Braves place Ronald Acuña Jr. on IL with strained left hamstring

Just as the Atlanta Braves welcome Spencer Strider back to their roster, Ronald Acuña Jr. is going on the injured list. The team announced the move on Sunday morning.

Acuña, 28, strained his left hamstring during Saturday’s 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, apparently sustaining the injury while running out a ground ball to second base. He grabbed at the back of his leg quickly after dashing from the batter’s box and left the game soon thereafter.

Eli White replaced Acuña in right field in the bottom of the inning. Following the game, Acuña underwent an MRI exam to determine the severity of the injury.

Outfielder José Azócar was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Acuña’s spot on the major-league roster. He is starting in right field and batting ninth in Sunday’s lineup.

Azócar was batting .270/.348/.420 with two home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI and eight stolen bases in 113 plate appearances. The 29-year-old has played 228 MLB games, including two with the Braves last year. During his four seasons, Azócar has also played for the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets.

Prior to his injury, Acuña compiled a .252/.362/.378 slash average with two homers, eight doubles, nine RBI and seven steals in 152 PAs. Meanwhile, the Braves have been the best team in MLB, building a 24-10 record and first-place lead of 7.5 games in an NL East where the other four teams are all under .500.

Since winning NL MVP in 2023, Acuña has been afflicted by injuries. The following season, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and was limited to 49 games. Recovering from that injury kept him out until mid-May last year. But he also dealt with a back issue and right calf strain, ultimately appearing in 95 games.

Where to watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons Game 7 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Sunday, May 3

The Orlando Magic will try to rebound from their historic Game 6 collapse when they take on the Detroit Pistons in a Game 7 that will decide the series. The Pistons have won the past two games, including a 93-79 victory on Friday in which they limited the Magic to just 19 points in the second half. The winner of Sunday’s game will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals to face the winner of the Toronto Raptors-Cleveland Cavaliers series. The Pistons are favored by 8.5 points.

  • Spread: Detroit Pistons -8.5

  • Moneyline: Detroit Pistons -328 (73.4%) / Orlando Magic +260 (26.6%)

  • Over/Under: 202.5

Game 1:Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2:Pistons 98, Magic 83
Game 3:Magic 113, Pistons 105
Game 4:Magic 94, Pistons 88
Game 5:Pistons 116, Magic 109
Game 6:Pistons 93, Magic 79
Game 7: Sun., May 3, at Detroit (3:30 p.m., ABC))

*if necessary

76ers limit ticket sales vs. Knicks to Philadelphia as Joel Embiid implores fans not to sell: ‘If you need money, I got you’

Joel Embiid doesn’t want a repeat of the last time the Philadelphia 76ers faced the New York Knicks in the NBA playoffs.

Two seasons ago, the Sixers lost that first-round series in six games. But what Embiid and his teammates remember more than the postseason defeat was their home court becoming unfriendly territory.

Many Knicks fans bought tickets for the three games in Philadelphia to cheer on their team, making the then-Wells Fargo Center feel like another Madison Square Garden. The Sixers’ star center doesn’t want that to happen again.

“I just have a message for our fans,” Embiid said after Saturday’s Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics. “Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you.”

The 76ers’ ticket office will also attempt to keep New York fans out of Xfinity Mobile Arena by restricting direct sales to buyers in the Philadelphia market.

“Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Greater Philadelphia area,” according to a notice on the team’s website. “Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”

As could be expected, Knicks fans aren’t happy about this restriction. Comments on social media included calling the Sixers a “joke of a franchise” and “soft.” Fans looking to travel to Philadelphia will surely be able to score seats on the secondary market and from ticket brokers.

Knicks forward Josh Hart had faith in New York fans to get tickets in Philly if they want them.

“New Yorkers, they’re persistent,” Hart said, via FOX29’s Jeff Skversky. “They don’t care.”

Embiid praised the raucous crowd support for providing a big boost for the Sixers during Thursday’s 106-93 Game 6 win and wants the home fans to continue being “extremely loud” versus the Knicks.

Yet with even upper-level mezzanine seats going for more than $500 at center court and $300 behind the basket (via GameTime), Embiid acknowledged that several fans may want to sell their seats to earn some extra income. The 2023 NBA MVP, who’s being paid an estimated $58 million this season (according to Spotrac), jokingly offered to help out if making some money was an issue.

“If you need money, I got you,” he said.

Embiid scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the 76ers to a win at Boston’s TD Garden. He provided a crucial offensive and defensive presence on the floor despite having his appendix removed before the series. Embiid also had a scare when Tyrese Maxey was pushed into his left knee.

However, Embiid dismissed questions about his health after the game.

“I feel great. I feel amazing,” he said. “I was faking it.”

The Sixers begin their second-round series with the Knicks on Monday at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Game 3 in Philadelphia is set for Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Lower-level seats near the court are going for $4,000 and more. But for those who want to turn a significant profit, Embiid may be able to help them out.

Where to watch Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 7 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Sunday, May 3

The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 in their first-round playoff series. The winner will face the winner of the Orlando Magic-Detroit Pistons series in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The home team has won all previous six games in the series. Cleveland is favored by 8.5 points.

  • Spread: Cleveland Cavaliers -8.5

  • Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers -301 (71.9%) / Toronto Raptors +241 (28.1%)

  • Over/Under: 211.5

Game 1:Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
Game 2:Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
Game 3:Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
Game 4:Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89
Game 5:Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120
Game 6:Raptors 112, Cavaliers 110 (OT)
Game 7: Sun., May 3 (7:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock)

*if necessary

Mets’ Ronny Mauricio out 6-8 weeks with fractured left thumb; Bo Bichette might return to shortstop

The New York Mets lost another shortstop in Saturday ‘s 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels when Ronny Mauricio fractured his thumb while sliding into first base.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters before Sunday’s game that Mauricio is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.

