Former King, Flyer, Islander Signs Multi-Year Deal In Switzerland
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Newsweek
5 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Paul Skenes to be Joined by New MLB Top Pitching Prospect on Pirates Staff
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Pittsburgh Pirates are slogging through another dismal season, destined to miss the playoffs for the 10th season in a row, despite a starting rotation topped by the pitcher who is arguably the best in baseball — certainly in the top five — 23-year-old Paul Skenes. But as they sit 15 games out of a playoff spot in the National League with just 35 games remaining, the future looks a bit more encouraging because one thing the Pirates are not lacking for is prospect depth. BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Bubba Chandler #57 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by teammate Omar Alfonzo #50 after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 during a spring training game at LECOM Park on March... BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Bubba Chandler #57 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by teammate Omar Alfonzo #50 after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 during a spring training game at LECOM Park on March 14, 2024 in Bradenton, Florida. MoreThe Pirates currently have five prospects ranked in the MLB Pipeline Top 100, including the No. 1 prospect in baseball, 19-year old shortstop/center fielder Konnor Griffin. But Pittsburgh also has the top-ranked pitcher in the Pipeline rankings, the No. 7 overall prospect, right-hander Bubba Chandler, a 22-year-old former two-way player who was drafted in the third round with the 72nd overall pick in 2021. And it is the Lawrenceville, Georgia, native who, out of the Pirates' current elite prospect crop, will get the first shot at the big leagues. According to a report Wednesday by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Chandler — whose given name is Roy Ruben Chandler — will make his MLB debut as early as Friday. But while Chandler will be joining Skenes, another top-ranked prospect before his promotion last season, on the Pittsburgh staff, it appears that he will not be added to the starting rotation now led by Skenes — at least not immediately. More MLB: Paul Skenes to Red Sox? Insane Trade Thought Pushed by MLB Network Host "Chandler will initially be used in a bulk role out of the bullpen," Hiles wrote. "He will also have an opportunity to start games for the Pirates in 2025." Chandler committed to play quarterback at Clemson out of high school, where he could have had the opportunity to take over the starting job from Trevor Lawrence. Instead, he chose baseball, helped along by a generous $3 million signing bonus — more than three times the designated value for the 72nd draft slot, which was $870,700. Chandler in 2021 was considered a first-round draft prospect both as a pitcher and as a shortstop, but fell to the third round likely due to his Clemson commitment, where he was offered scholarships to play both football and baseball. But the Pirates offered him a first-round-level bonus, and the opportunity to both hit and pitch at the professional level. But after doing double duty on the mound and at designated hitter in the 2021 and 2022 minor league seasons, Chandler hung up his bat to focus solely on pitching starting in 2023. The top prospect's fastball has topped out at 96.7 mph, and he also possesses a slider and changeup that both register in the upper 80s, providing good separation from his four-seamer. The Pirates as of Wednesday afternoon had not confirmed the Post-Gazette reports, or when Chandler would be expected pitch in an MLB game for the first time. More MLB: Pirates Owner Wasting Paul Skenes Era, 'Should be Embarrassed,' MLB Analyst Says


Washington Post
5 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Basketball at 2028 LA Olympics will start 2 days before opening ceremony, FIBA says
MIES, Switzerland — Basketball at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will start two days before the opening ceremony for those Games, organizers confirmed Wednesday. FIBA, the sport's global governing body, said that it has reviewed a revised basketball schedule for Los Angeles and that games will begin on July 12, 2028 — ahead of the July 14 opening ceremony. It is unclear if the men's tournament, the women's tournament or both will start before the official opening. A preliminary schedule released last month calls for three basketball games on July 12 and three more on July 13. 'This adjustment allows the quarterfinals to be played over two days and will also ensure that no game will start earlier than (noon), enhancing the overall experience for players, teams, fans and broadcasters,' FIBA said in a news release. Bronze-medal games will be played on July 28 and 29, and gold-medal games will occur on July 29 and 30. July 30 is the final day of the Games. Several other sports also are scheduled to start before the opening ceremony, including field hockey, rugby sevens, water polo, handball, cricket and soccer. The canoe slalom competition in Oklahoma City is expected to start in the morning of July 14, hours before the opening ceremony later that day about 1,200 miles (1,931 km) away. The U.S. is the defending men's and women's Olympic basketball champion. The women have won eight consecutive golds, while the men have won five straight. ___ AP Olympics:


New York Times
5 minutes ago
- New York Times
Arsenal reach agreement in principle to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace
Arsenal have an agreement on principle with Crystal Palace to sign Eberechi Eze. The deal is worth in the region of the expired £68m release clause, matching level of fee Tottenham Hotspur were prepared to pay. Personal terms close to being finalised and the 27-year-old is expected to play for Palace on Thursday before undergoing a medical with the north London club. Advertisement The operation was executed by Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and vice-chairman Tim Lewis Arsenal have also added significantly in attacking areas this summer with Viktor Gyokeres arriving from Sporting CP in a €63.5m move and Noni Madueke joining from London rivals Chelsea for £48.5m. Ethan Nwaneri has also committed his future to the club with a new long-term contract. Eze joined Palace from QPR in the summer of 2020 in a deal worth around £17m and has made 169 appearances for the south London club, scoring 40 times. He has been capped 12 times by England, scoring once. Analysis from Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas Arsenal are huge admirers of Eberechi Eze's talent. The club initially explored a move for Eze when contact negotiations with Ethan Nwaneri were at a delicate stage. Once Nwaneri agreed a new deal, Arsenal's interest waned, and they focused on other areas of the squad. Throughout, Arsenal have held concerns over price: they have been loathe to meet a Palace valuation in the region of £60million. Their pressing need for attacking reinforcements, particularly in the light of Kai Havertz's injury, may change things. Arsenal are still awaiting the full prognosis for Havertz, but if he is to be absent for a considerable period, it will weaken their attack. Eze is not a direct replacement for Havertz, but his signing would potentially free up the likes of Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard to fill in at centre-forward until the Germany international returns. Aside from Eze's obvious quality, there's an emotional component for Arsenal fans: Eze is a boyhood Arsenal fan who was part of the club's academy. Throw in the prospect of beating Spurs to his signing, and there's plenty for Arsenal supporters to be invested in… Analysis by senior data writer Mark Carey Advertisement Mikel Arteta has needed to strengthen the left side of his attack this summer. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli's output was in the good-not-great bucket last season, and it is clear that Arsenal needed players with the same attacking ferocity that comes from their right flank with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. Along with Noni Madueke, Eze's arrival provides that added strength from the left side of the pitch with a truly versatile profile — operating best as a No 10 but able to play on the left side of his team's attack or drop into a left-sided midfield position if required. Whatever his role, he will look to find the space to impose maximum damage to the opposition with the sharpest efficiency. In the modern game, those who can break a player-for-player press with a drop of the shoulder or a driving run forward have never been so valuable — opening up the opposition structure with a moment of individual quality as the dominoes begin to fall. Eze also has the ability to thread a pass forward when spaces open up in front of him, making him a double threat in the attacking third. Acquiring an attacking midfielder of the 27-year-old's creative profile will be a crucial addition in Arsenal's attack, and could well be the difference between a good season and a title-winning one. (Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle