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The Masters isn’t just another major — it’s where legacies are made and long waits finally come to an end. Just last year, Rory McIlroy broke through for his first green jacket and this week, a new group arrives at Augusta chasing that same moment. LIV Golf will once again be well represented at Augusta, with 10 players in the field. Led by Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, LIV Golf has a real chance to make history this weekend. Since the league’s creation, no player has won the Masters after leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Rahm might be the headliner coming into the week, and DeChambeau is on a bit of a heater. But there are some other LIV golfers to look out for entering the week. So with that in mind, here’s a look at the LIV players teeing up at Augusta this week. Bryson DeChambeau DeChambeau is heading into this week with plenty of momentum after having won back-to-back LIV events and finished in the top three in three of his last five starts. Augusta has suited him well, with consecutive top-six finishes and a couple of first-round leads. Sergio Garcia Garcia won the 2017 Masters, which made him the third Spaniard to claim a green jacket at Augusta. He’s also made the cut in all 15 of his appearances and has been able to put together four top-10 finishes along the way. Garcia is one of the most seasoned international players heading into this week. Tyrrell Hatton Hatton has made seven cuts in nine Masters starts, highlighted by a career-best T9 in 2024. He’s also played 32 rounds at Augusta, where he posted eight under-par rounds with a low of 68. This season, he’s enjoying his best LIV Golf year yet, playing well off the tee and on par-3s. Dustin Johnson Johnson won the 2020 Masters by five strokes at 20-under, setting a tournament scoring record. He’s made 11 cuts in 15 starts at Augusta, notching five top-10s and 23 under-par rounds with a low of 65. This season, he’s been one of the top performers on LIV Golf in Strokes Gained Putting. Tom McKibbin McKibbin is making his Master’s debut this year and is one of just two players from Northern Ireland in the field, alongside McIlroy. He’s been steady on LIV Golf, with four top-25 finishes in five events and several rounds in the mid-60s. Carlos Ortiz Ortiz returns to the Masters for the first time since his 2021 debut, where he missed the cut but managed a round under par with a 71. He’s off to a strong start this season on LIV Golf, ranking second in Strokes Gained Approach. In 2020, Ortiz made history by winning the Houston Open, becoming the first Mexican winner on the PGA Tour in 42 years. Jon Rahm Rahm won the 2023 Masters, becoming the fourth Spaniard to claim a green jacket and the first European to win both the Masters and the U.S. Open. He’s kept that form going this season, picking up three LIV Golf wins and several other strong finishes. With his consistency, Rahm heads into Augusta as one of the top contenders again. Charl Schwartzel Schwartzel won the 2011 Masters, becoming the third South African to claim a green jacket and 50 years after Gary Player did so. In 16 Masters starts, he’s made 11 cuts, earned three top-10 finishes, and posted a low round of 66. That kind of experience shows he can still handle Augusta and be a contender if he’s in form this week. Cameron Smith Smith has been consistent at the Masters, finishing in the top 10 in five of his last eight appearances, including top-five finishes in 2018, 2020 and 2022. He is the only player in Masters history to shoot all four rounds in the 60s in a single tournament. Smith also shares the record for the lowest score by an international player and by a non-winner. Bubba Watson Watson knows Augusta inside and out, having won the Masters in 2012 and 2014. He’s always had a feel for the course, even leading in Strokes Gained Putting at last year’s Masters. This season on LIV Golf has been tough on Watson as he heads into the week without a top-25 finish. LIV Golf hasn’t always had the results it hoped for at the Masters, but this year’s group brings plenty of talent and experience. Most of them should make the cut, and a few could even stick around near the top of the leaderboard. With past champions like Garcia, Schwartzel, Johnson, Watson, and Rahm, there’s some serious experience in the field. Those players know Augusta and can handle the pressure when it counts. If they all play well this week, we could see some big moves as the tournament goes on. By Sunday, one of them might even pull off something historic.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

As Tony the Tiger says, “They’rrre Michigan!” Wait, what? First, the Michigan Wolverines claimed their first men’s college basketball championship in 37 years. Now, they’re on the cover of a cereal box. Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes revealed on Wednesday that it’s selling a limited-edition Michigan championship-themed cereal box, according to WXYZ Michigan. There’s no cereal inside, rather it’s a box to commemorate the triumph. The Wolverines beat the UConn Huskies on Monday night, 69-63, to win the National Championship for the first time since the 1988-89 season. Elliot Cadeau finished with a game-high 19 points for Michigan, while Morez Johnson posted a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) and Yaxel Lendeborg scored 13 points on a bad ankle and a sprained MCL. In all, the Wolverines went 25 of 28 from the free throw line. [Cowherd: Transfer Portal, NIL Working for Michigan, Big Ten] Michigan ended the season 37-3 overall and 19-1 in Big Ten regular-season play, good for first in the conference. The Wolverines were first in the Big Ten in points (87.3 per game), field goal percentage (50.7%), opponent field goal percentage (38.2%) and opponent 3-point shooting percentage (30.4%), second in rebounds (40.1 per game) and third in 3-point shooting percentage (36.8%). As for individual standouts, Lendeborg, who averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, won Big Ten Player of the Year honors; Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game; Cadeau averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 assists per game; center Aday Mara averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and a Big Ten-high 2.6 blocks per game; Trey McKenney averaged 9.9 points in 22.1 minutes per contest, while shooting 39.1% from behind the arc.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The running back position has become less and less valued in the NFL Draft in recent years. However, FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt and NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay don’t want the value of the running back position to skew how good Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is. In the most recent episode of “The Joel Klatt Show,” McShay shared that Love is the first running back he’s ever had ranked No. 1 in his big board in his 26 years covering the draft. On top of that, teams in the NFL also have Love ranked as high or nearly as high on their draft big boards, according to McShay. “I’ve never had a running back No. 1 overall, and this year, it’s going to be the exception,” McShay said. “We’ve seen Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey that one year. We’ve had Ashton Jeanty. Forget my rankings, talking to NFL teams, the lowest I’ve heard they have him is three on their board. So, he’s one of the best three, if not the best player in this draft.” Klatt also has Love ranked pretty high on his big board, placing him as the second-best player in the 2026 NFL Draft in his recently revealed top 50 draft prospects ranking. Klatt previously said that he holds Love in high regard due to the number of things he does at an elite level, such as his ability to hit a home run when he runs between the tackles and on the outside. But even in a draft class that’s