St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Packy Naughton cannot catch a break.

Naughton, 29, was pitching in the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate on Wednesday attempting an MLB comeback when he appeared to sustain another arm injury just three pitches into his latest outing.

Naughton fired a 1-1 pitch well wide of the strike zone and immediately grabbed his left elbow. He took a couple of paces toward home plate before bending over in pain. He eventually walked off with a trainer while holding his left arm.

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Cardinals relief pitcher Packy Naughton pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 2, 2023. (Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports)

“That’s never a good sign,” Charlotte Knights announcer Matt Swierad said during the broadcast. “Hopefully nothing too serious there, just something he was trying to be cautious about.”

Naughton’s unfortunate run of arm injuries began in 2023 when he tore his flexor tendon after four scoreless appearances, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. In 2024, while rehabbing, Naughton re-tore the flexor tendon in addition to tearing the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Packy Naughton on the field in Jupiter, Florida, on Feb. 17, 2026. (Jim Rassol/Imagn Images)

He underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his UCL and missed both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Despite the injuries, Naughton signed a two-year minor league deal at the end of the 2024 season. The Cardinals knew he would be rehabbing throughout 2025 and hoped he would be a part of the team’s bullpen in 2026.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Packy Naughton throws a pitch during a spring training workout at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 14, 2026. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)

Naughton seemed like he was on his way to being a member of the bullpen in this year’s spring training, recording a 1.29 ERA over seven appearances.

Across three seasons, one with the Los Angeles Angels and two with the Cardinals, Naughton has appeared in 37 games, going 0-6 with a 4.98 ERA and one save in 59.2 innings pitched.

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Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City will be hoping to apply further pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race this weekend when they travel to Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s side will be confident after picking up two huge victories against the Gunners and Liverpool in cup competitions.

As for Liam Rosenior’s men, they are enduring a difficult season, with Champions League qualification hanging in the balance and the FA Cup their last credible hope of silverware. Chelsea could be without seven first-team players for this weekend’s game. Captain Enzo Fernandez will be missing after the club imposed a two-match ban on him for comments made during the international break. The midfielder suggested he would be open to joining Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

Former City youth player Jamie Gittens will also miss this weekend’s game having suffered a hamstring injury at the start of February. Reece James has a hamstring problem and is in a race to return before the end of the season.

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Trevoh Chalobah was carried off on a stretcher in the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The centre-back is due to return in May, as is Levi Colwill, who has been out all season with a cruciate ligament tear.

Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has been missing since March after needing a minor operation on an injury. He may be back to feature in the matchday squad against City along with Benoit Badiashile, who has missed the last couple of games with an illness.

City’s injury picture looks a lot better with defence their only major concern. Josko Gvardiol broke his leg in the reverse fixture earlier this year and is a doubt for the World Cup.

Ruben Dias picked up a new injury on the eve of the Liverpool victory having missed the Carabao Cup final before the international break. John Stones has also picked up another knock.

On those injuries, City assistant head coach Pep Lijnders said: “Ruben got a knock in the last few minutes of training. We are assessing it.

“I think he has a scan [last Saturday] so we will have to see. John will not be long-term, I think, but he was not available for today.”

The Minnesota Vikings will be on the clock later this month when the NFL Draft kicks off from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It remains a mystery what they may target with the 18th overall pick, or whether they will stick there at all. They have nine selections as things stand currently, though, and there’s lots of opportunity to infuse the roster with young talent.

Not all draft prospects are made the same, and while eligibility hits before a senior season for a collegiate product, all journeys are different.

Rodriguez’s Production and Playmaking Jump Off the Tape

Last season, we heard all year long about how expensive the Texas Tech Red Raiders roster was, and specifically how impressive the defense played. No one contributed more to that than linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

A super senior who spent the past four seasons with Texas Tech, Rodriguez experienced new heights in 2025. Originally recruited as a quarterback by the Virginia Cavaliers, he posted a career-high 128 tackles last season and led the Big 12 for a second straight season in solo tackles (63).

After racking up 10.5 tackles for loss in 2024, Rodriguez topped the number with 11 in 2025. He generated a sack and, out of nowhere, picked off four passes. His seven forced fumbles led the conference, and he scooped up a pair of them as well.

For his efforts, Rodriguez was fifth in Heisman voting, as well as earning the Nagurski Award (most outstanding defensive player) and Bednarik (defensive player of the year). An All-American as well, you don’t often see talent like this escape the first round. Except that’s currently the expectation.

Minnesota has four selections in the top 100. It’s unlikely that Rodriguez lasts until the third round, but there may not be a better second-round value. The Vikings have Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman penciled in as starting linebackers, but the former is an aging veteran, and the latter is an injury concern. Rodriguez would push Ivan Pace Jr. to find himself again, and could wind up a long-term starter.

The Vikings have plenty of holes to address in the draft, but fortunately, most of the offensive side of the ball can be looked at in the middle rounds. If linebacker is something of a consideration, it’d be pretty hard to look anywhere else.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler

The T20 World Cup 2007 match between India and England holds a special place in history. Yuvraj Singh stunned the world by slamming six sixes in an over against Stuart Broad, becoming an integral part of T20I folklore. While it made the Indian all-rounder a worldwide sensation, things were not as simple for Broad. The England pacer found it extremely difficult to bounce back from the setback before eventually becoming one of his country’s greatest modern bowlers. In a recent interview, Yuvraj revealed that Stuart’s father, Chris Broad, asked him to sign a jersey for his son. However, he later learned that the England cricketer threw the jersey into the dustbin – an act Yuvraj described as completely “acceptable”.

“I just thought that he was inexperienced in T20s, which is understandable. From there, he became a legendary fast bowler and picked up more than 600 Test wickets. He turned that moment into power. For anyone else, their career might have been over,” Yuvraj said during a chat with Michael Vaughan on The Overlap Cricket.

“Stuart’s dad, Chris Broad, was the match referee for the India-Australia match. He came and told me, ‘You almost finished my son’s career.’ I told him, ‘Sir, I have been hit for five sixes myself; I know how it feels.’ He said, ‘You need to sign a shirt for Stuart.’ So, on my India shirt, I wrote: I have been hit for five sixes. I know how it feels. I hope you go on to become the best. I read recently that when Chris gave him that shirt, he threw it in the bin. He was so angry, and it is so acceptable.”

Yuvraj also opened up about his battle with cancer and what the doctor told him.

“It was hard to accept. At the peak of your career, you’re on top of a mountain and then you fall into a ditch. I was in Delhi. We were going on tour to the West Indies and England. Ganguly had retired and my Test spot had just opened. I was waiting seven years for that spot. I said, ‘I don’t care if I die, I need that spot.’ But I got sicker and sicker.

“Dr Nitesh Rohatgi said to me, ‘The tumour is sitting between your heart and lung. Either you go and play cricket or you might have a heart attack. You’ve got three to six months left to live if you don’t do chemotherapy.’ That’s when I realised I needed to think,” Yuvraj said.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Leonard Miller scored a career-high 26 points and matched his career best with 11 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls eased to a 119-108 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night to sweep a two-game set.

Tre Jones scored 31 points and Collin Sexton added 27 for the Bulls, who won 129-98 at Washington on Tuesday night to snap a seven-game skid.

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Miller, Jones and Sexton combined to shoot 65.3% (32 of 49) as Chicago (31-49) pulled even with Milwaukee for 11th place in the Eastern Conference and the best record among teams eliminated from postseason contention.

Bulls center Guerschon Yabusele departed early in the third quarter with a sprained left shoulder.

Will Riley scored 23 points to lead Washington, which had 10 players sidelined by injuries.

Julian Reese added 16 points and 15 rebounds for the NBA-worst Wizards, who have lost 24 of 25 to sink to 17-63 with two games remaining.

Chicago took control by outscoring Washington 16-4 to close the third quarter. Jones scored the last six points of that stretch, including consecutive layups in the final minute to make it 87-74.

Up next

Bulls: Host Orlando on Friday.

Wizards: Host Miami on Friday.

___

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LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka hugs Mukul Choudhary after the win. (X Photo)

NEW DELHI: It was an emotional night at the Eden Gardens as Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a thrilling last-ball win over Kolkata Knight Riders, but what truly captured hearts was what followed after the final delivery.Youngster Mukul Choudhary, who scripted the dramatic chase, was embraced by LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in a moment that has since gone viral. The heartfelt hug, followed by a pat on the cheek and a brief conversation, reflected the magnitude of the innings as the team registered their second successive win to climb up in the IPL points table.Mukul’s dream knock seals thrillerChasing 182, LSG were reeling at 128/7 in 16 overs despite Ayush Badoni’s fluent 54. With the game slipping away, Mukul turned it around in stunning fashion, smashing seven sixes en route to an unbeaten 54 off just 27 balls.Playing only his third IPL match, the 21-year-old unleashed a fearless counterattack, scoring 52 runs off his last 19 deliveries to take the contest down to the wire. With one needed off the final ball, LSG scrambled a bye to seal a three-wicket victory.“There is always pressure, but God has given us this opportunity, and I try to do what I can do,” Mukul said. “My plan was to play till the end. I believe in myself so much that if I stayed, I could take the team home.”A hug that won heartsAs the players walked off, Goenka made his way onto the field and embraced Mukul in a touching moment. The LSG owner, visibly emotional, congratulated the youngster, even cupping his face in a gesture that underlined the importance of the innings.The visuals quickly spread across social media, with fans praising the bond between the franchise and its young talent. It was more than just a win—it was a moment of recognition and encouragement for a player at the start of his journey.WATCH:KKR falter despite strong totalEarlier, KKR posted a competitive 181/4, with Rovman Powell (39 not out) and Cameron Green (32 not out) adding late impetus. Ajinkya Rahane (41) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45) also chipped in during a solid middle phase.However, despite early breakthroughs from Vaibhav Arora, KKR could not contain Mukul’s late assault.In the end, while the result boosted LSG’s campaign, it was the emotional post-match moment that stole the show.

McIlroy said not compounding errors was key to his score-building on Thursday having birdied all four par-fives after missing the fairway.

Targeting a fast start, he was forced to stay patient as he played the first seven holes in level par before picking up five shots between the eighth and 15th holes.

While he admitted two under par would have been a “fair score” given his errant long game, he was buoyed by how he used the experience accumulated in 17 previous Masters starts to post a better score.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more, especially after the way I started,” the 36-year-old added, speaking to BBC Sport NI.

“In the trees on one, two, five. I’m even more pleased playing the first seven holes in even par. And then when I started to swing it a bit better, I could string some good holes together and make some birdies.

“But I definitely relied on my short game and my experience. Hopefully I hit a few more fairways [on Friday] and give myself a few more chances.”

Former Ingomar standout Macie Phifer has entered the transfer portal after one season at Middle Tennessee State.

Phifer had a strong freshman campaign for the Blue Raiders, starting all 32 games. She was third on the team in scoring at 11.2 points per game, second in rebounding (5.8 per game) and shot 35% from 3-point range. The 6-foot-1 guard was named All-CUSA honorable mention and also made the All-Freshman team.

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This past season was the last for MTSU head coach Rick Insell, who retired after 20 years at the helm.

Phifer ended her career at Ingomar as the most decorated player in program history. She was named Class 2A Miss Basketball twice, Daily Journal Player of the Year twice, and led the Falcons to four state championships.

She was also a standout in volleyball, winning two Miss Volleyball awards and three state titles.

It was a ‘remember the name’ moment for Mukul Choudhary as he single-handedly led the Lucknow Super Giants to an improbable win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the ‘Garden of Eden’ on Thursday. KKR seemed in control, with the game in their hands. But then Mukul Choudhary turned it around. He stayed calm under pressure and delivered when it mattered most. It became a night he will remember for a long time.Mukul Choudhary scored 54 runs from 27 balls, with two fours and seven sixes as Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets.Chasing 182, LSG rode on Ayush Badoni’s 34-ball 54 and Mukul Choudhary’s brilliant 27-ball 54 not out to cross the line in a last ball thriller.Who is Mukul Choudhary?Mukul Choudhary, 21, is a wicketkeeper-batter who plays for Rajasthan in domestic cricket. He performed well at the Under-23 level and then scored 173 runs in five innings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 at a strike rate of 198.85. After that, he was picked by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2.60 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. The 21-year-old made his first-class debut in January 2023 in the Ranji Trophy, while his List A debut came in December 2025. He is known for scoring runs in the death overs and has a T20 strike rate above 160. Mukul’s path to professional cricket began with his father, Dalip Kumar Choudhary. From Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, Dalip followed cricket closely and wanted his son to play the sport even before Mukul was born. The family faced financial issues and there were limited sports facilities in the area, but his father remained focused on helping him pursue cricket. Dalip first worked as a teacher and later moved into real estate and the hotel business, which helped him support his son’s training. He enrolled Mukul at the SBS Cricket Academy in Sikar so that he could get proper coaching and practice. Mukul did not start as a wicketkeeper. When he joined the academy, he was a medium-fast bowler and aimed to build a career in that role. During one match, the team needed a wicketkeeper, and he stepped in. Mukul, who looks up to MS Dhoni, adapted to the role and continued as a wicketkeeper after that. As he progressed, he was noticed by junior selectors and later moved to Jaipur to train at the Aravali Cricket Academy. His mother and younger sister also moved with him so that he could stay focused on cricket. His mother looked after his daily routine, allowing him to concentrate on his game. He made his T20 debut in 2023, and his performances soon drew attention from IPL scouts. At the IPL 2026 auction, he was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2.6 crore after a bidding contest.

John Shortt and Jack Kelly delivered a sensational night of swimming at the Irish Open Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials in Bangor, rewriting the record books and underlining Ireland’s growing strength in the pool.

The pair produced standout performances on Night Two of finals, setting new Irish and Championship records while helping a host of swimmers achieve qualification standards across a packed international calendar this summer.

Shortt Hits World-Class Mark in 100m Backstroke

At just 19 years of age, John Shortt continues to establish himself as one of Ireland’s brightest prospects. The National Centre Limerick swimmer stormed to victory in the 100m Backstroke final in a time of 53.17, setting a new Irish and Championship record.

The time places him among the top four swimmers in the world in 2026 and comfortably inside the consideration standard for the European Aquatics Championships.

Shortt had only set the previous Irish record of 53.37 two weeks earlier in Paris, highlighting the rapid trajectory of his development.

“It was a good race… a bit disappointed, wanted to be 52, but you can’t have it all your own way,” Shortt admitted afterwards.

He was joined on the podium by team-mates Paddy Johnston (55.57) and Neddie Irwin (56.54), completing a dominant showing for National Centre Limerick.

Kelly Announces Himself with Record-Breaking Swim

Jack Kelly made an immediate impact on his Irish Championship debut, producing a stunning swim in the 50m Breaststroke.

The 23-year-old, who recently committed to representing Ireland, clocked 26.84, breaking Darragh Greene’s long-standing Irish record (26.94) and improving his own Championship mark set earlier in the day.

It was a landmark performance that also secured qualification for the European Aquatics Championships.

“I feel amazing… it just shows the work I’ve been doing in Austin has paid off,” Kelly said after the race.

Greene (27.62) and Eoin Corby (27.81) completed the podium, with both swimmers also achieving European consideration times.

Ireland Building Depth Ahead of Major Championships

The performances in Bangor reflect a wider surge in Irish swimming, with 24 consideration times achieved across multiple international competitions including:

• European Aquatics Championships
• Commonwealth Games
• European Junior Championships
• European Para Swimming Championships

With established stars and emerging talent delivering in equal measure, Ireland’s squad is shaping into a serious force heading into a packed summer schedule.

Competition continues through to Sunday, with further qualification times expected as swimmers chase places on the international stage.

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