The Oakland Athletics claimed pitcher Drew Rom off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers after struggling with late-game pitching. The A’s bullpen has had one of the worst performances in baseball this season, and they hope Rom can help improve their relief pitching.
Key Facts
The A’s lost a game after leading 6-2 because their bullpen gave up 8 runs in the eighth inning.
Drew Rom, 26, was picked up from the Brewers after being designated for assignment.
Rom had an 8.02 ERA in 2023 and missed the 2024 season with a shoulder injury.
In 2026, Rom pitched 5.2 innings for the Brewers with a 3.18 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
Rom’s fastball speed is about 92.4 mph, which is slower than most MLB pitchers, but he gets many strikeouts by making batters miss.
The A’s bullpen currently has the worst ERA in MLB at 5.77 and has blown 24 saves this season.
The team has allowed the most home runs in the American League and has the worst performance in leaving runners on base.
The A’s have tried several new pitchers recently but have not improved their bullpen until now.
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The article discusses key rivalries and friendships in the history of the WNBA, highlighting momentous games and relationships that have shaped the league over its 30 years. It focuses on notable team rivalries like the Houston Comets vs. New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx vs. LA Sparks, as well as friendships between players such as A’ja Wilson and Allisha Gray.
Key Facts
The Houston Comets won four straight WNBA championships in the league’s early years.
The New York Liberty were often runners-up and had a strong rivalry with the Comets.
The Liberty won their first WNBA championship in 2024.
A’ja Wilson and Allisha Gray were college teammates and friends who now face each other as WNBA opponents.
The Minnesota Lynx were a dominant team in the 2010s, reaching seven finals and winning four championships.
The Lynx had a strong rivalry with the LA Sparks, particularly highlighted in the 2015 and 2016 playoffs.
Both rivalries and friendships add excitement and meaning to WNBA games.
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The New York Knicks will raise their NBA championship banner during their home opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20. The game features stars like LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on the 76ers, making ticket prices reach a record high of $1,999.
Key Facts
The Knicks are celebrating their recent NBA championship with a banner raising on opening night.
The Knicks will play the Philadelphia 76ers, who have added star players LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.
Jaylen Brown was traded to the 76ers by the Boston Celtics this offseason.
The 76ers also have Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey on their roster.
TickPick reported a record ticket price of $1,999 for the Knicks’ home opener.
The game will be on October 20 at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden (MSG).
Fans can watch the game on NBC and stream it on Peacock as cheaper options.
The match is an early test for the 76ers to measure their improved team against the reigning champions, the Knicks.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow missed most of the 2025 season due to a foot injury. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase says Burrow is showing a more aggressive and determined attitude as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Key Facts
Joe Burrow had a Grade 3 turf toe injury in 2025 that made him miss more than half the season.
Burrow is 29 years old and getting ready for the 2026 football season.
Ja'Marr Chase likes Burrow’s more aggressive and fired-up attitude during training camp.
Burrow completed almost 67% of his passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in 8 games last year.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said key players including Burrow and Chase will play some in the preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
The Bengals start their 2026 regular season on September 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins was injured during a training camp practice and was taken off the field in pain. The team is hopeful that the injury is not serious, but more information is needed.
Key Facts
Nate Wiggins left the practice on a cart due to pain in his left knee or leg.
The injury happened when Wiggins and rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane tangled during a drill.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said they will examine Wiggins to understand the injury better.
Wiggins was a first-round pick from Clemson in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Last season, Wiggins started all 17 games and achieved career highs in interceptions, tackles, and tackles for loss.
The Ravens finished 8-9 last season and fired their longtime head coach John Harbaugh.
Jesse Minter, the new head coach, has a strong defensive background and will rely on a healthy Wiggins.
The Ravens hope Wiggins can continue to be a key part of their defense going forward.
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The Indianapolis Colts will start Anthony Richardson in their preseason opener, while Daniel Jones will not play due to recovery from a torn Achilles injury. Richardson has requested a trade but remains with the team, competing for the backup quarterback role alongside Riley Leonard.
Key Facts
Anthony Richardson was the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson requested a trade in February, wanting to leave the Colts.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has no current plans to trade Richardson.
Daniel Jones is recovering from a torn Achilles and will not play in the preseason.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Jones is expected to be ready for Week 1.
Richardson will start the preseason opener against the New England Patriots.
Richardson and Riley Leonard will split playing time in the preseason.
The Colts’ regular-season opener is Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts appears faster as he prepares for the 2026 NFL season. His teammate, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, and the team's defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, both noticed Hurts’ improved speed during training camp.
Key Facts
Jalen Hurts is entering his seventh NFL season in 2026.
Reporters and teammates say Hurts looks faster than before.
Jalen Carter, an Eagles defensive tackle, said chasing Hurts feels like watching a movie because Hurts moves so fast.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio agrees Hurts is faster and doing well with the new team offense.
