BALTIMORE — Zach Eflin is looking forward to 2027, less than a week after Tommy John surgery on his 32nd birthday.
He left his March 31 season debut after striking out seven and allowing one run in 3 2/3 innings against Texas. He had elbow reconstruction surgery Wednesday.
“I’m in a lot better spot than I was a week, a week and a half ago,” Eflin said Sunday. “I knew something happened on the field. Really felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. I was going through so much this offseason to come back on time and I honestly never felt better in my career before.”
Eflin was 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts while making three trips to the injured list last season. Back trouble ending his season after a July 28 start.
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Baltimore re-signed Eflin to a $10 million, one-year deal in December that includes a $25 million mutual option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.
Baltimore hoped the 11-year veteran would be a steady rotation presence, and his 7 1/3 scoreless innings in two spring training starts offered promise.
“I had felt amazing for three games, and there in the fourth inning it took one pitch,” Eflin said. “It was an up-and-away heater or cutter and it just felt like a hamstring cramp in my elbow. Literally out of nowhere. I’d never felt anything in elbow before.”
Eflin, 68-67 with a 4.28 ERA in 201 big league appearances with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Baltimore, hopes to spend as much time as possible around the Orioles this summer as he works to recover and make it back to the majors next year.
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“I think that’s why I got it done so early,” Eflin said. “I want to be back as quickly as possible. I’ve been through too much in my life to let this affect me and let this be the thing that brings me down. I’m going to absolutely crush rehab and be back better than ever.”
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Keibert Ruiz singled home two runs to break an eighth-inning tie and the Washington Nationals defeated Milwaukee 8-6 on Sunday to complete their first series sweep of the Brewers in 15 years.
Washington’s last sweep of the Brewers came in April 2011. The Nationals hadn’t swept the Brewers in Milwaukee since June 2006.
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The Nationals recovered after allowing a tying, three-run homer to Gary Sánchez in the seventh.
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Brice Turang hit two solo shots and Jake Bauers also went deep for Milwaukee, which has lost five straight for its longest skid since June 2023.
Washington’s James Wood homered for the fourth time in his last seven games.
After the Nationals scored four runs off Milwaukee relievers Abner Uribe and Angel Zerpa (0-1) to take a 6-3 lead in the seventh, the Brewers quickly responded.
Milwaukee had two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the inning when reliever Ken Waldichuk threw a pitch to Turang and immediately started walking around in discomfort. Waldichuk pointed to his elbow while getting checked by athletic trainers on the mound and then headed to the dugout as Cole Henry came out of the bullpen.
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Turang and William Contreras eventually walked. Sánchez then delivered a 400-foot shot into the left-field seats.
Washington bounced back in the eighth.
CJ Abrams and Jacob Young began the inning with singles off Zerpa before both runners advanced on Jorbit Vivas’ sacrifice bunt. Ruiz then greeted Aaron Ashby by grounding a single up the middle through a drawn-in infield.
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PJ Poulin (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. Gus Varland retired the side in order in the ninth for his first career save.
Up next
Nationals: Open a four-game series at Pittsburgh. The starting pitchers for Monday’s opener are Washington’s Cade Cavalli (0-0, 2.51 ERA) and Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes (2-1, 5.25).
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Brewers: Start a three-game home series with Toronto on Tuesday. Jacob Misiorowski (1-1, 3.31 ERA) pitches for the Brewers, and Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.08) starts for the Blue Jays.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has explained his side’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in their Premier League clash on Sunday.
The Blues were beaten at Stamford Bridge after goals from Jérémy Doku, Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guéhi secured all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Speaking after the match, Rosenior admitted that his team failed to maintain their level after the break, despite a solid first-half display.
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“In the second half, the performance was nowhere near what we wanted. There was no frustration with the first half; we were organised and very difficult to break down,” Rosenior said.
He also spoke about a controversial moment involving a disallowed effort, adding: “Cucu’s goal is an inch. I still don’t know how close it is, but they have made the decision.”
The Chelsea boss further expressed concern about his team’s recurring struggles when conceding goals.
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“The reality now is there are too many times we go a goal down, and it’s quickly followed by another and that can’t happen,” he added.
The result leaves Chelsea FC in sixth position on the Premier League table with 48 points from 32 matches, as they continue their push for a European qualification spot.
City recovered from a slow first half to blow the home side away with three goals in 17 second-half minutes to put real pressure on the league leaders ahead of next Sunday’s meeting between the two sides.
Should Guardiola’s team triumph at the Etihad Stadium they will move to within three points of the Gunners with a game in hand, and they sent a warning in west London that they are not going away in the title race as goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku humiliated Liam Rosenior’s Blues.
“We have done a good three games but the best team in England so far is Arsenal, the best team in Europe so far is Arsenal, because the numbers are there, the consistency they had,” said Guardiola.
City – whose supporters sang “are you watching Arsenal” and “we’re Manchester City, we’ll fight to the end” from the Shed End, while one fan was captured on television cameras animatedly miming drinking from an empty Arsenal branded water bottle – look equipped to take the title fight to the wire.
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The Gunners’ home defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday had opened the door for City to take charge of their own destiny, and they took full advantage against a Chelsea side which collapsed in the face of more powerful and clinical opposition to leave their own hopes of reaching the Champions League in serious doubt.
Guardiola believes his team’s victory in the Carabao Cup final three weeks ago helped change the face of the title run-in, with City rampant and Arsenal on a run of three losses in four matches ahead of the showdown.
“There isn’t one person in this room when we played at Wembley in the Carabao Cup bet for us one pound,” he said. “We were underdogs. Now it’s a bit different. That’s the mindset we have to work.
“Football is like that. You’re able to have 49 games, lost three games in the last four. Tell me a reason why. This is business.
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“I know how difficult. Always a warning has to be there. We have a long week, we’re going to train good, to prepare good. I know perfectly the manager, I know how good he is (at) adjusting things. But at the same time, we play at home with our people.
“I know how tough. To (beat) Arsenal once is so difficult. Forty-nine games they lost three in all competitions. I know how good they are.”
As for Chelsea, the early promise which accompanied Rosenior’s first month in charge has evaporated, leaving in its place the same old doubts over the mental fortitude of this young squad and the club’s general direction under the current ownership.
“I need to win in this moment,” said Rosenior, whose side trail Liverpool by four points in the race for the final Champions League place.
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“When I first came, I never asked for a lot of time because I understand this club. I understand the traditions and the history of this club.
“I would like to have that time and I’m confident that in that time, you can create something very, very special within the time that it takes, which even someone as experienced as Pep or Jurgen Klopp when he won the titles he did at Liverpool, they had a year to sort things out. I’ve come in January.
A third bogey in four holes for Cameron Young, a skid saved only by the interspersing of a birdie in that run.
And Rory McIlroy misses his birdie putt! A look of frustration and a thrust of the hand at a break he hadn’t seen coming. Justin Rose remains top of the tree, all alone.
Tyrrell Hatton, meanwhile, has scrambled superbly to a four on the 17th. That just about keeps his chances alive, though he’d love a birdie at the last to really put the pressure on.
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(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:41
Rory McIlroy starting to find his flow
Rory McIlroy tattoos the flag on nine, a wonderful wedge of the kind he struggled with yesterday. He’ll have something tasty to join Justin Rose at -12.
Cameron Young was forced to punch out of the trees, and has got unlucky, ending up in a divot. Though he finds the green, his score may be heading the other way.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:37
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Russell Henley drops a shot
Russell Henley tried to play it safe between the two bunkers on the tiny 12th green, yet just overhits it. His chip tumbles down to within range, though he doesn’t like his par putt from the moment it leaves the face.
Down to nine-under in Amen Corner.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:34
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Birdies for the last pairing at the eighth
A birdie apiece for Cameron Young and Rory McIlroy, with the latter failing to find his eagle putt though leaving it dead. Within one of Justin Rose each moves.
Tyrrell Hatton’s rampage may be over courtesy of an errant adventure into the woods beside the 17th fairway.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:28
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Creativity!
This could go anywhere. A marvellous bit of thinking and shot-making is rewarded as Cameron Young comes back off the backboard having sailed over the flag with his third. So, so clever, and setting up a birdie chance.
Can Rory McIlroy make his eagle, though?
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:25
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Masters fourth round
Not that it will be easy: Rory McIlroy absolutely nails a low-iron that bends brilliantly on to the eighth green. It’s a birdie at worst, you’d suggest.
Up ahead on the 11th, Russell Henley leaves a birdie putt an inch or so high. But Tyrrell Hatton has no such issues – it’s ANOTHER for him at 16 and he’s just two back all of a sudden.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:23
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Justin Rose extends lead
But also on a hot streak is Justin Rose – three in a row for the regular Masters bridesmaid, and a two-shot lead will have belief building that it might finally be his day.
(REUTERS)
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:19
Tyrrell Hatton joins the party!
We assumed that Tyrrell Hatton had much too much to do from -4 at the start of the round, but three birdies on the spin out of Amen Corner take him to -9 for the tournament with three holes to play. He’s in the mix!
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:17
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Rory McIlroy gets one back
Finally, one drops for Rory McIlroy – back to 10-under with a purposeful stride. A long, long, long way to go…
Harry Latham-Coyle12 April 2026 21:09
Justin Rose leads outright!
A bogey for Cameron Young as a wobbly putt trickles by – Justin Rose leads the Masters!
CM Punk opened up ahead of his title match at WWE WrestleMania 42. The Second City Saint will be defending the World Heavyweight Championship at the PLE next weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In an interview with SHAK Wrestling, CM Punk was asked about headlining WrestleMania for the second year in a row. The veteran noted that it still meant a lot to him to be in the main event of The Show of Shows.
Thanks for the submission!
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“WrestleMania is and always will be the pinnacle, top-shelf show in pro wrestling. Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, those are the guys that were always talking about and hovering around the main event when I was watching. And I kind of developed that same attitude, like the best guys main event the biggest show, so to do it once was sweet, do it back-to-back years. It’s like being on the cover of the video game for a second time, it’s still a big deal to me,” he said. [H/T: WrestleTalk on X]
You can check out the video below:
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Roman Reigns won the Men’s Royal Rumble match earlier this year in Saudi Arabia and will be challenging Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE WrestleMania 42 next weekend.
Former WWE writer criticizes CM Punk and Roman Reigns’ storyline
Wrestling veteran Vince Russo recently discussed the rivalry between CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
Speaking on Russo’s The Brand, the legend stated that he was sick of hearing Punk cut promos by himself. He wondered where Reigns was and called out The OTC for skipping shows so close to WWE WrestleMania.
“I am so tired of hearing freaking CM Punk’s promos. Like, okay, bro, we get it. I understand. You’re a 60-year-old rebel. I understand. I get it. Like, how many freaking times? And then, maybe I missed something. Where was Roman Reigns yesterday? Where was he? Like, what is Roman Reigns doing that he can’t appear on the show a week before Mania?” Russo said.
CM Punk and Roman Reigns have one more segment together before Wrestlemania April 13th RAW
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The rivalry between Punk and Reigns has become extremely personal. Only time will tell which WWE star walks out of WrestleMania 42 as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion.
The Toronto Blue Jays were once again forced to turn to their bullpen early in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Twins.
Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer was chased in the third inning by the Twins after allowing five hits and six runs, leaving with two runners on. He was replaced by reliever Joe Mantiply, who surrendered a two-run double, scoring both inherited runners.
Scherzer’s final line showed 2.1 innings of work, five hits, eight earned runs, two homers against, two walks and three strikeouts.
He tossed 68 pitches — 41 strikes — in the outing.
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It marked the second straight short start for the 41-year-old, who exited after just two innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 6 due to forearm tendinitis.
The eight runs allowed on Sunday pushed Scherzer’s ERA to 9.58 on the season.
Scherzer returned to the Blue Jays over the off-season on a one-year, $3 million deal, which included incentives for innings pitched. In 2025, the three-time Cy Young winner posted a 5.19 ERA over 17 starts and 85.0 regular-season innings.
Pep Guardiola spoke about next Sunday’s Premier League game with Arsenal after Manchester City cut their lead to six, with a game in hand
Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City have ‘grown up a lot’ in the last month as he challenged them to focus on their performance against Arsenal next week rather than the result. The Blues thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to take advantage of Arsenal’s slip on Saturday and set up a box-office match at the Etihad next week.
City still realistically have to defeat Arsenal in that game on Sunday to stand a chance of beating them to the Premier League title. However, they have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in their last three games with three clean sheets and have deserved to win with performances that have put their March disappointment in the Premier League and Champions League behind them.
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“The only thing that saves us in 38 games in the Premier League is the way you play,” said Guardiola. “In the Champions League, the keeper has to save it, the strikers have to score a goal, the referees are involved amazingly. The moment, 10 v 11 for 75 minutes and we are out. Champions League is not about just about how you play, you have to defend really well.
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“The Premier League is another business, it is how you grow as a team and how you play good. If you are winning, winning, winning and not playing good, you are not going to win. You cannot hide behind the results. Results helps for the mood, for the confidence and it is an important medicine but you have to reflect what can you do better. In the last month, the team grew up a lot.”
Guardiola is still coaching a new team how to get over the line after three transfer windows over the last two years that have transformed the squad and seen a new generation. Their Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal last month was the first trophy for many of the players in the squad, and they still have to learn how to get over the line in the Premier League.
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Three points over Arsenal would take City to within three points of top spot with a game in hand, but the manager wants the team to forget about the consequences of the game. Instead, they should just focus on the principles of playing that have been drilled into them all season and everything else will take care of itself.
“Winning once or twice is okay but during nine years being there all the time (except last season) defines us a little bit. It’s not just me or one player or two players, it’s all the structure to say what you have to do. Winning is difficult but winning a lot in the modern time is so complicated and we have done it,” he said.
“On Sunday with our people at 4.30pm we have the opportunity to prove ourselves again if we are able to do it. It’s not about just winning the Premier League but it’s about how you are in the game are better than the opponent and winning the game being better than the opponent and helping us through the game in the way we compete in all the details.
“We can win one game, and after that in that mindset it’s not the pressure that you have to win and if you don’t win you’re not going to win the Premier League. Forget about it, if you don’t win you don’t win. It’s how we have to play to win one single game. We have seven days to prepare it.”
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Union Berlin has appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female coach in charge of a men’s team in the Bundesliga as it bids to ensure its league survival.
The 34-year-old Eta takes over from Steffen Baumgart, who was fired with his assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna after the team’s 3-1 loss at last-place Heidenheim on Saturday, Union announced just before midnight.
Eta, who was coaching the Under-19 men’s team and agreed earlier this month to take over as coach of Union’s women’s team next season, has five games to secure Union’s Bundesliga survival.
She made history in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” soccer leagues. She had to step in for media duties for head coach Nenad Bjelica when he was suspended for three games in 2024.
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“I’m delighted that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before she becomes head coach of the women’s first team as planned in the summer,” Union sporting director Horst Heldt said in a statement.
Baumgart, a former Union player, was appointed during the 2024-25 winter break but Heldt said recent results prompted the club to take drastic action.
“We’ve had an completely disappointing second half of the season so far and we’re not letting the table fool us – our situation remains precarious and we desperately need points to secure our place in the league.”
Defeat in Heidenheim left Union in 11th place in the 18-team division, just seven points clear of St. Pauli in the relegation zone with five rounds remaining.
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“Two wins out of 14 games since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can turn things around with the current setup. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start,” Heldt said.
Union next hosts Wolfsburg, which is also fighting for survival, next weekend.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo continues to strengthen his place as the highest goalscorer in professional football history as he closes in on a remarkable 1,000 career goals milestone.
The 41-year-old forward has now scored 968 official goals in his career, leaving him just 32 goals short of reaching the historic four-figure mark — a feat no player has achieved under modern record-keeping.
Cristiano Ronaldo had missed some Al Nassr matches earlier this season over transfer Frustrations
Ronaldo has made it clear that he wants to reach the milestone before he retires, as long as he remains fit and free from injury. With his current form, many believe the target is within reach.
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There is growing excitement over when the milestone could be achieved. Some believe he could get there before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while others see a dream scenario where he reaches it during the tournament on football’s biggest stage.
The forward’s strong form continues at club level with Al-Nassr. He scored in their 2-0 win over Al-Akhdoud on Saturday, helping his side extend their winning run in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a simple finish, taking his league tally to 24 goals this season. His strike put him just three goals behind the current top scorer, Ivan Toney.
His teammate Joao Felix added the second goal early in the second half, finishing from close range after a rebound.
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The victory also saw Al-Nassr set a new club record of 14 consecutive league wins. They now sit top of the table with 73 points from 28 matches, five points clear of rivals Al-Hilal with six games left to play.
With Ronaldo still scoring regularly and chasing history, the football world will be watching closely to see when he reaches the magical 1,000-goal mark.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior admits his side need to “improve their resilience in difficult moments” and focus on winning their next league game against Manchester United to stay in contention for a Champions League spot.
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