Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez is back in the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Col...

<p>Houston Astros slugger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9552" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9552">Yordan Alvarez</a> is back in the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Colorado Rockies after a lengthy absence, the team announced.</p><p>Alvarez hasn't suited since May 2 because of a hand injury. He'll play left field and bat from the cleanup spot in his return. </p><p>More to come.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Check back for updates. </p>

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 28: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits a RBI single in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Daikin Park on April 28, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

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Astros' Alvarez returning to lineup for 1st time since May

The New York Mets are promoting pitching prospect Jonah Tong from Triple-A Syracuse, sources told...

<p>The New York Mets are promoting pitching prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18634" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18634">Jonah Tong</a> from Triple-A Syracuse, sources told <a href="https://x.com/WillSammon/status/1960428155971494352">The Athletic's Will Sammon</a>.</p><p>It's unclear when the Markham, Ontario, native will make his major-league debut.</p><p>Tong is the fourth-ranked prospect in the Mets' system and 44th in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. New York selected him in the seventh round of the 2022 draft. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 22-year-old right-hander has spent time in both Double- and Triple-A in 2025. Tong was promoted to Triple-A earlier in August and recorded 17 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run.</p><p>In Double-A this season, Tong went 8-5 with a 1.59 ERA across 20 starts. His strong campaign resulted in a spot on the National League roster at the All-Star Futures Game in July. </p><p>The Mets enter Tuesday's matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 2.5-game cushion for the final wild-card spot in the NL. New York has tumbled down the standings with an 8-14 record in August and is six games back of the Phillies in the NL East.</p>

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 12: Jonah Tong #16 of the New York Mets pitches during the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Report: Mets calling up Jonah Tong

The 2026 MLB season will begin March 25 with an interleague meeting between the New York Yankees ...

<p>The 2026 MLB season will begin March 25 with an interleague meeting between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, the league announced Tuesday.</p><p>The remaining 28 teams will open their seasons March 26. Here's a look at each squad's first matchup.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Home</th>
<th>Away</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Blue Jays</td>
<td> Athletics</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Guardians</td>
<td>Mariners</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rangers</td>
<td>Phillies</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>White Sox</td>
<td>Brewers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tigers</td>
<td>Padres</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Braves</td>
<td>Royals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Twins</td>
<td>Orioles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Red Sox</td>
<td>Reds</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Angels</td>
<td>Astros</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rays</td>
<td>Cardinals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Diamondbacks</td>
<td>Dodgers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rockies</td>
<td>Marlins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cubs</td>
<td>Nationals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mets</td>
<td>Pirates</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The entire 2026 schedule can be seen <a href="https://www.mlb.com/schedule/2026-03-25">here</a>. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 96th All-Star Game will take place in Philadelphia on July 14, while Rivalry Weekend will run May 14-17.</p>

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 02: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees bats during the game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

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Yankees-Giants to open 2026 MLB season

Tommy Fleetwood captured his long-awaited first PGA TOUR victory Sunday at the TOUR Championship,...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/678" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/678">Tommy Fleetwood</a> captured his long-awaited first PGA TOUR victory Sunday at the TOUR Championship, securing the FedEx Cup as the 2025 playoff champion.</p><p>Fleetwood fired a final-round 68 to seal the win at 18-under to overcome a star-studded field at East Lake to end the 2025 regular season. The Englishman had six runners-up and 30 top-five finishes in his PGA TOUR career before Sunday's breakthrough.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE MOMENT IT BECAME REAL FOR TOMMY FLEETWOOD! 🥹 <a href="https://t.co/lmErmcMu5Z">pic.twitter.com/lmErmcMu5Z</a></p>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1959734868310393106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Fleetwood, who's won eight international titles in his career, will be on Europe's Ryder Cup team for the fourth time in September.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"You can't win plenty if you don't win the first one," Fleetwood <a href="https://x.com/PGATOUR/status/1959736192255078811">said</a> after jarring his final putt. </p><p>Fleetwood earned $10 million for the victory. </p>

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 24: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) with the FedEx Cup Trophy after the final round of the PGA Tour Championship, August 24, 2025 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Fleetwood captures elusive 1st win, FedEx Cup at TOUR Championship

Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was recommended to undergo thoracic outlet decompressi...

