Dodgers All-Star fractures hand after getting hit by 100-mph fastball
Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Andy Pages is slated for a lengthy stint on the injured list.
The Dodgers shared on Friday that Pages sustained a fracture in his left hand after being hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 3rd inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. Pages tried to stay in the game, but eventually exited before the top of the 5th inning.
Replays showed Pages’ hand appearing to take the full impact of the pitch throw by Pirates starter Bubba Chandler.
Andy Pages barely reacts to getting hit by 100 MPH on the hand. pic.twitter.com/bKRNl7h4sX
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 22, 2026
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to reporters about the severity of Pages’ injury following the Dodgers’ 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in extra innings.
“X-Rays unfortunately came up as a fracture, so he’ll be out for a while,” Roberts said during his postgame press conference.
Roberts assured reporters that the injury was “not season-ending” and pointed to a projected recovery timeline of “four to five weeks.” That puts his target return date right around the start of the playoffs.
Pages is in the midst of a breakout campaign for the Dodgers in his third MLB season. While he has cooled off since starting the year as MLB’s hottest hitter, the fact that Roberts had Pages batting third on Friday behind Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman tells you all you need to know about how much the Dodgers skipper values him.
Pages entered Friday’s contest batting .272 with 21 home runs and a team-best 12 stolen bases. His 80-RBI tally also tied him with Shohei Ohtani for the most on the team through 128 games.
Ronald Acuna Jr.’s submits his dark horse Play of the Year entry with unreal throw
The security at American Family Field failed to frisk Ronald Acuna Jr. thoroughly enough, because he was able to sneak his arm cannon into the venue Friday in Milwaukee, Wis.
Milwaukee Brewers batter Luis Lara punished Braves starter Chris Sale for throwing him a middle-middle slider to lead off the bottom of the 5th inning. Lara hit the ball sharply down the right-field line in what should have been an easy double against most right fielders — but not Acuna.
The former NL MVP tracked the ball down, made a quick spin, and threw an absolute laser to second base to prevent his fellow Venezuelan from securing an extra-base hit.
WHAT A THROW!
— MLB (@MLB) August 21, 2026
Ronald Acuña Jr. with an absolute DART to second base 😮 pic.twitter.com/h3yzWWsDHM
The replay from the corner camera gave folks an even better view of the wicked play.
Tuned in to the Braves vs. Brewers game for the pitching matchup, but saw one of the best throws I’ve seen in a long time.
— Boston (@BallByBoston) August 21, 2026
Ronald Acuna Jr. showing of his 98th percentile arm strength w/ this absolute rocket. pic.twitter.com/tO0wPZBwZ7
Acuna had virtually zero margin for error on the play, needing perfect accuracy and timing on his throw to second base, and somehow got the out.
The Braves All-Star’s heroics on defense, however, were overshadowed by his lackluster performance at the plate during Friday’s game.
Acuna went 0-for-4 with a walk over his five plate appearances in the 2-1 loss to the Brewers. Acuna had a man on base in each of his four at-bats but failed to get a big hit for Atlanta in those spots. He also struck out to end the game with the tying run on second base.
Mets’ Jefry Yan humiliates himself again with celebration before allowing walk-off homer
New York Mets pitcher Jefry Yan doubled down with another premature celebration and got burned Friday against the Chicago White Sox.
The Mets tasked Yan with keeping the score tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill. The 30-year-old reliever thought he had gotten a third of the way through against leadoff batter Colson Montgomery.
Yan threw a 1-2 slider outside the zone and immediately jumped into the air for his signature strikeout celebration. The pitch was called a ball, and Yan eventually walked Montgomery.
Jefry Yan did his special celebration after the pitch was called a ball pic.twitter.com/l0slqMuMmb
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 22, 2026
The White Sox designated hitter became the winning run three batters later on Jake Rogers’s walk-off home run. The Mets lost 6-4 on the first home run Yan has surrendered in his young MLB career.
