NEW YORK — A scheduled spring fraud trial for two Cleveland Guardians pitchers accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets and betray “America’s pastime” will likely be postponed until October, a federal judge said Wednesday as the men pleaded not guilty to a rewritten indictment.
Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto left a May 4 trial date on the books for now, but indicated she’ll probably move it to the fall in the coming weeks.
Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, speaking Spanish, entered not guilty pleas through a translator to a rewritten indictment in Brooklyn federal court.
No new charges were in the superseding indictment unsealed on Friday, as prosecutors charged a third individual with serving as a middleman between bettors and Clase. That person also pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
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The pitchers were first charged in November with accepting several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 by placing more than 100 in-game prop bets and parlays on the speed and the outcome of certain pitches. Charges include wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests.
The rewritten indictment released Friday added allegations that Clase used code words like “rooster” and “chicken” in communications about pitches to be thrown.
Prior to a May 18, 2025, game against the Cincinnati Reds, Clase received a message to “throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight” and responded with: “Yes, of course, that’s an easy toss to that rooster,” the indictment said. However, Clase never entered the game and could not fulfill the plan to throw outside the strike zone to the first batter he faced, it added.
A day earlier, though, Clase broke Major League Baseball rules by using his cellphone in the middle of a game against the Reds to signal to gamblers that a pitch would be outside the strike zone, enabling them to win about $27,000, the indictment said.
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Clase, the Guardians’ former closer, and Ortiz, a starter, have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July. Their teammates are just starting training camp for the new season. The team’s home opener is April 3.
Clase and Ortiz, who are free on bail, left the courthouse separately after Wednesday’s hearing. Neither commented. Lawyers for both men have insisted their clients never colluded with gamblers.
Lawyers for Ortiz have asked that he be tried separately, saying in court papers that if Clase passed along Ortiz’s pitching strategy to gamblers, he did so without Ortiz’s knowledge. They also noted that Ortiz is accused of throwing only two pitches that drew scrutiny over a 12-day span, while Clase is charged with colluding with gamblers on numerous pitches since 2023.
“Mr. Clase may have abused his relationship with Mr. Ortiz as friends and teammates by convincing Mr. Ortiz to throw certain pitches at certain times — ostensibly for baseball reasons as far as Mr. Ortiz was aware,” the lawyers wrote.
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They said they might present a defence to the jury that would cast “Ortiz as a victim of Mr. Clase’s scheme, rather than a knowing and willing participant.”
Clase, a three-time All-Star, had a $4.5 million salary in 2025, the fourth season of a $20 million, five-year contract. Prosecutors say he started providing bettors with information about his pitches in 2023 but didn’t seek payoffs until last year.
Prosecutors have said that Ortiz, who had a $782,600 salary last season, joined the scheme last June.
The Guardians and Major League Baseball have said they are cooperating with the investigation. MLB said it contacted federal law enforcement when it began investigating unusual betting activity.
Kabuni, an AI-powered sports technology platform redefining cricket training, on Thursday appointed former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson as one of its “Super Coaches”.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly had joined hands with the UK based start up last year.
“This collaboration brings together Kabuni’s cutting-edge technology with Watson’s deep cricketing expertise, creating a powerful blend of data-driven insights and real-world experience for aspiring cricketers,” said Kabuni in a statement.
The coaching platform is designed to transform traditional net practice by capturing player movement and ball tracking in real time, translating it into simple, actionable feedback.
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“With its unique “1% improvement” approach, the system focuses on small, immediate corrections that lead to meaningful performance gains over time.
By integrating voice, video, and visual cues, Kabuni ensures that feedback is not just data-heavy but intuitive and easy to apply, particularly for young and developing players,” the statement added.
On his association with Kabuni, Watson said: “What excites me about Kabuni is how it simplifies improvement. Cricket is a game of small margins, and the ability to identify and act on those 1% changes can make a huge difference. Kabuni brings clarity to training in a way that players at any level can understand and benefit from.”
Nimesh Patel, Founder & CEO, Kabuni, said: “Having Shane Watson join Kabuni as Super Coach is a huge milestone for us. His experience at the highest level of the game, combined with our technology, allows us to deliver a more complete and credible training ecosystem.
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“Our goal has always been to ‘put a professional coach in every player’s kitbag’, and this partnership brings us even closer to that vision.
Mike Trout couldn’t stop rounding the bases at Yankee Stadium during the Los Angeles Angels’ four-game series, and he made history doing so.
The future Hall of Famer crushed five home runs, including a blast in the Angels’ 11-4 win Thursday afternoon, and tallied nine RBIs in the series, which Los Angeles split with New York.
