4:30 PM ET The UFC is close to finalizing Zhang Weili’s first strawweight title defense, and it will come against the most dominant woman in the division’s history. Zhang (20-1) has agreed to face former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3) at UFC 248 on March 7, according to multiple sources. Contracts have not been signed but
Month: December 2019
10:00 PM ET The Cincinnati Reds finished 12th in the National League in on-base percentage (OBP) in 2019, ahead of two teams in strong pitchers’ parks and the underpowered Miami Marlins. So of course, the Reds just committed four years to a 31-year-old hitter without a position who has posted a .320 or better OBP
4:25 PM ET Rutgers quarterback Artur Sitkowski withdrew his name from the NCAA transfer portal on Monday, one day after the Scarlet Knights announced an agreement with Greg Schiano to be their next head coach. Sitkowski had entered the portal on Nov. 25, allowing for the potential to transfer and for other programs to contact
7:30 AM ET Tom Brady and the Patriots have played five prime-time games this season. But none has provided more insight into Brady’s ongoing frustration with the team’s offense than Sunday night’s 28-22 loss to the Texans. NBC’s cameras caught Brady’s extended “pep talk” toward a group of receivers on the bench. The apparent gist:
4:18 PM ET Associated Press BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU coach Ed Orgeron said he’s a “step ahead” of potential suitors trying to lure passing game coordinator and Broyles Award finalist Joe Brady away from the No. 2 Tigers. Brady is in his first season with LSU after spending two seasons as a low-level offensive
4:20 PM ET Catcher James McCann and the Chicago White Sox have agreed on a one-year, $5.4 million contract, the team announced Monday. Last offseason, McCann was nontendered by Detroit, then signed with Chicago. He ended up setting career highs in batting average (.273), home runs (18) and RBIs (60) in 118 games. The 29-year-old
4:12 PM ET SAN JOSE, Calif. — Nicklas Backstrom is in the final season of a 10-year contract with the Washington Capitals, facing unrestricted free agency next summer. To determine his future in the NHL, he’s put his faith in someone he knows he can trust — himself. Backstrom, 32, is negotiating without an agent
3:47 PM ET Infielder Mike Moustakas and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a four-year deal worth $64 million, league sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Moustakas, who turned 31 in September, was a free agent for the third straight offseason after earning $18.7 million in a pair of one-year deals. He hit .254 with
3:41 PM ET Carmelo Anthony‘s return to the NBA is barely two weeks’ old, and he’s already being recognized for his strong play. The league on Monday named the Portland Trail Blazers forward its Western Conference Player of the Week. The Trail Blazers went 3-0, beating the Bulls twice as well as the Thunder. Anthony
3:28 PM ET ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a right ankle injury in the fourth quarter Thursday against Chicago. Hockenson was taken to the locker room after the injury and did not return. Lions coach Matt Patricia doesn’t know yet whether