The Cleveland Guardians signed infielder Carter Kieboom to a minor-league deal. Kieboom, a former first-round pick, has struggled in his major league career but could have a chance to prove himself with the Guardians.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Guardians signed Carter Kieboom to a minor-league contract.
Kieboom was originally a first-round pick, 28th overall, in the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.
He has played in five major league seasons but has not appeared in more than 62 games in a single season.
Kieboom's career batting average is .200, with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs.
He spent most of the last season in Triple-A with the Los Angeles Angels' organization.
The Guardians see potential for Kieboom to earn playing time, especially if he performs well in spring training.
Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. During his time, he led the team to a Super Bowl win and playoff appearances 13 times but recently faced difficulties in postseason games. Tomlin is tied for the most regular-season wins in Steelers history but did not replicate the same success in the playoffs.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin was the longest-serving head coach in major American professional sports.
Tomlin was hired as head coach of the Steelers in 2007.
He led the Steelers to one Super Bowl victory and another Super Bowl appearance.
Under his leadership, the Steelers made the playoffs 13 times.
Tomlin never had a losing season during his 19 years with the team.
He tied with Chuck Noll for the most regular-season wins in Steelers history.
Tomlin lost the last seven playoff games he coached, all by large margins.
The Steelers will now search for a new head coach, their third since 1969.
The Toronto Blue Jays made significant changes during the offseason to strengthen their team, aiming for a World Series victory. Among their new signings is veteran relief pitcher Tyler Rogers, who joined on a three-year, $36 million contract. Rogers is expected to help improve the Blue Jays' bullpen performance.
Key Facts
The Blue Jays signed Tyler Rogers, a 34-year-old relief pitcher, for $36 million over three years.
Rogers is known for his unique submarine pitching style, which involves throwing the ball underhand.
Last season, Rogers had a 1.98 ERA over 81 appearances with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets.
The Blue Jays also signed other major players like Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto.
Rogers is expected to strengthen Toronto's bullpen, which struggled in 2025, affecting their World Series performance.
Relief pitching involves replacing the starting pitcher during a game, and the bullpen refers to a team's pool of relief pitchers.
Zac Taylor is currently the only head coach left in the AFC North division after the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers fired or saw the exit of their head coaches. Taylor's job with the Cincinnati Bengals is uncertain as the team has struggled to make playoff appearances despite previous successes, and there are ongoing trade rumors concerning their quarterback, Joe Burrow.
Key Facts
Zac Taylor is the only remaining head coach in the AFC North division.
The Cleveland Browns fired head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The Baltimore Ravens parted ways with John Harbaugh, their head coach for nearly 20 years.
Mike Tomlin stepped down from his role with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cincinnati Bengals have not made the playoffs in recent seasons.
Joe Burrow, the Bengals' quarterback, faces trade rumors, despite staying committed to the team.
The Bengals reached the Super Bowl in 2021 but have struggled since.
This upcoming offseason is crucial for the Bengals to keep their key players and improve team performance.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed veteran guard Kove Bufkin to a 10-day contract before their game against the Atlanta Hawks. Bufkin, originally drafted by the Hawks, has moved between several NBA teams and the G League since 2023. His availability for the Lakers' next game against his former team is uncertain.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Lakers have added Kove Bufkin to their roster on a 10-day contract.
Bufkin was the 15th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Bufkin played 27 games for the Hawks, averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
After leaving the Hawks, Bufkin moved to the Brooklyn Nets and was later waived.
Bufkin then spent a short time with the Memphis Grizzlies but did not play in any games.
Most recently, Bufkin played for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League, where he averaged 28.7 points per game.
The Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks next, and it is unclear if Bufkin will play against his former team.
Anthony Davis, a player for the Dallas Mavericks, has denied reports that he will need surgery on his hand and be out for several months. ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania had reported that Davis was likely to require surgery for ligament damage and miss the rest of the season.
Key Facts
Anthony Davis plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.
Reports claimed he needed hand surgery and would be out for several months.
Davis denied these reports on social media, specifically on X (formerly known as Twitter).
ESPN's Shams Charania reported on the surgery and the expected time Davis would miss.
The claim was that Davis had ligament damage in his left hand.
Davis publicly refuted the surgery claim, indicating disagreement with the report.
Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is stepping down after 19 seasons. He led the team to a Super Bowl win but has had recent playoff challenges, including a string of losses. Tomlin decided to leave amid growing speculation and pressure from fans.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin has been the Steelers' head coach for 19 years.
He led the team to a Super Bowl victory.
The Steelers have consistently avoided a losing record under Tomlin.
They recently lost to the Houston Texans, 30-6, in a Monday Night game.
This loss was Pittsburgh's seventh straight playoff defeat.
Tomlin chose to step down rather than being removed by the team.
