The Pittsburgh Pirates are keeping Konnor Griffin in town. The 19-year-old shortstop has signed a nine-year extension that locks him up through 2034, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is worth $140 million with no options or deferrals, according to the New York Post. Awards escalators can take the contract up to $150 million.

This marks the largest contract the Pirates have ever handed out, surpassing Bryan Reynolds’ $106.75 million extension in 2023.

“Since joining the organization, Konnor has consistently demonstrated the traits we want in a Pirate — a daily commitment to improvement, a team-first mindset and a strong desire to win,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said in a statement. “He has met every challenge in front of him, and we are excited to watch him continue that growth alongside his teammates in Pittsburgh. We are thrilled he will be with a Pirate for a long time.”

The news comes just days after Griffin’s major-league debut, which made him the first teenager to appear in the big leagues since Elvis Luciano and Juan Soto in 2019. The No. 9 pick in the 2024 Draft skyrocketed through the minors last season, slashing .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 steals while climbing from Low Class-A to Double-A. Griffin is 7 for 16 (.438) with three doubles in five Triple-A games this year. 

The Pirates gave Griffin a chance to win the shortstop job in spring training, though he stumbled a bit (7 for 41 with 13), specifically swinging through too many pitches in the zone. We ranked Griffin has the third-best prospect in baseball entering spring training. Here’s the write-up:

The rap on Griffin during his amateur days was that he had every tool but the hit tool, the most important of the bunch. It was encouraging, then, to see him ease concerns about his swing-and-miss during his first pro season. He connected on more than 75% of his attempts while showing off the power (he cleared the 114 mph threshold) and speed (he stole 65 bases) combination that gave him a high ceiling. Griffin even kept his strikeout rate under 24% during a 21-game stint in Double-A, suggesting that he wasn’t just feasting on younger pitchers or those with less raw talent. Knowing when to adjust priors is one of the trickiest parts of evaluating players. Given everything about Griffin’s year, it would be silly to ignore how much higher his chances of reaching his star ceiling are now than they were 365 days ago.  

Griffin is expected to be a favorite in the National League’s rookie of the year race (+200, per Caesars), though it’s a stacked class including righty Nolan McLean (New York Mets), first baseman Sal Stewart (Cincinnati Reds), and second baseman JJ Wetherholt (St. Louis Cardinals).

The Pirates are 7-4 in the young season, led by ace Paul Skenes.

Robert Griffin III wore a few different jerseys during his NFL career as he’s spent time with the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens in eight seasons.

Griffin is hoping to don three more colors by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics roll around – red, white and blue.

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ESPN college football and NFL analyst Robert Griffin III reacts on the sidelines before the 2024 AFC divisional round game between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 20, 2024. (Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports)

The one-time Pro Bowler received an invitation last month to Team USA flag football training games as the squad prepares for the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championships later this year. The first round of training camp will be held April 16-19 and the second round will be held May 21-24.

“That is the goal, and we’ve already taken the first step in that process,” Griffin told TMZ Sports of making the Olympic team. “It’s 2026. What we’re all fighting for is to be a part of the 12 that goes to Germany and plays in the IFAF 2026 World Championships. Team USA, since (Darrell Doucette III) has joined the team, has not lost a game. I think they’re the five-time reigning IFAF world champions. They are doing this at a high level and all I’m trying to do is add to that greatness.

GIANTS COACH SHARES WISDOM FOR JAXSON DART AFTER WORKING WITH PATRICK MAHOMES IN KANSAS CITY

Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 1, 2016. (Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports)

“But in 2028, I’ve already put that and said that is the goal. I want to go for gold with Team USA and I’m just going through every single step to make that happen and respecting these guys and respecting the flag football community along the way.”

Following the final training camp, a selection committee will trim the list of possible players from 24 to 18 for a third camp in June. The committee will then take the best 12 players for the world championships, taking place Aug. 13-16.

Team USA quarterback Darrell Doucette III carries the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 21, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

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Darell Doucette III has already proven to be one of the best flag football players in the world, as he led Team USA to victories in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic against NFL players.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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John Sadler seems primed to go after key Black Type honours for Merrigold at the Caulfield meeting.

The mare scored a win in benchmark 84 level at 1400m on Caulfield last Saturday, leading Sadler to consider entry in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on the upcoming Saturday.

Sadler commented that Merrigold excels at backing up post-race as a mare, and the Black Type incentive makes it a prospect the owners will probably seize.

Entry by Merrigold on Saturday would represent her second Stakes race only, having tailed the field in the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) conducted at Caulfield in November.

That said, Merrigold has proven one of the steadiest mares competing since the new year, boasting two successes and three next-best efforts in five runs from January onward.

“She backs up very, very well,” Sadler said.

“That win on Saturday was good and I haven’t got a problem backing her up.

“She comes through her races super and the whole idea this preparation has been, hopefully, being a mare, to get some Black Type.