The 34-year-old Trout entered the series with only two home runs and seven RBIs on the season, but he’s heading back home this weekend looking like his prime self after what transpired in the Bronx.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., April 13, 2025.(Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
He also heads back with some history as the first visiting player to hit a home run four straight days at Yankee Stadium, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
Trout’s five homers are also tied for the most in a single series against the Yankees. Only three others — George Bell, Darrell Evans and Jimmie Foxx — have done so in past seasons.
The latest home run from Trout was a solo blast that traveled 446 feet off Yankees reliever Angel Chivilli in the top of the seventh inning Thursday to make it a 7-4 game. Jo Adell’s grand slam later in the game blew it open for Los Angeles to even the series in the end.
Before that, Trout kicked off the series with two home runs and five RBIs in a wild Monday night contest that ended with the Yankees walking it off. Aaron Judge also belted two home runs in the game, as did Trent Grisham, whose game-tying two-run blast in the ninth inning kept the Yankees’ hopes alive.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium April 15, 2026, in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
But Trout and the Angels got the job done Tuesday night, and the veteran outfielder’s only hit was a solo homer. Then, in Wednesday night’s loss, Trout went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.
Yankee Stadium in general has been a pleasant place for Trout, a South New Jersey native, as he’s hitting .346 with 13 homers in his career there. He also homered in five straight games against the Yankees if you include the Angels’ last meeting in 2025. That also took place in Yankee Stadium.
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“He’s the greatest, the greatest of all time,” Judge said of Trout after Monday’s game. “I know he’s had some tough injuries over the years, but to see himself back in a better spot this year – every time he comes to the Bronx, man, he puts on a show. I hate to see it, but it’s fun competing against a guy like that.”
As Judge mentioned, the Angels are just happy Trout is playing injury-free to start the season, and perhaps this Yankees series has him hitting his stride.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City on April 13, 2026.(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
The three-time league MVP is heading to Cooperstown one day, but there is always the thought among baseball fans about what could’ve been for his career had injuries not gotten in the way. Trout played 130 games last season for the first time since 2019.
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Now 10-10, the Angels are hoping they can get that output from Trout once more in 2026. They’re looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Sunny Mehta, formerly an assistant with the Florida Panthers, has been hired by the Devils as general manager, the team announced on Thursday.
Mehta was also reportedly a candidate in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ executive search.
The 48-year-old, who was raised in Wyckoff, N.J., spent the past six seasons with the Panthers, winning two Stanley Cups. Over the past three years, he served as head of analytics as well as assistant GM.
“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said in a press release. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”
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Mehta, who will be introduced with a media availability on Tuesday, becomes the sixth general manager in Devils history. New Jersey is coming off its second straight year missing the post-season, placing seventh in the Metropolitan Division with 87 points in 82 games.
He will take time to evaluate the status of head coach Sheldon Keefe, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported.
Devils star forward Jack Hughes missed chunks of the season due to injury, but scored the golden goal for the U.S. in the Olympic men’s hockey tournament.
“We quickly realized this job was in high demand and were incredibly fortunate to meet with many qualified candidates,” managing partner David Blitzer said in a statement. “Sunny’s familiarity with our organization and experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team are characteristics that will serve as a foundation for future success. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and compete for the Stanley Cup, and I look forward to Sunny leading us there.”
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Mehta previously spent four seasons with the Devils from 2014-15 to 2017-18 under Lou Lamoriello and Ray Shero.
Prior to joining the NHL, Mehta was a professional musician and poker player. He studied Jazz Guitar and Studio at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and later wrote two books on poker strategy called Professional No-Limit Hold ‘Em, Volume 1 (2009) and Small Stakes No-Limit Hold ‘Em (2007).
With the Devils having filled their GM vacancy, it leaves the Maple Leafs, Seattle Kraken and Nashville Predators as the remaining openings.
The Devils fired previous GM Tom Fitzgerald earlier in April.
Cal’s athletic department is reportedly going to cut dozens of jobs from within its administrative ranks, a potential result of increased travel costs in the ACC.
Should they have stayed in the Pac-12 with Stanford?
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin and ‘Locked On Buffs’ host Kevin Borba discuss takeaways from Colorado’s Spring Game.
Did QB JuJu Lewis do enough to prove he’s the starter for Deion Sanders?
Ohio State enters 2026 with very few questions and one of the best rosters in the country.
What will the Buckeyes be keeping an eye on at their Spring Game this weekend?
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00:00 Cal athletics cutting staff 04:10 Cal and Stanford join ACC 06:31 Cal’s ACC travel challenges 15:19 Evaluating Colorado’s offensive and defensive lines 16:57 Deion Sanders’ secrecy and draft discussion 24:21 Questions about Arthur Smith’s offense 29:37 Freshman wide receiver’s early progress
Former Arsenal player and Austrian goalkeeper Alex Manninger died tragically on Thursday after the vehicle he was driving was struck by a train at a railroad crossing in Salzburg, police said. He was 48.
