Houston Astros manager Joe Espada was ejected during a game after arguing about a checked swing call on Mike Trout. The umpires ruled Trout did not swing, while earlier a similar play involving Jeremy Pena was called differently, which led to the dispute. The Astros won the game 3-2 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Key Facts
Joe Espada argued about a checked swing call on Mike Trout in the third inning.
Umpires ruled that Trout’s bat held back and the ball hit his hand.
Earlier, Jeremy Pena was called out for a swing that also hit his hand.
Espada felt the two plays should have been judged the same way.
First base umpire Lance Barrett asked Espada to stop arguing, and when he didn’t, Espada was ejected.
Espada said he planned to apologize to Barrett after the game.
The Astros won the game 3-2 and increased their lead in the American League West division.
The umpiring crew followed MLB rules during the incident.
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Newcastle United’s Saudi owners plan to invest $260 million to buy land and build a new training center. The complex is expected to be ready for the 2029-30 season and shows the owners’ ongoing commitment to the club despite recent player sales and a weaker league performance.
Key Facts
Newcastle’s owners are Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which bought the club in 2021.
The club will spend $260 million to buy the Woolsington Hall estate near Newcastle’s airport for a new training facility.
The training center will cover 260 acres and include a historic country house and parkland.
The new complex aims to be a "world-class" site and is planned to open in the 2029-30 season.
The project is pending planning permission, which will be applied for next year.
This investment comes after Newcastle sold key players like Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, and Sandro Tonali recently.
Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season and did not qualify for the Champions League.
The club said the new training center could include facilities for women’s and girls’ teams.
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The four major tennis tournaments, known as the Grand Slams, have created a player council to give players more say in decisions about these important events. The council will focus on issues like prize money, player health, and overall player welfare.
Key Facts
The Grand Slam Player Advisory Council includes the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open.
The council starts after the last major tournament of the year in New York.
Players had asked for more money, better health options, and pensions.
Some top players protested by limiting media appearances and threatened boycotts if changes were not made.
The council aims to improve communication and partnership between players and tournament organizers.
Players interested in joining the council can apply for positions when it is formed.
The Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open are run by non-profit groups, while Wimbledon is run by a private club.
The council will allow players to discuss shared and individual tournament issues, like prize money and welfare.
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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is improving in his passing game during practice, especially in the red zone. His head coach, Ben Johnson, said Williams is making steady progress and staying aggressive while working on better ball placement.
Key Facts
Caleb Williams is the quarterback for the Chicago Bears and a third-year NFL player.
Last season, Williams passed for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
His completion percentage was 58.1%, which his coach wants to improve.
Head coach Ben Johnson said Williams is showing significant improvement, especially in red zone plays (plays near the opponent’s goal).
Williams was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
He played college football at Oklahoma and USC and won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, an award for the best college football player.
Williams threw for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in college from 2022-23.
The Bears aim to become strong contenders by 2026, depending on Williams’ continued development.
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The Boston Red Sox received good news about two key relief pitchers, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten, who both showed no serious injury after MRI scans. This could help the team improve its bullpen, the group of pitchers who come in during later parts of the game.
Key Facts
Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten were placed on the injured list last week with elbow inflammation.
Both players had clean MRI results, indicating no serious damage.
Whitlock has had one of his best seasons with strong pitching statistics.
Slaten plays a versatile role in important game situations but has not been as dominant as Whitlock.
The Red Sox have faced problems in their bullpen depth, contributing to recent losses.
Other bullpen pitchers like Tyron Guerrero and Erik Miller have had mixed success.
Whitlock and Slaten are expected to return to their usual roles if they begin throwing again soon.
The team still needs to start a throwing program for both players before they can come back to play.
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Myles Gaskin, an NFL running back, announced his retirement after playing seven seasons with multiple teams. He shared a message thanking fans, coaches, and teammates and hinted at staying involved with football in some way.
Key Facts
Myles Gaskin is 29 years old and played seven NFL seasons.
He played for four teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks.
Gaskin won a Super Bowl while with the Seattle Seahawks.
His best season was in 2020 with 972 yards in 10 games.
In recent years, his playing time and carries decreased under new coaching.
He spent most of 2024 on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.
Gaskin made his final appearance in Week 13 with the Seahawks.
He expressed gratitude and a desire to support younger players in football after retiring.
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The Dallas Cowboys' head coach Brian Schottenheimer has asked right tackle Terence Steele to improve his consistency after some recent struggles. Steele, a veteran who has started most games since his rookie year, may be showing signs of fatigue, and the team's offensive coordinator is working to find ways to support him.
Key Facts
The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2025 season with a 7-9-1 record.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer criticized right tackle Terence Steele for inconsistent play.
Terence Steele is a 29-year-old veteran and the most experienced player on the Cowboys’ offensive line.
Steele started at least 14 games as an undrafted rookie, a rare achievement in NFL history.
He has started all 17 games in each of the last three seasons and played nearly all offensive snaps during that time.
Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams believes Steele’s issues may be from being overworked and never asking for rest.
The Cowboys are looking for ways to help Steele maintain his best performance in the upcoming season.
There is limited time before the season starts to give Steele any breaks.
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The San Francisco Giants have added young left-handed pitcher Philip Abner by claiming him off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Abner will start with the Giants’ Triple-A team and may have a chance to join the main roster later this season.
Key Facts
The Giants claimed pitcher Philip Abner from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Abner is a left-handed pitcher, 6-foot-1 tall, and 24 years old.
The Diamondbacks designated Abner for assignment earlier this week, making him available to other teams.
Abner played eight games for the Diamondbacks this year with a 0-0 win-loss record and a 6.28 earned run average (ERA).
He has mostly played in Triple-A, the level just below the major leagues.
This season in Triple-A Reno, Abner had a 2-1 record, 35 strikeouts, and a 5.01 ERA in 30 games.
The Giants assigned him to their Triple-A Sacramento team after claiming him.
The Giants may call up Abner to the major league team before the season ends if he performs well.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to face negative reactions from fans after joining the team in 2022. Despite this, Watson says he does not care about the boos and remains focused on competing for the starting position.
Key Facts
Deshaun Watson joined the Cleveland Browns in 2022 after a costly trade involving multiple first-round draft picks.
Since joining, he has been booed by fans at home games.
Watson has faced more than 20 civil lawsuits and was suspended by the NFL.
He suffered serious injuries including two Achilles tears and a displaced fracture in his shoulder, which ended his seasons early.
On the field, Watson has thrown 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with the Browns.
He once led the NFL in passing yards in 2020 with the Houston Texans.
Browns fans appear frustrated with Watson’s performance, but the team is still considering him for the starting quarterback job alongside Shedeur Sanders.
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The Philadelphia Phillies recently won their sixth game in a row, improving their chances in the playoffs. During the game against the Miami Marlins, announcers John Kruk and Tom McCarthy joined fans in a fun tradition by turning on their phone flashlights when Phillies pitcher Jhoan Duran entered the game.
Key Facts
The Phillies have won six games in a row.
The team is currently leading the San Diego Padres by two games for the National League Wild Card spot.
They are 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East division.
Jhoan Duran is the Phillies' closer who entered the game with a 4-1 lead against the Miami Marlins.
Fans wave phone flashlights when Duran enters the game as a tradition.
Announcer John Kruk turned on his phone flashlight and encouraged play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy to do the same.
Kruk and McCarthy are known for their entertaining and funny commentary during Phillies games.
Their lighthearted behavior reflects the positive mood as the Phillies perform well this season.
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The Chicago Cubs have claimed infielder Gabriel Arias off waivers from the New York Mets. Arias has played for three teams this season and will join the Cubs to add more infield players. The Cubs also moved pitcher Phil Maton to the injured list.
