Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal plans to make 1 start for USA in World Baseball Classic; Paul Skenes available for multiple starts, knockout round

Tarik Skubal’s stint with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic will be short-lived. 

The Detroit Tigers ace and reigning two-time Cy Young winner told reporters Monday that he’ll make one WBC start and then be done with the tournament. It sounds like the start will come in pool play, rather than in the knockout rounds. 

Skubal shared the plan from spring training in Florida and explained that he’ll prioritize getting ready for Detroit’s season after his start. 

“I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA, but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season,” Skubal said, ]

The decision appears to be a compromise from the Tigers, allowing Skubal to pitch for Team USA while limiting his exposure and injury risk. The Tigers are coming off a season in which they bounced back from a regular-season collapse that allowed the Cleveland Guardians to win the AL Central to clinch a wild-card berth and beat the Guardians in the wild-card round. They lost to the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. 

Detroit is projected to contend for the AL Central title in 2026, and Skubal’s health and performance will be a big part of those plans. 

After exhibitions against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, Team USA will begin pool play in the WBC against Brazil on March 6. The WBC finals are scheduled for March 17. 

MLB’s full Opening Day slate, including Detroit’s season opener against the San Diego Padres, is scheduled for March 26. 

New York Yankees to retire CC Sabathia’s No. 52 on Sept. 26

NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia’s No. 52 will be retired on Sept. 26 by the New York Yankees, who will dedicate a plaque in honor of the Hall of Famer at Monument Park before that day’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Sabathia will be the 24th man to have his number retired by the Yankees, the first since Paul O’Neill was honored with the retirement of No. 21 in 2022. Twenty-three numbers have been retired, with No. 8 set aside for both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey.

New York made the announcement Wednesday night.

Sabathia will join former teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte with plaques in Monument Park, beyond Yankee Stadium’s center-field fence.

Sabathia was a six-time All-Star who won the 2007 AL Cy Young Award with Cleveland and a World Series title in 2009, his first season with the Yankees after signing as a free agent.

He went 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA and 3,093 strikeouts, third among left-handers behind Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton, during 19 seasons with Cleveland (2001-08), Milwaukee (2008) and the Yankees (2009-19), including a 134-88 record with a 3.81 ERA and 1,700 strikeouts for New York.

Sabathia was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2025.

Other Yankees with retired numbers are: No. 1 (Billy Martin, 1986), No. 2 (Jeter, 2017), No. 3 (Babe Ruth, 1948), No. 4 (Lou Gehrig, 1939), No. 5 (Joe DiMaggio, 1952), No. 6 (Joe Torre, 2014), No. 7 (Mickey Mantle, 1969), No. 8 (Berra and Dickey, 1972), No. 9 (Roger Maris, 1984), No. 10 (Phil Rizzuto, 1985), No. 15 (Thurman Munson, 1979), No. 16 (Whitey Ford, 1974), No. 20 (Jorge Posada, 2015), No. 21 (O’Neill, 2022) No. 23 (Don Mattingly, 1997), No. 32 (Elston Howard, 1984), No. 37 (Casey Stengel, 1970), No. 42 (Mariano Rivera, 2013), No. 44 (Reggie Jackson, 1993), No. 46 (Pettitte, 2015), No. 49 (Ron Guidry, 2003) and No. 51 (Bernie Williams, 2015).

In addition, Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 was retired throughout the major leagues in 1997.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Ex-Raptors player Jontay Porter, banned from NBA for life after gambling scandal, joins new USBL team

Jontay Porter is set to play professional basketball once again.

Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA after a gambling scandal in 2024, signed a deal to play for the Seattle Superhawks in the rebuilt United States Basketball League, the team announced on Wednesday.

Porter spent two seasons in the NBA and appeared in 37 total games, most recently with the Toronto Raptors. The league banned him for life in 2024, however, after it said it determined that Porter purposefully limited his participation in two games in order to influence the outcome of bets made on his performance.

Before one game, the NBA said, Porter disclosed information about his health to someone he knew to be a bettor. The league said he also placed 13 bets on NBA games using someone else’s account, ranging from $15 to $22,000. None of those bets involved a game in which he played, but he did bet on the Raptors.

Porter’s attorney said that he had been “in over his head due to a gambling addiction.” He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2024, which is a felony that carries up to 20 years in prison. According to ESPN, he is expected to get between 3-4 years when he is sentenced.

A federal judge denied Porter’s request to keep playing professionally in Greece. If he takes the court when the league starts next month, it will mark Porter’s first professional game since his time with the Raptors.