Fangio said the offense is different this year, and Hurts has adapted well to it.
Players sometimes think they almost tackle Hurts during practice, but he usually escapes.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars have not yet decided who will be their starting running back after Travis Etienne Jr. left the team. The team’s coach praised Bhayshul Tuten but named both Tuten and Chris Rodriguez as potential starters on the depth chart before their preseason opener.
Key Facts
Travis Etienne Jr. left the Jaguars to join the New Orleans Saints in free agency.
The Jaguars' preseason opener is approaching soon.
Neither Bhayshul Tuten nor Chris Rodriguez has been officially named starting running back.
Jaguars coach Liam Coen has praised Tuten’s skills and expects a strong season from him.
Tuten rushed for 307 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie year.
Chris Rodriguez has 920 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns since joining the league last year.
The upcoming game against the Saints may reveal the Jaguars' preferred starting running back.
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New York Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers collapsed and briefly lost consciousness during a practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance but was conscious and talking before leaving the field. The team reported that he is recovering well.
Key Facts
Qwan’tez Stiggers collapsed during special teams drills at a joint practice.
He briefly lost consciousness but was awake and talking before being stretchered off.
Stiggers was taken by ambulance to a hospital for further medical evaluation.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn and medical staff acted quickly to ensure his safety.
Teammates kneeled and prayed for him on the sidelines during the incident.
The practice was paused for about 10 minutes and then resumed.
Stiggers is 24 years old and entering his third season with the Jets.
He was drafted in the fifth round in 2024 and was notable for coming directly from the Canadian Football League (CFL).
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Tyler Warren, a tight end for the Indianapolis Colts, had a strong first NFL season and expects to do even better in his second year. With key receiver Michael Pittman Jr. no longer on the team, Warren and other players have a bigger opportunity to contribute to the offense.
Key Facts
Tyler Warren caught 76 passes for 817 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in his rookie season.
Warren was named a Pro Bowler after his first year.
He feels more comfortable this year because he knows the offense better and is working with many of the same teammates.
Michael Pittman Jr., a leading receiver for the Colts last season, is no longer with the team.
Pittman had the most catches (80) and touchdowns (7) for the Colts last year.
Alec Pierce led the team in receiving yards with 1,003 last season.
Warren sees Pittman’s absence as an opportunity for him and others to get more chances to catch the ball.
The Colts are aiming to improve after a difficult end to their 2025 season.
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Andy Reid is one of the most successful NFL coaches with many records and championships. At 68 years old, he hinted he might retire before his star player Patrick Mahomes, who is much younger, but Reid's contract runs through 2029.
Key Facts
Andy Reid ranks fourth in all-time regular-season coaching wins (279) and second in playoff wins (28).
He has won three Super Bowl titles and six conference championships as a head coach.
Reid has earned multiple coaching awards, including AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2002.
He led the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999 to 2012 and now coaches the Kansas City Chiefs.
Reid is 68 years old and suggested retirement could come before Mahomes stops playing.
Patrick Mahomes will turn 31 in September and has already had a successful career, potentially lasting decades more.
Reid’s contract with the Chiefs runs through the 2029 season, when he will be 71 years old.
Other NFL quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have played well into their late 30s and 40s.
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The Los Angeles Angels have fired pitching coach Mike Maddux and two assistant coaches after a poor season. The team, with the worst record in Major League Baseball, made the change to improve their pitching staff with seven weeks left in the season.
Key Facts
Mike Maddux, pitching coach, was fired along with bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott.
The Angels currently have the worst record in MLB at 45 wins and 74 losses.
The team is heading into their 11th straight losing season.
General manager Perry Minasian was fired in late June before this coaching change.
Interim front-office leader John Mozeliak announced the coaching changes and said they want to improve the pitching program.
Tim Leveque has been named the interim pitching coach; he was coaching in the Angels’ minor league system.
Michael Wuertz is now the interim bullpen coach.
Maddux served less than one full season with the Angels, who have the seventh-worst earned run average (ERA) in the majors at 4.51.
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During a joint practice between the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, multiple fights broke out among players. Jets running back Breece Hall said he did not join the fights and called the day overall good.
Key Facts
The Jets and Buccaneers practiced together at One Jets Drive.
Several fights occurred, including one after Jets safety Jarius Monroe intercepted Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
There were at least three fights involving different players from both teams.
Breece Hall avoided fighting and said he has a personal rule not to fight players over 240 pounds.
Hall recently signed a three-year contract extension with the Jets.
Hall had his first 1,000-yard rushing season and is expected to be a key player in the Jets’ offense.
The Jets and Buccaneers will meet again for a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on Friday.
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The Baltimore Ravens will start their preseason with a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Jesse Minter said some key players, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, will not play in this first preseason game.
Key Facts
The Ravens' preseason opener is against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night.
