Gus Atkinson, an England cricket player, left the field due to a hamstring injury during the fourth Ashes Test against Australia. This adds to England's injury problems, as they have already lost two other fast bowlers on the tour. Atkinson had returned for the Melbourne match after missing the previous game.
Key Facts
Gus Atkinson is a pace bowler for England's cricket team.
He left the field with a hamstring injury in the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.
The injury happened during a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Atkinson's injury adds to England's troubles; they lost Mark Wood and Jofra Archer to other injuries.
England has called up Matthew Fisher to cover for Wood.
Atkinson struggled in the first two Tests but did better in the Melbourne match.
He was replaced by substitute player Ollie Pope after his injury.
The Golden State Warriors are considering a major trade for Anthony Davis, a 10-time All-Star who plays for the Dallas Mavericks. The team is exploring this option to improve their performance in the NBA's Western Conference.
Key Facts
The Golden State Warriors have started their 2025-26 NBA season with a record of 16 wins and 15 losses.
The team has three top players: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
Despite having strong players, the Warriors are not among the top teams in the Western Conference.
The Warriors are looking at a trade for Anthony Davis, who is a 10-time All-Star.
Anthony Davis plays as a power forward/center for the Dallas Mavericks.
The team hopes this trade will boost their standing in the conference.
Manchester United won a 1-0 match against Newcastle in the Premier League using a new strategy. Coach Ruben Amorim changed the team's formation for the first time in 13 months, leading to the win despite having less possession of the ball.
Key Facts
Manchester United beat Newcastle 1-0 with a change in tactics.
Coach Ruben Amorim used a back four formation for the first time since taking charge.
United had only 33.4% of the ball, their lowest in a winning game this season.
Patrick Dorgu scored the only goal with a first-half volley.
Manchester United achieved only their second clean sheet of the season.
Newcastle had more chances, with 16 shots against United’s 9.
Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven played as center-backs in the new formation.
Michigan Wolverines hired Kyle Whittingham as their new head football coach after firing Sherrone Moore. Whittingham has a long career with the Utah Utes and brings experience to the team. Current interim coach Biff Poggi will lead the team in an upcoming bowl game and reacted positively to the new hire.
Key Facts
Michigan Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore two weeks ago.
They hired Kyle Whittingham as the new head coach on a five-year contract.
Whittingham was the head coach of the Utah Utes for 21 years.
During his time with Utah, Whittingham had a record of 177 wins and 88 losses.
Biff Poggi is the interim head coach and will lead Michigan in a bowl game against Texas Longhorns on December 31.
Poggi expressed excitement about Whittingham's hiring and praised him as a good fit for Michigan.
It is not yet clear if Poggi will remain on the coaching staff under Whittingham.
Travis Kelce, a player for the Kansas City Chiefs, may be nearing retirement, as suggested by recent events. After the Broncos' win over the Chiefs, Kelce was questioned about his plans but did not give a definitive answer. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that Kelce's retirement decision timeline may echo that of his brother, Jason Kelce.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce plays for the Kansas City Chiefs and may retire soon.
Kelce's last home game with the Chiefs could be a recent loss to the Denver Broncos.
Kelce mentioned making a retirement decision with his family, friends, and team.
Kelce's brother, Jason, retired in 2024 and may provide a clue to Kelce's decision timing.
Kelce has expressed ongoing enthusiasm for playing football but is considering future opportunities outside the sport.
Manchester United won against Newcastle with a 1-0 score. A player named Dorgu scored the winning goal for Manchester United, helping them move into the top five of the Premier League standings.
Key Facts
Manchester United defeated Newcastle with a 1-0 victory.
The match was hard-fought, meaning both teams tried very hard to win.
A player called Dorgu scored the only goal with a volley, which is when the ball is kicked before it hits the ground.
The win allowed Manchester United to move into the top five of the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim is associated with Manchester United, likely as a coach or manager.
The article mentions sharing options and access restrictions for certain locations.
The report is titled as a "Match Report" and appears to be aimed at UK readers.
The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly signed veteran catcher Mark Kolozsvary to a minor league contract. Kolozsvary will join the team for major league spring training, although he is expected to spend most of his time playing at the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate.
Key Facts
The Phillies have agreed to a minor league contract with Mark Kolozsvary.
Kolozsvary will be part of the Phillies' major league spring training.
He played most of the previous season in Double-A Portland with the Boston Red Sox organization.
At Triple-A Worcester, he had only 10 hits in 22 at-bats.
Kolozsvary made his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020.
It is not expected that Kolozsvary will play in the major leagues next season.