Key Facts
Gabriel Arias was claimed off waivers by the Cubs from the Mets.
Arias was recently designated for assignment by the Mets before being claimed by the Cubs.
This season, Arias has played for three teams: the Cleveland Guardians, the New York Mets, and now the Cubs.
Arias has appeared in 44 games this season, hitting 5 home runs and 11 runs batted in (RBI).
His batting average this season is .235.
Over his career, Arias has played 364 MLB games, with 30 home runs and 111 RBIs.
The Cubs also placed pitcher Phil Maton on the 60-day injured list.
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The Philadelphia Phillies have removed pitcher Brian Keller from their roster after signing Nestor Cortes. Keller pitched one game in the major leagues this season and mostly played in the minor leagues.
Key Facts
The Phillies designated right-handed pitcher Brian Keller for assignment.
Keller played one MLB game in July, giving up one run on two hits and striking out three in three innings.
After his MLB debut, Keller did not pitch again for the Phillies.
This season, Keller appeared in 13 minor league games with a 1-3 win-loss record and a 3.86 earned run average (ERA).
Keller has struck out 47 batters in the minor leagues this year.
Over seven minor league seasons, Keller has a 35-30 record, two saves, and a 3.24 ERA in 142 games.
Other MLB teams might consider claiming Keller during the final part of the season due to his minor league performance.
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Willson Contreras, catcher for the Boston Red Sox, responded to boos from fans by cupping his ear, which some see as provocative. Contreras has faced challenges this season, including health issues and personal loss, but his reaction to criticism has caused mixed feelings among fans and commentators.
Key Facts
Willson Contreras is the catcher and emotional leader for the Boston Red Sox.
He cupped his ear to the crowd at Fenway Park after being booed.
Contreras recently missed games due to illness and concussion protocol.
He is affected by the recent deadly earthquakes in his home country, Venezuela.
Some fans and analysts think booing Contreras is unfair given his contributions.
Others believe he crosses a line between accountability and defiance with his reactions.
The Red Sox are currently in an American League Wild Card playoff spot but face internal team challenges.
The team has struggled recently with losses and issues involving other players.
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Scottie Scheffler is close to breaking a long-standing PGA Tour record held by Tiger Woods for career earnings. Scheffler recently won his 21st PGA Tour event within five years and is just over a million dollars behind Woods on the career money list. He focuses more on playing well than chasing records or money.
Key Facts
Scottie Scheffler has won 21 PGA Tour events in the last five years.
He recently earned $3.6 million from a single tournament, his fifth time earning over $2 million in 2026.
Scheffler is about $1,034,756 away from surpassing Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour career earnings list.
Tiger Woods holds the PGA Tour record for 82 wins, tied with Sam Snead.
The BMW Championship offers a $40 million total prize, with $10 million for the winner.
The tournament also serves as a playoff event leading to the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup title.
Scheffler has already secured a $23 million bonus for leading the FedEx Cup standings at this playoff stage.
Other top players competing include Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, and Gary Woodland.
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The St. Louis Cardinals have signed pitcher Josh Fleming to a minor league contract. Fleming has some major league experience and recently played in Triple-A games before being released by the Chicago Cubs.
Key Facts
Josh Fleming signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Fleming played in one major league game this season with the Toronto Blue Jays.
In that game, he gave up four runs and six hits in three innings.
He was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays, then signed with the Chicago Cubs in the minors.
The Cubs released Fleming earlier this week.
Fleming has a 4-6 record and a 3.16 ERA in 18 Triple-A appearances this season.
He has played 81 major league games for the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Blue Jays.
His MLB career includes a 20-14 win-loss record, two saves, a 4.86 ERA, and 162 strikeouts.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have removed pitcher Jonathan Hernandez from their roster by designating him for assignment. They also reactivated pitcher Brock Stewart from the injured list.
Key Facts
Jonathan Hernandez is a right-handed pitcher who has played six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB).
This season, Hernandez played 16 games for the Dodgers with no wins or losses and a 5.68 earned run average (ERA).
He also pitched 20 games in Triple-A, the minor league level just below MLB, with a 1-0 record and a 5.24 ERA.
Hernandez has appeared in 143 MLB games total for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Dodgers.
His career MLB record includes 13 wins, 8 losses, a 4.49 ERA, and 172 strikeouts.
The Dodgers activated pitcher Brock Stewart from their 15-day injured list at the same time.
Other teams may claim Hernandez off waivers if they want to add pitching depth.
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The Minnesota Lynx won a game against the Golden State Valkyries while hoping rookie Olivia Miles is not seriously injured. Miles stepped on a teammate’s foot in the fourth quarter, left the game, and her coach did not have an update on her condition after the match.
Key Facts
The Minnesota Lynx beat the Golden State Valkyries 77-66.
Olivia Miles, the Lynx’s rookie and No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft, injured her foot after stepping on a teammate’s foot.
Miles left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said she didn’t know the severity of Miles’ injury after the game.
Before leaving, Miles had 20 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Miles is averaging nearly 20 points and 6 assists per game and has scored the third most points ever by a WNBA rookie.
This season, Miles tied the record for most 20-point games by a rookie with 16.
The Lynx have 7 games left before the playoffs and remain in first place in the WNBA standings.
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Nick Kyrgios, an Australian tennis player, tested positive for a cocaine metabolite after a tournament in June and is currently suspended. The length of his ban depends on whether he can prove he took the drug outside of competition; if so, the ban may last only one to three months, but it could be up to four years otherwise.
Key Facts
Kyrgios tested positive for benzoylecgonine, which shows cocaine use, at a June tennis event in Mallorca.
He has been provisionally suspended since August 4.
The ban length depends on if he took the drug during competition or outside of it.
He was in competition on June 8-12 (Stuttgart) and June 21-22 (Mallorca).
If Kyrgios proves he took cocaine before competing, the ban could be as short as one month.
Earlier cases show reduced bans if players prove drug use happened out of competition and agree to treatment.
Other tennis players, like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, have served short bans for different substances recently.
Kyrgios previously criticized the tennis doping system as being unfair.
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Fast bowler Mark Wood reflected on England’s poor performance in the recent Ashes cricket series against Australia, calling it a missed chance. He played in the first Test in Perth but was affected by knee and hamstring injuries and hasn’t played since.
Key Facts
Mark Wood returned to Test cricket after 16 months out due to elbow and knee injuries.
He played in the first Ashes Test in Perth, where England lost after being in a strong position.
England had a large lead but collapsed, allowing Australia to win quickly.
Wood said he felt shame about his performance and that the team should have won the first game.
Wood struggled with a knee injury and hamstring tightness before and during the series.
The England team faced intense media attention and scrutiny throughout the tour in Australia.
The tour included incidents like players riding e-scooters without helmets and a security staff altercation.
Wood described extra pressure and tension within the team, unlike their usual relaxed environment.
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Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 champion, has extended his contract with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2030. He considered retiring rather than changing teams due to frustrations with new hybrid engine rules but now feels optimistic about improvements being made in the sport.
Key Facts
Verstappen has been with Red Bull since the start of his top-level racing career.
He was frustrated with the new hybrid engines introduced this season that limit constant power and affect racing quality.
Verstappen felt the new car rules made racing less enjoyable, prompting him to consider retirement.
The rules require drivers to recover energy in high-speed corners to power the battery, reducing engine power on long straights.
By 2028, engine power will shift to 60% internal combustion and 40% electric, reducing energy issues.
Verstappen enjoyed racing a Red Bull-branded Mercedes AMG GT at the Nurburgring, which reminded him of pure racing.
F1 officials are making changes to improve the sport based on driver feedback, including Verstappen’s.
Verstappen said he has accepted the current situation and is committed to making the best of it while continuing with Red Bull.
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