perceived to be weaker than other ones in recent memory, there’s still some debate over whether Love should be one of the first few players drafted. Klatt, though, thinks that Love’s all-around talent should make him a top-five selection. “When you’ve got a guy that is not just a running back, and to me, he reminds me of or could potentially become McCaffrey —  maybe not McCaffrey, he’s probably like a top-six wide receiver in the league — but certainly a guy who can be a threat out of the backfield, like Jahmyr Gibbs and so on,” Klatt said. “Those are the guys where you think, OK, I’m not just paying him to be a running back. He’s really contributing. I think he could catch 40 passes in a season, and would be just fine. Then, maybe the economics [of drafting a running back with a top-five pick] work out in a particular way up at the top.” Love showcased high-end ability as both a runner and a receiver at Notre Dame this past season. He rushed for 1,372 yards on 6.9 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns in 12 games, ranking in the top 10 in the nation in all of those stats. He also had 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. That would’ve put Love on pace for roughly 38 receptions, 400 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns over the course of a 17-game season. Klatt had Love going to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 4 overall pick in his most recent mock draft, believing he’ll be a strong fit with second-year quarterback Cam Ward. McShay also thinks Love would be a strong choice for Tennessee, saying, “Wouldn’t you love to see that?” But he also wonders if he still might fall come the day of the draft. “What do you want from a running back in order to value him there? Obviously, the running skills, but it’s the instincts, the ability to stop and start, the contact balance, having a sense of the cutback lanes and almost like a sixth sense with the vision,” McShay said. “But I think it’s why we’re all looking and saying maybe he falls to seven and Washington because he is a running back and the economics of it.” Still, McShay is a strong believer that Love should be one of the first few players taken in the 2026 draft. “Find me the flaws,” McShay said. “You always worry about running backs and the durability, kind of managing that load, and that will be for the NFL team that drafts him to kind of figure out what’s best for him. But I just think he is everything that you look for.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to follow themselves. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you by figuring out what you missed but shouldn’t have. Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball: Rockies win third in a row The Colorado Rockies have won three games in a row, and are 5-6 for the season. Without context, that is mildly impressive and not-at-all impressive, but let’s consider the 2025 Rockies for a moment. That team didn’t win its fifth game of the season until the final day of April, and it took until June 4 to rattle off three consecutive dubs. Hell, Colorado had a three-game winning streak and a four-game winning streak in June last year, and still went just 10-16 for the month, which helps explain quite a bit of how the Rockies ended up avoiding the modern loss record but still finished as one of the worst teams to ever do it. So yeah, 5-6 on the morning of April 8 the following season? Colorado will take that. Rockies’ starter Kyle Freeland threw 6.1 innings of one-run ball, striking out five Astros against one walk allowed. While the lefty allowed a homer to first baseman Christian Walker, he was otherwise tough on Houston’s hitters, and then reliever Antonio Senzatela finished out the game with 2.2 scoreless frames. Willi Castro did most of the damage for Colorado, as the second baseman drove in the tying run in the second with a single, then in the fourth hit a two-run home run to drive in first baseman TJ Rumfield, giving the Rockies a 3-1 lead. Outfielder Mickey Moniak would add on to that lead later with a dinger of his own, but it was unnecessary given the work the pitchers were doing. A good, dominant win from Colorado — that’s not something you get to say very often these days. They are off to a better start than usual, however, after losing over 100 games in three-straight seasons, so that kind of W — and the current win streak — are the kinds of signs fans will hope are good ones for digging out of a years-deep hole. Braves, Angels brawl Well this got out of hand in a hurry. Angels’ designated hitter Jorge Soler hit a home run off of Reynaldo Lopez in the first inning… …and then was hit by a pitch by Lopez the next time up. The next time Soler came to the plate, Lopez threw a pitch to the backstop that was up-and-in, and the Angels’ DH did not appreciate it. A staredown and words were exchanged, and Soler charged the mound and Lopez. While the same kind of slapping that happens in seemingly every bench-clearing incident in MLB happened here, Soler and Lopez also threw some actual punches with weight behind them here — luckily, those seemed to miss their mark, and teammates focused on separating the two rather than continuing the fighting. Both Soler and Lopez were ejected for their actions. The two had been teammates on the Braves before, but when Soler isn’t with Atlanta, he has Lopez’s number: Soler is 14-for-23 in his career against Lopez, which helps explain why he might have thought Lopez’s frustration with facing Soler and failing once more was bubbling over into an HBP and pitch up near his head. Per Lopez’s own comments, he denies that’s the case, but MLB is sure to hand out punishment of some kind against the two for this disruption regardless of intent or it being a misunderstanding. The Braves would end up winning, 7-2, despite making a couple of errors and having Lopez pulled early. Rosario goes deep twice, Yankees win It was a big day for Yankees’ third baseman Amed Rosario against the Athletics. In the bottom of the second, Rosario hit a solo shot 399 feet to left field off of starter Aaron Civale, who otherwise didn’t give up any runs despite four walks. Civale ended up going five innings without any further damage, and even left with the lead thanks to a three-run Athletics’ third. Mark Leiter Jr. came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth for the A’s, though, and Rosario was ready for him, too. So was seemingly the rest of the Yankees’ lineup: three consecutive singles opened the inning, from left fielder Cody Bellinger, first baseman Ben Rice and DH Giancarlo Stanton, then Rosario hit a three-run homer to complete a four-run inning for the Yankees. New York would not score again, but didn’t need to: they were up 5-3 at this point, and righty David Bednar closed things out in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning to give the Yankees the W. Ump jump This one does what it says on the box. Hup! Too late at the plate The outcome of Royals-Guardians came right down to the end. The two entered the bottom of the ninth tied at 1-1, Kansas City having scored its lone run in the second and Cleveland in the fifth. Four Guardians’ relievers — Tim Herrin, Erik Sabrowski, Shawn Armstrong and Cade Smith — had combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to follow starter Gavin Williams’ spotless last few frames. This gave Cleveland the chance to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth, and they did. Right-hander John Schreiber came in from the bullpen for the Royals with the game on the line, and got the leadoff batter, second baseman Juan Brito, to ground out. Right fielder CJ Kayfus followed with a single, though, putting the winning run on base, and then Bo Naylor came in to pinch-hit and walked to bring up number-nine hitter and shortstop Brayan Rocchio. That’s not bad as far as strategies go: Rocchio is a career .221/.295/.327 hitter whose best-ever season featured an OPS+ of 76 — he’s there for his glove, folks. But here, Rocchio’s bat showed up. He hit a hard grounder through the hole on the right side of the infield, and while right fielder Lane Thomas scooped it up and made a strong throw home, it wasn’t strong enough and Kayfus just beat the tag at the plate. The Guardians won, pushing them to 7-5 early and keeping Kansas City at arm’s length early on in the AL Central. There’s a whole lot of season left, but every one of these head-to-head wins is going to matter in the Central this year. Susac keeps swinging Last week, Giants’ catcher Daniel Susac made his first-ever start, and went 3-for-3. The rookie was behind the plate once more on Tuesday, and he once again starred for San Francisco. While he did make an out for the first time all year, he still went 3-for-4, and this time managed to drive in a couple of runs, too, thanks to his first big-league triple. Now, this was in the bottom of the eighth, and the Giants were already up 4-0, but it’s still pretty incredible that Susac has had seven trips to the plate in two games and managed to go 6-for-7 with a triple and a walk. Obviously he’s not going to be like this for his entire rookie season, but Susac was a quality bat in the minors, and the threshold for productive offense from catchers is pretty low in the majors these days — he can be a helpful piece on the Giants even in a backup role. Bradley whiffs 10 The Twins’ bullpen helped, too, limiting the Tigers to a run over their 2.2 innings of work, but starting pitcher Taj Bradley did most of the heavy lifting here. In his 6.1 innings, the righty struck out 10 batters against a single walk allowed, and mostly scattered six hits to give up just one run to Detroit. Bradley never quite took off for Tampa Bay before a midseason trade brought him to Minnesota in 2025, and trouble with home runs kept him from succeeding much in the half-dozen starts he made in a Twins’ uniform. To begin 2026, though, Bradley has allowed just two runs over three starts and 16.2 innings, striking out 22 batters while walking four, and without giving up a long ball. Whether that sticks remains to be seen, but if Bradley can figure out how to keep the ball in the yard with more regularity, it’s not difficult to see someone with his stuff take it to the next level like he has so far. Skenes, Griffin lead Pirates to W It’s April 8, so don’t get too excited, but the Pirates feel a little different this year. It’s not the record as much as the vibes: ace pitcher and reigning NL Cy Young Paul Skenes doesn’t feel so lonely on the roster, since Pittsburgh actually added some intriguing pieces like outfielder Ryan O’Hearn in free agency, and have already called up MLB’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin, in the early going. Griffin responded by hitting an RBI double in his first at-bat in the bigs, and he’s already shown off his glove, too. On Tuesday, Skenes looked a lot more like he’s supposed to after a rough start to 2026, going 6.1 innings against the Padres while allowing just one run on two hits and two walks each — Skenes also struck out six. While he held San Diego down, Pittsburgh’s offense was humming: they were up 2-1 entering the bottom of the eighth, but then dropped another five runs on the Padres to put the game out of reach. Griffin delivered in that inning, too, hitting a two-run single — a hard-hit one with an exit velocity of 113.4 mph — to plate Pittsburgh’s last two of the night. The Pirates won, and fans woke up to both that box score and the news that Griffin agreed to a nine-year deal worth at least $140 million — the largest contract in Pirates’ history. Pittsburgh hasn’t won anything yet, no, but that it feels like the team might actually want to at some point is already quite the shift. Marlins waste Alcantara gem Marlins’ starter Sandy Alcantara has been looking great to start 2026 after a rough summer last year: he threw seven innings without allowing a run in his opening start, threw a complete-game shutout in his second and went the first eight innings without allowing a run on Tuesday against the Reds. The bad news is that the Marlins pulled Alcantara at the first sign of trouble in the ninth, when he was at 95 pitches after allowing a double to second baseman Matt McLain and a walk to shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Miami put righty reliever Anthony Bender in for Alcantara just needing two outs to secure a 2-0 win, and Bender couldn’t deliver to the point that one wonders why Alcantara wasn’t given the chance to get out of trouble himself. The one doing the wondering, by the way, was Alcantara himself, who did not appreciate not having input when he was only at 95 pitches and a righty was coming to the plate. Bender would allow both baserunners to steal before he even recorded an out, and then the righty Alcantara mentioned, catcher Sal Stewart, hit a sacrifice fly to drive in McLain. DH Eugenio Suarez would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners, and Bender would then throw a wild pitch to the next batter, left fielder Spencer Steer, allowing De La Cruz to score the tying run. The 10th inning didn’t go any better for Miami. Calvin Fauchner replaced Bender, with Steer starting the inning on second, and promptly threw his own wild pitch to move Steer to third. Backstop Tyler Stephenson would walk, and Nathaniel Lowe, who came in as a pinch-hitter earlier and had taken over at first, singled in the go-ahead run. The Reds weren’t finished. Friedl would walk to load the bases, then McLain hit a two-run double. De La Cruz would ground out, but not without pushing another run across, making it 6-2 Reds. Remember, an inning before, Alcantara had a shutout going. Miami would get a run in the bottom of the frame, but it wasn’t enough: you can see why Alcantara was annoyed enough postgame to bring it up with the media. What a start for Mauricio The bad news for the Mets is that star left fielder Juan Soto had to go on the IL for at least two weeks with a strained calf. The good news is that they called up utility infielder Ronny Mauricio to take Soto’s spot on the roster, and he delivered with a game-winning hit in his first plate appearance of the season. Mauricio came up with shortstop Francisco Lindor already on third and just one out, and he crushed a middle-middle, 90.3 mph Paul Sewald fastball over the head of Diamondbacks’ right fielder Corbin Carroll. The Mets win, and while they still have to make it at least a couple of weeks without Soto, at least the bad luck didn’t immediately compound on itself.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The NFL Draft isn’t just about the draft. It’s often a catalyst for another round of trades. Sometimes it’s just general managers swapping draft picks. But it’s also the perfect time to move valuable or unwanted players, too. So, to help those GMs out, here’s a list of one trade we’d like to see every NFC team make — one player they should try to acquire for a bit of their draft capital this year, if they can. RELATED: The NFL Player Each AFC Team Should Trade for During the 2026 Draft Arizona Cardinals Acquire: QB Anthony Richardson from the Indianapolis ColtsCost: 2026 seventh-round pick (217th overall), 2027 conditional sixth-round pick Why not take a low-risk flier on the former first-round pick with a big body (6-4, 244), huge arm and untapped potential? The Cards have veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew as place-holders at quarterback until the 2027 draft, but Richardson would give new coach Mike LaFleur, a Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan disciple, a young player to try and develop. If it works out in the last year of his deal, maybe they re-sign him and keep him as a backup to (or competition for) next year’s rookie. Or maybe he becomes a future trade asset. If not, they let him go. But right now, the more options they have at quarterback, the better. Atlanta