Kolozsvary is 30 years old and last appeared in the major leagues in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles.
Alabama's football team is preparing to face the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff. Alabama recently won against the Oklahoma Sooners but faces a challenge with Indiana's strong offense and top player Fernando Mendoza. The game will take place on New Year's Day at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Key Facts
Alabama defeated Oklahoma with a score of 34-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Alabama will play against the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers next.
Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, won the Heisman Trophy this season.
Mendoza completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season.
Alabama has struggled with a defensive pass rush and needs to improve it against Indiana.
The game between Alabama and Indiana is scheduled for New Year's Day at 4:00 p.m. ET.
The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with a difficult situation after losing to the Houston Rockets and finding out that their star player Austin Reaves will be out for about four weeks due to a calf injury. Despite their current standing, coach JJ Redick expressed frustration with the team's performance, especially their defense.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Lakers lost a game against the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.
Lakers coach JJ Redick criticized the team's defensive performance.
Austin Reaves, a key player for the Lakers, suffered a calf injury during the game.
Reaves has a Grade 2 calf strain and will miss about four weeks.
Before the injury, Reaves was having a strong season, averaging 26.6 points per game.
The Lakers will play their next four games at home, starting against the Sacramento Kings.
The Clemson Tigers football team, led by coach Dabo Swinney, will play in the Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State. Several Clemson players are injured or unavailable, giving younger players a chance to play. The game will take place at Yankee Stadium in New York.
Key Facts
Clemson is playing in the Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State.
Dabo Swinney is the coach of the Clemson Tigers.
Clemson will be missing 21 players due to injuries and other reasons.
Four starting offensive linemen, including Walker Parks, are unavailable.
Receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. are out due to previous injuries.
Young players like Tyler Brown, Juju Preston, and others will have more playing time.
The game is set for Saturday at 12 p.m. Eastern Time at Yankee Stadium.
The New York Yankees might trade Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the coming months. A suggested deal involves sending him to the Detroit Tigers, where he could strengthen their lineup. The Tigers might use their resources to secure Chisholm for a longer term.
Key Facts
The Yankees are thinking about trading Jazz Chisholm Jr. this offseason.
Chisholm is considered valuable due to his defensive skills and potential to help any team.
The Detroit Tigers are potential suitors and might trade for him.
The Tigers already have Gleyber Torres at second base; Chisholm could play third base.
Chisholm's contract lasts one more year, but the Tigers could offer him a long-term deal.
Detroit has the resources, including prospects and financial means, to make this trade possible.
The Michigan Wolverines are reportedly hiring former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham as their new head coach. Following this news, a top Michigan football recruit, Brady Marchese, has requested to be released from his commitment to the team. Marchese previously joined Michigan after switching from Georgia on signing day.
Key Facts
Michigan Wolverines plan to hire Kyle Whittingham as the new head coach.
Brady Marchese, a top recruit for Michigan, asked for a release from his commitment.
Marchese switched from Georgia to Michigan on signing day.
Marchese has offers from multiple universities, including Florida, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
This coaching change news might cause other recruits to also reconsider their decisions.
Marchese made 41 catches, 981 yards, and 15 touchdowns for Cartersville High School this season.
The San Diego Padres are looking to strengthen their pitching lineup after losing key players. They might consider signing Chris Bassitt, a 36-year-old pitcher from the Toronto Blue Jays, who has shown consistent performance over the past seasons. Adding Bassitt could help the team fill gaps in their rotation for the next season.
Key Facts
The San Diego Padres lost pitcher Dylan Cease to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The team re-signed Michael King, who has become a strong pitcher.
The Padres need more pitchers to get through the 2026 season and aim for the playoffs.
Chris Bassitt, a 36-year-old player, is a potential option for the Padres.
Bassitt has made 25 or more starts every year except for the shortened 2020 season.
He has consistently performed at or above the league-average level since 2018.
Signing Bassitt would provide a reliable pitcher without a long-term contract commitment.
The Toronto Blue Jays are considering different player options since Bo Bichette, a current player, is a free agent. They are interested in signing Kyle Tucker and are also looking at Yoán Moncada as a possible infielder if they can't keep Bichette. Moncada has had injury problems but shows potential if he stays healthy.
Key Facts
Bo Bichette is a free agent, meaning he might leave the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays are thinking about signing Kyle Tucker, who has visited their facility in Florida.
Experts believe the Blue Jays may not be able to sign both Bichette and Tucker.
If the Blue Jays sign Tucker, they might need another plan for their infield position.
Yoán Moncada is a player the Blue Jays are showing interest in for the infield position.