<p>Philadelphia Phillies starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2917" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2917">Zack Wheeler</a> was recommended to undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery in the coming weeks and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season, the team announced Saturday.</p><p>He's expected to undergo the procedure in the next few weeks.</p><p>Wheeler had a procedure to remove a blood clot in his right arm earlier this week. After follow-up exams, he was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which requires a different surgery to fix. The recovery time from his upcoming procedure is around six-to-eight months.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"We figure that he'll come back in the six-to-eight month time period and come back and be the Zack Wheeler of old," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6571385/2025/08/23/phillies-zack-wheeler-season-ending-surgery/">Matt Gelb of The Athletic</a>. "That's what we've been told. Unless something unanticipated happened, he'll be able to come back and pitch like he has before this."</p><p>Head athletic trainer Paul Buccheit added that Wheeler is "doing fine," and said that surgeons told the Phillies that the prognosis is "really good," per Gelb.</p><p>The 35-year-old Wheeler was in the midst of another strong campaign with a 2.71 ERA in 24 starts while leading the majors in strikeouts (195) and WHIP (0.935). Wheeler was an All-Star for the third time in six seasons last month.</p><p>Wheeler is in the first season of a three-year, $126-million extension signed in March 2024. He initially joined Philadelphia on a five-year, $118-million contract in 2020.</p><p>The Phillies hold a six-game lead on the New York Mets in the NL East.</p>

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 15: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday, August 15, 2025 in Washington, District of Columbia.

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Phillies' Wheeler expected to miss 6-8 months due to shoulder injury

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is eager to build on last season's success after the club ...

<p>Montreal Canadiens captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6457" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6457">Nick Suzuki</a> is eager to build on last season's success after the club made some notable additions this summer.</p><p>The Habs acquired defenseman star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7911" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7911">Noah Dobson</a> from the New York Islanders at the draft, then added <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10684" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10684">Zachary Bolduc</a> from the St. Louis Blues to bolster their forward corps.</p><p>"It's exciting," Suzuki told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6567899/2025/08/21/canadiens-suzuki-expectations-dobson-demidov-laine/?source=emp_shared_article">The Athletic's Arpon Basu</a>. "We've been trading guys away for a long time, so now that we're adding guys – really good NHL players – to the team, it's exciting for everyone. Talking to Dobber and Bolduc coming in, they're really excited to join the group. It's an exciting time for the Canadiens, the players, and the fans can all see that. Now I'm just excited to get the season going."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Canadiens hadn't reached the playoffs in a full campaign since 2017 before qualifying in this past spring. Montreal made it in both COVID-shortened seasons, including a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, but finished last in the Atlantic Division for three consecutive years afterward.</p><p>Suzuki was the catalyst for Montreal's late-season charge: He was fourth in league scoring after the 4 Nations Face-Off break in February, and finished the season with a career-high 89 points. The 26-year-old received down-ballot votes for both the Hart Trophy and the Selke Trophy.</p><p>The Canadiens were ousted in five games by the Washington Capitals in Round 1, and Suzuki has his heights set higher going into next season.</p><p>"(Last year) our expectations for ourselves were higher than the media and the fans had, so I don't think it's any different this year," Suzuki said. “I want to be in the same spot or better.</p><p>"I think we have the team to do that."</p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 14: Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre on October 14, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-3.

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Suzuki: 'Exciting time' for Canadiens after offseason additions

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about lon...

<p>Toronto Maple Leafs captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5586" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5586">Auston Matthews</a> spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about longtime teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4718" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4718">Mitch Marner</a>'s departure from the club, reflecting on both the emotional impact and business realities of the NHL.</p><p>"We'll obviously miss him. He's a great friend, great teammate," Matthews said at a charity event, per <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/that-s-the-business-side-of-it-auston-matthews-breaks-silence-on-mitch-marner-s-departure-from-maple-leafs">David Alter of The Hockey News</a>. "That's kind of the business side of it. That's tough, but obviously I wish him nothing but the best, and yeah, we've just got to keep it moving."</p><p>Marner was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in June and quickly signed an eight-year, $96-million contract in Sin City before becoming eligible to test unrestricted free agency. Drafted fourth overall in 2015, Marner played nine seasons with the Maple Leafs and was Matthews' most frequent winger on Toronto's top line.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Marner and Matthews formed one of the league's most productive duos and rank fifth and sixth, respectively, on Toronto's all-time scoring list. Despite the impressive regular-season numbers, the pair drew considerable criticism for winning only two playoff rounds during their tenure together.</p><p>Matthews, who's under contract through 2028, will look to bounce back come October after scoring a career-low 33 goals in 67 games in 2024-25. The soon-to-be 28-year-old dealt with a nagging injury throughout the season but declined to divulge specifics after the Florida Panthers eliminated the Leafs in the second round.</p><p>However, Matthews said Wednesday that his health was "good," with training camp set to begin in September, according to Alter.</p>

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 10: Auston Matthews #34 and Mitch Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs look on during the first period of a game against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center on March 10, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Matthews: 'We'll obviously miss' Marner on Leafs

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner is confident his club can find a silver lining in losin...

<p>Edmonton Oilers goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6553" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6553">Stuart Skinner</a> is confident his club can find a silver lining in losing the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers two years in a row. </p><p>"I think going through it the first time, you go through that experience in the summer and then you realize the things you did well and the things you didn't do well," Skinner said, per <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/stuart-skinner-says-edmonton-oilers-will-regroup-from-final-loss-faster">NHL.com's Derek Van Diest</a>. "Going through it a second time, which is obviously devastating, but being able to say you went through this does actually help you get over it quicker, just because you have to go back into training and do it all over again."</p><p>The Oilers fell to the Panthers in six games in June. Skinner struggled in the final, posting a .861 save percentage along with a 3.80 goals against average to cap a roller-coaster playoff run. The 26-year-old lost the net to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1766" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1766">Calvin Pickard</a> in Round 1 before posting a .931 clip and three shutouts across Rounds 2 and 3.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>While Edmonton appears set to ice the same tandem between the pipes in 2025-26, Skinner said he believes his approach this summer has improved compared to what followed after the heartbreak against Florida in 2024.</p><p>"I think I got back on the ice a little too quick last summer, talking about the experience part again," Skinner said. "Going into the season, I want to be as fresh as I can, as strong as I can."</p><p>Skinner went 26-18-4 in the 2024-25 regular season with a .896 save percentage. Drafted in the third round in 2017, Skinner has spent his entire career in the Oilers organization and enters the final season of his contract in 2025-26.</p><p>The Oilers primarily made depth moves this offseason, bringing in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4791" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4791">Andrew Mangiapane</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3101" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3101">Curtis Lazar</a>, and prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/12722" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12722">Isaac Howard</a>. Edmonton also traded <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/56" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/56">Evander Kane</a> to the Vancouver Canucks and lost <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/34" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/34">Corey Perry</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3202" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3202">Connor Brown</a> in free agency.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 17: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers and Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers talk at the handshake line after Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers won the Stanley Cup Final series 4-2.

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Skinner: Oilers can get over finals loss quicker this time

The Chicago Cubs called up outfielder Owen Caissie on Thursday after placing catcher Miguel Amaya...

<p>The Chicago Cubs called up outfielder Owen Caissie on Thursday after placing catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8927" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8927">Miguel Amaya</a> on the 15-day injured list.</p><p>MLB Pipeline ranks Caissie as Chicago's top prospect and 45th overall in baseball. The Toronto-area native is batting fifth as the designated hitter in his MLB debut against the Blue Jays in Thursday's finale of the three-game series.</p><p>Caissie takes Amaya's spot on the active roster after the backstop sprained his ankle on a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324815" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324815">scary play</a> at first base in Wednesday's game.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Cubs acquired Caissie from the San Diego Padres as part of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2901" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2901">Yu Darvish</a> trade in 2020. The Padres drafted Caissie 45th overall that year, making him the highest-drafted Canadian outfielder ever. </p><p>After debuting in Triple-A Iowa last season, Caissie has put up strong numbers at the level this year. In 92 games with the Cubs' top affiliate in 2025, he's collected 22 home runs and 26 doubles while sporting a .292 batting average and a .966 OPS.</p><p>The Cubs hold the top wild-card spot in the National League.</p>

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Owen Caissie #17 of the Chicago Cubs plays right field in the MLB Futures Game at Truist Park on July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Cubs promote top prospect Caissie

Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy sees a path for top prospect Zayne Parekh to make the...

<p>Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy sees a path for top prospect Zayne Parekh to make the roster out of camp this fall. </p><p>"Just watching Zayne all year, just seeing what he can do offensively and the way he kind of plays. Even when he came up at the end (of the season), to watch him in practice, he just does things differently than most guys," Conroy said, per <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/video/conroy-parekh-will-have-a-great-opportunity-to-make-flames-roste~3186631">TSN</a>.</p><p>Conroy added, "I don't want to put too much pressure on him, but he's going to have a great opportunity to make this team next year."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Flames drafted Parekh ninth overall in 2024. He suited up for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit this past season and became only the 10th defenseman in league history to notch 100 points in a single campaign.</p><p>Parekh joined Calgary for the final game of the 2024-25 regular season and scored in his NHL debut. The 19-year-old is touted for his offensive instincts, but Conroy said he wants to see Parekh grow in other areas before he suits up for the Flames on a full-time basis.</p><p>"Offensively, he can do all that. It's going to be his play away from the puck, how he can defend," Conroy said.</p><p>"I'm just looking for him to come in and just play his game and be more confident. I think he was disappointed when he came in last year - it didn't work quite as well. It wasn't as easy as he thought it was going to be."</p><p>Calgary defied expectations last season and were in the playoff hunt throughout the campaign before missing the cut in a tiebreak scenario with the St. Louis Blues.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Calgary Flames Defenseman Zayne Parekh (89) takes his "Rookie Lap" before his first NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings versus the Calgary Flames on April 17th, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.

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Conroy: Parekh will have 'great opportunity' to make Flames

An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Flyers after the NHLPA filed a grievance over th...

<p>An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Flyers after the NHLPA filed a grievance over the club's termination of Ryan Johansen's contract last August, sources told <a href="https://x.com/DarrenDreger/status/1955386136786018802">TSN's Darren Dreger</a>.</p><p>The Flyers acquired Johansen from the Colorado Avalanche at the 2024 trade deadline, but he never suited up for Philadelphia. The Flyers cited a material breach as the cause for terminating his deal, which had one year and $8 million remaining. Half of that salary was still being covered by the Nashville Predators, who traded him to the Avalanche.</p><p>The NHLPA publicly questioned the Flyers' move at the time, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3084660" href="https://thescore.com/news/3084660">saying</a> the decision raised "significant concerns." Johansen's agency also noted after his release that he was dealing with a major injury that required extensive surgery.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Flyers general manager Daniel Briere admitted he was unsure if Johansen would be able to play for the organization after acquiring him.</p><p>Johansen didn't play the 2024-25 season. A fourth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010, Johansen amassed 578 points in 905 career games.</p>

OTTAWA, CANADA - JANUARY 16: Ryan Johansen #12 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on January 16, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Ottawa Senators 7-4.

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Report: Arbitrator sides with Flyers over Johansen's contract termination

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan won't take the mound in 2025 after undergoing surgery Mon...

<p>Tampa Bay Rays pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10721" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10721">Shane McClanahan</a> won't take the mound in 2025 after undergoing surgery Monday in an attempt to fix the nerve issue that's held him out all season. </p><p>McClanahan was placed on the 60-day injured list in April with the nerve issue, and was also shelved during spring training with a triceps injury. The 28-year-old was hopeful to return at some point this season after missing the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery.</p><p>"(The doctor) is not sitting there saying, 'He's fixed.' That's not the case. It's, 'This is one step, and we'll see how this goes.' And hopefully we get good results," Rays manager Kevin Cash said, per <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2025/08/11/shane-mcclanahan-surgical-procedure-triceps-nerve-issue/">Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times</a>. "And if we don't, then let doctors decide what else is needed, if anything."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>McClanahan established himself as one of the top starters in the majors before injuries derailed his ascent. The lefty is 33-16 in his career with a 3.02 ERA, and finished sixth in American League Cy Young voting in 2022.</p><p>The Rays enter Monday's tilt with the Athletics at 57-62, 5.5 games back of a wild-card spot. </p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 30: Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 30, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

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Rays' McClanahan won't return this season after surgery

The Seattle Kraken signed defenseman Ryker Evans to a two-year contract worth $2.05 million per s...

<p>The Seattle Kraken signed defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10777" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10777">Ryker Evans</a> to a two-year contract worth $2.05 million per season, the team announced Monday.</p><p>Evans was a restricted free agent and Seattle's final player without a deal for the 2025-26 season. He'll be an RFA when his new contract expires.</p><p>The 23-year-old just finished his first full NHL campaign, registering 25 points in 73 games while averaging over 19 minutes per contest. Evans was also chosen for Canada's World Championship roster after the Kraken failed to qualify for the playoffs.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Seattle selected Evans in the second round of the 2021 draft. He's played the second-most NHL games (109) among all of the Kraken's draft picks since they entered the league. </p><p>The Kraken have nearly $4.6 million in cap space left over after signing Evans, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/seattle-kraken">PuckPedia</a>. </p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - April 15: Ryker Evans #41 of the Seattle Kraken shoots the puck during the first period of a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Climate Pledge Arena on April 15, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

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Kraken sign Evans to 2-year contract

The Buffalo Bills wanted James Cook to play Saturday's preseason game against the New York Giants...

<p>The Buffalo Bills wanted <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/174030" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/174030">James Cook</a> to play Saturday's preseason game against the New York Giants, but the star running back chose to stay on the sideline, head coach Sean McDermott said, according to <a href="https://x.com/_billsoutlet/status/1954289683992580548">Bills Outlet</a>.</p><p>Cook dressed and participated in warmup prior to Buffalo's preseason opener, but he didn't play as his hold-in continues. The two-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has yet to sign an extension with Buffalo.</p><p>"We wanted him to play. I wanted him to play," McDermott said after a 34-25 loss to the Giants. "There's really no change at this point in time from what it was going into this weekend and the game today. ... At this point, due to his situation and the position he's in, he was not willing to play."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>McDermott added that he had a "good conversation" with the tailback.</p><p>While Cook sat out of practices this past week, he took part in walk-throughs and team meetings. The final season of Cook's current deal carries a $5.27-million base salary.</p><p>Bills general manager Brandon Beane <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3320136" href="https://thescore.com/news/3320136">said</a> Monday that he's disappointed in the situation but added the two sides have been negotiating a new deal throughout the offseason.</p><p>Cook ran for 1,009 yards last season and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. He added three more scores in the playoffs.</p><p>The Bills drafted Cook in the second round in 2022.</p>

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills and AFC on the field during the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

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Cook opts not to play Bills' preseason opener amid contract dispute

The Dallas Stars signed forward Nathan Bastian to a one-year contract worth $775,000, the team an...

<p>The Dallas Stars signed forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9836" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9836">Nathan Bastian</a> to a one-year contract worth $775,000, the team announced Saturday.</p><p>Bastian was an unrestricted free agent after his deal with the New Jersey Devils expired this summer. A second-round pick of the Devils in 2016, Bastian had spent his entire career in New Jersey, aside from a 12-game stint with the Seattle Kraken after being chosen in the expansion draft.</p><p>"Nathan will add forward depth and a physical presence to our lineup, both of which will be valuable to our organization," said Stars general manager Jim Nill. "We're looking forward to watching him take the next step of his career with the Stars and are excited to welcome him to Dallas."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bastian notched 10 points in 59 games for the Devils last season. </p><p>The cap-strapped Stars are having a quiet summer after losing in the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive year. Signing Bastian put Dallas approximately $464,000 over the league's $95.5 million limit, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/dallas-stars">PuckPedia</a>.</p>

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 16: Nathan Bastian #14 of the New Jersey Devils skates in the first period of the game against the Detroit Red Wings at Prudential Center on April 16, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.

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Stars add Bastian on 1-year contract

Friday's matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers was all about aces Max Sch...

<p>Friday's matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers was all about aces <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/945" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/945">Clayton Kershaw</a> going toe to toe, and the future Hall of Famers seemed to enjoy it as much as the spectators.</p><p>"I love competing against him," Scherzer said, according to <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/scherzer-kershaw-deliver-another-compelling-duel-as-blue-jays-lose-to-dodgers/">Sportsnet's Shi Davidi</a>. "You knew there weren't going to be many runs scored and you've got to be absolutely nails, go out there and compete as hard as you can. Unfortunately we weren't able to get to him as much as we would like to, but he pitched his butt off."</p><p>The Dodgers won 5-1, with Kershaw earning his sixth victory of the season. Scherzer wore two earned runs and struck out five batters over six innings, while Kershaw allowed one run and had four punchouts in six frames.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Scherz was throwing the ball great. He was throwing like 96 (mph),” Kershaw said, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-blue-jays-score-kershaw-scherzer-betts-b8b2e1123d2b91cef3d1a05c2f94ac3b">The Associated Press</a>. "It doesn't look like he’s aged at all."</p><p>Scherzer and Kershaw have faced off six times in their storied careers, and were briefly teammates on the Dodgers in 2021. Both hurlers are among the best in MLB history as members of the 3,000-strikeout club with two rings each and three Cy Youngs apiece. Kershaw also has an NL MVP award.</p><p>"(Kershaw)'s had such a great career," Scherzer said. "Getting to be a teammate with him, he's an awesome teammate as well. I've got all the respect in the world for what he does on and off the field."</p>

Los Angeles, CA - August 08: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, August 8, 2025.

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Scherzer: 'I love competing against' Kershaw

Even after winning two in a row, Aaron Ekblad sees a few more championships in the Florida Panthe...

<p>Even after winning two in a row, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3946" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3946">Aaron Ekblad</a> sees a few more championships in the Florida Panthers' future.</p><p>"We have won the Stanley Cup twice, and we still have a long window to win more," Ekblad said Friday on Good Morning America, according to <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/aaron-ekblad-says-florida-panthers-believes-team-can-3-peat-as-stanley-cup-champions-on-gma">NHL.com's George Richards</a>. "Whether it is or isn't next year, it is just as likely the following year. And the year after that, and the year after that. It's really cool to be in this position."</p><p>Ekblad doesn't believe he's jinxing Florida's chances of a three-peat by speaking openly about it.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"We thought about winning it for a second straight year last year, too, so I am not going to think any differently this time around," Ekblad said. "We don't think that thinking or talking about winning the Cup again is jinxing anything. I am preparing for the marathon that is an NHL season and the playoffs. I am preparing for it like another season."</p><p>No team has won three straight Stanley Cups since the New York Islanders in the early 1980s. </p><p>The Panthers won their second consecutive title in June, defeating the Edmonton Oilers. They were able to keep most of their championship roster in tact this offseason by re-signing Ekblad, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/100" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/100">Brad Marchand</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3949" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3949">Sam Bennett</a>. Ekblad inked an eight-year contract worth $6.1 million per season to stay in South Florida - a deal significantly cheaper than what he could've gotten on the open market.</p><p>Florida drafted Ekblad first overall in 2014. The 29-year-old is the all-time franchise leader in games played (732) and points (380) by a defenseman.</p><p>Ekblad played a vital role in the Panthers' most recent run, contributing 13 points in 19 games while averaging 24 minutes per contest.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 17: Aaron Ekblad #5 of the Florida Panthers skates with the Stanley Cup following their win over the Edmonton Oilers following Game Six of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

