The New York Mets recently signed infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal. This move comes after the team lost two All-Star players, Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso, to other teams. Some insiders view Polanco's signing as a quick reaction to these departures, questioning his fit on the team.
Key Facts
The New York Mets signed Jorge Polanco for two years at $40 million.
The Mets lost All-Star players Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso to free agency.
Edwin Diaz joined the Los Angeles Dodgers with a three-year, $69 million contract.
Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
Some insiders call the Polanco signing a "panic move" as a reaction to the key losses.
Polanco has not previously played as a first baseman in major league games.
Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, aims to improve the team's defense by 2025.
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American singer Mariah Carey will perform at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan on February 6. The event will take place at San Siro Stadium, and athletes will join from different locations in Italy.
Key Facts
Mariah Carey is set to perform at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan.
The event will occur at San Siro Stadium on February 6, 2026.
The Winter Olympics run from February 6 to February 22.
Athletes can participate in the ceremony from various venues in Italy, including Milan, Cortina, Valtellina, and Val di Fiemme.
Mariah Carey, 56, is a five-time Grammy award-winning artist.
She has previously performed at major sports events like the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star game.
The 2024 Summer Olympics had performances from Celine Dion and Lady Gaga.
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Welsh rugby players Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan, both captains for Wales, are leaving the Ospreys to join the English club Gloucester. This move is part of larger concerns around the uncertain future of professional rugby in Wales, as the number of professional teams is set to decrease.
Key Facts
Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan, captains for Wales, are leaving the Ospreys to join Gloucester.
There is concern about the health of Welsh rugby due to players leaving for clubs in other countries.
The Welsh Rugby Union plans to have only three professional clubs in Wales by 2027.
The Ospreys, based in Swansea, and the Scarlets, based in Llanelli, may compete for survival under the new setup.
The departures highlight the uncertain future of rugby in Wales, with more players possibly leaving.
The Ospreys head coach stated that the club made strong offers to keep Lake and Morgan.
Concerns exist about Welsh supporters and young players choosing to support or join clubs outside Wales due to this uncertainty.
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The Atlanta Hawks have decided to release Jacob Toppin, a young basketball player, after he had surgery on his shoulder that ended his season. This decision allows the team to use his spot for another player who can actively participate and develop.
Key Facts
The Atlanta Hawks released Jacob Toppin from their team.
Toppin is a two-way forward and is the younger brother of NBA player Obi Toppin.
Toppin had surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which ended his playing season.
The Hawks' decision to release Toppin wasn't unexpected due to his injury.
This move allows the Hawks to bring in a new player to use one of their two-way player slots.
The team currently has a record of 15 wins and 12 losses.
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The article outlines a promotional offer from Underdog, where users can receive a $75 bonus for betting on the Dolphins vs. Steelers Monday Night Football game. To access the bonus, users must register with a promo code and place a $5 play. The article also describes how to use the promo code and make game predictions.
Key Facts
Underdog is offering a $75 bonus for betting on the Dolphins vs. Steelers game.
To receive the bonus, users must register with a promo code and make a $5 play.
The $5 play does not need to win to get the $75 bonus.
Users can make predictions on 2-8 players from at least two teams.
Two payout options are available: max payout (all correct picks needed) and flex payout (partial winnings).
The promo includes a 40% profit boost offer for the game.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through the article's links.
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San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish may retire from Major League Baseball. He will decide based on his recovery from elbow surgery. Darvish mentioned he will only consider returning to pitch if he feels ready after the rehab.
Key Facts
Yu Darvish plays for the San Diego Padres and has been an MLB All-Star five times.
He recently had surgery on his right elbow and is undergoing rehab.
Darvish, 38, is uncertain about returning to pitch, depending on his recovery and desire.
Darvish made 15 starts in 2025, recording 68 strikeouts in 72 innings.
He has played 20 seasons professionally, 13 of those in the MLB, after starting his career in Japan.
Darvish has a contract extension worth $108 million through 2028.
He is the first Japanese-born pitcher to achieve 2,000 MLB strikeouts.
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The Ole Miss football team will face Tulane in the College Football Playoff, but Lane Kiffin will not coach the team. Kiffin has moved to LSU, and Ole Miss players reportedly voted for him to stay through the playoffs, but the athletic director decided otherwise. Pete Golding will coach Ole Miss for the playoff game.
Key Facts
Ole Miss will play against Tulane in the College Football Playoff.
Lane Kiffin, who was Ole Miss's coach, has left to coach LSU.
Ole Miss's player leadership council voted 9-3 to keep Kiffin for the playoff.
Athletic director Keith Carter denied the request for Kiffin to stay.
Pete Golding, the new head coach, will lead Ole Miss in the playoff game.
Kiffin shared on social media that players wanted him to stay.
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The Dolphins and Steelers are facing off in a Monday Night Football game that has important playoff implications for both teams. The game also offers opportunities for fans interested in player prop bets, particularly focusing on Dolphins running back De'Von Achane and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Key Facts
The Dolphins have a 6-7 record, and the Steelers have a 7-7 record.
The game is important for both teams' chances to make the playoffs.
Dolphins RB De'Von Achane has been performing well, running for over 120 yards in three recent games.
Achane will play in the game despite a previous rib injury.
The Steelers' defense will be missing key players, including linebacker TJ Watt.
The Steelers recently allowed over 200 rushing yards in a game against the Ravens.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers completed 23-of-34 passes in a recent victory over the Ravens.
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A new promotion from theScore Bet offers a $100 bonus when users place a winning $10 bet on the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers. TheScore Bet was recently rebranded from ESPN BET, but the promotional offer remains the same. Bettors must use a specific promo code and follow certain steps to qualify for the bonus.
Key Facts
TheScore Bet was formerly known as ESPN BET until a rebrand in December.
Users can earn a $100 bonus when they place a $10 winning bet on the Dolphins vs. Steelers game.
Bettors must use the promo code "NEWSWEEK" when signing up.
The Miami Dolphins have recently won four games, reaching a record of 6-7 this season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently 7-6 and lead the AFC North division.
Various betting options, such as alternate lines and prop bets, are available for the game.
To qualify for the bonus, users must register with certain personal information and place a $10 bet.
The $100 in bonus bets must be used within a week before they expire.
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A promotion from Betr offers up to $210 in bonuses for those who sign up using a specific promo code to make fantasy picks on sports games. The offer includes a Monday Night Football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers, where participants can take advantage of a 50% deposit match and other special picks. The Dolphins, on a four-game winning streak, play the Steelers who are competing for the AFC North title.
Key Facts
Betr is offering a promotion with up to $210 in bonuses for new sign-ups.
Participants get $10 immediately and up to $200 as a 50% deposit match.
The promotion includes a Monday Night Football game: Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers are vying for the AFC North title against the Ravens.
The Dolphins have a 6-7 record, with a four-game winning streak.
Users must make picks for at least two players from at least two teams for their first entry.
Picks can be "dynamic" for varying payouts or "perfect" for higher payouts if all picks are correct.
Special player picks are available for the Dolphins-Steelers game.
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The Milwaukee Bucks are considering making a big trade before the deadline to keep their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, happy. The team has struggled without him due to his injuries but aims to strengthen the roster, possibly targeting Zach LaVine from the Sacramento Kings, to improve their performance.
Key Facts
The Milwaukee Bucks have a 9-8 record but have performed poorly without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis has been injured since December 3 with a calf strain and previously had a groin strain.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst made moves including waiving Damian Lillard's contract to sign Myles Turner.
The Bucks are looking for more players to help improve their current lineup to retain Antetokounmpo.
Zach LaVine from the Sacramento Kings is a potential trade target to enhance their scoring.
Horst can trade one first-round draft pick before the February 5 deadline.
The team might consider trading big contracts like those of Turner, Bobby Portis Jr., or Kyle Kuzma.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers made a roster change before their game against the Miami Dolphins by adding wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster from the practice squad. Valdes-Scantling joins the team as they compete for the AFC North lead against the Baltimore Ravens toward the end of the NFL season.
Key Facts
The Steelers moved Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad to the active roster.
Wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams was released from the team.
The Steelers lead the AFC North with a record of 7-6, just ahead of the Ravens at 7-7.
Valdes-Scantling previously played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.
Key players T.J. Watt and Jaylen Warren are dealing with injuries, affecting the team's lineup.
Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers quarterback, has a history with Valdes-Scantling from their time in Green Bay.
The move aims to give the team more options in their offensive strategy for the playoffs.
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Spenser Watkins, a pitcher who played for the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics, announced his retirement from Major League Baseball (MLB) at age 33. Watkins played 40 games in the MLB from 2021 to 2023 and later pitched in Taiwan.
Key Facts
Spenser Watkins is retiring from baseball at age 33.
Watkins played 40 MLB games between 2021 and 2023 with the Orioles and Athletics.
He had a record of 7 wins and 14 losses and an earned run average (ERA) of 5.97 in MLB.
He played for the TSG Hawks in Taiwan in 2025, with a 4-7 record and a 5.11 ERA.
Watkins was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2014 but didn't play for the major league team.
He joined the Orioles in 2021 after the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to COVID-19.
Watkins is joining Gaeta Sports Management, the agency that represented him during his career.
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Notre Dame decided not to participate in a bowl game after being left out of the College Football Playoff for the 2025 season. The team is expected to address major gaps in their defensive tackle positions for the upcoming 2026 season.