Moncada has had injuries but performed well when healthy, hitting 12 home runs in 2025.
The Blue Jays want to be ready with options in case they do not keep Bichette.
The Toronto Blue Jays are considering trading pitcher Trey Yesavage to the Arizona Diamondbacks for second baseman Ketel Marte. This move could happen if the Blue Jays need a new shortstop due to the possible loss of Bo Bichette in free agency.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays might lose shortstop Bo Bichette in free agency this offseason.
Ketel Marte, an Arizona Diamondbacks player, is a top candidate to replace Bichette.
There is a suggestion to trade Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage for Marte.
Yesavage is seen as a breakout pitcher with potential as an ace for the Blue Jays.
Arizona might prefer Yesavage over other options, such as pitcher José Berríos.
The Blue Jays have enough pitching depth to potentially handle the loss of Yesavage if traded.
Trading Yesavage is viewed as a significant cost due to his potential and control for six years.
The Philadelphia Phillies are considering bringing back catcher J.T. Realmuto, who is now a free agent. Though he is 34 years old and his performance has declined, the team lacks better options and may sign him to a short-term contract.
Key Facts
J.T. Realmuto is a free agent following his seventh season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Realmuto is 34 years old and has been a three-time All-Star.
His performance has declined over the past few seasons.
He is expected to sign a two-year, $25 million contract.
The Phillies have limited alternatives, as their catching situation ranks low in the league.
There are no better free-agent catchers available, and trades could be costly.
Bringing Realmuto back could help the Phillies maintain their championship competitiveness.
Kyle Tucker, an All-Star baseball player, has been linked to the Toronto Blue Jays as a possible team for him to join. An ESPN analyst suggested new contract ideas that might interest the Blue Jays or other teams. The proposals involve shorter contracts with higher annual pay, allowing flexibility for both Tucker and interested teams.
Key Facts
Kyle Tucker is a free agent and four-time All-Star outfielder.
Media reports have linked Tucker to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Tucker met with Blue Jays officials in Dunedin, Florida.
An ESPN analyst suggested different contract proposals: a one-year contract with a player option or a two-year contract with an extension option.
Proposed contracts offer high annual pay, providing flexibility for teams to avoid long commitments.
Tucker's contracts are predicted to be between $350 million and $425 million long-term.
Tucker is represented by Excel Sports Management, the same firm as Blue Jays' George Springer.
The New York Yankees are considering signing Tatsuya Imai, a pitcher from Japan's baseball league, to improve their starting rotation. Imai, who is 27 years old, has shown strong performance statistics in Japan, which could benefit the Yankees.
Key Facts
The Yankees are looking to strengthen their starting pitcher lineup before spring training.
The starting pitching market is becoming limited, but the Yankees have several options.
Tatsuya Imai must sign with a team by January 2 at 5 p.m.
Imai has a strong track record in Japan with a 1.92 ERA last season.
His performance in Japan shows he can handle baserunners well, which is crucial in MLB.
Imai would help safeguard the Yankees' rotation, even when injured players return.
Adding Imai could provide long-term benefits since he is only 27 years old.
The New York Yankees are considering re-signing MLB player Cody Bellinger as a top priority, with a projected deal of six years at $180 million. Yankees player Aaron Judge supports bringing Bellinger back, believing it would strengthen the team. If Bellinger joins, the Yankees may look at trading another player to make room for new talent.
Key Facts
The Yankees are focusing on free agent Cody Bellinger after re-signing Trent Grisham.
Aaron Judge supports re-signing Bellinger, hoping it strengthens the team.
Cody Bellinger is projected to get a six-year, $180 million deal.
Bellinger is a highly valued player, being a two-time All-Star and former MVP.
If Bellinger joins, Yankees may consider trading Jasson Domínguez to allow for new player Spencer Jones.
Yankees' current outfield setup includes Judge, Grisham, Domínguez, and possibly Bellinger and Jones.
The Los Angeles Angels are exploring free agency to improve their team. They are reportedly interested in signing international free agent Kazuma Okamoto for around $90 million. Okamoto could play third base and help with hitting, potentially fitting well with the team's needs.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Angels want to improve their team and sign new players.
They aim to strengthen by getting more hitters through free agency.
Kazuma Okamoto, an international free agent, is a target for the Angels.
Okamoto is projected to cost about $90 million over his contract period.
The Angels need both better hitting and a new third baseman, which Okamoto could provide.
Okamoto could replace Anthony Rendon as the third baseman.
The team's past success with Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani supports their interest in Okamoto.
It is expected his salary could be around $20 million per year.