“We’ve got a Listed race on Saturday and looking at the nominations, it’s not going to be an easy race, but I think she well and truly deserves her place in the field.

“Saturday is Black Type, so that will do me, but then perhaps we could go to Adelaide, but I don’t want to get too greedy, as I still think she’s climbing the ladder.”

Sadler pointed out that backing up a horse Saturday to Saturday relies solely on how the horse handles the aftermath at the stable.

Merrigold suits this scenario to a tee, he noted.

“She just flies through her races,” Sadler said.

“On Monday morning she was five kilos heavier than she was on Saturday morning, which is quite incredible.

“She’s a very professional racehorse, one everyone would like.”

Saturday’s Anniversary Vase has attracted 30 nominations, including Melbourne Cup third-placed Middle Earth via Melbourne Cup.

Merrigold picked up a 54kg impost when weights came out Tuesday.

Punters looking for value in the Anniversary Vase can check the latest betting markets for the race across leading sites.

Harry Maguire has signed a new contract at Man Utd and the veteran is still the best defender at the club while others suffer injury issues.

In theory, the age profile of Manchester United’s centre-backs should be perfect. You have the grizzled veteran in 33-year-old Harry Maguire, the next cabs off the rank in Leny Yoro, 20, and Ayden Heaven, 19, and then the pair who should be in their prime years, with Matthijs de Ligt, 26 and Lisandro Martinez now 28.

But the best laid plans don’t always come off. In recent weeks, it has been Maguire and Yoro who have formed the heart of defence, with that partnership only being broken up next week by Maguire’s suspension. Martinez’s return from injury should see him return after five games out.

Injuries are becoming a recurring theme for the Argentine, however, and with his contract about to enter its final year, United might soon have to make a decision. They have the option to extend the deal by one further year, and at the moment, there might be a reluctance to do more than that.

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On his day, there is no question that Martinez makes United a better side. His quality on the ball, the aggression of his defending, and his left-footedness are all positives. But his calf injury is his seventh separate spell out of the side since he signed, and having suffered a serious knee injury, he might now be in a cycle where muscle problems and minor injuries become a regular occurrence.

Martinez suffered two different foot injuries that cost him around 40 games and then a cruciate ligament injury last February. That is the injury players fear most and what was expected to be a one-game absence this time has crept up to five.

The £57million defender did return to training at Carton House near Dublin on Tuesday and he will be desperate to stay fit now for the remainder of the season. If he does so, he might edge out Yoro when Maguire is back from his ban.

For De Ligt, a return seems no closer. His absence is now closing in on five months, having initially been diagnosed with a back problem that was supposed to be fixed in a matter of weeks.

He has been close to resuming training a couple of times, only to feel more pain, and he was noticeably absent from the 25-man squad flying to Dublin on Monday. Patrick Dorgu travelled despite the fact he is not yet back in group training, but United felt De Ligt’s injury meant he was better off staying behind at Carrington to continue working there.

De Ligt is becoming the forgotten man of this squad and his fitness also can’t be relied on. United can’t afford to carry two prime-age centre-backs who are costing them the best part of £350,000-a-week if they can’t get them on the pitch often enough. At least one of them might have to pay the price.

That is why extending Maguire’s contract became such a no-brainer. Towards the end of 2025, it might have been expected this would be his final season, but he has got himself back fit and, when given a run of games, has reminded everyone of his quality.

In an ideal world, United might well look to pair De Ligt and Martinez together, but that is proving impossible. They can’t afford to let Maguire leave when their £99million defenders have fitness questions hanging over them.

Maybe next season that duo can prove the doubters wrong, but if not, then something has to give. In the Ineos era, when prudence has become a watchword, getting your most expensive assets on the pitch is essential.

This time next month, all eyes will be on Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois as they collide in an intriguing battle for the WBO heavyweight world title. Now, Filip Hrgovic, who faced Dubois back in 2024, has laid out his prediction for the fight.

Dubois and Hrgovic went toe-to-toe in a scintillating scrap for the IBF interim heavyweight title almost two years ago, where the Croatian suffered his first professional defeat despite a dominant start to the contest.

Victory for ‘Triple D’ saw him then upgraded to full IBF world champion, and he went on to halt Anthony Joshua to prove he was a worthy heavyweight ruler before losing his title to Oleksandr Usyk. He now looks to bounce back in a third straight world title bout, this time against newly crowned WBO titleholder Wardley.

Speaking to iFL TV, Hrgovic said that he favours Dubois in the clash, predicting that the Londoner will become the United Kingdom’s fifth two-time heavyweight champion.

“Yeah, I give him the advantage. I think that he will win.”

‘El Animal’ then went on to reveal both his eagerness to fight Dubois once again and his doubts as to whether such an opportunity will ever arise.

“I want to have a rematch with him [Dubois] one day.”