Key Facts
Notre Dame ended their 2025 season by not participating in a bowl game.
The decision followed their exclusion from the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame's athletic director expressed frustration over the playoff exclusion.
Key players Gabriel Rubio, Jared Dawson, and Jason Onye are leaving the team.
Notre Dame plans to recruit new defensive tackles for 2026 through the transfer portal.
Finding skilled defensive tackles is seen as crucial for Notre Dame's success next season.
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The Cleveland Browns drafted Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After starting the season on the bench, Sanders became the starting quarterback and has had mixed performance results. There are signs the Browns might keep him as the starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Browns picked Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Many expected Sanders to be selected in the first or second round.
Sanders started his NFL career on the bench but became the starter after another player was injured.
He has played in five games as a starter so far in the 2025 season.
Sanders' current season stats include a 52.2% completion rate, 946 passing yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions.
The Browns’ head coach confirmed Sanders will start for the rest of the 2025 season.
There is potential that Sanders could be the starting quarterback for the Browns in 2026.
The Browns' next game is against the Buffalo Bills.
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Ole Miss has hired Austin Thomas as its general manager after Lane Kiffin's move to LSU. Thomas returns to Ole Miss, where he previously worked, as the team restructures under new head coach Pete Golding.
Key Facts
Austin Thomas is joining Ole Miss as the general manager.
He was previously at LSU, holding a similar role.
Lane Kiffin, formerly at Ole Miss, has moved to LSU and taken several staff members with him.
Charlie Weis Jr., former offensive coordinator, is also moving with Kiffin to LSU.
Ole Miss has named Pete Golding as the new full-time head coach.
Golding is building his own team and has hired Kelvin Bolden from LSU.
Lane Kiffin allowed Ole Miss staff to complete the current season before they join him at LSU.
Ole Miss is part of this year's College Football Playoffs.
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Cameron Menzies, a darts player from Scotland, punched a drinks table after losing to Charlie Manby in the PDC World Championship. Menzies hurt his hand in the incident and apologized to the audience. Rules allow players to be punished for violent behavior.
Key Facts
Cameron Menzies punched a table after losing a darts match.
Menzies was playing in the PDC World Championship.
He lost to 20-year-old Charlie Manby from England.
Menzies injured his hand during the incident.
He apologized to the audience as he left the stage.
Players can face penalties for aggressive actions under darts regulations.
This was the second straight year Menzies lost in the first round.
During another match, Brendan Dolan won against Tavis Dudeney.
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The Toronto Blue Jays signed 17-year-old pitcher Celwin Hurkmans from the Netherlands to a minor league contract. Hurkmans is recognized for his pitching skills and will remain in the Netherlands to complete his training before eventually joining the Blue Jays' minor league system.
Key Facts
The Blue Jays signed Celwin Hurkmans to a minor league contract.
Hurkmans is 17 years old and stands 6-foot-6, weighing 194 pounds.
He played for DSS Haarlem in the Netherlands and helped them win the First Division Championship.
Hurkmans has a four-pitch mix, including a four-seamer, two-seamer, curveball, and change-up.
He was named MVP during Toulouse Baseball Week in France for his performance with TeamNL.
Hurkmans is one of the last international signings for the Blue Jays during the 2025 international signing period.
He will continue his training in the Netherlands before moving to join the Blue Jays' farm system.
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Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked tennis player, won the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Player of the Year award for the second year in a row. She had a successful season, winning four titles, including the US Open, and finished with a strong 63-12 win-loss record. Sabalenka will participate in a special exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios.
Key Facts
Aryna Sabalenka was voted WTA Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Sabalenka won four titles this season, including the US Open.
She played in nine finals this year, winning five of them.
Sabalenka finished the season with 63 wins and 12 losses.
She remained the world number one tennis player throughout the year.
Sabalenka earned a record £11 million in prize money this season.
On December 28, she will play an exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios.
Belinda Bencic won the comeback player of the year for returning to tennis after a break.
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Alabama and Oklahoma will face off in an important College Football Playoff game. Oklahoma’s coach, Brent Venables, spoke about the challenge of playing against Alabama again, highlighting the strengths of the opposing team and his own team's need for improvement. Alabama is slightly favored to win in the upcoming matchup.
Key Facts
Alabama and Oklahoma will compete in the College Football Playoff's first round.
Oklahoma previously beat Alabama 23-21 in the regular season.
Oklahoma’s coach, Brent Venables, praised Alabama's team and their head coach, Kalen DeBoer.
Venables believes Oklahoma can perform better than in their last win against Alabama.
Alabama is favored to win the game by 1.5 points according to sportsbooks.
The winner will advance to play No. 1 seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl.
The game is scheduled to start on Friday.
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