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Ekblad: Panthers have 'long window' to win more Stanley Cups

The Colorado Avalanche signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year contract on Friday, the team a...

<p>The Colorado Avalanche signed forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8583" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8583">Joel Kiviranta</a> to a one-year contract on Friday, the team announced. </p><p>The deal is worth $1.25 million, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/colorado-avalanche">PuckPedia</a>. Colorado has approximately $2.09 million in remaining cap space.</p><p>Kiviranta has spent the past two seasons with the Avalanche but went unsigned after becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 29-year-old notched 23 points in 79 games in 2024-25 and was held off the scoresheet in Colorado's first-round loss to the Dallas Stars.</p>

DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 02: Joel Kiviranta #94 of the Colorado Avalanche plays the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period at Ball Arena on February 02, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

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Avalanche re-sign Kiviranta to 1-year deal

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk could miss the start of the season due to the lingering inj...

<p>Florida Panthers star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5591" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5591">Matthew Tkachuk</a> could miss the start of the season due to the lingering injuries he battled throughout the playoffs, <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/the-mid-summer-check-in/">Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman</a> noted on the "32 Thoughts" podcast.</p><p>Tkachuk's timeline is unclear at this point, but the winger is expected to return in time for the Olympics, Friedman noted. Tkachuk was named one of the first six players on the Americans' roster earlier this summer.</p><p>The Milano-Cortina Olympics will take place in February, and NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Tkachuk was originally injured representing the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He was on long-term injured reserve for the final two months of the regular season, and his absence helped the Panthers have a hugely impactful trade deadline - they landed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/100" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/100">Brad Marchand</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3005" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3005">Seth Jones</a> in separate deals.</p><p>Tkachuk returned for Game 1 of the first round and contributed 23 points in as many games as Florida won its second consecutive Stanley Cup. After the triumph, he revealed he played through a torn adductor and a sports hernia.</p><p>The 27-year-old was revealed as the EA Sports NHL 26 cover athlete on Monday.</p>

EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 14: Florida Panthers Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) is injured with a shot in the second period of game five of Stanley Cup Final Edmonton Oilers game versus the Florida Panthers on June 14, 2025 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.

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Report: Panthers' Tkachuk could miss start of season with injury

The Miami Dolphins signed defensive tackle Zach Sieler to a three-year extension worth up to $67....

<p>The Miami Dolphins signed defensive tackle <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/127038" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/127038">Zach Sieler</a> to a three-year extension worth up to $67.75 million and $44 million guaranteed, his agents confirmed to <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1952148711137853612">ESPN's Adam Schefter</a>.</p><p>Sieler had two years remaining on his contract and is now the highest-paid defensive player on the Dolphins. </p><p>A seventh-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Sieler was claimed off waivers in 2019 and became a starter in 2022. He posted 10-sack seasons the past two years.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Dolphins had a top-10 scoring defense last campaign but traded <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/74546" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/74546">Jalen Ramsey</a> to the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161829" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161829">Jevon </a><span style="margin:0px; padding:0px; text-align:left"><a href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161829" target="_blank">Holland </a>to</span> the New York Giants in free agency.</p><p>Miami missed the playoffs last season with an 8-9 record. The team hasn't won a postseason contest since 2000.</p>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 29: Zach Sieler #92 of the Miami Dolphins waits for the snap during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 29, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Dolphins sign Sieler to 3-year, $67.75M extension

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Sean O'Leary

News Editor

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Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb

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