He faced "Fire Tomlin" chants from fans during the season.
Tomlin secured a division win in his final game with the Steelers.
The New York Mets have made an offer between $120 million and $140 million for three years to sign All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are also interested in Tucker, potentially offering more than the Mets. Tucker's decision is expected soon, as he is a top free agent this offseason.
Key Facts
The New York Mets offered Kyle Tucker $120 to $140 million for three years.
Kyle Tucker is a free agent and an All-Star outfielder.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are also interested in signing Tucker.
Tucker will be 29 years old this month.
He has been an All-Star for the last four seasons and hit at least 20 home runs each year since 2021.
In 2025, Tucker played through a hand injury but still won a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove.
A final decision from Tucker is expected soon, and other teams can still make higher offers.
The article discusses a unique playoff pattern involving Sean McVay, the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. In every playoff game since McVay became coach, the Rams have faced a new opponent. As the Rams prepare to play the Chicago Bears, this streak could continue or end if they advance to the next round.
Key Facts
Sean McVay became the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams nine years ago.
Under McVay, the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021.
Every playoff game the Rams have played with McVay has been against a team they have never faced before in the postseason.
The Rams have faced 15 different opponents in the playoffs during McVay's tenure.
The upcoming game against the Chicago Bears will be the first time McVay faces them in the playoffs.
If the Rams win, they will face either the San Francisco 49ers or the Seattle Seahawks, marking McVay's first repeat playoff opponent.
Xavi Alonso stepped down as the manager of Real Madrid after seven months in charge. Alvaro Arbeloa, the former coach of Real Madrid's reserve team, is the new manager. Alonso's short tenure was affected by poor results, including key losses and disagreements with players.
Key Facts
Xavi Alonso left his position as Real Madrid's manager "by mutual consent."
Alvaro Arbeloa replaced Alonso as the new manager.
Alonso was only in charge for seven months despite having a three-year contract.
Real Madrid lost a major match to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The team experienced a poor run in La Liga and other competitions.
Alonso had disputes with star player Vinicius Junior, worsening the situation.
Alonso joined Real Madrid with a strong track record from managing Bayer Leverkusen.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was arrested in Tampa, Florida, for trespassing at a hotel and casino. The Vikings acknowledged the incident but are still gathering information. This arrest adds to Addison’s previous legal issues, including a DUI in Los Angeles and a reckless driving citation in Minnesota.
Key Facts
Jordan Addison plays as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.
He was arrested in Tampa, Florida, early on January 12 for trespassing at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Police booked him at 7:33 a.m., and he was released after posting a $500 bond that afternoon.
He is charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for trespassing.
Addison has faced other legal issues, including a DUI in July 2024 and a reckless driving citation in July 2023.
He initially played college football in Pittsburgh before transferring to the University of Southern California.
Manchester United has appointed Michael Carrick as their interim head coach until the end of the season. Carrick, a former Manchester United player and Middlesbrough manager, takes over from Ruben Amorim. His first match will be against Manchester City.
Key Facts
Michael Carrick agreed to be the interim head coach for Manchester United.
Carrick replaces Ruben Amorim, who was recently dismissed.
Carrick will lead his first match against Manchester City, a top team in the league.
Manchester United is currently seventh in the Premier League standings.
The team has been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
Carrick previously played for Manchester United, winning five Premier League titles.
He has managerial experience from Middlesbrough, where he improved their standings.
Carrick previously served as a caretaker manager for Manchester United in 2021.
The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as strong contenders to sign free-agent infielder Bo Bichette. The team has met with Bichette and may offer a long-term contract to secure his services. Phillies' aggressive approach and connections, like the hiring of Don Mattingly, strengthen their pursuit.
Key Facts
The Phillies are now viewed as serious contenders to sign Bo Bichette.
They have already had a meeting with Bichette.
Phillies president Dave Dombrowski is known for successfully acquiring targeted star players.
The Phillies might offer a long-term contract of six, seven, or eight years.
Other teams like the Red Sox, Dodgers, and Yankees are also interested in Bichette.
Hiring Don Mattingly, who has a good relationship with Bichette, may give the Phillies an advantage.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to play their T20 World Cup matches in India because of security worries. They made this decision even though the International Cricket Council (ICC) asked them to reconsider since the tournament schedule is already set. Bangladesh wants the ICC to move their matches to another country.
Key Facts
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cited security concerns for not playing T20 World Cup matches in India.
The T20 World Cup is planned to take place from February 7 to March 8 and is organized by India and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh was set to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
The BCB asked the ICC to move their matches outside of India.
ICC has already announced the tournament schedule and asked Bangladesh to reconsider its decision.
The decision follows tensions due in part to the Bangladesh fast bowler's removal from an Indian Premier League team.
