CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks extended general manager Kyle Davidson’s contract Wednesday without providing the length of the deal.
“We are committing to Kyle to continue the plan he has put in place,” chairman and owner Danny Wirtz said before the team’s season-ending game against San Jose. “We feel confident in that. We feel he has the right insight, the right team around him, and the belief he can continue to build a championship team.”
The Blackhawks are locked into 31st place in the 32-team NHL and haven’t made the Stanley Cup playoffs since the expanded COVID playoffs of 2020.
The 37-year-old Davidson took over as interim general manager when Stan Bowman was fired in October 2021. The interim tag was removed in March 2022.
Red Rocks’ Avery Neff reacts after competing in the uneven bars during the Big 12 gymnastics championships at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
|
Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Championship week looks different for Utah’s gymnastics team this year. The team, which has been a mainstay in the national championship for 49 straight seasons, didn’t qualify as a group out of its regional final earlier this month.
The Red Rocks aren’t ending the season just yet though, as they will still have a presence at the championship with three gymnasts, Ana Padurariu, Ella Zirbes and Avery Neff, qualifying as individual competitors. All three will be featured in the second semifinal on Thursday at 7 p.m. MDT in Fort Worth, Texas.
“We’re just looking forward to supporting these three amazing women this week, and such a great opportunity for them to collect some accolades on events that they’ve excelled at all year,” said Utah coach Carly Dockendorf. “Their individual work that they’ve put in is going to get to be showcased this weekend and that’s what it’s all about.”
Ella Zirbes and Ana Padurariu qualified in individual events and will rotate together with Minnesota. Zirbes is a Minnesota native so she’s familiar with the Gophers. The bonus is the junior also gets to rotate with her teammate, which isn’t always a guarantee.
“I’m really excited, especially to be with Ana,” said Zirbes. “I feel like she’s just a calm person to be with during a meet and I just am so honored to be able to be at her last meet with her and support her all the way. I think it’s a really special way for her to go out.”
Zirbes will contend on floor, which is the second rotation for Minnesota. The junior qualified for the championship after knotting a 9.9 in the regional semifinal and a 9.925 in the final.
Padurariu will compete in the Gophers’ first rotation which is beam. The senior was named Big 12 Specialist of the Year for her outstanding season, and recorded back-to-back 9.9s in the two regional meets to qualify.
“Right after regionals I didn’t know that I qualified, and was truly very content with just how the whole season went, how I finished it off there,” explained Padurariu. “So, just to have this extra opportunity is truly just a cherry on top. It kind of just feels like a victory lap of one last routine before I get to be done.”
Neff will rotate with UCLA and compete in the all-around. She’ll start on bars and is coming into the championships off a season full of accolades, including Big 12 Gymnast of the Year, WCGA Gymnast of the Year for region 2 (North Central) and regional all-around and beam champion. She scored 9.9 or higher on all four of her events in both regional meets and finished with an all-around score of 39.65 both days to advance.
The sophomore will be rotating with one of her biggest competitors in the event in UCLA’s Jordan Chiles. Chiles ranks second in the all-around, while Neff is No. 3. Both are expected to compete with LSU’s Kailin Cho, who ranks No. 1, and a handful of other talented gymnasts for the coveted individual title.
“I think I’m a competitor that rises to the occasion and I think I do really well with pressure,” Neff noted. “And even though it’s a different kind of pressure than I’ve been used to the past two years, I think it’s a pressure that I’m used to that I’ve done for so long.”
Utah’s three gymnasts shared that the meet reminds them of their careers prior to Utah where the team component wasn’t the focus. While all three know the opportunity to keep competing is a bonus, they all acknowledge it was not the season they anticipated nor the way they wanted team competition to end.
The positive is that all three won’t have the added pressure to help a team advance out of a semifinal and can just let their gymnastics fly.
“It’s obviously very different, but I definitely don’t want to take away from the moment of these three women who have such a great opportunity to go out and perform at the highest level and collect some awards,” said Dockendorf. “It absolutely is different, you know, we’ve always been here with a team, I’ve always been here with a team.
“It’s a part of sports, and sports can be tough and sports can be really challenging at times. But, for me this week I really am just focusing on celebrating these three women and the work that they’ve done. And, they deserve to be here and I’m so proud of them, and that’s really where my brain is at this week is on these three.”
Meet notes
All individual titles are awarded after both semifinals conclude to the top overall scorer in each event. The NCAA final is Saturday at 2 p.m. MDT with the top two teams from each semi advancing.
The Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) during a Spring Training Game against The Los Angeles Angels, March 22nd, 2026 in Anaheim, California.
LOS ANGELES — The plan shifted, but the priority stayed the same for Shohei Ohtani.
A day after Dave Roberts said Ohtani would be available, the Dodgers adjusted course Wednesday: Ohtani will start on the mound against the New York Mets, but he won’t be in the lineup.
The change stems from the hit-by-pitch Ohtani took on his right shoulder Monday. While Ohtani is “feeling much better,” Roberts said lingering soreness made it prudent to remove hitting from his responsibilities for one night.
“If it weren’t for the hit-by-pitch, he would have been DH and pitching tonight,” Roberts said. “This one game, it just makes the most sense to give us the best chance to manage the shoulder and back.”
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts on the mound during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 13, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
Ric Tapia – The Sporting Tribune
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts on the mound during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 13, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
Roberts emphasized the move is temporary, not a new blueprint. The expectation remains that Ohtani will continue his usual two-way role moving forward, barring similar circumstances. Ohtani, for his part, was surprised when informed of the decision but was on board with the reasoning.
The benefit, Roberts noted, is focus and rhythm. Pitching only “gives him the best chance to stay loose during the outing,” allowing Ohtani to concentrate fully on navigating a Mets lineup as the Dodgers push for a sweep.
Snell trending up
While Ohtani headlines the present, Blake Snell continues to inch toward impacting the future.
Blake Snell is facing hitters (including Tommy Edman) again today. It’s his second live session. pic.twitter.com/qrJGXFOWb5
Snell threw two innings, 30 pitches, in a live batting practice session Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, a clear step forward after a shorter outing over the weekend. The incremental buildup is another encouraging sign for a Dodgers club that has thrived despite missing key pieces.
At 14–3, the Dodgers have leaned on depth early, and Snell’s progress suggests that depth could soon become even more formidable.
Díaz is available
On the other hand, the late innings could come with a familiar soundtrack.
Edwin Díaz is available Wednesday after not pitching since Friday, when he blew a three-run save. If the situation calls for it, there’s a chance the Dodgers’ closer will take the mound against his former team, and with it, the possibility of hearing the signature trumpets at Dodger Stadium against the Mets.
Edwin Díaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers signals a strike during an MLB game against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Steven Park – The Sporting Tribune
Edwin Díaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers signals a strike during an MLB game against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The bottom line
For one night, the Dodgers are simplifying things for Ohtani — one role, one focus, one goal. The shoulder is manageable, the long-term plan unchanged, and the immediate objective clear: secure the sweep.
Behind that, reinforcements like Snell are getting closer, and the bullpen, potentially punctuated by Díaz, is lining up for another high-leverage moment.
If all goes according to plan, Wednesday night will be less about what Ohtani isn’t doing, and more about what he still does better than almost anyone: dominate on the mound.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 14: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics bats against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on April 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re about one hour away from gametime here tonight in Sacramento as the Athletics gear up for the third game of this four-game set against their division-rival Texas Rangers. Both teams are tied atop the AL West so whoever wins tonight’s contest can lay claim to sole possession of first place. Big stakes even if it’s only April, especially these divisional games. And it’s a big day for another reason as baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, the day the legend broke the color barrier and made his MLB debut. So many greats in the game wouldn’t have had the chance to make their mark on the sport we love and we all love Jackie for the sacrifices he made in his time.
Taking the ball looking to make it two in a row for the good guys will be J.T. Ginn. The right-hander earned his first start of the season last week and did not disappoint, tossing four innings of one-hit ball against the team that drafted then traded him to us, the New York Mets. That must have felt good for the 26-year-old but now he’ll be tasked with taking on a division opponent in Texas. Last year Ginn made three starts against the Rangers, sandwiching a quality outing between a couple of duds. He’ll be looking for better results tonight and if he comes out looking like he did against New York we could see him in the game for a decent chunk tonight. There’s also a chance we see fellow right-hander Jack Perkins make an appearance tonight but that’ll largely depend on how Ginn is doing in the early frames.
The big 1-2 punch atop the lineup is back as Nick Kurtz reclaims the leadoff spot with Shea Langeliers right behind him. We do have a bit of a surprise in the #3 hole as backup outfielder Carlos Cortes will bat behind Langeliers. A curious move considering he’s just 7-for-24 with one home run so far. Not terrible numbers and I guess someone has to hit in that spot, but still feels like a curious choice. We’ll see if Mark Kotsay’s smarter than the rest of us. He’ll be the DH tonight.
The rest of the lineup is filled with the starters at all their primary positions. Soderstrom and Wilson will hit back-to-back in the middle of the order and Denzel Clarke will bring up the rear in the batting order.
On the mound for Texas tonight is former top prospect Kumar Rocker. The right-hander is considered one of the better younger pitchers in the Rangers’ organization and he’s looking like he’s taking a step so far in what will be his second full season in the big leagues. In two starts so far he’s pitched 10 innings (5 in each game) and allowed five total runs against the Reds and Dodgers. Not a bad start to his season but the A’s can pounce on the young arm if they can work his pitch count early. Last season the Athletics roughed him up for five runs in less than two innings of work so history is on the home team’s side in that regard tonight.
Ginn will have to work around the big bats in the middle of the order, especially the left-handed ones in Brandon Nimmo and Corey Seager at the very top of the order. Texas’ offense hasn’t quite hit their stride yet but they have the ability to put up a crooked number any time.
Let’s get back to first place with a win tonight, fellas. Let’s go A’s!
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Forward Alex Condon is returning to Florida for his senior season, giving him a final opportunity to boost his 3-point shooting before making the jump to the NBA.
Condon, a 6-foot-11 Australian, is the seventh player to re-sign with the Gators, following point guard Boogie Fland, shooting guard Urban Klavzar and role players Isaiah Brown, AJ Brown, Alex Lloyd and Alex Kovatchev.
All-Southeastern Conference center Rueben Chinyelu is expected to do the same. The biggest unknown, though, is whether forward Thomas Haugh will join them for another year. Haugh, the team’s leading scorer, is widely considered a lottery pick but is considering putting off NBA riches in hopes of winning another title.
The 2025 champs lost to Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last month.
Former Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen plans to re-enroll at Florida to finish his degree and is petitioning the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. Aberdeen spent his first three years at Florida before transferring to the Wildcats.
Golden clearly prefers the idea of filling his roster with players versed in his system and familiar with each other. Bringing back Condon gives the Gators someone to run the offense through next season.
Condon averaged 15.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a junior while starting 34 of 35 games. He led the team in blocked shots (48) and turnovers (83). He had eight games with at least four turnovers, a stat he would like to reduce.
A more significant number for NBA teams: Condon was 9-of-53 shooting from 3-point range, a 17% clip that was a career low. Raising his shooting percentage from behind the arc is considered key to him becoming a first-round selection and maybe a lottery pick.
SURPRISE, AZ – MARCH 20: Texas Rangers pitcher Gavin Collyer (77) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during a Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, at Surprise Stadium at Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have placed reliever Chris Martin on the 15 day injured list with a shoulder impingement and reliever Luis Curvelo on the injured list with a biceps strain. To replace the pair, the Rangers have purchased the contracts of righthanded pitchers Gavin Collyer and Cal Quantrill. To make room on the 40 man roster for the new additions, the Rangers have moved Cody Bradford from the 15 day injured list to the 60 day injured list and have designated reliever Marc Church for assignment.
Martin and Curvelo each left yesterday’s game due to their injuries, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether either of them would have to go on the i.l. Martin had injury issues last year, and so playing it safe with him makes sense, and Curvelo is just a guy, so there’s no real need to wait and see on him.
Collyer, 24, will be making his major league debut when he first steps on the mound. Picked in the 12th round by the Rangers in 2019, and signed to a $585,000 bonus, Collyer had mixed results for much of his minor league career and had just one inning above A ball prior to 2025. He showed progress in 2025, however, splitting the season between AA and AAA, and though he became a minor league free agent after the season, the Rangers were able to re-sign him.
Collyer had an impressive camp, showing much improved command compared to prior years, and was reportedly being considered for a spot on the Opening Day roster. In 6.2 innings at Round Rock over 6 games, he allowed two runs, struck out 11 of 27 batters faced, and walked two. He has the stuff to be a potential late inning arm, and given the state of the pen, will likely get some late inning opportunities.
We wrote about Quantrill earlier this week when he won the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week award. He will presumably fill the long man/mop up role for the time being.
The initial hope was that Bradford would be back in the majors in May, but after having soreness after his rehab start on April 8, he’s on pause, and so the Rangers have apparently determined he’s not going to be an option before Memorial Day.
The surprising news is the decision to designate Marc Church for assignment. Church, taken five rounds after Collyer in 2019, established himself as a relief prospect, and made his major league debut at the end of the 2024 season. Church started the 2025 season in the majors, but was sent down after five appearances, and wasn’t healthy for most of the remainder of the season. He struggled with his command this spring, and has allowed four runs in 4.2 innings over five appearances at AAA this year.
The Rangers will now have seven days to waive, trade or release Church. If he clears waivers, he can be outrighted.
San Diego, CA – April 14: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres hits a single in the third inning as Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on at Petco Park on April 14, 2026 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Seattle Mariners (8-10) at San Diego Padres (11-6), April 15, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
Apr 15, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager hits a double against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. All MLB players will be wearing the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day to commemorate Robinson making his major league debut in 1947. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Mets right-hander Christian Scott took the mound for Triple-A on Wednesday and had a second consecutive solid start for Syracuse.
After giving up some early runs, Scott settled in and struck out five in his 5.1 innings of work, retiring the last 11 hitters he faced and 13 of the last 14. The one batter that reached base during that stretch reached on an error.
Scott allowed just two hits and a walk in his outing while throwing 82 pitches (50 strikes), but the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, made them count. Spencer Jones hit a two-out double following a walk to open the scoring in the first and Ernesto Martinez Jr. tagged the 26-year-old for a solo shot to lead off the second.
From there, Scott faced one over the minimum until he was pulled from the game in the sixth, in line for the loss with Syracuse down 2-0. Regardless, his season ERA dropped from 6.48 to 5.27 over 13.2 innings this season.
Scott missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery following a big league promotion in 2024. That year, Scott had a 4.56 ERA in nine major league starts and a 2.76 ERA in nine starts in Triple-A.
Christian Scott’s final line tonight for Triple-A Syracuse:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: Jared Young #29 of the New York Mets gets set against the Athletics during the game at Citi Field on April 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caean Couto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Prior to tonight’s series finale against the Dodgers, the Mets placed Jared Young on the IL, retroactive to April 13, with a meniscus tear in his left knee. The team later revealed that Young will undergo surgery and is expected to miss six to eight week of action as a result. To take his place on the roster, the team called up MJ Melendez from Triple-A Syracuse. As an unrelated roster move, the team also released reliever Luis García, whom they designated for assignment last week.
Young had seen more playing time since Soto’s injury, picking up some at-bats at first base and the outfield. In 23 plate appearances, he’s posted a .350/.391/.450 slash line with two runs scored, two runs batted in, a 137 wRC+, and a 0.2 fWAR. Looking at tonight’s lineup, the team will go with Brett Baty at first base, an outfield configuration of Tommy Pham in left, Luis Robert Jr. in center, and Carson Benge in right, and the newly-recalled Melendez manning the DH role.
Melendez is coming off a game in which he homered and tripled for Syracuse Mets in an 8-6 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Tuesday night. In all, the 27-year-old outfielder, whom the Mets signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal over the winter, is hitting .216/.286/.431 with two homers, three runs batted in, and seven runs scored for Syracuse.