Coach Jesse Minter will rest some experienced players for this game.
Lamar Jackson, the team's veteran quarterback, will not play in the preseason opener.
Jackson has missed four games last year due to injuries like a hamstring strain and back contusion.
The Ravens plan to use these games to give less experienced players more playing time.
After the Eagles, the Ravens will play the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders in preseason.
The Ravens' regular season will start on September 13 against the Indianapolis Colts.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff wants to involve tight end Sam LaPorta more in the team's offense this season. LaPorta showed strong performance as a rookie but has missed time due to injury, and this year is important for his future with the team.
Key Facts
Jared Goff is the Detroit Lions’ quarterback.
Goff said Sam LaPorta is a talented tight end who should get more chances to catch the ball.
LaPorta had 86 catches, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2023.
LaPorta’s production has dropped each year, partly because of injuries.
Last season, LaPorta had back surgery and was placed on injured reserve in November.
The 2026 season is the final year of LaPorta’s rookie contract.
LaPorta has a total of 186 catches, 2,104 yards, and 20 touchdowns in his career so far.
Goff’s focus on including LaPorta early in the season may improve his involvement despite strong competition on the team.
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The Baltimore Ravens have a new head coach, Jesse Minter, who shared positive views about quarterback Lamar Jackson's performance in practice. Jackson is learning a new offense and continues to be a key player for the team as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.
Key Facts
The Ravens fired coach John Harbaugh in January and hired Jesse Minter as the new head coach.
Lamar Jackson is adapting to a new style of offense introduced by the coaching staff.
Minter praised Jackson's talent and called him a unique player in the NFL.
Last season, Jackson played 13 games with 2,459 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
Jackson ran less last season, with 67 carries for 349 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Derrick Henry’s presence on the team has reduced the rushing burden on Jackson.
The Ravens missed the playoffs last season after losing a close game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Ravens' preseason starts on August 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles; the regular season begins on September 13 against the Indianapolis Colts.
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Mike Evans, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, returned to practice after missing time due to a quad injury. Two other key 49ers players, Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa, continued to miss practice because of their own health issues. The 49ers will face the Tennessee Titans in a preseason game on Thursday.
Key Facts
Mike Evans signed a three-year contract with the 49ers in March.
Evans missed practice last week due to a quad strain but participated on Tuesday.
Christian McCaffrey missed practice again because of muscle tightness.
Nick Bosa missed his fifth practice in a row due to soreness.
Evans is 32 years old and had injuries that limited his play last season.
He played only eight games last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Evans’ streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons ended because of injuries.
The 49ers will play the Titans in a preseason game, then start the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams on September 10.
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The Philadelphia Eagles announced that two important defensive players, Jonathan Greenard and Jonathan Jones, will miss playing time due to injuries. Greenard is expected to be out for several weeks with a pectoral strain, and Jones will miss some time as well, but exact return dates are unknown.
Key Facts
Jonathan Greenard, a newly acquired edge rusher, suffered a pectoral strain before training camp.
Greenard signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Eagles.
Greenard is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and may miss the first four regular season games if not activated by late August.
Jonathan Jones, a veteran cornerback, signed a one-year, $2 million contract in March.
Jones is expected to provide depth in the Eagles' secondary but will miss some playing time due to injury.
Both players are likely to miss the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
These injuries may put added strain on the Eagles’ defense as they prepare for the season.
The Eagles have a strong defensive reputation under coordinator Vic Fangio, with many talented players.
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Christian McCaffrey, running back for the San Francisco 49ers, missed two straight practices due to tightness. The team is cautious about his injury as he prepares for his 10th NFL season.
Key Facts
McCaffrey did not participate in Monday and Tuesday practices because of tightness.
He did some individual warm-up work on Tuesday but skipped the joint practice with the Tennessee Titans.
Nick Bosa, another 49ers player, missed his fifth practice in a row due to soreness.
Wide receiver Mike Evans returned to practice after recovering from a quad strain.
McCaffrey played all 17 games last regular season and led the NFL with 413 touches.
At 30 years old, McCaffrey has a history of injuries, so the 49ers are being careful with him.
The team’s offensive coordinator said they are monitoring McCaffrey to get him ready for the season’s first game.
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Jackson Meeks has changed his role from receiver to tight end for the Detroit Lions. He is still learning to block but is showing good skills catching the ball during training camp.
Key Facts
Jackson Meeks switched from receiver to tight end full time.
He is still improving his blocking skills at the new position.
Meeks has made notable catches for the Lions' second-team offense in practice.
In one practice, Meeks made two catches that helped his team win an end-of-practice period.
Meeks demonstrated the ability to get free from defenders, showing good potential as a receiver.
The preseason will be important for Meeks to prove his skills in real games.
The Lions see promise in Meeks' passing game ability despite his new role.
Meeks is working hard to get better at the tight end position.
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