Earlier, Bangladesh stopped broadcasting the IPL because of the situation.
Discussions between the BCB and the ICC will continue to find a solution.
The New York Mets are considering trading for Lars Nootbaar, an outfielder from the St. Louis Cardinals, to fill an outfield gap left by Brandon Nimmo's departure. The proposed trade involves sending Mets infield prospect Ronny Mauricio to the Cardinals. This move is suggested as part of the Mets' efforts to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
The Mets traded away outfielder Brandon Nimmo and want to fill the gap in their outfield.
Lars Nootbaar is a 28-year-old outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.
The proposed trade would send Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio to the Cardinals in exchange for Nootbaar.
Ronny Mauricio is a top infield prospect who hasn't played much in the major leagues yet.
Lars Nootbaar has been in the major leagues for five years and has shown promise as an outfielder.
Nootbaar is contracted to stay with a team through the 2027 season, offering several years of team control.
The Cardinals are undergoing a rebuilding phase, making the trade appealing for them.
The Mets are also considering other outfielders like Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger this offseason.
Marseille will play against Bayeux in a Coupe de France match on January 13, 2025. Marseille is a strong team from France's top football league and will face Bayeux, a team from a much lower league. The match will be broadcast on FOX Sports 2 and streamed on Fubo.
Key Facts
The match between Bayeux and Marseille is part of the Coupe de France tournament.
This game will take place on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM EDT.
Bayeux is a sixth-tier team, meaning they play in a lower-level league in France.
Marseille is a top-tier team in France known for being very strong in competitions.
The game will air on FOX Sports 2 and FOX Deportes, with streaming available on Fubo.
Bayeux beat a third-tier team, Caen, earlier in the competition.
Fubo offers a free trial for streaming live TV, including sports channels.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes injured his knee during a game and had surgery to fix it. He is currently recovering and hopes to return to playing next season. Key team officials believe he may heal faster than the usual recovery time.
Key Facts
Patrick Mahomes, a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, got injured in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mahomes tore his ACL, a major knee ligament, ending his season.
His team, the Chiefs, finished the season with a 6-11 record and did not make the playoffs.
Mahomes had surgery on his knee the day after his injury.
Rick Burkholder, a top official in sports medicine for the Chiefs, thinks Mahomes might recover faster than the typical nine months.
Coach Andy Reid says Mahomes is working hard on his recovery.
A photo shared by Mahomes' wife shows him with a brace on his injured leg.
The New York Yankees are considering trades to strengthen their team for the upcoming season. They are focusing on acquiring players MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals and Nico Hoerner from the Chicago Cubs. The trades aim to fill gaps in the Yankees' pitching rotation and improve their infield positions.
Key Facts
The Yankees are seeking to improve their roster before the season starts.
Key players Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt will be absent at the beginning of the season.
The team is looking to add a starting pitcher to cover for these absences.
MacKenzie Gore, a pitcher from the Nationals, is a potential trade target.
Gore was an All-Star last season and is controlled by his team through 2027.
Nico Hoerner, an infielder from the Cubs, is another trade target.
Hoerner has won two Gold Gloves and was a finalist for the Silver Slugger award.
The Cubs may trade Hoerner since they have recently acquired Alex Bregman.
The San Francisco Giants are actively trying to strengthen their team by acquiring a new second baseman for the upcoming season. They are interested in Nico Hoerner from the Chicago Cubs and Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals. Both players had strong performances last year and could help improve the Giants' infield.
Key Facts
The Giants want to improve their second base position for the upcoming season.
They are seeking Nico Hoerner from the Chicago Cubs and Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 2025, the Giants' second basemen had poor performance, with a low batting average.
Nico Hoerner had a standout season in 2025, with a .297 batting average and excellent fielding.
Brendan Donovan also had a strong 2025 season, making his first All-Star Game with a .287 batting average.
Donovan is versatile, able to play multiple positions on the field.
Acquiring either player could help the Giants compete more strongly against rivals like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Reece Prescod, a former British sprinter, has joined the Enhanced Games, an event where some athletes can use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. Although he participates, Prescod states he will not take any banned substances. The event has received criticism for potentially harming athletes and undermining fair competition.
Key Facts
Reece Prescod is a former Great Britain sprinter with a personal best of 9.93 seconds in the 100m.
He is participating in the Enhanced Games, set to happen in Las Vegas, where substances banned in regular sports are allowed.
Prescod has confirmed he will not use performance-enhancing drugs at the event.
The Enhanced Games allow drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), unlike lists by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
UK Athletics and WADA have criticized the event as risky for athlete health and fair play.
Prescod asserts that preparation and technique are his priorities over drug use.
The Enhanced Games include athletes like former British swimmer Ben Proud.
Prescod retired due to lack of support and now sees the Games as a way to return to sprinting.