“That [rematch for the WBO world title] would be great but I don’t think that is happening because I am not from Great Britain. You motherf***ers give your guys all of the opportunities!”

Wardley-Dubois takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, while Hrgovic takes on Dave Allen at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster the following week.

“I actually don’t really care from our point of view where we play and the times and all the rest of it.”

McInnes said the fixtures came as “no real surprise” as Hearts had been pre-warned.

“We’re just delighted to be part of the whole conversation, delighted that we’re going to be in amongst it and looking forward to the games when they come up,” he said.

“It’s not great for the fans that they don’t get Saturday three o’clock, but I think, you know, having three away games it was probably difficult to fit everything in.

“I get how not everybody’s going to be happy. I think the league have got a tough job to try and keep every club happy and every set of supporters happy, but for us we’re just obviously excited about the games that’s coming up.

“I think you look at them, a lot of mouth-watering fixtures, we’ve said that the top six would sort everything out and these fixtures will. They’re brilliant fixtures.”

The SPFL explained that Hearts are away on the final day because it was unable to have both Glasgow or Edinburgh sides play at home on the final two fixture dates, as they all kick-off at the same time, and not to have a city derby on the final day.

Only around 600 visiting fans are likely to be at Celtic Park for what could be a pivotal day in Hearts’ history as they aim to clinch their first top-flight title since 1960.

“That’s disappointing, that is, and I can understand the frustration from that,” McInnes said.

“Let’s hope that we are getting into that game with plenty to play for and we’ve got a lot of work to do before then, but I totally get that.”

However, McInnes realised that the SPFL was keen to have “a fixture at the death that would be pretty key” and said: “I think it’s an unbelievable fixture if we are and particularly if Celtic have still got a chance as well.

“If both teams are still in the mix for winning a league, it’s the most dramatic fixture you can have.”

McInnes fully expects the title race to go down to the final day, when Rangers also visit Falkirk.

“They’ve got a difficult away game last game of the season as well, so I think it’s up to the league and the TV companies to try and maximise the drama,” he added.

I Am Maximus heads the maximum field of 34 declared runners as he attempts to emulate Red Rum in Saturday’s Grand National.

No horse since Ginger McCain’s Aintree legend has won the world’s most famous steeplechase, lost the title and then regained it. Red Rum won in 1973 and 1974 and was second in 1975 and 1976 before bringing the house down with a third victory in 1977.

Willie Mullins’ I Am Maximus – who will be sporting cheekpieces for just the second time, the first being back in December 2022 – won two years ago in the hands of Paul Townend and found only stablemate Nick Rockett too good in 2025 when aiming to be the first dual winner since Tiger Roll.

As well as the past two winners, Mullins also runs Grangeclare West, who was third last year, Spanish Harlem, owned by Dr Peter Fitzgerald, founder and owner of the sponsors Randox, Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, High Class Hero, Captain Cody and Quai De Bourbon.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs is another aiming for a slice of history as no horse has won the Welsh and Irish Nationals as well as the Aintree version, while Banbridge, Gerri Colombe, Firefox, Monty’s Star and Oscars Brother enhance Ireland’s traditionally strong hand.

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero have two big chances, with last year’s fourth Iroko joined by stablemate Jagwar. Similarly to I Am Maximus, both are owned by JP McManus, who also has Cheltenham Festival winner Johnnywho on his UK-trained team.

Ben Pauling’s Twig finished 10th last year and Becher Chase success over the fences earlier this season has reignited the National dream for his connections, who picked him up for £100. He will be ridden by the owner’s 21-year-old son, Beau Morgan.

“He ran well in the race last year when he was ridden to come home well, but I don’t think the plan was to be quite so far back,” said Pauling.

“He acts on the track, he obviously enjoys it there having won the Becher and if we can get him into a rhythm closer to the pace, as it’s much harder these days to come from off the pace, that would be better.

“If he can travel in the first half of the field on the first circuit and just hold our own on the second circuit, as we know he stays very well, then we’ll see if we can beat last year’s result. Anything inside the top 10 and we’d be thrilled, anything else is a bonus.

“He’s not thrown in or anything like that but he’s got his ground and he likes the fences so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s there with a shout two out, after there we’ll see.

“He’s very much a fairytale National story, he cost next to nothing, he’s ridden by the son of the owner, but we’ll see if we have a fairytale result.”

There were no withdrawals at the 72-hour declaration stage, although Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower is also declared to run in Thursday’s Racing Welfare Bowl Chase. Should that be the case, Pied Piper, who is the first of six reserves, would be number 34 and line up as a sixth runner in the race for Gordon Elliott.

In the event of a non-runner, the deadline for reserves to make the final field is 1pm on Friday.

Full list of runners and riders for the 2026 Grand National

Horse; jockey; trainer

Reserves (in order of who will get a run should there be a withdrawal):