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In a new role, Mitchell Parker looks like a very different pitcher for the Washington Nationals

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 14: Mitchell Parker #70 of the Washington Nationals in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images After a disastrous 2025 season, Mitchell Parker knew he had to change a lot. That point was driven home even further when the former rotation mainstay was sent to the minors on March 13th. Coming off a season where he posted a 5.68 ERA, Parker had to become a new pitcher to stick around in the big leagues. The Nationals have made the following roster moves: Optioned to Triple-A Rochester -LHP Andrew Alvarez -LHP Jake Eder -LHP Mitchell Parker Reassigned to Minor League camp -RHP Trevor Gott -INF Seaver King -INF Trey Lipscomb -1B Matt Mervis — Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) March 13, 2026 Parker has done just that in 2026, totally changing up his arsenal. Last season, Parker threw his 4-seam fastball 55% of the time and his...

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany believes Harry Kane was underestimated in England

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MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 19: Head coach Vincent Kompany of Bayern München and Harry Kane of FC Bayern München celebrate the Championship title after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on April 19, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images) | Getty Images Since joining Bayern Munich from the Premier League, Harry Kane has seen his reputation skyrocket among the average football fan. At Tottenham Hotspur, he was known as a top level striker, but just shy of the best of the best. Moving to FC Bayern and winning silverware has raised his profile significantly. Vincent Kompany thinks that Kane has developed even further since moving to Germany. “People in England saw him as a goalscorer during his time playing there,” said the coach (via @iMiaSanMia ). “His finishing and leadership were never underestimated.” “We’ve seen other qualities too, such as his footballing intelligence. We can appreciate that now – it was perhaps s...

Twins hold on to beat Blue Jays 4-3 after Ryan leaves with elbow soreness

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Morris pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Joe Ryan, who exited with elbow soreness , and the Minnesota Twins held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on Sunday to split a four-game series. Ryan, a 2025 All-Star, struck out Yohendrick Piñango to start the game. He then walked Kazuma Okamoto and immediately signaled to catcher Victor Caratini and the dugout before leaving. Luke Keaschall had a pair of hits, including an RBI double in a three-run fifth inning for Minnesota, which had lost 13 of 16 entering the game. The Twins lost a night earlier as Toronto scored eight runs before an out was recorded in the eighth against Minnesota’s bullpen, which started the day with a 5.48 ERA, third-worst in the majors. Morris (1-1) allowed just two hits and a walk, while striking out three in his sixth major league appearance. He debuted on April 12. Okamoto hit a two-run home run in the ninth off Twins reliever Justin Topa, but Topa managed to secure hi...

Leigh secure third win in succession at Catalans

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Betfred Super League Catalans (6) 18 Tries: Sexton, Makinson 2 Goals: Sexton 3 Leigh (10) 33 Tries: Charnley 2, Ofahengaue, Trout, Halton Goals: Cook 6 Drop Goal: Cook Leigh Leopards made it three Super League wins on the bounce with an impressive victory against the Catalans Dragons in an entertaining affair in Perpignan. Josh Charnley scored twice on his 100th appearance for Leigh who are beginning to replicate the form which has seen them make the play-offs in the past two Super League seasons. Fellow winger Tommy Makinson scored twice for Catalans as the French side led the match with less than 15 minutes remaining. However, Joe Ofahengaue scored a decisive try for Leigh late on before scores from Owen Trout and Frankie Halton - as well as a drop goal from Adam Cook - added gloss to the scoreline to underline the Leopards' resurgence. More to follow. Catalans: Staines; Makinson, Aispuro-Bichet, Faataape, Darrelatour; Sexton, Dodd; Fa'asuamaleaui, Tison, Navarrete, Cond...

6 former Arizona men’s basketball players invited to NBA Draft combine

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Jan 14, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) and guard Jaden Bradley (0) celebrate a win against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the end of the game at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images Through graduation and early entry, Arizona has six players from the Final Four team eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft. And four of them are on the list of invitees to the annual NBA Draft Combine. Seniors Tobe Awaka and Jaden Bradley and freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat are among the 73 players invited to the combine, set for May 10-17 in Chicago. Also invited are ex-UA players Kylan Boswell and Henri Veesaar , who finished their college careers at Illinois and North Carolina, respectively. An invite to the combine is usually a strong indication of whether NBA scouts consider a player worthy of being taken in two-round draft, which is set for June 23. Last year Carter Bryant was the only player w...

Chargers got excellent value on DB Genesis Smith

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Genesis Smith of the Arizona Wildcats participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Los Angeles Chargers knew they needed to get some help for the secondary during the NFL Draft and they got that in defensive back Genesis Smith, the No. 131 overall pick out of Arizona. Smith is someone that could have gone much sooner in the draft, but the Chargers stopped his slide on Day 3 and they could benefit from him as soon as this season on both defense and special teams. “Safety was one of the top needs for the Chargers this offseason, and Smith was one of my favorite late-Day 2 targets who ultimately fell to Day 3,” ESPN contributor Matt Miller wrote. “With great size at 6-2 and 200 pounds, Smith didn’t post stellar 40 times in predraft workouts, but he’s an instinctive playmaker who can patrol deep and use his p...

Should OKC Thunder root for Lakers or Rockets to advance to Round 2?

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After another Round 1 sweep, the Oklahoma City Thunder get to enjoy a mini-vacation. They took care of business against the Phoenix Suns with a mundane Game 4 win on Monday. Turns out, the lopsided matchup played out exactly like everybody thought it would. Now, the Thunder await their Round 2 opponent. It'll either be the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets . Considering the Lakers hold a tight 3-1 series lead, feels like it's going to be them to advance to face the reigning NBA champions. Both teams have been without important pieces. The Lakers remain without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Rockets have only had Kevin Durant suit up once in the NBA playoffs. That has caused this weird Round 1 matchup to feature the zombie versions of both contenders. Not something you typically see. Let's spell out every argument for the Lakers and Rockets as to why the Thunder should and shouldn't favor a matchup against them in the second round of the 2026 NBA playo...