Manninger was not immediately identified by law enforcement, but a number of his former teams released statements on social media confirming the news of his tragic passing.
Goalkeeper Alexander Manninger reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and 1899 Hoffenheim at SGL Arena in Augsburg, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2015.(Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
“Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger,” the team’s statement read. “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Alex.”
Police told The Associated Press of a fatal “traffic accident involving a local train and a car” at a railroad crossing early Thursday morning.
“Upon arrival, emergency responders found that the car’s driver, a 48-year-old man from Salzburg, had already been freed from the vehicle by first responders and was undergoing CPR. Police assisted with resuscitation efforts, including the use of a defibrillator. Despite further efforts by paramedics and an emergency physician, resuscitation was unsuccessful. The man from Salzburg succumbed to his injuries.”
Alexander Manninger, goalkeeper of Augsburg, celebrates with fans after the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Hamburger SV at SGL Arena in Augsburg, Germany, on May 14, 2016.(Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images)
The details of what led to the fatal wreck were not immediately known, but police said the car was struck and dragged by a train. There were no additional injuries reported.
The death of the former English Premier League pro sent shockwaves throughout the soccer community.
“We mourn the loss of our former player Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident,” FC Red Bull Salzburg wrote on X. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”
“Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48,” Liverpool added in a separate post on X. “The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
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Juventus goalkeeper Alex Manninger watches the action during their Europa League Group A match against Manchester City in Manchester, England, on Sept. 30, 2010.(Scott Heppell/AP)
“Today is a terribly sad day. He has left us not only as a great athlete, but as a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an extraordinary professional seriousness,” Juventus said in a translated statement. “Juventus expresses its condolences for the passing of Alex Manninger and stands with the family in this moment of grief.”
Manninger won the 1998 Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal and was also a Serie A winner with Juventus. He made 33 appearances for Austria.
Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter walks the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors award ceremony, Jan. 31, 2015, at Symphony Hall in Phoenix, appearing at the annual event celebrating the league’s top players and achievements during Super Bowl week festivities. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Hall of Fame Minnesota Vikings wideout Cris Carter was rather obviously not a huge fan of J.J. McCarthy, using his platform to criticize the passer a few times during the 2025 regular season. But in the 2026 offseason, Carter thinks McCarthy will eventually get a chance to prove himself.
Minnesota has a new QB1 for now, but Carter clearly believes McCarthy still has meaningful time to reclaim the job.
The Vikings now have Kyler Murray on the roster for QB1 duty, yet Carter says not to count out McCarthy just yet.
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The Vikings’ Quarterback Timeline Still Leaves Room
A fresh take from the Vikings legend.
Cris Carter reacts during the Enshrinees Gold Jacket dinner, with Aug 2, 2019 marking the event at the Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center in Canton, Ohio. The Hall of Fame wide receiver took part in the annual ceremony honoring the newest class ahead of enshrinement weekend festivities. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Carter on McCarthy
Carter spoke to Heavy this week, and to the surprise of some, he unloaded an optimistic McCarthy take.
“J.J. McCarthy, he’s still going to get an opportunity because most quarterbacks aren’t going to stay healthy for 17 games, so there will be an opportunity for him not only to learn and get better, but also to watch and learn from a guy like Kyler Murray … But I’d expect Kyler to be the starter this season,” Carter said.
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He added about the Vikings’ offense, “Kevin O’Connell has proven with this offense when he’s had a healthy QB, he’s been able to win 12, 13, 14 games during the regular season. If you look at the nucleus of players they do have coming back … you’d have to be looking at the Vikings to be back in the playoffs and competing for the NFC.”
“Their offensive and defensive lines are more fortified than they were 2 years ago; they just need consistent quarterback play and the ability to allow that defense to be able to turn the ball over and get after the quarterback.”
For the most part, Carter was spot-on.
McCarthy’s Whirlwind 2025 Campaign
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McCarthy showcased his potential late in 2025 in games against Detroit, Washington, Dallas, and New York, demonstrating confidence and effective offensive leadership.
However, the rest of his record is less promising. Recurring injuries hampered his performance and prevented him from achieving week-to-week consistency. By the end of 2025, he ranked last in EPA+CPOE, highlighting an underwhelming first season as a starter.
Ultimately, McCarthy’s availability is the major concern. Since entering the league in 2024, he has missed 24 of 34 possible games, resulting in a 70% absence rate over two seasons. He started the season with a memorable moment at Soldier Field, struggled the following week, got hurt, returned with a vengeance, got hurt, got hot in December, and then got hurt again.