Falcons Acquire: WR Jerry Jeudy from the Cleveland BrownsCost: 2026 second-round pick (48th) New Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski knows the ups and downs of the 27-year-old Jeudy, and he knows he needs a No. 2 receiver (currently either Jahan Dotson or Olamide Zaccheaus will fill that role). Jeudy had a terrible season last year, but in 2024 he caught 90 passes for 1,229 yards with Jameis Winston, Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe throwing him the ball. He’d be a huge help for No. 1 WR Drake London with Tua Tagovailoa and/or Michael Penix Jr. behind center. Carolina Panthers Acquire TE Cole Kmet from the Chicago BearsCost: 2026 fourth-round pick (119th), 2027 conditional sixth-round pick It’s a make-or-break year for quarterback Bryce Young, and the Panthers have done a good job of surrounding him with receivers and running backs. But they don’t have a reliable target at tight end — often the best friend of an emerging quarterback. Kmet showed what he was capable in 2023 when he caught 73 passes for 719 yards and six touchdowns, but the emergence of Colston Loveland has made him an afterthought in Chicago. With two years and $20 million left on his contract, the Bears could be enticed to move on now. Chicago Bears Acquire: CB Denzel Ward from the Cleveland BrownsCost: 2026 third-round pick (89th), 2027 sixth-round pick They need help all over their defense, including at edge rusher. But upgrading at cornerback might be the Bears’ biggest priority. Ward is a five-time Pro Bowler who is still only 29, and the Browns would be smart to dump the remaining two years of his contract to free up some salary cap space. Ward could either be Chicago’s third corner or step in for the erratic Tyrique Stevenson. It would also free up the Bears to target a defensive lineman early in the draft. And with two second-round picks, they’ve got the Day 2 ammunition to get him. Dallas Cowboys Acquire: DE Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas RaidersCost: 2026 first-round pick (12th), 2026 third-round pick (92nd), 2027 third-round pick This is probably a very un-Jerry Jones-like move, but the Cowboys’ defense is a mess, and they desperately need help with their pass rush. It would be costly, though not as costly as the two first-round picks the Ravens initially agreed to send to Vegas for Crosby before that trade fell apart. The Cowboys have two first-rounders, so they could part with one and sweeten the deal with a couple of thirds. Assuming Crosby’s knee isn’t ravaged, it’s worth the risk for a team desperate to make a Super Bowl run, because adding Crosby would give the Cowboys one of the best defensive fronts in the league. Detroit Lions Acquire: DT Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee TitansCost: 2026 first-round pick (17th), 2027 second-round pick The Titans didn’t trade Simmons at the deadline last year, and it’s hard to imagine new coach Robert Saleh would want to part with his best player now. But the clock is ticking on a contract that expires after next season, and will the Titans be any good by then? The Lions, meanwhile, have their own clock ticking on contention and desperately need help on the defensive line to avoid Aidan Hutchinson drawing constant double-teams. Add a DT like Simmons and their pass rush could be fierce again, making them an instant contender. That could be worth what should be a very hefty price. Green Bay Packers Acquire: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona CardinalsCost: 2026 second-round pick (52nd), 2027 third-round pick They have the same situation at WR as usual — good depth, decent players, but no apparent No. 1. And they let their best receiver (Romeo Doubs) go while only bringing in Skyy Moore. Harrison has been a disappointment with the Cardinals, but that could be all about their miserable quarterback situation. Pair him with Jordan Love, and his numbers should soar. It would be a big deal, and complicated by the fact that the Packers don’t have a first-rounder again until 2028. But Matt LaFleur could ask his old boss, Sean McVay, about why players are more important than those pesky high picks. Then he could call his brother Mike, the new coach in Arizona, and get this deal done. Los Angeles Rams Acquire: QB J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota VikingsCost: 2026 second-round pick (61st) The Vikings sure look like they’ve moved on from the former 10th overall pick (2024) by signing Kyler Murray. Given Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s success rate with QBs, maybe that’s a red flag for the rest of the NFL. But McCarthy is still young and has only 10 games of experience. He could benefit from learning under McVay on a loaded offensive team. And not only do the Rams need to start thinking about who their quarterback will be after 38-year-old Matthew Stafford is done, they have to be prepared if he breaks down this season. Right now their backup is Stetson Bennett. McCarthy would at least be an upgrade over that. And that’s important for an expected Super Bowl contender. Minnesota Vikings Acquire: RB De’Von Achane from the Miami DolphinsCost: 2026 third-round pick (82nd), fifth-round pick (163rd) The Vikings brought back Aaron Jones, but he’s 31 and constantly battling injuries. And while he’s a good receiver out of the backfield, Achane is a great one, a much faster and more dynamic player overall and seven years younger (24). The Dolphins say they want to keep him after he ran for 1,350 yards and caught 67 passes for 488 yards last season. But they have the look of a team undergoing a fire sale, so surely they have their price. Achane will need a contract extension, so maybe a third-round pick and change will do it. The Dolphins would be crazy to say no for a second-rounder. New Orleans Saints Acquire: WR Quentin Johnston from the Los Angeles ChargersCost: 2026 third-round pick (73rd), 2027 conditional sixth-round pick The 6-3, 208-pounder arrived with huge expectations after being the 21st overall pick in the 2023 draft, but he’s struggled to live up to them and has seemingly maxed out as a 50-catch, 700-yard, No. 2 receiver. Johnston was drafted by a different Chargers regime, so the current one should be willing to move on from an underperforming player. But the Saints could see value in adding a big target next to Chris Olave for their emerging quarterback. And their third-round pick could be enough to convince Jim Harbaugh to give up on him, since it would be relatively high in that round. New York Giants Acquire: CB Marlon Humphrey from the Baltimore RavensCost: 2026 fourth-round pick (105th), 2027 conditional seventh-round pick The thinnest position on the Giants’ roster might be corner, where veteran Paulson Adebo has battled injuries the past two seasons, Deonte Banks has been a bust, and they’re counting a lot on the flier they took on Greg Newsome. Humphrey, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, will be 30 and carries a $15.25 million salary, so he might not cost more than a Day 3 pick. The Ravens will be OK in the secondary without him. And they could make this a win-win trade if they can entice Baltimore with edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux in a blockbuster deal, too. Philadelphia Eagles Acquire: DE Myles Garrett from the Cleveland BrownsCost: 2026 first-round pick (23rd), 2026 third-round pick (68th), 2027 first-round pick It would be one of the biggest blockbusters in years, considering Garrett has won two of the past three Defensive Player of the Year awards, just set the single-season sack record and is one year into a four-year, $160 million contract. Cleveland might not want to trade him, but what if the Eagles offered Jalen Carter as part of the package in return? Not crazy, considering Philly just signed defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a huge contract. But if the Eagles prefer to keep Carter, then offering the Maxx Crosby package (two first-round picks) and a bit more should be valuable to a rebuilding team like the Browns who might not be good again soon. That’s a problem since Garrett is already 30. But he would instantly give Philly the pass rush it needs to return to the top of the NFC. San Francisco 49ers Acquire: OLB Nick Herbig from the Pittsburgh SteelersCost: 2026 second-round pick (58th), 2027 conditional fifth-round pick Their pass rush was completely punchless last season, with Bryce Huff leading the team with just four sacks. They are hopeful that both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams will be healthy and back in their old form next season, but they could use another body in the rotation. Herbig, 24, is stuck in a rotation behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in Pittsburgh and in the final year of his contract. He had 13 sacks in a limited role over the past two seasons and would be well worth the high pick it would probably cost for the Steelers to swap him. Seattle Seahawks Acquire: RB Breece Hall from the New York JetsCost: 2026 third-round pick (96th), 2027 fifth-round pick The Jets just placed the franchise tag on Hall and they want to sign him long term, though it’s not clear if Hall actually wants to stay in New York. The Seahawks, meanwhile, need a replacement for Kenneth Walker, whom they lost in free agency. The cost would be at least a third-round pick, which was reportedly what the Jets were asking for at the deadline last year. A running back like Hall is an unnecessary luxury for a team like the Jets headed for the bottom of the standings, but he could instantly make the Seahawks an even bigger threat to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Acquire: CB Riley Moss from the Denver BroncosCost: 2026 third-round pick (77th) After adding help up front in free agency, even coach Todd Bowles acknowledged the need for another corner amid Jamel Dean’s departure. The Broncos are strong at that position and could be willing to deal the 26-year-old Moss ahead of the last year of his contract. He’s been good playing opposite Patrick Surtain, considering the amount of teams that would prefer to throw at him. His low cost could mean the Broncos wouldn’t part with him for less than a second-round pick, unless the Bucs dangled a player in the deal, like perhaps young running back Sean Tucker. Washington Commanders Acquire: WR DK Metcalf from the Pittsburgh SteelersCost: 2026 third-round pick (71st), 2027 fifth-round pick The idea of the Steelers trading him all depends on what happens with Aaron Rodgers, and whether Pittsburgh goes for it all in 2026 or goes into a rebuilding mode. They did just trade for Michael Pittman, so their cupboard wouldn’t be bare without Metcalf. And Metcalf was a bit of a disappointment last season with just 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns as Rodgers struggled to find him downfield. He’d have better luck with the younger, stronger Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball. And the Commanders are desperate for a WR opposite Terry McLaurin. Metcalf cost the Steelers a second-round pick. But after a down year, and with three years and more than $100 million left on his contract, something less would do.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The NFL Draft isn’t just about the draft. It’s often a catalyst for another round of trades. Sometimes it’s just general managers swapping draft picks. But it’s also the perfect time to move valuable or unwanted players, too. So, to help those GMs out, here’s a list of one trade we’d like to see every NFC team make — one player they should try to acquire for a bit of their draft capital this year, if they can. RELATED: The NFL Player Each NFC Team Should Trade for During the 2026 Draft Baltimore Ravens Acquire: OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux from the New York GiantsCost: 2026 third-round pick (80th overall), 2027 conditional fifth-round pick Jesse Minter is taking over a team ready for a Super Bowl run, but still too dangerously thin on the edge. The Ravens could fix that by adding Thibodeaux, who is an expensive luxury for the Giants. With Brian Burns and Abdul Carter there, they’re unlikely to re-sign Thibodeaux after this season, so they could be willing to deal him now, especially if they could get a third-round pick, which the Giants don’t currently have. Another possibility? Baltimore could offer veteran CB Marlon Humphrey, who would solidify the secondary for his old coach, John Harbaugh. Buffalo Bills Acquire: WR Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville JaguarsCost: 2026 first-round pick (26th) Yes, the Bills already got WR D.J. Moore from Chicago for a second-round pick. But they need to do better for QB Josh Allen, so why not go all-in on their biggest need and turn it into a strength? The Jags say they won’t trade Thomas, even after a terrible season, but they don’t have a first-round pick, so if the Bills dangle their first-rounder, maybe Jacksonville will change its mind. With Allen, two top receivers and RB James Cook, the Bills’ offense might be impossible to stop. And if they can finally end their Super Bowl drought, it would be well worth the price. Cincinnati Bengals Acquire: LB Jordyn Brooks from the Miami DolphinsCost: 2026 third-round pick (72nd), 2026 seventh-round pick (221st) It remains to be seen if they’ve done enough to boost their defensive line in the wake of Trey Hendrickson’s departure, but there’s no doubt the Bengals need help at linebacker regardless. The 28-year-old Brooks is a tackle machine, coming off an All-Pro season and heading into the last year of his contract. That last part is reason enough for the rebuilding Dolphins to trade him, especially if they could get the Bengals’ third-round pick, and a little more, in return. Cleveland Browns Acquire: OT Walker Little from the Jacksonville JaguarsCost: 2027 conditional sixth-round pick Trading for a quality tackle isn’t easy, because they’re hard to find. But the 6-7, 325-pound Little lost his job in Jacksonville last season, and then the Jags signed his replacement, Cole Van Lanen, to a three-year, $51 million deal. Little is a valuable, versatile backup for Jacksonville, but he’s also got two years, $25 million left on his own contract. The Browns’ line is a mess, and they need better protection for whichever quarterback they go with. Given Little’s contract and the fact he’s coming off a down season, he won’t cost more than a Day 3 pick, even though his talent exceeds that. Denver Broncos Acquire: RB Alvin Kamara from the New Orleans SaintsCost: 2026 seventh-round pick (246th), 2027 seventh-round pick Kamara is 31, coming off the worst season of his career, and coming back from knee and ankle injuries. He also doesn’t want to leave New Orleans. But a reunion with Sean Payton and a chance to chase another championship in what could be his final NFL season might be enough to convince him to change his mind. The Broncos have J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey in the backfield, and Harvey is a decent receiver. But Kamara could give the offense an added passing threat, and he could thrive in a reduced role. Given his age and injuries, he also wouldn’t cost Denver more than a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Houston Texans Acquire: DT Dexter Lawrence from the New York GiantsCost: 2026 first-round pick (28th), 2026 second-round pick (59th) The 28-year-old Lawrence wants out of New York as well as a new contract, but his leverage is low after a lackluster season in 2025. He’s only one year removed from a nine-sack Pro Bowl campaign, though, and the Texans need reinforcements inside to complement their dynamic duo on the edge (Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter). They’d be counting on the 6-2, 345-pound Lawrence to regain his old form in a better environment and would likely have to extend his contract. But he could make one of the NFL’s best defenses impenetrable. Of course, that’s if the Giants decide to trade him, rather than pay him more. Indianapolis Colts Acquire: S Budda Baker from the Arizona CardinalsCost: 2026 third-round pick (78th), 2027 sixth-round pick They lost Nick Cross in free agency, a huge hit to their defense that they have yet to adequately address. Enter Baker, who’s 30 years old and signed through 2027? Surely, the rebuilding Cardinals would make him available and be happy to rid themselves of the remaining two years and $33 million left on his deal. The Colts think they can contend if QB Daniel Jones is healthy, so adding a safety who has gone to seven straight Pro Bowls to play behind CB Sauce Gardner would be exactly the anchor their defense needs, even if it costs them a Day 2 pick. Jacksonville Jaguars Acquire: DT Daron Payne from the Washington CommandersCost: 2026 third-round pick (88th), 2026 fourth-round pick (124th) Payne had 11.5 sacks in 2022 and looked like one of the best defensive tackles in the league. Since then, on some bad Washington defenses, he’s had just 11 sacks in three seasons. But he’s only 29 and his ceiling remains high, making him worth the gamble for the Jags. He’d give them the interior pass rush they were so obviously lacking last season. With Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen on the edge, Payne could make a big difference playing next to Arik Armstead in the middle. He’s in the final year of his contract, and due about $21 million, which could keep his trade price out of the first two rounds. Kansas City Chiefs Acquire: TE Sam LaPorta from the Detroit LionsCost: Swap first-round picks (Lions move up to No. 9, Chiefs drop to No. 17), 2027 conditional fourth-round pick Yes, they just re-signed Travis Kelce, who is still an effective player and one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite receivers. But Kelce is 36, not what he once was, and could be in the last season of his Hall of Fame career. LaPorta is coming off back surgery, heading into the last year of his contract and may get squeezed out in Detroit, where the Lions have a lot of young players to sign. It would probably cost the Chiefs a second-round pick. As an alternative, they could consider a package that involves swapping first-rounders instead. Las Vegas Raiders Acquire: CB Deonte Banks from the New York GiantsCost: 2026 sixth-round pick (185th) Their instincts were right when they tried to trade Maxx Crosby to Baltimore for two first-round picks. They are likely multiple years away from being competitive again, so their focus should be on acquiring assets. But they are also thin at corner and are the type of team that can and should take a flier on a player like Banks — talented enough to be a first-round pick (2023), but a bust so far in the NFL. For basically nothing, they can spend a year seeing if new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard can turn him into a serviceable player. If not, the cost would be negligible. If Leonard can, though, the Raiders can re-sign Banks and will have gotten him for a steal. Los Angeles Chargers Acquire: C Aaron Brewer from the Miami DolphinsCost: 2026 second-round pick (55th), 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 123) Even a sell-happy team like the Dolphins isn’t going to be eager to trade a 28-year-old center who ranks near the top of the league at his position and has an affordable salary. But he is going to be a free agent next year and could cost a small fortune. So it wouldn’t be crazy for the Dolphins to get something for him now and find his replacement in the draft. As for the Chargers, their top priority has to be keeping QB Justin Hebert upright, and all they did was add center Tyler Biadasz and guard Cole Strange in free agency. Brewer would be an upgrade, though the Dolphins surely would want a high pick since they’d prefer to keep him around. Miami Dolphins Acquire: TE Luke Musgrave from the Green Bay PackersCost: 2026 fifth-round pick (151st) First, the Dolphins should be in fire sale mode, getting rid of every valuable asset they have for draft picks. But while they’re doing that, they can’t leave new QB Malik Willis without help on offense, especially if they’re trying to see if he can be their quarterback of the future. So it makes sense to bring at least one familiar weapon from Green Bay with him. Musgrave didn’t exactly light it up for the Pack after Tucker Kraft tore his ACL last year, but he’s still a 6-foot-6 target with good receiving skills who has been battered by injuries in the first three years of his career. There’s an upside and the cost could be low, since Kraft is coming back to the Pack. New England Patriots Acquire: WR A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia EaglesCost: 2026 first-round pick (31st), 2026 second-round pick (63rd) This one feels like the trade everyone has been waiting for all offseason long, and it’s past time to pull the trigger. Brown, 28, is clearly unhappy in the Philly offense, but he’s incredibly productive and could thrive in a new system. In New England, he’d get to be the main man for one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in Drake Maye. And the Patriots get a true No. 1 receiver, still near his prime, whose numbers could dwarf what Stefon Diggs did for them last season (85-1,1013-4). Yes, it would cost their first-round pick and more. But coming off a Super Bowl, it’s more than worth it. New York Jets Acquire: WR Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay PackersCost: 2026 fourth-round pick (103rd) The Jets have a black hole at receiver opposite Garrett Wilson, but they also have time to fill it since their franchise quarterback won’t arrive until the 2027 draft. In Wicks, they’d get a 25-year-old with plenty of promise and limited production (108,1,328-11 in three seasons in Green Bay). He’s buried on the Packers’ depth chart and unlikely to be re-signed after 2026, so a Day 3 pick might be enough. Wicks would give New York a competent second receiver for this season and could be a contributor beyond that. Pittsburgh Steelers Acquire: QB Mac Jones from the San Francisco 49ersCost: 2026 second-round pick (53rd), 2026 sixth-round pick (216th) They have to find their quarterback of the future because they can’t roll with Aaron Rodgers forever. But this isn’t a good draft to find one, and they’re not likely to be high enough in next year’s draft to get an elite prospect then, either. So why not trade a second-round pick to get one now? Jones showed his value in his eight starts in San Francisco last season, and the former first-rounder is still only 27. He’s not as mobile as Steelers coach Mike McCarthy prefers, but he has all the other tools. And even if Pittsburgh still decides to draft a quarterback next year, he’d be great insurance for Rodgers this year on a team that has postseason goals. Tennessee Titans Acquire: TE Kyle Pitts from the Atlanta FalconsCost: 2026 second-round pick (35th), 2026 fourth-round pick (101st) The Titans are all about the development of QB Cam Ward, but they’re still a bit thin on players for him to throw to. Calvin Ridley is 31 and coming off a broken leg. Tennessee’s No. 1 receiver will probably be Wan’Dale Robinson, who is 5-foot-8. And TE Chig Okonkwo left in free agency. The Falcons placed the franchise tag on Pitts but haven’t ruled out trading him if they can’t sign him to a long-term deal. Pitts finally broke out last season, catching 88 passes for 928 yards while earning second-team All-Pro honors. He’s 6-foot-6, 250 pounds and still only 25 years old. A second- or third-round pick is reasonable, especially since the Titans can absorb a big deal for him much better than the Falcons can.