Porter’s gambling scandal is one of several that has rocked the league in recent years. Last fall, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was indicted in a similar scandal. He has pleaded not guilty and denied the charges. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested on unrelated charges.

The USBL’s first season was back in 1985, and it ran through 2008 before it shut down. It will start back up again on March 6 with eight new teams — the Yakima Heat, Vancouver Bears, Bakersfield Majestics, Seattle SuperHawks, Salem Capitals, Lilac City Legends, San Diego Surf and Los Angeles Blue Waves — all based on the west coast.

The Superhawks will open their season against the Legends on March 7.

Ex-Raptors player Jontay Porter, banned from NBA for life after gambling scandal, joins new USBL team

Jontay Porter is set to play professional basketball once again.

Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA after a gambling scandal in 2024, signed a deal to play for the Seattle Superhawks in the rebuilt United States Basketball League, the team announced on Wednesday.

Porter spent two seasons in the NBA and appeared in 37 total games, most recently with the Toronto Raptors. The league banned him for life in 2024, however, after it said it determined that Porter purposefully limited his participation in two games in order to influence the outcome of bets made on his performance.

Before one game, the NBA said, Porter disclosed information about his health to someone he knew to be a bettor. The league said he also placed 13 bets on NBA games using someone else’s account, ranging from $15 to $22,000. None of those bets involved a game in which he played, but he did bet on the Raptors.

Porter’s attorney said that he had been “in over his head due to a gambling addiction.” He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2024, which is a felony that carries up to 20 years in prison. According to ESPN, he is expected to get between 3-4 years when he is sentenced.

A federal judge denied Porter’s request to keep playing professionally in Greece. If he takes the court when the league starts next month, it will mark Porter’s first professional game since his time with the Raptors.

Porter’s gambling scandal is one of several that has rocked the league in recent years. Last fall, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was indicted in a similar scandal. He has pleaded not guilty and denied the charges. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested on unrelated charges.

The USBL’s first season was back in 1985, and it ran through 2008 before it shut down. It will start back up again on March 6 with eight new teams — the Yakima Heat, Vancouver Bears, Bakersfield Majestics, Seattle SuperHawks, Salem Capitals, Lilac City Legends, San Diego Surf and Los Angeles Blue Waves — all based on the west coast.

The Superhawks will open their season against the Legends on March 7.

Ex-Raptors player Jontay Porter, banned from NBA for life after gambling scandal, joins new USBL team

Jontay Porter is set to play professional basketball once again.

Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA after a gambling scandal in 2024, signed a deal to play for the Seattle Superhawks in the rebuilt United States Basketball League, the team announced on Wednesday.

Porter spent two seasons in the NBA and appeared in 37 total games, most recently with the Toronto Raptors. The league banned him for life in 2024, however, after it said it determined that Porter purposefully limited his participation in two games in order to influence the outcome of bets made on his performance.

Before one game, the NBA said, Porter disclosed information about his health to someone he knew to be a bettor. The league said he also placed 13 bets on NBA games using someone else’s account, ranging from $15 to $22,000. None of those bets involved a game in which he played, but he did bet on the Raptors.

Porter’s attorney said that he had been “in over his head due to a gambling addiction.” He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2024, which is a felony that carries up to 20 years in prison. According to ESPN, he is expected to get between 3-4 years when he is sentenced.

A federal judge denied Porter’s request to keep playing professionally in Greece. If he takes the court when the league starts next month, it will mark Porter’s first professional game since his time with the Raptors.

Porter’s gambling scandal is one of several that has rocked the league in recent years. Last fall, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was indicted in a similar scandal. He has pleaded not guilty and denied the charges. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested on unrelated charges.

The USBL’s first season was back in 1985, and it ran through 2008 before it shut down. It will start back up again on March 6 with eight new teams — the Yakima Heat, Vancouver Bears, Bakersfield Majestics, Seattle SuperHawks, Salem Capitals, Lilac City Legends, San Diego Surf and Los Angeles Blue Waves — all based on the west coast.

The Superhawks will open their season against the Legends on March 7.

TKO exec firmly states UFC will not profit from White House event

The UFC will not profit from its planned event at the White House.

The event, which is currently slated to take place June 14, is expected to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. The idea began as a proposal by president Donald Trump, and shortly thereafter, UFC CEO Dana White, along with TKO, began building a viable plan to make the event a reality.

The expectation is that the event will feature an octagon surrounded by seating for no more than 5,000 people on the South Lawn. At the Ellipse, there is to be a larger viewing party area, which White has claimed will host up to 85,000 people to watch the event on large screens.

The one-of-a-kind event presents many logistical hurdles and is currently projected to cost around $60 million. TKO president Mark Shapiro stated matter-of-factly on a quarterly financial call Wednesday that the event will not turn a profit, with an aim of recouping half of the total amount spent through sponsors and new partnerships.

“By the time we get done, all is said and done with the event, what we play the fighters and the fan fest we’re gonna have, that could move north,” Shapiro said about the $60M price tag for the White House event (h/t Jed I. Goodman via X). “It’s definitely not moving south – it could move north. Bottom line is, it’s still a moving target. We are working to determine, on a parallel track, a package of inventory, in and around the weekend of events, that we can monetize primarily with corporate partners – B2B players, which will offset half of the spend. Even if that $60(M) goes up, or rides up on us, we believe we can offset half of the spend. Today, we see it as $60(M) offsetting $30(M).

“I would mention we have several current and prospective partners that are pursuing multi-year partnerships with TKO assets that likely will be inclusive of the White House event. We have a lot of current and prospective partners that would like to be involved, and are inquiring about inventory, as part of their greater partnership deals they either already have, or are negotiating with us for the future. But I want to be clear about something: we will not profit from the White House event independently. We will not be making money on America’s 250th anniversary.”

The UFC’s other one-off event at Sphere in Las Vegas in 2024 cost over $20 million. The White House number is a significantly larger financial burden. Despite not profiting from the White House event, TKO is viewing it as an investment for the future.

White has stated in recent interviews that he expects the event to be the most-viewed fight card promotion has ever put on. The event will be simulcast on CBS and Paramount+. According to White, matchmaking for the card is already complete, although there are still logistical issues to iron out.

“This is an investment for the long term,” Shapiro said. “This is about earned media, this is about sampling new fans, casual viewers, a spectacle and a stage that will ultimately expand our audience our viewership, and our success on Paramount+.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: TKO exec explains financial burden of UFC White House event

Texas A&M at No. 20 Arkansas: Live updates, score, highlights

With just four games remaining in the regular season, Texas A&M men’s basketball is looking for a statement Quad 1A win at Arkansas on Wednesday night.

In what should be a rowdy environment at Bud Walton Arena for the conference battle between two rivals, the Aggies must play clean basketball against the stingy Razorbacks, who rank fourth in the conference in turnover margin and third in blocked shots.

The outcome of Wednesday’s contest will depend on Texas A&M’s ability to keep talented Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. from having another massive performance. Acuff leads the SEC in scoring and has recorded 20-plus points in his last eight outings. He also ranks first in the conference with 6.2 assists and 34.6 minutes played per game.

If the Maroon and White can lock down Acuff and prevent him from wreaking havoc, Bucky McMillan’s squad will have the opportunity for a massive upset and potentially lock a spot in March Madness.

Follow along with live coverage below, as the Aggies take on the Razorbacks in late-night hoops action from Fayetteville:

Aggies vs. Everybody

What channel is Texas A&M vs. Arkansas on today?

  • TV Channel: ESPN2
  • Livestream: Fubo (free trial) & ESPN App

The Texas A&M vs. Arkansas game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Dave O’Brien, Jimmy Dykes and Alyssa Lang will be on the call inside the Bud Walton Arena. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN App and FuboTV, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas time today

  • Date: Wednesday, February 25
  • Start time: 8 p.m. CT

The Texas A&M vs. Arkansas game starts at 8 p.m. CT from the Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.

Team Leaders – Texas A&M

  • Points Per Game: Rashaun Agee (14.0)
  • Assist Per Game: Jacari Lane (3.5)
  • Rebounds Per Game: Rashaun Agee (8.9)
  • Steals Per Game: Rylan Griffen (1.5)

Team Leaders – Arkansas

  • Points Per Game: Darius Acuff Jr. (22.2)
  • Assist Per Game: Darius Acuff Jr. (6.2)
  • Rebounds Per Game: Trevon Brazile (7.1)
  • Steals Per Game: Trevon Brazile (1.5)

Texas A&M vs Arkansas predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, February 24

Texas A&M, Arkansas:

  • Spread: Arkansas by 7.5
  • Over/under: 170.5
  • Moneyline: A&M +280 / Arkansas +102

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M at No. 20 Arkansas: Live updates, score, highlights

MLB News: Bat-breaking Mystery, Verlander and Valdez Get Deferred Contracts, Yankees to Retire HOFer’s Number

With another day of spring training games in the books there’re plenty of interesting moments and stories to take a look at throughout MLB. A wild incident with a broken bat, the Tigers taking a page out of the Dodgers’ book as they look to take a jump and the New York Yankees set a date to celebrate a Hall of Famer and retire his number.

The Check-Swing Broken Bat

Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu stepped up to bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, and something unprecedented happened.

Abreu stopped hiss swing to lay off of a breaking ball, but his bat snapped off at the handle and continued forward despite him clearly holding up in time.

Despite the barrel technically crossing the plane, the umpires ruled the pitch a ball and the at-bat continued. Abreu ultimately grounded out to the shortstop.

Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander Receive Deferred Contracts

The Tigers splashed on pitching in free agency this offseason, bringing in Framber Valdez, Kenley Jansen and Justin Verlander in free agency.

Per a report from the Associated Press, Verlander and Valdez both have money deferred until 2039, with $31 million of the $128 million owed to the pitchers to be deferred. Verlander will receive just $2 million of the $13 million he’s owed this year, with the rest coming in annually from 2030-39. Valdez took on a similar pay structure, and will receive $2 million of his $20 million signing bonus every year from 2030-39.

Valdez was the top pitching free agents this offseason and further bolsters a strong Detroit squad, and Verlander — a lock for the Hall of Fame once he retires — returned to the team which drafted him nearly 22 years ago.

From left, Detroit Tigers starting pitchers Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize pose for a photo during Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, on Feb. 12, 2026.

Yankees to Retire CC Sabathia’s Number

The Yankees made a formal announcement Wednesday that they’d be immortalizing Hall of Fame left-hander CC Sabathia in Monument Park. They named Sept. 26 “CC Sabathia Night” and will hold a retirement ceremony and plaque unveiling.

Sabathia spent 11 of his 19 MLB seasons with the Yankees, posting a 3.81 ERA through 307 appearances. A Cy Young and World Series-winner, Sabathia made three consecutive All-Star Games with the Yankees from 2010-12.

Barcelona member takes legal action against Laporta ahead of March elections

Barcelona member takes legal action against Laporta ahead of March elections

Lawsuit filed days before crucial presidential vote

Barcelona member takes legal action against Laporta ahead of March elections

A Barcelona member has filed a legal complaint against Joan Laporta ahead of the club’s presidential elections on 15 March.

A new twist in Barcelona’s election race

The build-up to Barcelona’s presidential elections has taken dramatic turn after club member launched legal action against Joan Laporta who is running again for the top job.

Barcelona are set to elect a new board on 15 March following the recent resignation of Laporta’s board, a step required before standing in the upcoming vote.

The election is expected to shape the club’s direction during critical period on and off the pitch.

Lawsuit filed ahead of key vote

According to Mundo Deportivo, a member named Isidro Navarro has filed lawsuit accusing Laporta of receiving money through unjustified commissions.

Navarro is not from Barcelona, as he is linked to the city of Toledo but he has had a long-standing relationship with the Catalan club.

His membership had ended some time ago before he decided to reactivate it.

(Video) Cristiano Ronaldo sparks debate with new celebration after Al Nassr goal

(Video) Cristiano Ronaldo sparks debate with new celebration after Al Nassr goal

Al Nassr captain sparks debate after scoring

(Video) Cristiano Ronaldo sparks debate with new celebration after Al Nassr goal

Cristiano Ronaldo caused debate after new celebration following his goal for Al Nassr against Al Najma in the Saudi Pro League.

Unusual celebration catches attention

Ronaldo opened the scoring on Wednesday in rescheduled match from round 10. After finding the net, the Portuguese forward celebrated in way fans had not seen before making movements similar to playing basketball.

Link to Ruben Neves comments?

Some supporters believe Ronaldo’s celebration was response to recent comments made by his compatriot Ruben Neves midfielder of Al Hilal.

Neves spoke after Al Hilal’s 1-1 draw with Al Taawoun in another rescheduled round 10 match. In comments to Thmanyah channels, he criticized handball decisions saying that some players were touching the ball inside the penalty area “as if it were basketball or handball” without punishment after VAR checks.

Background to the controversy

Neves’ remarks came after penalty was awarded against Al Hilal when the ball struck the hand of Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic inside the box.

Following Ronaldo’s goal and celebration, many fans linked the two moment suggesting the Al Nassr captain was sending message.