The Toronto Blue Jays likely won't keep pitcher Chris Bassitt for the next season after adding new players to their team. Bassitt, who performed well last postseason, may consider joining the San Francisco Giants, who need more starting pitchers.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays added two new pitchers to their starting lineup and might not retain Chris Bassitt.
Bassitt has played for the Blue Jays since 2023 with a 3.89 ERA over 96 games.
Last season, he had a 3.96 ERA and moved to the bullpen during the playoffs, where he excelled with a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances.
Bassitt is open to finding a team where he can start games, and the San Francisco Giants need starting pitchers.
The Giants signed Adrian Houser and have Logan Webb and Robbie Ray in their rotation but have spots to fill.
Bassitt was an All-Star in 2021 with the Oakland Athletics and is known for his durability, starting 163 games since 2020.
The New York Mets are considering a trade to improve their pitching team by acquiring Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. The proposed trade involves trading four players to the Tigers, helping the Mets strengthen their pitching squad.
Key Facts
The New York Mets need a top pitcher, called an "ace," for their team.
The Mets are considering a trade with the Detroit Tigers to get pitcher Tarik Skubal.
In the proposed trade, the Mets would give the Tigers four players: Mark Vientos, Brandon Sproat, Ronny Mauricio, and Jonathan Santucci.
The trade would allow the Mets to keep their most valuable prospects.
The Mets could potentially offer Skubal a big contract to keep him on the team for the long term.
The Tigers would receive promising players, including a strong pitching prospect, Brandon Sproat.
The trade is not confirmed yet, but the Mets are seen as a suitable team for Skubal if the Tigers decide to trade him.
The Baltimore Ravens have had a disappointing NFL season, and concerns have emerged about head coach John Harbaugh's relationship with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Harbaugh addressed these concerns, stating there are no problems between him and Jackson. Despite struggles this season, Jackson remains a significant player for the Ravens.
Key Facts
The Baltimore Ravens are 7-8 in the NFL season as they face the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.
Lamar Jackson's health issues have been a concern throughout the 2025 season.
Speculation arose about a possible rift between head coach John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson.
John Harbaugh publicly stated that his relationship with Jackson is strong and positive.
Lamar Jackson was drafted 32nd overall by the Ravens in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Jackson has made four Pro Bowl appearances and won two MVP awards with the Ravens.
In the current season, Jackson has passed for 2,311 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games.
Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million extension with the Ravens in 2023, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at that time.
Chase Hendricks, a top college football wide receiver from Ohio University, announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. He ranked 13th nationally in receiving yards in the 2025 season. Colleges across the country may seek him for his impressive skills and performance.
Key Facts
Chase Hendricks played for Ohio University, also known as the Ohio Bobcats.
He is entering the transfer portal, which officially opens on January 2, 2026.
Hendricks was a three-star recruit from Missouri.
In the 2025 season, he caught 70 passes for 1,037 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
Nationally, he ranked 13th in receiving yards during the 2025 season.
Power Four schools are likely interested in Hendricks due to his speed and agility.
His last game with the Bobcats was a win against the UNLV Rebels in the Frisco Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs have placed four starting players on the injured reserve list, ending their season early. The Chiefs are already out of playoff contention and will face the Denver Broncos on Christmas without key players.
Key Facts
The Kansas City Chiefs placed four starters on injured reserve, ending their season.
The players out for the season are wide receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton, and cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
The Chiefs will not compete in the playoffs or reach another Super Bowl this season.
They will face the Denver Broncos on Christmas.
The team plans to relocate to Kansas in 2031, leaving Arrowhead Stadium behind.
The Chiefs' performance issues might impact their position in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Cornerbacks McDuffie and Watson were highly ranked in their positions by Pro Football Focus.
Former professional poker player James Bord has been chosen as the preferred bidder to take over the Sheffield Wednesday football club. The club has been in financial trouble and under administration since October. Bord's proposed takeover still needs approval from the English Football League (EFL).
Key Facts
James Bord, a former professional poker player, has been picked as the preferred bidder to buy Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday has been in administration since October due to financial difficulties.
Bord made his initial career at gambling companies and later won millions from poker.
He runs a data company using artificial intelligence for sports analytics.
Bord is based in Las Vegas and has ownership stakes in other football clubs.
The takeover deal must still pass the EFL's Owners and Directors' test.
Sheffield Wednesday is currently at the bottom of the Championship table with negative points due to penalties.
The Toronto Blue Jays are considering signing pitcher Kirby Yates, who is a free agent after playing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yates, a former All-Star, could compete with current closer Jeff Hoffman for the role, as Hoffman's performance has been inconsistent. Although Yates faced injuries last season, he has a strong track record and could be an affordable option for the Blue Jays' bullpen.
Key Facts
The Blue Jays have signed pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce during the offseason.
Jeff Hoffman was the Blue Jays' closer last year, but he blew a lead in the World Series and had inconsistent performances.
Kirby Yates, who is currently a free agent, played for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
Yates dealt with back and hamstring injuries and did not pitch in October but had a 2.95 ERA in his first 21 outings.
In 2024 with the Texas Rangers, Yates had a 1.17 ERA in 61 games and recorded 33 saves.
Yates has been an All-Star twice and led the league in saves in 2019.
The Blue Jays could potentially sign Yates on a cheap deal to compete for the closer position.
The Atlanta Braves, after a disappointing season, are looking to make changes to their lineup. Marcell Ozuna, a veteran player and free agent, may leave the team, with suggestions that he could join the Cleveland Guardians to boost their hitting power. The Guardians need more strong hitters following their ranking in home runs last season.
Key Facts
The Atlanta Braves did not make it to the playoffs this year due to key player injuries.
Marcell Ozuna, a 35-year-old free agent, might not return to the Braves.
Ozuna is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger.
He hit 21 home runs last season with a .756 OPS (a measure of a player's overall batting ability).
The Cleveland Guardians have been encouraged to sign Ozuna to improve their lineup.
The Guardians ranked 20th in home runs last season, indicating a need for more power hitters.
Keeping Ozuna would mean leaving either Drake Baldwin or Sean Murphy out of the Braves’ lineup regularly.
The St. Louis Cardinals are considering trading their infielder Nolan Arenado and pitcher Jojo Romero to the Seattle Mariners. This move is part of the Cardinals' plan to rebuild their team. The Mariners are interested in adding more infielders and relievers to their roster.
Key Facts
The Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase after trading players Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras.
Nolan Arenado and Jojo Romero are potential trade candidates for the Cardinals.
The Seattle Mariners have shown interest in acquiring both Arenado and Romero.
Arenado, though not a star anymore, is known for being a strong defender.
Jojo Romero is a reliever, which means he is a pitcher who comes into the game after the starter and could aid the Mariners' bullpen.
The Mariners are looking for infielders and have considered Brendan Donovan, but trading for Arenado might be a more affordable option for them.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim stated that it's impossible to replace their injured captain Bruno Fernandes, but sees it as a chance for other players to step up. Fernandes got hurt in a recent game and it's uncertain when he will return. Other players are also unavailable due to injuries or international duties.
Key Facts
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is injured and cannot play.
Fernandes suffered a soft-tissue injury during a match against Aston Villa.
Manager Ruben Amorim says the injury is an opportunity for other players to contribute more.
United may adjust their midfield with Fernandes absent, as he has been a key player.
Young players like Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey have recently made their debuts for United.
Players Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are also unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt will miss the upcoming game against Newcastle due to injuries.
A top wide receiver for the Florida Gators, Eugene Wilson III, has decided to leave the team and enter the transfer portal. Wilson, who joined the Gators in 2023 and showed great potential, plans to find a new school by spring practice next year.
Key Facts
Eugene Wilson III is a wide receiver for the Florida Gators college football team.
Wilson joined the team as a highly ranked recruit in 2023.
He played 10 games in his freshman year, gaining 593 yards and scoring 6 touchdowns.
Injuries, including a hip surgery in 2024 and ankle surgery in 2025, affected his performance.
Wilson plans to enter the transfer portal at the start of the new year.
During his time with the Gators, he achieved a total of 1110 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The last Football League match played on Christmas Day happened 60 years ago, when Blackpool played against Blackburn Rovers. Christmas Day football was once popular but ended due to societal changes, such as increased home entertainment and reduced transport services.
Key Facts
Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers played the final Football League game on Christmas Day in 1965.
Christmas Day football began in 1889, when Preston North End played Aston Villa.
It was a popular tradition because people were off work and used public transport to attend.
By the 1950s, fewer people attended these games as society focused more on home and family during Christmas.
New technologies like TV and improvements in home comfort reduced the desire to leave home for football games.
The introduction of floodlights allowed more midweek games, reducing the need for Christmas Day matches.
The decline in Christmas Day transport services also contributed to the end of these games.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for an important game against the Cleveland Browns as they aim to secure a spot in the NFL Playoffs. There is positive news about their star player T.J. Watt, who was seen practicing again after suffering a collapsed lung. His participation, along with linebacker Nick Herbig, could be crucial for the Steelers in the upcoming match.
Key Facts
The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing the Cleveland Browns and want to improve their standings for the NFL Playoffs.
T.J. Watt, a key defensive player, was back at practice after dealing with a collapsed lung injury.
Watt missed the previous game against the Detroit Lions, which the Steelers won 29-24.
There is a video of Watt and Nick Herbig practicing, which is promising for Steelers fans.
The game against the Browns is crucial for the Steelers to secure the AFC North division title.
It is uncertain if Watt and Herbig will officially play in the game.
T.J. Watt has played 13 games this season with notable achievements like 53 total tackles and seven sacks.
The Steelers are favored to win the game by a field goal.
Michael van Gerwen, a top darts player, suggests that fellow player Peter Wright should retire after Wright lost in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship. Wright, who has won the world championship twice, lost to a newcomer, Arno Merk, and has not performed well in recent years.
Key Facts
Peter Wright lost in straight sets to Arno Merk in the PDC World Darts Championship.