Carter Is Correct on QB Injuries
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One thing is certain from Carter’s musings: Murray isn’t necessarily an Iron Man. He’s missed 26% of all games in his career, translating to a pattern of staying under center 12 or 13 games per season. If his history catches up with him in 2026, well, McCarthy will be ready to step in as the QB2, assuming he keeps Carson Wentz at bay, whom Minnesota signed last month for more depth.
There’s a world where Murray gets hurt — again, he’s not known for extreme durability — and McCarthy enters the lineup. Then, you know, he could just stay there if his mechanics have improved and his maturation mirrored that of an NFL starter.
McCarthy’s story doesn’t have to be over in Minnesota. It might just require some serendipity if the form of a Murray injury, as morbid as that sounds.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) exchanges words with Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) following the game, with Dec 7, 2025 marking the matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. McCarthy showed visible emotion during the postgame interaction after a hard-fought contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Zone Coverage‘s Wyatt Wade wrote last month, “While Murray’s signing helps the Vikings in 2026, it could create an issue in the future. McCarthy and Brosmer have only one more year on their contracts beyond this season. As a first-round pick, McCarthy has a club option after 2027, and Brosmer would be a restricted free agent.”
“The Vikings also haven’t signed Wentz yet and seem hesitant to bring in another quarterback to challenge McCarthy for the backup spot. If Murray stays healthy and chooses to leave after this season, the team is right back where they started before this offseason, if not in a bit worse situation.”
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Vikings’ Life Easier if McCarthy Is Good
Minnesota picked McCarthy with a purpose in 2024 — to be the franchise quarterback after Kirk Cousins. That plan has not worked. Injuries have spoiled the forecast.
But that doesn’t mean anyone has to be low on his future. His stock took a major hit when Murray signed the dotted line, rest assured. Yet, the Vikings’ long-term outlook would be so much easier if McCarthy arrived to 2026 as an improved and healthy man. It wouldn’t matter if Murray worked out, and the Vikings wouldn’t need to eye young quarterbacks in 2027 or 2028.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates after a road win over the Chicago Bears, with Sep 8, 2025 marking the game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. McCarthy reacted with energy after helping Minnesota secure an early-season divisional victory in a hostile NFC North environment. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images.
In that vein, Minnesota might have two favorable outcomes churning: a chance for Murray to get back on track as a Pro Bowl quarterback, and if he does not, a hope that McCarthy develops and matures, as was the plan in the spring of 2024.
Carter is right that McCarthy will probably get a chance to strut his stuff in 2026. Given Murray’s history, it might be weird if he stays 100% healthy in all 17 games.
STUTTGART, GERMANY – APRIL 16: Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in action against Diana Shnaider of Russia during the Women’s Singles second round match on day four of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2026 at Porsche Arena on April 16, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Elena Rybakina has moved into the quarter-finals in Stuttgart with a straight-sets win over Diana Shnaider, 6-3, 6-4.
Rybakina dropped just three points on serve in the opening set and lost only one point behind her first serve in the second.
She has now won five matches in a row, having lifted the title in 2024.
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After the match, she was asked about finally being able to enjoy the Porsche she won in Stuttgart in 2024.
“Well winning the tournament gave me a good push to finally take my exams and get the drivers license,” she said. “I have the drivers license. I’m enjoying the car… It’s been amazing. Super happy to be back.”
Rybakina also spoke about her calm approach on court.
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“Well I’m trying to control myself that’s for sure… I’m trying to focus on the next point. Forget the mistake as soon as possible. Overall a pretty calm person. It helps on the court.”
On how she spends time away from tennis, she added:
“Definitely not fishing… If it’s been a really difficult week, then I try to stay and relax… If I have a longer vacation I prefer to do something fun. A rollercoaster or something fun with the friends, family.”
Despite being debutants, Palace were installed as favourites to win the Conference League at the start of the season.
It took a while for them to live up to that tag, with many of their performances in Europe looking somewhat turgid.
But their 3-0 win against Fiorentina – two-time finalists in the Conference League – showed what they are capable of.
Next up for Palace is a two-legged semi-final with Shakhtar, with Strasbourg facing Rayo Vallecano in the other tie.
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“They made light work of them [Fiorentina] really, but from here on in they will expect some really tough games, there is some good quality in the competition,” added Tomkins.
“The question is whether they can bring the positivity from the first leg. That was the best I’ve seen them for a while, the three-week break did them the world of good and they looked like the team we saw early this season and last season.”
The season will end with Glasner’s departure, but it could also end with a European prize.
“Of course, that is what we all want,” said the Austrian.
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“We want to enjoy our life together, not just the football. The more successful you are, the more you enjoy your life.
“When you play the semi-final, you want to get it all at the end and that’s what we will go for.”
Did QB JuJu Lewis do enough to prove he’s the starter for Deion Sanders? 
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