5:49 PM ET As World Cup draws go, the United States men’s national team didn’t get the toughest assignment for the 2022 World Cup, but it’s also far from easy. The U.S. finds itself in Group B with England, Iran and the winner of the playoff in UEFA that still involves Wales taking on the
11:59 AM ET The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached a two-year extension with right-hander Merrill Kelly on Friday. The deal, which starts in 2023 and includes a club option for 2025, is worth $18 million, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The 33-year-old Kelly was 7-11 with a 4.44 ERA and 130 strikeouts in his third season
12:57 PM ET Associated Press SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Charlie Blackmon, the most prolific leadoff hitter in Colorado Rockies history, is back at the top of the batting order this season. “I’ll be comfortable there, no problem,” Blackmon said. Blackmon was the Rockies’ primary leadoff hitter from his first season as a regular in 2014 through
12:38 PM ET Associated Press TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays extended manager Charlie Montoyo’s contract through the 2023 season on Friday. Montoyo, 57, has overseen a tumultuous period in Blue Jays history, with the team playing home games in three cities last season, including two minor league parks, because of border restrictions related to
10:23 AM ET Umpires will now be equipped with on-field microphones to inform the crowd and television audience of instant replay reviews beginning with exhibition games at stadiums this weekend, Major League Baseball announced Friday. Crew chiefs will wear a microphone, via a belt pack, and will proceed to one of the baselines when a
12:53 PM ET The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox swapped veteran outfielder AJ Pollock and veteran closer Craig Kimbrel on Friday, a rare one-for-one trade — with no money exchanged — that cleared up uncertainties for two championship contenders. From the Dodgers’ perspective, the deal frees up more playing time for the
4:09 PM ET The Atlanta Falcons added another player to their reconstructed wide receiver room Friday, signing Damiere Byrd to a one-year contract, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. This will be the 29-year-old Byrd’s fifth NFL team. He signed with the Carolina Panthers out of South Carolina in 2016 and played three years there,
3:45 PM ET TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed running back Giovani Bernard to a one-year deal, a source told ESPN on Friday, confirming multiple reports. The deal is for the veteran salary benefit, which comes out to $1.12 million for Bernard’s nine years of league service, plus a $152,500 signing bonus,
2:00 PM ET Paul George will rest his shooting elbow and sit out his first game since returning from injury when the LA Clippers play at the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. After losing 135-130 in overtime in Chicago on Thursday night, the Clippers will hold out four starters for the second game of a back-to-back.
11:16 AM ET Nikola Jokic remains the consensus odds-on favorite to win the regular-season MVP award at sportsbooks, but a big week from Giannis Antetokounmpo has put the Milwaukee Bucks big man back in the mix. Antetokounmpo’s MVP odds have improved from 12-1 to 5-1 this week, making him the third choice behind Jokic (-200)