around the Tigers, Mets, Red Sox, Braves, and Astros. The 30-year-old infielder is primarily a shortstop, though he has logged a fair number of innings at second and third. In 243 big league games, Short has batted .172/.271/.296 with 15 home runs, a 59 wRC+, and -1.5 fWAR. Just to shoot from the hip, he’s probably more likely than DeJong to accept a Triple-A depth role.

Outfielders

Kenedy Corona

Kenedy Corona signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees last December after clearing waivers and electing free agency from the Astros. The 25-year-old righty outfielder signed with the Mets as an international free agent in 2019 and was traded to the Astros for Jake Marisnick at the end of that season. He has just four big league plate appearances to his name, going hitless but drawing a pair of walks for Houston in 2025.

Duke Ellis

Duke Ellis was a surprising late addition to the Yankees’ 2024 ALDS roster despite having made just 11 big league appearances in his career. His speed has always been a threat in the minor leagues, with the 28-year-old outfielder having swiped 180 bags across the lower levels. He’s undoubtedly ticketed for a “Triple-A outfield depth” role (just like last year) unless something weird happens.

Utility

Ernesto Martínez Jr.

Ernesto Martínez Jr. signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees last December after electing free agency from the Brewers’ organization. The 26-year-old lefty is primarily a first baseman and played the entirety of the 2025 season at Triple-A, where he slashed .255/.357/.388 with six home runs and a 104 wRC+ across 80 games and 311 plate appearances. He offers perhaps the most intrigue of the Yankees’ recent minor-league signings to earn a spring training invite given the improvements he has made with drawing walks and limiting strikeouts to go along with the power upside he has flashed over the last three minor league seasons.

Seth Brown

Seth Brown was drafted by the Athletics in the 19th round in 2015, debuted in 2019, and spent the first seven seasons of his career in their organization. His best performances came in 2021 and 2022, when the lefty bat slugged at least 20 home runs and posted above-average production by wRC+ in both seasons, playing 150 games in 2022 with roughly equal reps at first base and in the outfield.

Brown has always graded out poorly as a defender though and is likely a primary DH at this point in his career. He lost his job as a starter in 2025 with the youth movement in Sacramento, and appeared in just 38 games, slashing .185/.303/.262 with one home run, three RBIs, a 64 wRC+. and -0.4 fWAR. If he can get back to some respectability with the bat, he could help, but it will have to be at Triple-A. Brown may take a ticket to Scranton, however, as he did get 161 PA at the level last year, accepting assignments there from the A’s and later the Diamondbacks.

Marco Luciano

Marco Luciano was long one of the prospect darlings in the Giants’ organization after they signed him to a $2.6 million signing bonus as one of the top international prospects in 2018. He was selected to play in the 2021 All-Star Futures Game and was the youngest player in the league as a participant in the 2021 Arizona Fall League. He ascended to become the Giants’ top overall prospect in 2022 and was added to their 40-man roster at the end of the season for Rule 5 protection.

However, Luciano’s development has stalled out after suffering a back stress fracture in the 2022-23 Dominican Winter League. Strikeouts and poor contact rates have always been a major issue at Triple-A and above, with strikeout and whiff rates hovering well above 30 percent between both levels since the start of 2023. He has bounced around quite a bit this winter, getting claimed off waivers and subsequently DFA’d by the Pirates, claimed and DFA’d by the Orioles, and finally claimed and DFA’d by the Yankees, passing through waivers and outrighted to Triple-A. New York will be hoping they can help him reclaim some semblance of that former top prospect pedigree.

Former Cub Terrance Gore has died, aged just 34

Terrance Gore was known as one of the fastest men in baseball. He played in 14 games for the Cubs in 2018, mostly as a pinch-runner, and also appeared in the Wild Card Game that year against the Rockies. He was still in MLB as recently as 2022, with the Mets.

Today, I have sad news to pass along about Gore (Bluesky link):

Here is more from Gore’s wife (Bluesky link).

Here is a steal of second Gore made against the Nationals Sept. 6, 2018 [VIDEO].

In that clip, you can see just how fast Gore was, including some Statcast numbers.

It’s sad when anyone passes away, but age 34 is way, way too young. From all accounts Gore was one of the nicest, kindest people in the game. Sincere condolences to his family, friends, teammates and colleagues in baseball, and fans who enjoyed watching Terrance Gore play.