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Less than five weeks from the opening day of practice for the Indianapolis 500, and 31 entries have confirmed their participation. The race traditionally has 33 starters. There should be 33 on the grid come May 24th (10 a.m. ET on FOX). The bigger question is whether there will be 34 entries, leading one driver to be bumped from the field. And does it matter? Bump day is part of the Indianapolis 500 story. The drama of qualifying coming down to the final minutes for that last spot. The format has changed over the years, but when there are drivers scrambling to find those last little bits of speed and avoid the agony of defeat, it is one of the most tense-filled occasions in sports — partly because it can last an excruciating few minutes over the four-lap run. Does the Indy 500 need bump day? It depends on who you ask. It certainly makes for great television and excitement. With the current format of the pole being decided on the same day — typically within an hour or two — the bump drama is only part of the day’s roller coaster when it comes to the emotions. Whether there are 33 or 34 entries won’t matter come race day, other than there could be one driver hanging out at the track with the pain few could relate to when it comes to competing and trying to race in the sport’s biggest event. And that’s why some will argue it’s not that big a deal. And some would argue that with the scrambling to fill 33 spots, why should someone be asked to field a car not knowing whether the money spent (or sponsorship secured) will result in having a spot on the grid? Who wants to go through this last-minute, last-ditch effort in what could be an exhilarating moment in their lives but leaving open the possibility of inflicting pain on themselves when trying to help the sport? So what are the scenarios? There are currently 25 full-time drivers with six Indy 500 rides announced: Jack Harvey and Conor Daly in the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entries plus four teams adding a car to their stables: Ryan Hunter-Reay at Arrow McLaren, Helio Castroneves at Meyer Shank, Takuma Sato at Rahal Letterman Lanigan and Ed Carpenter at his own ECR. There are two Chevrolet engine deals and one Honda deal left that could be used for the 500. The Chevys would have been for Prema, whose driver Callum Ilott was on pit road a couple of weeks ago at Barber Motorsports Park with no idea if the team would find funding for Indianapolis. It does not look like that will happen. Abel Motorsports has a car and indications are that Jacob Abel — who was bumped from the Indy 500 last year driving for Dale Coyne Racing — could have an entry ready to go if Chevy designates one of its engines for their ride. That is the most likely one to happen. The other Chevy engine is a little more iffy. McLaren isn’t going to field a fifth car and Penske appears set at three. Penske affiliate A.J. Foyt Racing appears as the most likely option to add a third car to its stable. Who could go in that car? Well that depends on how much funding is needed. If Penske opts to fund part of it, that could increase the options. Linus Lundqvist, the 2024 series rookie of the year, is available but doesn’t have significant funding. Other drivers appear to have some, including Devlin DeFrancesco, Katherine Legge and Sage Karam all poking around to see what’s available. Myles Rowe, who drives for Abel Motorsports in Indy NXT in a ride that is affiliated with Team Penske, would be a longshot. And then there’s the Honda engine that hasn’t been accounted for, at least not 100 percent. That Honda would be in the fourth Andretti Global car for Colton Herta. Except there’s a potential problem — with the Formula 2 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia would not take place as scheduled in April there is a chance that F2 will race Memorial Day weekend in Montreal. If that occurs and the schedule isn’t compatible with Herta’s ability to race the Indy 500, there is a ride that is open. [INDYCAR POWER RANKINGS: Hello, Alex Palou, At No. 1] It doesn’t appear that the Andretti organization has much of a stomach to field the car just for anyone. Chip Ganassi has no interest in a fourth car and Michael Shank doesn’t think he can field a fourth car in what is normally a two-car operation. That leaves only Coyne to field a third car, and that would likely need to be a fully funded program. So that goes back to the names mentioned earlier. Honda and Chevrolet, which just signed extensions to their current deals, will want to be good partners. If Roger Penske and INDYCAR want to get to 34, they likely will ask around, see what all the options are and twist the arms if they can. But it’s getting late in the game. And while some would want 34 cars, beggers can’t be choosers. So 33 Indy 500 entries it very well might be.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

NEW YORK – The night before the Yankees home opener, Aaron Judge sent a message in the team group chat, simply saying: “Suits tomorrow.” So the team rolled up to the Bronx wearing suits. The clubhouse was fired up to follow the Yankee captain’s directive and continue that momentum onto the field. Their formal wear set the tone for what would end up being a series win against the Miami Marlins in front of a Bronx crowd that loved the new attitude from a team that has played heads-up baseball to start the season. “There’s been an intensity to everything they’ve done, and a focus on every little detail,” manager Aaron Boone said this past weekend in a crowded press conference room at Yankee Stadium. “I just think it’s a very hungry, focused group is how I’d describe it. And those guys are driving that.” These days, the Yankees are taking everything seriously. Frankly, it’s a frame of mind that’s been missing and badly needed in recent years. Players have talked about wanting to be more aggressive on the basepaths this year, and we’ve already seen fruitful results in the early going. The Yankees enter Tuesday leading the American League in stolen bases, with Judge and, yes, even Giancarlo Stanton, swiping one bag each in their first nine games of the year. On Saturday, Stanton stole his first base in a regular-season game since 2020. He eventually trotted around the bases and scored on a passed ball in the Yankees’ comeback win. Even if it doesn’t always work out, as evidenced by Trent Grisham being thrown out at third base in the eighth inning of Friday’s win, the Yankees pushing the envelope is a positive change for the organization. – [MLB POWER RANKINGS: Where Do The Yankees Stand?] Particularly in recent years under the Boone era, the team has been heavily criticized for their June swoons that feature a complete lack of fundamentals, sloppy play, and an absence of concentration and focus. Their mental mistakes reached the point of becoming a part of their identity. After the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the 2024 World Series, Los Angeles players said they were simply just waiting for the Bronx Bombers to slip up on the field. So, now, even the Yankees acknowledging their league-wide reputation and attempting to reverse it is refreshing. The most critical part will be maintaining that edge and accountability throughout the year. Slumps are going to happen. But a lack of hustle and poor situational hitting has seemingly become unacceptable for the Yankees, who are eager to win a championship in the Judge-Stanton-Gerrit Cole era. Good teams find ways to win even when they’re not at full strength or playing their best. Take Judge’s early-season performance, for example. The three-time MVP resembled a league-average hitter in the first week of the year, and the Yankees have still managed to put up a 7-2 start. Judge entered Friday hitting .125/.160/.375 in his first six games of the season. Compare that mediocre performance to the start of 2024, when Judge hit .125/.214/.167 in his first six games of the season. Judge actually had a worse start to the ‘24 season than the one he experienced in the short sample this year. In both instances, the Yankees went 5-1 in that stretch. In both instances, Judge hit a home run in his seventh game. In ‘24, of course, Judge won his second-career MVP despite the slow start. This year, too, Judge is the favorite to win the award. There was a time not too long ago when the Yankees lineup was built to depend on year-long, MVP-caliber production from Judge in order to be competitive in the tough AL East. That’s part of why after Judge slammed into the Dodger Stadium bullpen gate and tore a ligament in his right big toe in June 2023, forcing him to miss 42 games that season, the Yankees couldn’t make up for his bat in the lineup. Forget even trying to flourish without the Yankee captain. The team struggled mightily to string wins together, playing under .500 during his absence before eventually missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Now, the Yankees are still dangerous without Judge putting up video-game numbers (yet). First baseman Ben Rice is off to a torrid start. He hit his third home run of the season in Sunday’s loss to the Marlins. He’s batting .370 in eight games, and he leads the major leagues with a 1.380 OPS so far this season. Right-hander Cam Schlittler enters his third start of the year on Tuesday having limited opposing hitters to a 0.79 batting average, which ranks third-lowest across all MLB pitchers. As a staff, Yankees starting pitchers open their series against the Athletics flaunting the best ERA (1.81) in MLB. Yankees starters are throwing so well that, for the most part, they’ve been able to cover up the team’s weaknesses. The bullpen has permitted 10 earned runs in 13.2 innings their last four games entering Tuesday. The Yankees’ 6-9 hitters in Jazz Chisholm, Austin Wells, Jose Caballero and Ryan McMahon have a combined .144 average to start the year. That’s pretty abysmal, and outside of Chisholm, it’s not like those bats are underperforming, either. Normally, the news of left-hander Carlos Rodon having a setback in his rehab would be fresh meat for those that are hyper-critical of the Yankees’ health and training processes. Rodon is recovering from an October surgery that removed loose bodies from his left elbow. On Sunday, after throwing 50 pitches in batting practice, he felt his right hamstring tighten up while running. That’s something worth watching as the southpaw attempts to rejoin the rotation sometime next month. Rodon’s setback was just the latest reminder that the Yankees aren’t even at full strength yet. That will happen when their ace, Cole, returns from Tommy John rehab sometime around late May or early June. In theory, that will also happen when shortstop Anthony Volpe returns to the team after undergoing an October surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. It’s been impressive to see what the Yankees can achieve while playing slapdash baseball. They went to the Fall Classic in 2024 while the rest of the world knew their season-long lack of fundamentals would hurt them. They tied the Blue Jays for the best record in the AL East in 2025, a 94-win season, while baserunning blunders and sloppy defense were a part of their formula. This year, the Yankees are cleaning up their mistakes and improving on the margins. It will be fascinating to see how much stronger they’ll be because of it. If they can hold onto that higher level of execution all year, it could be the difference between an early October exit and a ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes. “In The Dugout” is where we provide an insider’s view on the biggest and best storylines surrounding MLB’s top players and teams. Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley says it is time to move past her Final Four skirmish with UConn coach Geno Auriemma that became the talk of the tournament. Staley released a statement on South Carolina’s X account on Tuesday in which she expressed her respect for Auriemma and said the two have spoken since South Carolina’s 62-48 victory on Friday night. The season ended with UCLA’s runaway 79-51 win over South Carolina in Sunday’s national championship game. “With the college women’s basketball season behind us, it’s time to move forward and close the chapter on how our semifinal game with UConn ended,” Staley wrote in her statement. “I spoke with Geno and I want to be clear — I have a great deal of respect for him and what he’s meant to the game. One moment doesn’t define a career and it doesn’t change the impact he’s had on growing women’s basketball. “The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that’s something this game has benefited from. So I’m asking everyone to turn the page. Let’s refocus on what matters most, continuing to elevate our game, creating opportunities and pushing it forward. That’s always been my mission, and it’s not changing.” Staley’s statement followed Auriemma’s apology on Saturday after he went over to Staley in the final seconds of Friday night’s game and appeared to chastise her. Coaches from both teams had to separate them. When the game finally ended, Auriemma walked off the court to the locker room without going back to shake hands with anyone from South Carolina. [Women’s CBK AP Top 25: National Champion UCLA is The Final No. 1 of 2025-2026] “There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina,” Auriemma said in his statement on Saturday. “It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut. I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them.” Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Michigan is No. 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the 2025-26 season after winning the program’s first national championship in 37 years. The Wolverines (37-3) claimed all 57 votes in Tuesday’s poll in the third year the AP has released its final rankings after the completion of the NCAA Tournament. Michigan beat UConn 69-63 in Indianapolis on Monday night to complete the winningest season in program history, along with winning its first NCAA title since 1989 and the Big Ten’s first since 2000. Michigan spent a week at No. 1 in mid-February and didn’t rank lower than fourth after November in its second season under Dusty May. UConn finished second, followed by Arizona, Duke and Illinois. The Huskies jumped five spots and the Fighting Illini eight after their runs to the Final Four. Purdue, Houston, Iowa State, Florida and St. John’s rounded out the top 10. [Men’s College Basketball Rankings: Illinois, Duke Highlight Way-Too-Early 2026-2027 Top 25] Iowa and Texas both wound up in the poll after being unranked heading into March Madness. The Hawkeyes finished the season ranked No. 15 after reaching the Elite Eight in a run that included a second-round upset of defending champion Florida, while the 22nd-ranked Longhorns went from the First Four to the Sweet 16. In addition to the 25 ranked teams, 15 others received votes in the final poll. UCLA and Saint Louis led the way with 51, followed by Utah State (45), 12-seed High Point (37) – which upset Wisconsin in the first round of March Madness – VCU (29), and Miami (OH) (26). Also picking up votes were BYU (15), North Carolina (14), Kentucky (14), TCU (9), Texas A&M (7), Saint Mary’s (7), Akron (3), Ohio State (2) and NIT champion Auburn (1). Here is the full list of 25: 25. Wisconsin, 24-11, Big Ten24. Miami (FL), 26-9, ACC23. Louisville, 24-11, ACC22. Texas, 21-15, SEC21. Texas Tech, 23-11, Big 1220. Kansas, 24-11, Big 1219. Vanderbilt, 27-9, SEC18. Gonzaga, 31-4, WCC17. Virginia, 30-6, ACC16. Alabama, 25-10, SEC15. Iowa, 24-13, Big Ten14. Nebraska, 28-7, Big Ten13. Arkansas, 28-9, SEC12. Tennessee, 25-12, SEC11. Michigan State, 27-8, Big Ten10. St. John’s, 30-7, Big East9. Florida, 27-8, SEC8. Iowa State, 29-8, Big 127. Houston, 30-7, Big 126. Purdue, 30-9, Big Ten5. Illinois, 28-9, Big Ten4. Duke, 35-3, ACC3. Arizona, 36-3, Big 122. UConn, 34-6, Big East1. Michigan, 37-3, Big Ten The Associated Press contributed to this report.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports