Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.
See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.
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NFL Players from Carlsbad H.S. (Carlsbad, NM)
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WNBA free agency tracker: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu plan to stay with New York Liberty as majority of players hit the market
With a new collective bargaining agreement in tow, the WNBA is barreling toward the start of the 2026 season on May 8. But first, the majority of players still need to sign contracts.
Every veteran is a free agent this offseason, with the exception of Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown. Veterans signed deals that ended after the 2025 season to take advantage of higher salaries under the new CBA.
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Some key figures for free agency:
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The salary cap will rise from $1.5M to $7M, a 466% jump
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Supermax contracts are up 561% to $1.4M, from around $250K
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Minimum salaries above $300,000, with the average salary around $600,000
So when will this free agency bonanza begin? Great question. The WNBA has not officially announced dates for qualifying offers or free agency, though tentative dates of April 7-8 (qualifying offers), April 9-11 (free agency negotiations) and April 12 (official start of free agency) were provided. The expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo is April 3, the collegiate draft is April 13 and the preseason begins April 19.
For more on each team’s free agency situation, check out our team-by-team free agency primer. And click on the team name below to jump to view notable free agents and the latest developments in each city:
Las Vegas Aces | Phoenix Mercury | Indiana Fever | Minnesota Lynx | New York Liberty | Seattle Storm | Atlanta Dream | Washington Mystics | Golden State Valkyries | Los Angeles Sparks | Dallas Wings | Connecticut Sun | Chicago Sky | Portland Fire | Toronto Tempo
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Las Vegas Aces
Under contract: Aaliyah Nye A’ja Wilson is likely to sign a supermax contract to stay with the 2025 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
(Kenneth Richmond via Getty Images)
Restricted: NaLyssa Smith, Kierstan Bell
Notable free agents: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd
Phoenix Mercury
Under contract: Kalani Brown
Reserved: Natasha Mack, Kitija Laksa, Monique Akoa Makani, Lexi Held, Karthyrn Westbeld, Kiana Williams
Notable free agents: Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, DeWanna Bonner
Indiana Fever
Under contract: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Makayla Timpson
Restricted: Lexie Hull
Reserved: Chloe Bibby
Notable free agents: Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard
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Minnesota Lynx
Under contract: Dorka Juhasz, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu
Reserved: Maria Kliundikova, Jaylyn Sherrod, Camryn Taylor
Key free agents: Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith, Kayla McBride, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman, Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard
New York Liberty
Under contract: Nyara Sabally
Reserved: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
Notable free agents: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, Emma Meesseman
Latest news: Stewart and Ionescu confirmed their intentions to remain with the Liberty on Wednesday. “Good luck to everybody else in free agency,” Stewart said, “but I’m not a part of that.”
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The two brought New York its first championship in 2024, though their title-winning coach, Sandy Brondello, moved on to join the expansion Toronto Tempo this offseason. Former Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco will be at the helm for the 2026 season.
Seattle Storm
Under contract: Lexie Brown, Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, Nika Muhl
Reserved: Mackenzie Holmes, Zia Cooke
Notable free agents: Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Brittney Sykes
Atlanta Dream
Under contract: Te-Hina Paopao, Taylor Thierry
Restricted: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
Reserved: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné
Notable free agents: Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, Jordin Canada
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Washington Mystics
Under contract: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Georgia Amoore, Jacy Sheldon, Lucy Olsen
Restricted: Sug Sutton, Shakira Austin
Reserved: Emily Engstler, Madison Scott
Notable free agents: Alysha Clark, Stefanie Dolson
Golden State Valkyries
Under contract: Carla Leite, Kate Martin
Restricted: Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini
Reserved: Janelle Salaün, Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Iliana Rupert
Notable free agents: Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Temi Fagbenle
Los Angeles Sparks
Under contract: Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Sania Feagin
Reserved: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
Notable free agents: Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby
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Dallas Wings
Under contract: Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist, Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly
Reserved: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Halley Jones, Grace Berger
Notable free agents: Arike Ogunbowale
Connecticut Sun
Under contract: Aneesah Morrow, Saniya Rivers, Aaliyah Edwards, Leila Lacan, Rayah Marshall
Restricted: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Haley Peters
Reserved: Mamignan Touré
Notable free agents: Marina Mabrey, Tina Charles
Chicago Sky
Under contract: Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld
Reserved: Sevgi Uzun
Notable free agents: Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse, Ariel Atkins
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Portland Fire
Under contract: N/A
Notable free agents: N/A
Toronto Tempo
Under contract: N/A
Notable free agents: N/A
Chris Jericho made his return to AEW. Following his return, a WWE legend has offered some advice to Tony Khan’s company.
Matt Hardy is the latest to comment on Chris Jericho’s return. Jericho has been absent from AEW TV for the past year. During this time, there has been a lot of speculation about his future. Many reports emerged that suggested that Jericho could be headed back to WWE after his contract expired on December 31, 2025. However, that did not happen. This week on Dynamite, Jericho made his highly anticipated return to the Jacksonville-based promotion to address the fans.
Speaking on his The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, the WWE legend said that Jericho’s return depends on how the company utilizes him. He also said that the fan base won’t be crazy about the former World Champion since they want the younger guys to succeed. He also noted that Jericho is a massive star who could contribute in many ways to the show.
“I mean, I really, I really think it’s all in how you utilize him [Chris Jericho]. If you put him in a certain position, I don’t think that their fan base, which is a pretty, pretty loyal fan base, I would say, I don’t, you know, think they’re gonna be crazy about Chris, you know, because they are, they want their younger guys who are out there with the highest work rate possible and are just go, go, go, go, go, five-star bangers. I mean, you know, that’s kind of, that’s kind of how, that’s what they’re building the place on, right? Where the best wrestle and the best wrestling content and what not. So I mean, Chris being an older act would be just such a star. He has so much star power. There’s so many ways he can contribute to the show, it’s just, they would have to utilize him in the correct way.”
Dave Meltzer commented on the reason Chris Jericho chose to return to AEW over WWE
For the past few months, there have been reports that Chris Jericho could return to WWE, where he could wrap up his career. However, he decided to return to Tony Khan’s company instead.
According to Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Radio, Jericho’s decision to return to AEW is based on longevity since WWE wanted him for a retirement run. He also noted that Jericho would have a creative say in the Jacksonville-based promotion as opposed to WWE.
It remains to be seen if Jericho will continue to feature regularly on AEW programming.
Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.
Edited by Sunil Joseph
Connections of Linebacker are buzzing not solely due to Zac Lloyd’s blistering run, but for enlisting the jockey in their quest for Doncaster Mile vindication at Randwick.
Lloyd boasts seven Saturday winners lately, capped by the $5 million Golden Slipper conquest on Guest House, while maintaining his role as the horse’s pilot through the last year with complete insight.
Last year’s Doncaster saw the young jockey steer Linebacker from a poor start to a dashing finish, securing a gallant eighth spot just over a length shy.
Tom Charlton, the trainer, emphasised Lloyd’s profound understanding of the four-year-old as a boon for Saturday, even as favourite Sheza Alibi with 49kg sets the standard.
“He knows him well, and he got him to jump out of the gates well the other day, which is something that has let him down a bit, that horse,” Charlton said.
“When he missed the break in the Doncaster last year, I daresay it cost him the race.
If we can execute well, he will run well. It’s just whether the 49 kilo filly might have a bit more, but we can’t worry about that.”
Differing from last year’s Randwick Guineas lead-in, Linebacker pursues weight-for-age races this time.
Just 1-1/2 lengths adrift of Joliestar in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) first-up, midfield versus Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m), he sheds six kilos for the big race.
Trainer Charlton expressed mild disappointment with the latest effort but noted Linebacker’s habit of even second-up runs, like before his Guineas win post-Hobartville last fall.
“He just felt the pinch the other day in a tough-run 1500,” Charlton said.
“He had a good blow, and he can do that second-up. He will run well third-up, and he gets a significant, six-kilo drop in weight.
I don’t think he will be far away.”
Drawn nine of 16, the horse sat at $17 Wednesday, behind Randwick Guineas duo Sheza Alibi ($2.10) and Autumn Boy ($7) as the market’s only sub-$10 hopes.
Visit trusted betting sites to check betting markets for the race in the Doncaster Mile.
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Man United instructed to sign perfect Casemiro replacement before World Cup – ‘The best around’
Manchester United will be in the market for a new midfielder in the summer transfer window as they prepare to bid farewell to Casemiro after four seasons at the club
Former Premier League midfielder Gareth Barry has urged Manchester United to move for Elliot Anderson as a replacement for Casemiro. The 34‑year‑old has already confirmed he will bring his Old Trafford spell to an end when his contract expires this summer.
United’s decision not to offer the experienced midfielder a new deal forms part of their wider squad overhaul. Casemiro joined from Real Madrid for an initial £60million in 2022, with add‑ons taking the total fee to £70million.
He earns around £300,000 per week, rising closer to £350,000 if United are in the Champions League. Manuel Ugarte’s future at M16 is also uncertain; several names have been linked as potential replacements for the pair.
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Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton have also been mentioned, but Barry believes Anderson would be the best fit for the role.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds, the former Aston Villa man said: “Man United are certainly going to be looking for a Casemiro replacement. Elliot Anderson is probably a slightly different player and a very different age, his skillset is a lot different.
“I like Elliot Anderson. If you’re a Man Utd scout, you’ll mention him. He’s one of the best off-the-ball players. He presses to limit the attacking player’s space. He’s one of the best around, and he’s capable of going the other way as well.
“That’s why Thomas Tuchel’s got him in his starting eleven over a lot of big-name players with England, and he’s a possible starter for the World Cup team. So I’m sure he’s being discussed in the Man United boardroom, as well as maybe other teams.
“I think, from that sort of experience for a player and a club, if the deal is going to happen, try to get it done as soon as possible. I think it just helps everyone. It helps both clubs and helps the player, especially going into a big tournament.
Barry continued: “He doesn’t want to be thinking about his club future while trying to win the World Cup for England. It’s not going to help anyone. Also, the price tag could be a bit steeper if he has a good tournament.
“If something like that is going to happen and the player’s got his head around the fact that it’s time for a move, it’s certainly better to be done before the tournament than after.”
However, Nottingham Forest are unlikely to let the 23‑year‑old leave after he has established himself as a key defensive midfielder at the City Ground following his move from Newcastle United in 2024. While a £100million fee was previously touted to prise him away, Forest’s battle against relegation could affect that valuation.
Vítor Pereira’s side sit 16th in the table, just three points above the drop zone with seven games remaining.
Eden Gardens in Kolkata is hosting the sixth match of IPL 2026 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) tonight (April 2). Home team captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to field in batting-friendly conditions.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma set a great platform for SRH with a blazing 82-run opening partnership in just 5.4 overs. Head smashed three sixes and six fours en route to 46 (21) before perishing in the sixth over. Abhishek also found some rhythm after failing in the previous match, but fell two runs short of a half-century in the ninth over. Varun Chakaravarthy’s sensational diving catch in the deep ended Sharma’s stay at the crease and gave KKR a crucial breakthrough.
Heinrich Klaasen (52) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (39) then put on an 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take SRH over 200. They eventually reached 226/8 in 20 overs, setting a daunting target for the opposition. Blessing Muzarabani scalped four wickets for KKR in the bowling department.
Fans enjoyed the high-scoring first innings of the sixth match of IPL 2026 on Thursday night. They conveyed their reactions by sharing hilarious memes on X (formerly Twitter). Here are some of the best memes:
“Bud is getting 13cr to yawn in the dugout” an X post read.
“Looked like it slowed up during the innings” – Travis Head after 1st innings of SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 clash
During the mid-innings break, SRH opener Travis Head reflected on his team’s batting performance, saying (via Cricbuzz):
“It was nice to get away. Bit dicey in the first over but got some out in the middle. Got off to a good start with Abhi. Looked like it slowed up during the innings. Yeah, good score. If Klaasy normally normally faces that many balls, he’s normally striking, felt it was a little bit difficult in the middle, it slowed which is a good thing for us having runs on the board.”
“It’s always good fun batting with Abhi. We are in a really good space. We got to execute with the ball now. They’ve got some dangerous players at the top. Looks a good score,” Travis added.
What were your favorite moments from the first innings of this IPL match? Let us know in the comments section.
Get real-time updates on IPL 2025, live scores, IPL Prediction, match schedule, points table,Result & squad –CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS
Edited by Balakrishna
The five-year-old Joliestar is in prime form, according to trainer Chris Waller, who cites her unwavering reliability.
She’ll attempt a third win on the trot in the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick this Saturday, an unprecedented run in any single campaign for her.
High-class efforts have marked her career since her juvenile years, but full-prep consistency was missing – until recently.
“I can’t fault her. She is two from two this ‘prep’, and she is a confident lady who is taking the next step with consistency,” Waller said.
“You just see that with more mature horses. That’s the difference between your five-year-olds and your four-year-olds.
“Your four-year-olds still do a few little things wrong, but the five-year-olds, they know what they’re doing. They can race themselves.”
Joliestar resumed decisively beating future Newmarket Handicap winner Caballus in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) and consolidated with a powerful win in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Approaching the T J Smith Stakes after almost a month’s break, a pattern that has previously brought out her best.
Waller is preserving reserves after the Sydney autumn carnival for Joliestar’s upcoming English raid at the start of summer there.
Following her Saturday effort, a week’s spell awaits before she heads to Melbourne to train and trial on Flemington’s straight, akin to UK tracks.
For now, the emphasis is the T J Smith Stakes, where she’s third-favoured early at $4.40, with only three-year-old Tentyris ($3) and Jimmysstar ($4) ahead.
Tentyris hopes to join Trapeze Artist (2018) as the lone three-year-old to best the older speedsters.
Visit betting sites for competitive sports betting options on the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes.
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Ajinkya Rahane completes 200 IPL matches; joins elite club of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli | Cricket News
Ajinkya Rahane (Image: IPL)
Ajinkya Rahane etched his name into the record books as he became the 11th cricketer to play 200 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The milestone came during Kolkata Knight Riders’ clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026 at the Eden Gardens.Rahane, who made his IPL debut in 2008 for Mumbai Indians, has been one of the most consistent performers in the league over the years. Ahead of this landmark game, the veteran batter had featured in 199 IPL matches, scoring 5,099 runs at an average of around 30, including 2 centuries and 34 fifties.
Ajinkya Rahane began his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians, representing them in the first two editions (2008 and 2009). He then moved to Rajasthan Royals, where he enjoyed a long stint from 2011 to 2015 and returned again for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Rahane was part of the Rising Pune Super Giants setup in 2016 and 2017 before joining Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2020 through a trade deal, where he played until 2021. He later featured for Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Rahane was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2022 mega auction and re-signed again in the 2025 mega auction. Since 2025, he has been a key part of KKR and currently leads the side as captain.Elite company in IPL historyWith this achievement, Rahane joins an elite list of players who have crossed the 200-match mark in IPL history. Only 10 players have played more matches than him, with MS Dhoni leading the chart, followed by Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Ambati Rayudu.Rahane’s longevity and adaptability across teams and roles highlight his importance in the league, having evolved from a classical top-order batter into a dependable captain for Kolkata.
Caulfield’s upcoming Easter Cup has eluded Ciaron Maher so far, though he plans to alter that record with Kings Valley contesting the race.
Third-up for the 2000m Group 3 handicap on Saturday, Kings Valley arrives on the back of claiming the Bairnsdale Cup last time out.
Not the ideal Black-Type form line perhaps, the Bairnsdale Cup nonetheless delivered a crucial boost to Kings Valley, helping Maher nurture the gelding’s ongoing winning pattern.
Having raced initially in Britain, Kings Valley crossed to Australia unraced victoriously, enduring until his eighth start—fourth Australian appearance—for a first win in Horsham’s 1800m maiden.
Success followed swiftly at Caulfield Heath, Sandown, and Randwick, the latter seeing him topple Birdman.
Spring brought lofty expectations from Maher, but form dipped post-placings at Moonee Valley and Caulfield until revival via the Bairnsdale Cup on March 22.
“First-up was terrible, but then we gave him a trial and after that we took him to Caulfield for a gallop and that really brought him on,” Maher said.
“And it was a brilliant ride at Bairnsdale by Tom (Stockdale).
“It’s a tricky little track and they went quick and he weaved his way through. He had to get it right and he did and that’s why he won.
“Last prep he never really hit the mark, but I think this prep will be a lot better.
“Last time we ran him at a mile first-up and he pulled and I think that ruined the rest of his prep, but this time there has been a nice progression and now that he’s won, he can go on.
“He’s on the right path this time and he’ll be much better at the 2000 metres.”
Thomas Stockdale hands the reins to Declan Bates for Kings Valley on Saturday.
Discover the finest betting sites offering Easter Cup odds and promotions.
Things could not be going much better for the New York Yankees six games into the new season. They’re 5-1 and have allowed six runs total, including zero home runs. Every other team has allowed at least 12 runs and two homers, and 25 of the other 29 teams have allowed at least 20 runs. Only the 2002 San Francisco Giants and 1915 Philadelphia Phillies gave up fewer runs through their first six games; they both allowed five.
“I think this team as a whole, we’re just feeding off each other and rolling with it,” righty Cam Schlittler said following Wednesday afternoon’s win over the Seattle Mariners (NYY 5, SEA 3). “To take the series here is a good feeling, and we’ll go home confident to play on Friday.”
The Yankees have started 5-1 despite not yet playing a home game and despite two-time reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge not doing much of anything. Judge is 3 for 24 (.125) with two homers, one walk, and 11 strikeouts. The Yankees have also gotten basically nothing from the bottom of the lineup. Their 7-8-9 lineup spots have combined for a .339 OPS, the lowest in baseball. The Yankees have been carried by Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, Giancarlo Stanton, and their pitching staff.
It’s only six games, but the Yankees are off to a hot start, particularly after an offseason in which they didn’t do much beyond re-sign their own players. Their most significant outside addition was lefty Ryan Weathers, who allowed one run in 4 ⅓ innings in his Yankees debut Monday. Otherwise, the Yankees brought back starting outfielders Bellinger and Trent Grisham, plus some role players (Paul Goldschmidt, Amed Rosario, etc.). That’s really it.
The run-it-back approach made for a boring offseason and some fan angst. OK, a lot of fan angst. The Athletic polled more than 11,000 fans before the season and Yankees fans ranked 22nd in optimism heading into 2026. The Yankees were behind the Athletics, Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates, among others.
That’s insane, right? That ranking reflects fatigue with manager Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman more than it does an objective look at the talent on the roster and the organization as a whole. The Yankees had the American League’s best run differential last season (by 54 runs) and won 94 games, only losing the AL East to the Toronto Blue Jays thanks to a tiebreaker. Fans are down because the Yankees haven’t won the World Series since 2009, not because they’re not a very good team.
The 2026 Yankees look like the 2025 Yankees plus Weathers, and that is not a bad thing. They’re returning almost all of a very good team and have some pieces on the way who will raise their ceiling. Here are four reasons to believe the 2026 Yankees will be better than the 2025 Yankees despite all the familiar faces.
1. A full season of Schlittler
The single biggest reason to believe the 2026 Yankees will be better than the 2025 Yankees is the guy they had on the mound Wednesday. Schlittler, who thoroughly dominated the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of last year’s Wild Card Series, held the Mariners to two hits in 6 ⅓ innings. He struck out seven and threw only 79 pitches while on a pitch limit after a minor back issue delayed his start to spring training. Figure Schlittler will throw 90-ish pitches next start, then 100-ish the start after that.
Two starts into his season, Schlittler has thrown 11 ⅔ scoreless innings and allowed only three baserunners. He opened the year as New York’s No. 2 starter behind Max Fried. He opened last year in Double-A. Schlittler’s meteoric rise last season took him from Double-A on Opening Day to Triple-A in June to the Bronx in July. He made 14 starts for the Yankees as a rookie, pitching to a 2.96 ERA with solid under-the-hood numbers (3.74 FIP, 4.11 xERA, etc.), and also starred in the postseason.
This season, Schlittler is in the rotation to begin the year and he’s positioned to give the Yankees 25-plus starts, depending on how they manage his workload. He’s armed with a new cutter, one that has outlier movement given its mid-90s velocity, …
… as well as upper-90s four-seamers and sinkers. Hitters have missed with more than half their swings against the four-seamer in Schlittler’s two starts. It has been straight bully ball. Schlittler threw 88% fastballs in two starts, so almost nine times out of 10. It’s a “here you go, try to hit it” approach and no one’s hit it yet. The power stuff, the precision (zero walks in two starts), and the fact he’s an imposing presence at 6-foot-6 give Schlittler a very high ceiling. We saw it in last year’s Wild Card Series.
The Yankees got only 14 regular-season starts out of Schlittler last season. He stepped into a rotation spot that had been occupied by veteran hangers-on Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, and Ryan Yarbrough. This year, Schlittler is in the rotation from Day 1. He won’t have a 0.00 ERA all year, and probably not even a sub-3.00 ERA, but Schlittler is very good. He’s showing he can be a true impact starter who you want taking the ball in the biggest games come October.
2. Cole’s return
Gerrit Cole did not throw a single pitch in 2025. He blew out his elbow in spring training and had Tommy John surgery, reducing him to a spectator and secondary pitching coach throughout the summer. Cole’s rehab has been very smooth, about as smooth as you’ll see a Tommy John rehab, and he’s on track to start a minor-league rehab assignment soon and rejoin the Yankees in late May or early June. That’s enough time for what, 20 starts? I think the Yankees would be thrilled with 20 and happy with 15.
In his two spring training starts, Cole’s fastball hummed in around 96 mph and topped out at 98.7 mph, which is exceptional velocity for the first game action after elbow reconstruction. The movement traits on his two breaking balls were right where they needed to be as well. For all intents and purposes, Cole looked like Cole in spring training. He looked like a veteran starter going through the motions in March and I say that as a positive. It was business as usual.
Sandy Alcantara is a reminder that even the very best pitchers can have hiccups in their first year back from Tommy John surgery, so it is not a given Cole returns to make an impact. He doesn’t need to come back as an ace though. The Yankees have Fried (and Schlittler?) to fill that role. Can Cole come back and be better than Weathers and Will Warren, the team’s No. 4 and 5 starters? The Yankees would love to get the ace version of Cole. If they get a 3.80 ERA version, well, that guy can help too.
Whatever the Yankees get out of Cole this year, even if it’s 10-15 starts with an ERA near 4, is something they did not get last year. There is still a lot of build-up and rehab to go, but Cole’s recovery so far has gone so well that it’s hard not to be optimistic. He’s far enough along that we can begin to reasonably assume he’ll contribute something this season. If that’s 12 starts with a 4.25 ERA, those are 12 starts that can help the Yankees and be better than whoever’s next on the rotation depth chart.
(Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are also on the mend from elbow surgery. Rodón is expected back in late April or early May after making 32 starts a year ago. Schmidt, who was limited to 14 starts last year, is unlikely to be back until August or September, which won’t be enough time to really move the needle.)
3. A full season of last year’s deadline additions
The Yankees had a low-key winter partly because they did much of their offseason shopping at last summer’s trade deadline. Setup man Camilo Doval and closer David Bednar came over at the deadline, and were not rentals. Jake Bird, who was so bad after his acquisition last summer that he was demoted to Triple-A after just three games, has given up just one hit in three appearances. Ditto third baseman Ryan McMahon and utility man José Caballero, the latter of whom is filling in at shortstop while Anthony Volpe rehabs from shoulder surgery. Those deadline trades kept the Yankees out of the bullpen and the infield markets in the offseason.
Yes, the 2026 Yankees look like the 2025 Yankees, but more specifically, they look like the post-deadline 2025 Yankees. That team had baseball’s second-best record behind the Phillies after the deadline. Bednar has really settled down in the ninth inning, and while McMahon hasn’t hit much in pinstripes, his Gold Glove-caliber defense alone makes him a big upgrade over the third basemen they’ve employed the last three years (Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, late career Josh Donaldson and DJ LeMahieu).
The 2025 Yankees won 94 games and had the AL’s best run differential despite a shaky bullpen the first four months of the season and a black hole at third base, both offensively and defensively. Having Bednar, Doval, and McMahon at the outset this season is not as sexy and probably not as impactful as having a full year of Schlittler or a partial year of Cole, but those guys put the Yankees in better shape right now than they were at this time last season. The Yankees did their offseason shopping last July.
4. ABS challenges
One week in, the new ABS challenge system seems to be working very well league-wide. Fans at the stadium certainly appear to enjoy it based on the crowd reactions to successful challenges (or unsuccessful challenges for the visitors). The Yankees have been one of the most successful teams in ABS challenges in the early going. Here are the numbers:
|
Total challenges |
16 |
2nd |
|
Successful challenges |
13 |
2nd |
|
Success rate |
81% |
2nd |
The Yankees are second across the board (behind different teams). They challenge frequently, including going 5 for 5 in Tuesday’s game, and they’re successful when they do. Catcher Austin Wells is a perfect 5 for 5 behind the plate on challenges and New York’s 81% team success rate is well above the 55% league average.
With the caveat that it has only been a week, the Yankees have all the ingredients to be one of the game’s most successful ABS challenge teams. Their hitters are very disciplined and know the zone well, and their catchers are excellent pitch-framers. The entire roster controls the strike zone well. Will they stay at an 81% success rate all year? No, almost certainly not, but the Yankees will likely finish near the top of the league in total challenges and success rate.
We’ve already seen how much ABS challenges can swing an inning or a game. Last Friday, Judge challenged a called strike with a runner on second and no outs in a scoreless game. The 1-1 call was overturned into a hitter-friendly 2-0 count, then Judge hit a home run that gave the Yankees the only two runs they’d need that afternoon.
ABS challenges are a tool the 2026 Yankees figure to use well as any team in the game. They’re also a tool the 2025 Yankees did not have. Unless the Yankees are unexpectedly bad at ABS challenges (it’s possible, sure), there will be a few extra runs and wins to be had throughout the season. Even one additional win would be a lift. It’s just not something last year’s team could use. This is a rule change that appears to favor the Yankees given the roster’s top-to-bottom control of the strike zone.
The Yankees also have much improved depth this season. Cabrera (third base) and Jasson Domínguez (left field) were in the Opening Day lineup last year. This year, they’re in Triple-A. The bench includes players with strategic uses: Goldschmidt, Rosario, and Randal Grichuk, all of whom are above-average hitters against lefties. Last year’s Opening Day bench included Peraza and Pablo Reyes, two break glass in case of emergency types. The margins of the roster are much stronger.
As good as it is, the pitching staff will not continue to average one run allowed per game. There will be a crash back to Earth at some point, which will be offset by Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and a few others rising at the plate. The 2026 Yankees look a lot like the 2025 Yankees, for sure, but 2025 is 2025 and 2026 is 2026. What happened last year won’t have any bearing on this year. The Yankees have a roster now that is deeper and, thanks largely to Cole and Schlittler, possesses greater upside than last year’s team.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, the latest in a string of executive actions that aim at LGBTQ+ rights.
The move comes as the right wing in the US, and globally, has taken an increasingly aggressive stance against transgender people.
What does the new ban on transgender women and girls say?
The order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” gives government agencies authority to penalize schools that allow transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams.
Any school that violates the order would risk losing federal funding.
“It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy,” according to the executive order.
It is unclear how the ban will be enforced at schools and in grassroots sports.
And at the top level it will affect few athletes as despite widespread debate, there are still very few trans competitors in the US.
Charlie Baker, President of the NCAA, which regulates about 500,000 college athletes in the country, said in late 2024 that his organization contained “less than 10” transgender athletes.
Trump signed an executive order last month proclaiming that it will only recognize two sexes, male and female, going forward.
Trump moves to ban transgender athletes from 2028 LA Games
The US president also said he would pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its rules on transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
He said he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “make it clear” to the IOC that “we want them to change everything having to do with the Olympics.”
What are the IOC rules on transgender athletes?
In the past years, the IOC has changed its stance around transgender athletes. Rather than mandating uniform testosterone limits, it lets the international federations governing each sport set their own criteria for participation.
The IOC’s current framework, however, suggests maintaining testosterone levels below 10 nanomoles per liter for 12 months prior to competition.
Some federations, such as the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Aquatics, have also implemented stricter lower thresholds or additional requirements.
Trump added that he had ordered Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem to deny visa applications “made by men attempting to fraudulently enter the United States while identifying themselves as women athletes to try and get into the Games.”
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and organizers for the 2028 Olympics did not immediately respond to AP requests for comment.
Trump’s attacks on transgender policies
“Our hearts break for the trans youth who will no longer be able to know the joy of playing sports as their full and authentic selves,” Athlete Ally, a US LGBTQ+ athletic advocacy group, said in a statement.
“We hope they will continue to feel the love and acceptance from their teammates, coaches, friends and family members that they deserve.”
Since his second term began on January 20, Trump has issued a string of orders targeting gender-nonconforming people.
He signed an order to restrict gender-affirming care for those under 19.
He also issued an order to rid what he called “transgender ideology” from the military that effectively bars transgender Americans from service.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
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