The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Jordan Weems, a pitcher with experience on several major league teams, to a minor-league deal. Weems, who played for the Braves and Astros last season, will join the Dodgers for spring training along with other non-roster pitchers.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Jordan Weems to a minor-league contract.
Weems is a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher with six years of experience in Major League Baseball.
Last season, he played for both the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros.
Weems appeared in four games for the Astros, allowing seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings.
In his major league career, Weems has a 5.51 ERA and has struck out 161 batters in 160 innings.
Weems has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Washington Nationals.
He is one of several non-roster pitchers invited to the Dodgers' spring training.
Weems may start the season in Triple-A if he does not make the Dodgers' opening day roster.
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The Detroit Tigers signed Konnor Pilkington to a minor-league contract. Pilkington, a left-handed pitcher, has played parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball. He will join the Tigers for spring training.
Key Facts
The Detroit Tigers signed Konnor Pilkington to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.
Pilkington is a 28-year-old left-handed pitcher.
He has three partial seasons of MLB experience, mainly with the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Guardians.
Pilkington chose free agency after the Nationals designated him for assignment.
During his MLB career, he has pitched 88 1/3 innings with a 3.97 ERA.
He previously played for Triple-A Reno with the Arizona Diamondbacks but did not return to the majors.
If he does not make the Tigers’ main roster, he may serve as backup in Triple-A.
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The New York Mets' second top prospect, Carson Benge, has a chance to earn a spot as the starting left fielder during spring training. The Mets have made several roster changes but left the left field position open for competition.
Key Facts
Carson Benge is the New York Mets' second top prospect.
The Mets have made trades and signings this offseason, including Marcus Semien, Freddy Peralta, Luis Robert Jr., Bo Bichette, and Devin Williams.
The starting left field position is currently open for competition.
Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, wants Benge to have a real chance at making the team.
Benge showed promise in the lower minor leagues but struggled at the Triple-A level.
Last season, Benge hit 15 home runs and had 73 runs batted in during minor league games.
Despite his struggles in higher-level games, the Mets still see potential in Benge.
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During a basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets, a fight broke out involving several players. Isaiah Stewart, who left the bench to join the altercation, was ejected along with three other players. Stewart has a history of suspensions, which might lead to a longer suspension this time.
Key Facts
A fight occurred during a game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets.
Pistons player Isaiah Stewart joined the fight after leaving the bench.
Four players in total were ejected from the game.
The NBA will review the incident, and suspensions are possible.
Isaiah Stewart has been suspended multiple times before for various incidents.
Stewart's past suspensions could influence the length of any new suspension.
Despite the altercation, the Pistons have the top seed in the Eastern Conference before the All-Star break.
Isaiah Stewart averages 10.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game this season.
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The Toronto Blue Jays are considering trading pitcher Erik Lauer to the Los Angeles Angels. Lauer, who had a successful last season, might not start in the Blue Jays' upcoming games due to new additions to the team. Trading him could benefit both teams, especially given his affordable salary.
Key Facts
Erik Lauer played a key role for the Toronto Blue Jays last season.
He had a record of 9 wins and 2 losses, with a 3.18 ERA (earned run average).
Lauer was moved to the bullpen after the team added Shane Bieber.
The Blue Jays added two more pitchers, Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, making Lauer's starting role unlikely.
A trade to the Los Angeles Angels is suggested, as they need reliable pitchers.
Lauer’s salary is $2.2 million, considered affordable even if he stays in the bullpen.
The Blue Jays might trade him for a promising minor league player.
No final trade decision has been made yet.
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The San Diego Padres are exploring their options to strengthen their pitching lineup before the spring training session begins. One potential target is Brayan Bello from the Boston Red Sox, who could provide long-term stability to the team's rotation. The Padres' president of baseball operations is considering how to assemble an attractive trade offer for Bello.
Key Facts
The Padres want to improve their starting rotation.
They are looking at Brayan Bello from the Red Sox as a trade option.
Bello could serve as a strong pitcher for the Padres' future needs.
Adding Bello would ease Joe Musgrove's return after his recovery.
The Padres must assemble a compelling trade offer due to their weakened farm system.
The Red Sox have multiple starting pitchers, creating a trade opportunity.