SOUTH SIDE STAND UP 😤
— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2026
JAKE ROGERS WALK-OFF HOMER pic.twitter.com/uuS3zfYS6g
Yan expressed his regret over the early celebration after the game, vowing to never let it happen again.
“That’s one of those situations where it becomes a learning experience,” Yan said via an interpreter. “You can’t go out there and kind of lose the goal, which is to execute the pitches. … It won’t happen again. … Once the job is done, then you can celebrate the way that you want to.”
The Mets pitcher also celebrated prematurely last Saturday, when he jumped into the air for what he thought was a strikeout of Washington Nationals second baseman Nasim Nuñez. Yan challenged the called ball, which was confirmed to be outside the zone.
The left-hander was able to recover the first time around, striking out Nuñez two pitches later and helping the Mets secure a 5-4 win.
The baseball gods were not as forgiving on Friday, punishing Yan’s hubris with his first career loss.
Torey Lovullo admits he felt ‘betrayed’ by Ketel Marte
Torey Lovullo has done away with any canned responses amid the ongoing Ketel Marte drama.
The Diamondbacks manager spoke candidly on Friday about Marte’s unexcused absence earlier this week, which resulted in the team placing him on the restricted list minutes before Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
The All-Star second baseman was later placed on the 10-day IL due to a knee injury. But the sudden disappearance went beyond just a simple injury designation. Marte deserted his team in the middle of a playoff race — a move that left Lovullo emotional following Monday’s 11-1 loss.
Lovullo shared on Friday that he had felt “betrayed” and “extremely frustrated” by Marte’s unexplained insubordination.
“Yeah, it hasn’t been easy,” Lovullo “You guys saw me the other day, right? I was breaking down because I wanted to make sure he was okay. That’s my point of view. I want to make sure of the human being.”
“That’s not just Ketel … I want to make sure that I’ve left the space that I’m in better than it was when I arrived, and that’s just how I live my life.
“I was hurting. I was clearly hurting. And once I saw what was unfolding, I became extremely frustrated. I felt betrayed, and that’s a whole different type of pain and frustration.”
The Diamondbacks manager’s emotional admission came after Marte and his agent met with Lovullo and GM Mike Hazen on Thursday to clear the air on everything that had transpired.
While the meeting reportedly went well enough for the D-Backs to be optimistic about Marte’s return, Lovullo evidently still had things to get off his chest.
Lovullo spoke out again during Arizona’s pregame show for Friday’s contest against the Cincinnati Reds. He opted to keep the details of his conversation with Marte private, but expressed his “love and respect” for Ketel amidst all the turmoil.
Heat make sneaky move that will please Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Miami Heat are taking another longtime Milwaukee Bucks figure away from Wisconsin.
Several reporters confirmed on Friday that veteran assistant coach Vin Baker is leaving the Bucks to join Erik Spoelstra’s staff on the Miami Heat. According to Chris Haynes, Baker had “a close bond” with Giannis Antetokounmpo during their eight years together in Milwaukee.
After spending eight seasons with Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant, Vin Baker is joining Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff with Miami Heat to reunite with Giannis Antetokounmpo to whom he has a close bond with, sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/boho1Yp7gk
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 21, 2026
The Heat will reportedly keep the team’s current set of assistants intact rather than fire anyone to make room for Baker.
Baker joined the Bucks as an assistant coach in 2018 — a move that turned his life around for the better. The former 6’11” big man had dealt with financial and substance abuse issues that resulted in him working at Starbucks just a few years before joining Milwaukee’s coaching staff.
The retired 4-time All-Star developed a personal relationship with Antetokounmpo, whom Baker viewed like his own son.
The Bucks drafted Baker with the 8th pick in the 1993 draft. He played four seasons in Milwaukee before being traded to the Seattle SuperSonics. He averaged 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds across 791 games in his 13-year NBA career.
The Heat also made another under-the-radar move on Friday, signing a former All-Star sharpshooter who could benefit mightily from Giannis’ offensive gravity.
Nick Chubb sends powerful message as he announces his retirement
Former Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb had a message for his peers as he celebrated his lengthy NFL career.
The 30-year-old running back announced his retirement on Friday night via an Instagram post. Chubb surprised several fans as he revealed he had “known for some time now” that he was planning to hang up his cleats.
Chubb’s appeared to be staying in game shape despite remaining a free agent as training camps across the league began.
“Today’s the day I’ve been avoiding for a while,” Chubb said in his goodbye message. “Twelve year old me could never imagine this day, and 30 year old me is wondering where all the time has gone. I’ve known for some time now, but I’m finally ready to share that I’m done playing football. I wanted to end my career on a healthy note, along with a winning season, and I was able to do that.
“At the beginning of this journey, I made many promises to myself. The #1 promise I made was that I would always stay true to who I am and never forget the things that made me, me.
“That promise meant always being the hardest working person, no matter where I was or what the circumstances were.”
Chubb credited his mom, dad, and grandma for instilling discipline in him at a young age, and his high school coaches for raising his personal standards when on the football field.
Chubb then spoke about how his mindset on his injuries changed from when he was a teenager, versus his recent injury spell at 28. It’s a difference that shaped his decision to retire, prompting him to address his fellow NFL players directly.
“I will tell you, going through a devastating knee injury at 19 is a lot different than going through one at 28.” Chubb continued. “At UGA, when it first happened, I was young, naive, and didn’t fully understand the extent of the injury. I believe that played a part in me being able to bounce back and eventually return to form.
“At 28, it’s different. You understand that you have the rest of your life to look forward to. And that’s exactly what I started to do.
“I say this to all my brothers still on the field, still in the heat of it: There’s a life waiting for you after football, too. And health is the real wealth. I end my career in a great place.”
Chubb suffered a serious knee injury in 2015 that ended his sophomore season at Georgia early. Nearly a decade later, Chubb tore his MCL and damaged his ACL during a 2023 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While he was able to recover from both injuries, an older Chubb clearly has a different understanding of the physical toll football was placing on his body.
The Browns selected Chubb in the second round of the 2018 draft. The Georgia alum spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Browns, earning four straight Pro Bowl nods from 2019 to 2022.
Chubb’s lone year away from Cleveland ended up being his last one in the NFL. He signed a dirt-cheap one-year contract with the Houston Texans last June and rushed for 506 yards and a team-best 3 rushing touchdowns.
Chubb tallied 7,349 rushing yards and 54 rushing touchdowns over 100 career NFL games.
Sergio Garcia reportedly sped up the demise of LIV Golf
Sergio Garcia may have unintentionally hastened the demise of Saudi-backed LIV Golf with his actions at The Masters earlier this year.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which had been funding the breakaway golf league, announced earlier this year that it was pulling out its funding, leaving the league’s future in doubt. One catalyst for this was Garcia’s unsporting behavior at Augusta National.
Garcia, one of the players who left the PGA Tour for LIV, angrily smashed his club against a tee box after a poor shot on the final day of the Masters in April. The incident deeply embarrassed Public Investment Fund head Yasir al-Rumayyan and helped lead to his decision to withdraw funding, according to Sujeet Indap and Samuel Agini of the Financial Times.
The fund had already been contemplating ending the investment before the Masters, so the decision was likely coming either way. It is not out of the question, though, that Garcia’s meltdown accelerated the decision.
It's easy to dunk on Sergio, and I don't doubt Yasir was pissed given his (admittedly hilarious) attempts to become an Augusta member, but talks of PIF pulling out of LIV were already happening before Sergio's incident during final round of the Masters https://t.co/DftrMO4yYe
— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) August 21, 2026
LIV announced earlier this month that it had found a new lead investor, though it has yet to announce formal details and it is not known if the golfers themselves are all on board with the plan. As a result, the future of the competition remains murky at best.
H/T CBS Sports
Former Cardinals executive faces 2nd gambling investigation
The probe into alleged betting activity by a former Arizona Cardinals scout now extends into a multiple states.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is looking into unusual betting patterns relating to Gold, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Gold is a Massachusetts native and went to school at UMass.
The Arizona Department of Gaming was already looking into the allegations surrounding Gold, and have been doing so since July.
Gold, who served as the Cardinals’ director of college scouting, has been suspended by the NFL amid allegations that he leaked sensitive NFL Draft information to gamblers. The allegations center on whether the Cardinals’ decision to draft Jeremiyah Love No. 3 overall was leaked to gamblers in advance, allowing them to win money on the pick when Arizona ultimately made it.
The allegations against Gold gained further weight after Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said after the draft that the decision to take Love had been made at the start of the week, meaning it plausibly could have been leaked well in advance of the first round.
Gold has worked for the Cardinals since 2014, first as a scouting assistant and then as a full-time scout. He was promoted to college scouting director in 2025, a role in which he oversaw the organization’s evaluation of prospects prior to the draft. He has denied the allegations and is appealing against the NFL’s suspension next month.
Texans eyeing trades for 2 notable wide receivers
The Houston Texans are still in the hunt for at least one more wide receiver, and are looking at some interesting names to potentially bring in.
The Texans have looked into New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman as trade targets, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC. It is not clear how seriously the Texans are pursuing either option, or the level of availability of each player.
The #Texans have made exploratory trade calls, per league sources.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 21, 2026
Among the potential targets: New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
The Texans aren't expected to have a reunion with former All-Pro receiver DeAndre… https://t.co/rsYk9f3eGU
Houston is in dire need of receiver help after losing Jayden Higgins to a season-ending injury. Nico Collins is locked in as the team’s No. 1, but it is not clear when Tank Dell will be back as he continues to recover from his knee injury last year.
Bateman had just 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Ravens. He has expressed unhappiness with the organization previously, but seems to be happier with his situation these days.
Boutte had 33 catches for 551 yards last year for the Patriots. The team has ample wide receiver depth and is thought to be willing to listen to trade offers, though he is having a strong training camp.
Report: Jalen Duren’s negotiations with the Pistons have turned ‘nasty’
Jalen Duren may ultimately be trending towards a divorce from the Detroit Pistons.
The restricted free agent center Duren’s negotiations with the Pistons have turned “awfully nasty,” Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported this week. MacMahon notes that the bitter negotiations could have long-lasting consequences, even if Detroit ends up agreeing to a new deal with Duren.
Duren, 22, is a homegrown Piston who was drafted by the team in 2022 and was a centerpiece of the Detroit squad that won 60 games and secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season. He also had his best career campaign last year, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game en route to All-Star and All-NBA honors.
But Duren’s shoddy 2026 postseason (10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as the Pistons bowed out in the second round) changed the landscape for him going into his free agency. Now Detroit is reluctant to give him an expensive new contract, reportedly in part due to one notable factor.
Interestingly enough, Duren and the Pistons do not seem to be that far off in terms of the pure numbers. Earlier this month, we learned that Detroit had made an offer to Duren that was only moderately below his desired figure.
But it may be about respect at this point for Duren, who has steadily improved in each of his four seasons with the Pistons as the team stunningly went from a 14-win laughingstock to a 60-win powerhouse. That could be what ultimately spurs Duren to potentially pull a drastic move en route to a possible departure from Detroit.
Raiders coach leaves door open to Fernando Mendoza as starting QB
The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to go with Kirk Cousins as their Week 1 quarterback, but coach Klint Kubiak is stubbornly refusing to say so.
Kubiak refused to name a quarterback after Thursday’s 22-20 preseason win over the Houston Texans, and once again chose not to on Friday. The reason, according to the first-year head coach, is that he wants those involved in the quarterback competition to have “a little bit of uneasiness.”
Klint Kubiak refused again to name a starting quarterback for Week 1.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) August 21, 2026
"I just don't think it ever benefits a player to know that they have a spot secured, and if there's always a little bit of uneasiness about that, that benefits the whole team, the player and the team."
On one hand, Kubiak may be leaving the door open to pulling a surprise and naming rookie Fernando Mendoza his starter. More likely, however, Kubiak is telling the truth and wants to keep everyone on their toes.
Mendoza was behind Cousins on the initial Raiders’ depth chart, and there is no reason to believe that has changed. He also struggled in his first preseason start. He will start for the Raiders eventually, but there is no reason to believe he is there yet.
Cousins got a two-year deal to serve as a bridge quarterback for the team. The expectation remains that he will be named the Week 1 starter at some point in the near future.
DeMar DeRozan has made his free agent decision
DeMar DeRozan is officially off the board.
The six-time NBA All-Star swingman DeRozan has decided to sign with the Denver Nuggets in free agency, Chris Haynes of NBA TV reported on Friday. DeRozan had been an unrestricted free agent after being waived by the Sacramento Kings earlier this offseason.
Shams Charania of ESPN adds that DeRozan’s deal with the Nuggets is for one year and $3.9 million (representing the veteran’s minimum).
DeRozan, who turned 37 earlier this month, has 17 seasons of NBA experience under his belt. Once a consistent 25-ppg scorer in the prime of his career, DeRozan still managed to produce respectable averages last season of 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 49.7 percent shooting from the field for Sacramento.
But DeRozan had been unsigned up to this point due to concerns over his age, his ball-stopping style of play, his inability to regularly hit three-pointers, and his (further) declining defense. We learned earlier this week too that DeRozan had a notable demand with his desired free agent contract (that he since appears to have come off).
But the Nuggets, a 54-win team last season, quickly emerged as a surprise new suitor for DeRozan after losing forward Peyton Watson a few days ago in a multi-team sign-and-trade. Now a deal with the former All-NBA selection DeRozan has materialized rather quickly.
DeRozan himself seemed to indicate in recent weeks that a more poetic landing spot was in the works instead. But now DeRozan is headed to Denver to team up with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, possibly as a contender to start at small forward but more likely as a high-octane scorer off the bench.
LeBron James’ ex-Lakers coach is following him to the 76ers
LeBron James is having a reunion in The City of Brotherly Love.
Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Phil Handy is leaving the team to become an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, Marc J. Spears of Andscape reported on Friday. After spending just one season on the Mavericks’ coaching staff, Handy is now officially heading East.
The 54-year-old Handy has plenty of history with the new 76ers superstar James. The two first worked together on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014-18 with Handy serving as an assistant coach on the James-led team that won the 2016 NBA championship.
Handy and James then reunited on the Los Angeles Lakers from 2019-24. The former was an assistant under head coach Frank Vogel when the Lakers won the title in the 2020 Orlando bubble, and he also later served as an assistant coach under Vogel’s successor Darvin Ham.
After Ham’s firing by the Lakers in 2024, Handy joined the Mavericks in 2025 to serve under their then-head coach Jason Kidd (who was also an assistant coach on the Lakers’ 2020 championship team). But Dallas fired Kidd earlier this summer, and Handy will not be continuing on the staff of new Mavericks head coach Dusty May.
Now in Philadelphia, Handy will also be reuniting with 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, whom he already served with as an assistant on the Toronto Raptors when Nurse led them to the 2019 NBA title. Known for his strong track record in player development and his emotional style of leadership, Handy figures to be a prominent figure next season on a high-expectations 76ers team.
Tyreek Hill’s plan for the 2026 season has been revealed
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill remains without a team for 2026, and it may stay that way for some time.
Drew Rosenhaus, Hill’s agent, appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” Friday and suggested that Hill is not yet ready to sign with a team as he continues to rehab his serious knee injury. However, Rosenhaus believes Hill will play this season, and envisions him having an impact on the playoff race late in the year.
“I don’t expect Tyreek to sign before the season. He sent me video yesterday of him running hills, and he looked great,” Rosenhaus said. “He said to me, ‘I still have some work to do. I’m not ready yet.’
“It’s not hyperbole for me to predict that he will play this season. When, I’m not sure. I do think when he does sign, he will be a coveted player. He’ll be the kind of guy that will impact the playoff race and will certainly be successful once he signs.”
"I don't expect Tyreek Hill to sign before the season..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 21, 2026
He sent me videos of him running hills yesterday & he looked great..
I do think when he does sign he will be the kind of guy that will impact the playoff race & will certainly be successful" ~ @DrewJRosenhaus #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/FOUdOc9cYF
Hill, 32, was limited to four games last season before his serious knee injury. As recently as July, he had some concerning things to say about his recovery, so it is not necessarily a big surprise that he is taking things slowly and not rushing to join a new team as quickly as possible.
Since his outstanding 2023 season, Hill has struggled with underperformance in addition to his injuries. In 2024, poor quarterback play held him to 81 catches for 959 yards. That may be part of why some teams sound very skeptical of Hill and his ability to contribute in the NFL going forward.
Klay Thompson has chosen a new team after being bought out by Mavericks
Klay Thompson is getting his wish, and will be playing for an unquestioned contender next season.
Thompson has negotiated a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks and plans to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
BREAKING: Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jV40iKTyEz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2026
Thompson has been linked to the Heat for virtually the entire offseason, or at least since Miami finalized its move for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat were said to be just as interested as he was. The only real question was whether the Mavericks would be willing to let him go.
The Mavericks had hoped to find a trade partner for Thompson, but the $17.5 million he was owed on the final year of his contract made that virtually impossible. Ultimately, the Mavs opted to eat the money and let Thompson go where he wanted.
The Heat have been in the hunt for shooting help all summer. Thompson is not the player he once was, but he can still knock down deep shots, as he shot 39.3 percent from three last year. That was the worst mark of his career, but still better than the Heat were going to find anywhere else.
CJ Stroud reportedly has shocking contract demand
A new report suggests quarterback CJ Stroud has made a rather shocking contract demand of the Houston Texans.
Stroud and the Texans are said to be at an impasse on a new contract, which Stroud is eligible for for the first time. Jeremy Branham of ESPN 97.5 in Houston claimed Thursday that the Texans are offering Stroud something in the range of $50 million. Stroud, however, has asked for $70 million.
Texans want him at $50-55m, Stroud wants $70m. https://t.co/0rekIv2aOJ
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) August 21, 2026
A $70 million deal would make Stroud the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL in terms of average annual value. That makes it almost hard to believe Stroud is really asking for this, as something in the range of what Houston is offering is much more realistic.
Stroud is coming off an unspectacular campaign, passing for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns with 8 interceptions in 14 games during the 2025 season. He also did himself no favors in the playoffs by throwing four interceptions in a Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots.
Some are not even certain that the Texans should commit to Stroud long-term at all. If the price tag really is in the $70 million range, even Stroud’s believers would probably agree with that.
Alex Rodriguez’s new role revealed after stunning Timberwolves sale
Alex Rodriguez has a new role after the Minnesota Timberwolves were sold for the second time in the span of 14 months.
Marc Lore, Rodriguez’s ownership partner, is selling his share of the Timberwolves to businessman Marc Stad for $4.5 billion. Lore will retain a minority share of the team, but is effectively stepping back from ownership.
Rodriguez will retain his stake in ownership. According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Rodriguez plans to remain the more front-facing member of the ownership group while Stad remains behind the scenes. Stad, who already owned a share of the team, is essentially swapping spots with Lore, while Rodriguez remains the No. 2 partner.
Rodriguez will not reportedly be gaining any power in the deal. Stad’s wife Elisa is set to be named governor of the team and represent it at ownership functions.
Lore and Rodriguez had purchased the Timberwolves last June from Glen Taylor after a protracted sale process that saw the deal on the verge of collapse more than once. There had been no indication that Lore was looking to sell his stake, at least publicly.
Incredibly, the Timberwolves are the second NBA team this month to be sold twice in the span of a little over a year. Unlike the Los Angeles Lakers, however, this sale appears to be amicable and handled smoothly.
Virginia running back Solomon Beebe charged with animal cruelty
Virginia running back and kick returner Solomon Beebe was arrested Monday on three Class 1 misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty, according to court records obtained by 247Sports.
The 5-foot-10, 199-pound junior from Montgomery, Alabama, appeared on Thursday morning in Albemarle County District Court. He was released on unsecured bond. The charges stem from one alleged incident on Aug. 10 and two on Aug. 12 involving his pit bull, Jeb.
A housekeeper at Beebe’s apartment complex, the Maximilian at Stonefield north of Charlottesville, reported seeing him punch the dog on Aug. 12.
According to animal control officer Justin Gibson, the witness observed Beebe hold the dog against a wall and strike it multiple times with a closed fist while the animal yelped in pain. Albemarle County animal control seized the dog on Aug. 13 and placed it in protective custody at the local SPCA.
Beebe transferred to Virginia from UAB in January after two seasons with the Blazers.
In 2025, he rushed for 338 yards and six touchdowns on 56 carries, added 284 receiving yards on 31 catches, and ranked among the national leaders in kick-return yardage. Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott had recently praised his early contributions in the backfield and return game.
Virginia opens its season Aug. 29 against NC State.
The University of Virginia issued a brief statement: “The University does not comment on matters involving ongoing criminal proceedings or student records.”
Beebe’s status with the program has not been clarified.
Sophie Cunningham floats idea of WNBA commissioner shakeup
Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever has hinted that a leadership change at the top of the WNBA could be coming after this season.
The veteran guard recently suggested commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s position might become available at year’s end. Cunningham said the league needs someone bold and confident who prioritizes the players. She acknowledged Engelbert has done good things but added that the direction the league is heading calls for a different kind of leader.
“So I do feel like, as a whole, that could be a position that’s maybe open at the end of the year, but that’s not my call,” Cunningham told USA TODAY. “With where our league is trying to go, I feel like you just want someone who also wants that.”
Her comments arrive as Engelbert faces mounting scrutiny over the league’s handling of several controversies. On Thursday, the commissioner pushed back against critics, blaming “haters” for using the WNBA to sow divisiveness.
Speaking before the Fever’s game in Dallas, Engelbert said outsiders who have never watched or covered the league are turning it into a political football. She pointed to ongoing protests outside arenas that intensified after Cunningham publicly supported barring transgender athletes from women’s sports.
“There’s always going to be haters out there, and we denounce it,” Engelbert said, via ESPN. “But that’s what happens when you have made it as a legitimate sports media and entertainment product.”
The debate escalated further when former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, identifying as women.
The league’s collective bargaining agreement states only women may play but offers no additional definition of eligibility. Engelbert has indicated the subject remains under discussion with team executives.
Diamondbacks make decision on Ketel Marte after vanishing act
The Arizona Diamondbacks transferred second baseman Ketel Marte from the restricted list to the 10-day injured list on Thursday with left knee inflammation, ending a strange absence that began earlier in the week.
Marte failed to report for the series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Monday after traveling with the team. He did not appear for any of the three games in Boston. The club placed him on the restricted list shortly before first pitch and recalled infielder Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Reno to fill the roster spot.
Manager Torey Lovullo grew emotional when addressing the situation, fighting back tears as he emphasized concern for his player.
“I love him, and I care for him,” Lovullo said. “He’ll be okay. He is fine.”
He added that the entire clubhouse shared those feelings and that absences of this nature typically signal something is not right.
Marte returned to Phoenix for medical evaluation. An MRI confirmed left knee inflammation. General manager Mike Hazen said Marte will remain on the injured list until healthy and is expected to rejoin the team before the season ends.
Hazen noted Marte had exited a Friday loss to the Atlanta Braves early with knee soreness, received an injection, and returned to the lineup Sunday.
The three-time All-Star is hitting .249 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs. The Diamondbacks sit one game behind the San Diego Padres for the final National League wild-card spot.
This marks Marte’s second restricted-list stint in recent seasons following a 2025 absence tied to a home burglary.