Mauricio hit a grounder to first base in the seventh inning. Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel fielded the ball and intended to flip the ball to pitcher Reid Detmers. But Detmers was late running to cover the play, forcing Schanuel to dive into first base to make the tag.

Seeing that he had a chance to beat Schanuel, Mauricio also dove toward the bag and his left thumb broke when colliding with the base.

“It’s tough, obviously,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, via MLB.com. “You lose your everyday shortstop and the guy that comes up that is getting the everyday opportunity here now is hurt. Somebody else is going to have an opportunity.”

As Mendoza alluded to, the Mets had already lost starting shortstop Francisco Lindor to a strained left calf. He is expected to stay on the injured list until late May or early June.

The question now becomes who gets the opportunity at shortstop that Mendoza mentioned. However, the Mets may already have a solution on their current roster.

Bo Bichette took over for Mauricio for the final four innings of Saturday’s game and has played shortstop through most of his eight-year MLB career. To be exact, he’s played 718 games at the position, including 132 last season for the Toronto Blue Jays.

With Lindor already established at shortstop and advanced metrics showing that Bichette wasn’t effective defensively at that position, the Mets decided he would play third base when signing him as a free agent to a three-year, $126 million contract.

Bichette has played well at third base, though the position change might have affected his hitting. After batting 1-for-5 on Saturday, Bichette has a slash average of .237/.276/.319 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 145 plate appearances.

The Mets have several candidates to call up from Triple-A Syracuse, including Jackson Cluff, Christian Arroyo and Vidal Bruján.

Last season, Bichette was credited with -12 Defensive Runs Saved and -12 Outs Above Average at shortstop, so the infield defense could suffer by moving him over. But if that happens. Brett Baty would likely take his former position at third base, where he’s played 247 games.

Mariners starter Emerson Hancock strikes out 14 on Randy Johnson jersey retirement night … but Seattle loses

Saturday was a day to celebrate Seattle Mariners Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, who became the fourth player in Mariners history to have his jersey number retired. And soon after, Seattle starter Emerson Hancock honored him by putting on a show.

Hancock pitched seven innings against the Kansas City Royals, striking out 14 — the most strikeouts in one game by a pitcher this season.

Hancock’s outing was quite the way to commemorate Johnson’s legacy. Besides setting a career high in K’s, Hancock became only the fourth pitcher in Mariners history to record 14-plus strikeouts and no walks, per the team, joining, among others, Randy Johnson, who accomplished the feat twice with Seattle.

Johnson’s jersey was retired before the game, with Johnson saying he was “grateful and honored” to become the second No. 51 to be retired by Seattle. The Mariners retired the jersey of Hall of Fame outfielder Ichiro last summer.

“One number. Two players. Representing one team,” Johnson said in his speech Saturday.

Unfortunately, the Mariners returned to classic form, blowing a narrow lead despite an incredible pitching performance. After a tight game, Kansas City forced extra innings after Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz allowed a game-tying run in the ninth. Then, in the 10th, Maikel Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a run and give the Royals the lead and an eventual 3-2 win.

Despite the loss, it was a great showing from Hancock, who is in the starting rotation while Bryce Miller is ramping back up from an oblique injury.

However, Mariners manager Dan Wilson will likely consider keeping Hancock in the mix once Miller returns. After six starts, Hancock, 26, has a better ERA and WHIP than any of the team’s other starters.

Seattle will now try to avoid a home sweep Sunday before hosting the Atlanta Braves.

Where to watch Kansas City Royals vs. Seattle Mariners: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Saturday, May 2

The Kansas City Royals (13-19) face the Seattle Mariners (16-17) in the second game of their series. The Royals won Friday’s opener 7-6. Starting pitchers are Seth Lugo for Kansas City, with a 2.63 ERA, and Emerson Hancock for Seattle, with a 2.86 ERA.

  • Date: Saturday, May 2

  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT

  • Where: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA

  • TV Channels: Mariners.TV, Royals.TV

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Kansas City Royals: 13-19 (No. 5 in AL Central)

  • Seattle Mariners: 16-17 (No. 3 in AL West)

  • Spread: Seattle Mariners -1.5

  • Moneyline: Seattle Mariners -147 (57.0%) / Kansas City Royals +123 (43.0%)

  • Over/Under: 7.5

Kansas City Royals: Seth Lugo (1-1, ERA: 2.63, K: 31, WHIP: 1.17)
Seattle Mariners: Emerson Hancock (2-1, ERA: 2.86, K: 32, WHIP: 0.98)

Weather: 72°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 47,929 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Grass

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Where to watch Game 7 tonight, time, channel, and more

Despite the fact that the Boston Celtics held an early 3-1 lead during their NBA playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the 76ers made a comeback, forcing a tiebreaking Game 7. The game will take place this Saturday at TD Garden in Boston. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET.

You can take an in-depth look at the playoff bracket for every NBA team right here, and check out the schedule for the rest of the playoffs below.

Date: May 2, 2026

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT

TV channel: NBC

Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV, and more

Game 7 between the Celtics and the 76ers tips off Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The next NBA playoff game of the Celtics vs. 76ers series will be broadcast nationally on NBC. 

Saturday’s Celtics vs. 76ers game will stream live on Peacock. You can also tune in to NBC on platforms like DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and more.

  • May 4: Conference Semifinals begin (can move up to May 2 or 3)

  • May 19: Eastern Conference Finals begin on ESPN/ABC (can move up to May 17)

  • May 20: Western Conference Finals begin on NBC/Peacock (can move up to May 18)

  • June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 5: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 2 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 8: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 10: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 13: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

  • June 16: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

  • June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)