The Padres need Bello to offer long-term stability, particularly with other pitchers having potential contract opt-outs after 2026.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had to pay high taxes while playing in Super Bowl LX, resulting in a financial loss despite winning. The California state tax on visiting athletes caused him to owe the state $249,000, which was more than the Super Bowl winnings he received.
Key Facts
Sam Darnold is the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.
He played in Super Bowl LX, which was held in Santa Clara, California.
California has a tax called the "jock tax" that applies to athletes visiting the state.
Darnold had to pay $249,000 in taxes to California for spending seven days there.
Each player on the winning Super Bowl team gets $178,000, which is separate from their salary.
Darnold ended up losing $71,000 after paying the tax.
A former NFL player suggested that the Super Bowl should not be held in California to avoid such tax issues for players.
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Seby Zavala, a veteran baseball player, has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zavala will join the Dodgers' spring training, aiming for a major league return after playing a season in the minor leagues with the Boston Red Sox.
Key Facts
Seby Zavala signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a chance to join their major league team.
Zavala played for the Boston Red Sox in the 2025 minor league season.
In 2025, he had a batting average of .165 in 75 minor league games.
Zavala's major league debut was with the Chicago White Sox in 2019.
He joined multiple teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.
Zavala is known for his strong defensive skills as a catcher.
He will be one of five catchers in the Dodgers' spring training camp.
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Jim Shank, a long-time WWE production staff member, died at age 60 after battling colorectal cancer. Shank worked with WWE for 26 years, starting during the "Attitude Era" in 1999, and was known for his role as a technical operations manager. A fundraising campaign supported his cancer treatment, surpassing its goal by over $20,000.
Key Facts
Jim Shank passed away at age 60 from colorectal cancer.
He began working with WWE in November 1999.
Shank worked during the WWE's "Attitude Era," a renowned period for the company.
He held the position of technical operations manager.
A GoFundMe campaign raised over $220,000 for his cancer treatment.
He worked with WWE's remote-controlled and robotic cameras.
Shank celebrated 26 years with WWE in late 2025.
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Jack Grealish, a football player on loan to Everton, had surgery on a foot injury. This injury means he will not play for the rest of the season and cannot join England's World Cup team. Grealish expressed gratitude for the support from fans and the club.
Key Facts
Jack Grealish had surgery for a foot stress fracture.
He was playing for Everton on loan from Manchester City.
Grealish got injured during a match against Aston Villa on January 18.
He played 22 games for Everton this season, scoring two goals and providing six assists.
The injury means he cannot join England's World Cup squad.
Grealish thanked Everton's fans and expressed his desire to recover and return stronger.
He was previously successful at Manchester City, winning several major titles.
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A fight broke out during an NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons. As a result, several players from both teams were ejected from the game. The incident is under review, and players may face suspensions.
Key Facts
The fight happened during a game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons.
Players from both teams were ejected after the altercation.
Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were the ejected players from the Hornets.
Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart were the ejected players from the Pistons.
The incident began with a foul on Jalen Duren.
Isaiah Stewart joined the altercation even though he was not on the court when it started.
The game was in the third quarter when the ejections occurred.
The NBA league will review the incident, and suspensions may follow.
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The Cleveland Browns are entering the NFL offseason with the news that tight end David Njoku will leave the team as he becomes a free agent. This departure affects quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who started the last seven games of the season and is now competing for the starting role in 2026.
Key Facts
The NFL offseason has begun after the conclusion of Super Bowl LX.
David Njoku played with the Cleveland Browns for nine seasons.
Njoku announced his decision to leave the Browns as he enters unrestricted free agency.
Shedeur Sanders, who played as quarterback for the last seven games, is competing for the starting role in 2026.
Sanders threw seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his recent games.
The Browns have appointed Todd Monken as their new head coach.
Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel are also competing for the quarterback position.
The Browns might look at free agency or the draft for additional quarterback options.
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NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins may be released by the Atlanta Falcons before the new league year begins. He is likely to be a sought-after player in free agency and could explore options beyond playing football, including retirement or a TV role. The Minnesota Vikings are mentioned as a possible team that might be interested in him.
Key Facts
Kirk Cousins played as a backup for part of the 2025 NFL season before starting in eight games.
He finished the 2025 season with a 5-3 record and completed 61.7% of his passes, throwing for 1,721 yards and 10 touchdowns.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Cousins is expected to be released by the Falcons before the start of the new league year on March 11.
The Falcons previously restructured Cousins' contract with the idea of releasing him.
Cousins will have options, including continuing to play, retirement, or pursuing media opportunities.
The Minnesota Vikings could be interested in signing Cousins as they look for a veteran quarterback.
Cousins is 37 years old and has played for three teams in his 15-year NFL career.
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Stephen Curry, a player for the Golden State Warriors, is currently unable to play due to a knee injury. He will miss the upcoming All-Star game and several team matches. The Warriors have struggled without him, experiencing more losses than wins.
Key Facts
Stephen Curry has a knee injury called patellofemoral pain syndrome.
He will miss the All-Star game this year.
Curry has not played since January 30, and his team has struggled without him.
The Warriors have a 5-9 record in games without Curry this season.
Another key player, Jimmy Butler, will miss the rest of the season due to an ACL tear.
The team's record this season is 28 wins and 25 losses.
The Warriors are hopeful to have both Curry and new player Kristaps Porzingis back after the break.
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Tracy Scroggins, a former NFL player who spent 10 years with the Detroit Lions as a linebacker and defensive end, has died at the age of 56. Scroggins was known for his impressive football career and was also a devoted family man, according to statements from his family.
Key Facts
Tracy Scroggins played 10 seasons with the NFL's Detroit Lions.
He was drafted 53rd overall by the Lions in the 1992 NFL Draft.
Scroggins recorded 60.5 sacks and 321 tackles in 142 career games.
He sued the NFL in 2016 for $5 million after a preliminary diagnosis of CTE, a brain condition.
CTE can cause the death of nerve cells in the brain and can be diagnosed only after death.
During his college years, Scroggins attended Coffeyville Community College before transferring to Tulsa.
Scroggins was inducted into Coffeyville Community College's Hall of Fame.
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The Golden State Warriors have confirmed that player Jimmy Butler successfully underwent surgery for a knee injury and is expected to fully recover. Despite his high contract value, the team plans to keep Butler as a key player. They also traded to strengthen their team while awaiting Butler's return.
Key Facts
Jimmy Butler had successful knee surgery to fix a torn ACL.
Butler's injury happened during a game against the Miami Heat.
He is expected to make a full recovery with an update next season.
Before the injury, Butler averaged 20.1 points per game.
The Warriors traded for Kristaps Porzingis to strengthen their team.
The team plans to keep Butler despite interest in trade scenarios.
Mike Dunleavy Jr., the general manager, confirmed Butler is part of their future plans.
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Mia Brookes from Team Great Britain attempted a big jump in the women's snowboard big air final at the Winter Olympics. However, she did not land it successfully and finished in fourth place, missing the medals.
Key Facts
Mia Brookes competed for Team Great Britain.
She participated in the women's snowboard big air final.
Brookes tried an ambitious final jump that could have won her a medal.
She did not land the jump successfully.
As a result, she finished in fourth place.
The event was part of the Winter Olympics.
The content of the event coverage is not available in some locations.
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Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler had shoulder surgery and likely will not play on opening day. Phillies manager Rob Thomson says Wheeler is recovering well and hopes to return soon after the season starts. The team may have to rely on other players until Wheeler is back.
Key Facts
Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler had shoulder surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last September.
Wheeler is recovering but is not expected to play on opening day.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson says they will not rush Wheeler's return to avoid setbacks.
The team has lost another pitcher, Ranger Suárez, to free agency.
Andrew Painter is expected to take on a larger role, but he has had his own past injuries.
Wheeler is considered very important for the team’s success this season.
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Serena Williams can play tennis again starting from February 22, as her name is on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's list. However, she has not confirmed if she will return to the sport. Williams ended her career at the 2022 US Open but has hinted at a possible comeback.
Key Facts
Serena Williams can return to tennis tournaments from February 22.
Her name is listed with the International Tennis Integrity Agency, allowing her to compete again.
Williams retired after the 2022 US Open and has not officially announced a comeback.
Retired players must be available for drug testing for at least six months for reinstatement.
Williams posted on social media saying she is not coming back but did not rule out a return in a TV interview.
She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open era by a woman.
Serena and her sister Venus won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals.
Only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have more Grand Slam singles titles than Williams.
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