Michael van Gerwen says Peter Wright should retire from darts.
Wright won the world championship in 2020 and 2022 but has not advanced past quarter-finals in big tournaments for the last two years.
Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, advanced to the third round by defeating William O'Connor.
Peter Wright has not won a European Tour event since 2024 and last won a Players Championship in 2022.
Wright did not qualify for the 2025 Premier League Darts and failed to make it to the Grand Slam of Darts for the first time since 2012.
James Nnaji, who was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft, has decided to play college basketball instead of pursuing an NBA career. He will join Baylor University's basketball team and has four years of eligibility.
Key Facts
James Nnaji is a 7-foot basketball player from Nigeria.
He was picked 31st overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Nnaji's NBA rights were traded from the Pistons to the Charlotte Hornets, and then to the New York Knicks.
During this time, he played in Europe with FC Barcelona and was loaned to the Spanish club Girona.
He averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in the Liga ACB.
Nnaji has chosen to play college basketball at Baylor University under the NCAA's NIL policy, which allows college athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness.
Baylor currently holds a 9-2 record in the Big 12 Conference.
Manchester United's head coach, Ruben Amorim, announced that team captain Bruno Fernandes might be out for up to a month due to a hamstring injury. Fernandes was injured during a game against Aston Villa, and his absence poses challenges for the team, especially with other key players unavailable.
Key Facts
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's captain, may be out for around a month with a hamstring injury.
He got injured during a match against Aston Villa, which United lost 2-1.
Ruben Amorim, the team's head coach, says it is "impossible" to replace Fernandes.
There is hope Fernandes might return for the Manchester derby against City on January 17.
His injury coincides with other key players, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Kobbie Mainoo, also being unavailable.
Amorim mentioned that others like Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw could step up in Fernandes' absence.
Seven senior players will be unavailable for the upcoming match against Newcastle, but Casemiro will return after a ban.
Academy players Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey are expected to get more playtime.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing well in the NFL despite losing rookie player Travis Hunter to a knee injury. Hunter sustained a significant injury in October and will not play until 2026, but he is recovering and in good spirits. The Jaguars remain focused on clinching their division and continue to perform strongly.
Key Facts
The Jacksonville Jaguars won four of their last five NFL games.
Rookie player Travis Hunter injured his knee, tearing the LCL, which required surgery.
Despite the injury, Hunter was performing well as a cornerback before getting hurt.
Hunter's recovery progress is positive, with a video showing him walking.
The Jaguars traded several draft picks to get Hunter as the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
So far this season, Hunter recorded 11 tackles and 28 receptions.
The Jaguars aim to win against the Indianapolis Colts and hope a Houston Texans loss will help them clinch their division.
Regardless of other outcomes, winning the rest of their games will secure the division championship for the Jaguars.
Cam Cook, a top college football running back, plans to transfer from Jacksonville State after a standout season. Cook led the nation in rushing yards and was recognized with several awards. He previously played for TCU and has been linked to potential interest from major college football programs.
Key Facts
Cam Cook was the leading rusher in FBS with 1,659 yards on 295 carries.
Cook scored 16 rushing touchdowns and had 286 receiving yards in the 2025 season.
He received multiple All-America honors and was named Conference USA Player of the Year.
Cook plans to enter the transfer portal, which allows college athletes to transfer schools.
Initially, he was a highly-ranked recruit and received offers from major universities.
Cook previously played for TCU, where he led the team in rushing during the 2024 season.
Major college football programs like Syracuse and Texas have shown interest in Cook.
The Los Angeles Lakers updated that their player, Luka Doncic, is expected to play in the Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets. Luka has been out with a leg injury, but if his workout goes well, he will participate in the game and also debut his new signature shoe. The Lakers hope his return will help improve their recent performance.
Key Facts
Luka Doncic is expected to return for the Lakers' Christmas Day game against the Rockets.
He was sidelined with a left leg contusion for several weeks.
Luka will debut his new signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 5, during the game.
The Lakers have recently lost two games in a row, dropping their record to 19-9.
This Christmas matchup is part of the NBA's annual holiday schedule that features marquee games.
LeBron James, another star on the Lakers, has scored high in recent games but couldn't prevent the losses.
The Lakers have moved down to fourth in the Western Conference standings.
Pedro Rubiolo, a 23-year-old rugby player from Argentina, has signed a new long-term contract with Bristol Bears, a rugby team in England. Rubiolo joined the team in 2024 and has helped them perform well this season. The club has not revealed the exact details of his contract extension.
Key Facts
Pedro Rubiolo is 23 years old and plays for the Bristol Bears rugby team.
He originally signed with Bristol Bears in 2024 for three years.
Rubiolo has played three games this season, helping the team rank fifth in the league.
He has 32 international caps for Argentina and has helped his national team win against New Zealand and South Africa.
The new contract with Bristol Bears is described as "long-term," but the exact length is not disclosed.
Rubiolo is noted for his strong performance, competitive nature, and commitment to improving.
Other Bristol Bears players like England's Harry Randall and Argentina's Matias Moroni have also signed new contracts.
