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NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder skip White House visit over timing

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The reigning 2025 NBA champions won’t be making the traditional visit to the White House due to a timing issue. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are due to play the Washington Wizards on Saturday evening, but a team spokesperson said that despite talks with the White House, the team will not be celebrating with the president. 

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) drives to the basket

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 13, 2025. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

“We have been in touch with the White House, and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing just didn’t work out,” the team said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. 

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It was not immediately clear whether a formal invitation had been extended to the team. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for confirmation.

The White House has a long-standing tradition of welcoming championship teams to celebrate their achievements. On Friday, President Donald Trump invited the Navy Midshipmen following a historic season that culminated in winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

Trump holds up a helmet as he speaks during the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy presentation

President Donald Trump holds up a helmet as he speaks during the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy presentation with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

TRUMP SAYS US WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM WILL ‘SOON’ VISIT WHITE HOUSE AFTER DECLINING SOTU INVITATION

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Teams have declined a White House visit in the past. The most notable instance was in 2017 when the Golden State Warriors had their invitation withdrawn by Trump after Stephen Curry and other players indicated they were not interested in visiting.

Trump recently invited the U.S. men’s ice hockey team to the White House and the State of the Union after their gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. The women’s team was also invited amid controversy regarding a quip the president made during a call with the men’s team. 

The women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”

Jalen Williams holds the trophy

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) holds the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as he celebrates with his team after they won the NBA basketball championship with a Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City.  (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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When is UFC London 2026? Start time, card and how to watch Lerone Murphy vs Movsar Evloev tonight

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The UFC is back in London this evening, with a pivotal match-up headlining a card full of British talent.

In the main event, Manchester’s Lerone Murphy takes on Movsar Evloev in an intriguing featherweight clash, with one man set to lose his unbeaten record – and the other likely to earn a shot at champion Alexander Volkanovski.

On Thursday, Evloev confirmed he had to solve late Visa issues to get to the English capital, after a rumour circulated that Jean Silva would be stepping in for the Russian, so the O2 Arena’s headline bout looks set to go ahead as planned. And what of Silva? He may even challenge Volkanovski before the winner of tonight’s main event does.

Lerone Murphy called for a title shot after beating Aaron Pico
Lerone Murphy called for a title shot after beating Aaron Pico (Getty)

Elsewhere on the UFC London card, Paddy Pimblett’s teammates Luke Riley and Shem Rock step out to represent Liverpool, Michael “Venom” Page and Sam Patterson meet in an all-British bout, and fan favourite Nathaniel Wood is in action.

Furthermore, heavyweights Louie Sutherland and Mario Pinto will make their domestic debuts in the UFC, with the latter aiming to stay unbeaten as a pro. Here’s all you need to know.

When is UFC London?

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The event will take place at the O2 Arena on Saturday 21 March. The prelims will begin at 5pm GMT (10am PT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET), with the main card following at 8pm GMT (1pm PT / 3pm CT / 4pm ET).

How can I watch it?

In the UK, the main card will air live on TNT Sports and is also accessible via Discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports; beforehand, the early and regular prelims will stream live on UFC Fight Pass. In the US, Paramount+ will stream the action.

How to buy tickets

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Tickets to UFC London are on sale now via AXS.

Full card

Subject to change

Main card

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Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy (featherweight)

Luke Riley vs Michael Aswell Jr (featherweight)

Michael “Venom” Page vs Sam Patterson (welterweight)

British UFC middleweight and welterweight contender Michael Page
British UFC middleweight and welterweight contender Michael Page (Getty)

Iwo Baraniewski vs Austen Lane (light-heavyweight)

Christian Leroy Duncan def. Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Danny Silva def. Kurtis Campbell via second-round TKO (punches, 0:31)

Prelims

Mason Jones def. Axel Sola via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Nathaniel Wood def. Losene Keita via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

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Mario Pinto def. Felipe Franco via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

British-Portuguese heavyweight Mario Pinto is aiming to stay unbeaten in the UFC
British-Portuguese heavyweight Mario Pinto is aiming to stay unbeaten in the UFC (Josh Northcote)

Mantas Kondratavicius def. Antonio Trocoli via decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Brando Pericic def. Louie Sutherland via first-round TKO (ground strikes, 1:48)

Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady def. Shem Rock via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Shanelle Dyer def. Ravena Oliveira via second-round TKO (strikes, 1:17)

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N.B. Melissa Mullins vs Luana Carolina cancelled on Friday; Carolina 8lb over 136lb limit

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Is Hubert Davis out at UNC? Tar Heels boosters lose faith after historic loss

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Hubert Davis’ future as the head coach at North Carolina is in doubt, sources told CBS Sports. 

Davis did not have contact with his staff for nearly 24 hours from Friday morning into Saturday’s previously scheduled team meeting, a source said, adding to speculation and growing expectation that a massive change could be coming in Chapel Hill. If there is a reverse-course that allows Davis to stay on for a sixth season, it would be a surprise to a lot of people in and around the program.

UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham added some clarity on Saturday morning, telling CBS Sports that no decision has been made on Davis’ future.

“Every year at the end of the season, it’s important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve,” Cunningham texted. “The Chancellor, [incoming athletic director Steve Newmark] and I are doing that together now and will continue to have discussions over the coming days.”

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If a change is coming, it’s not expected before the end of the weekend. Davis is meeting with North Carolina brass on Saturday. The team had a regularly scheduled meeting on Saturday as well, which, per sources, was business as usual.

The potential impending change was catalyzed by the Tar Heels blowing a 19-point lead with 14 minutes remaining against No. 11 VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. The collapse was the largest by any team in the first round in the history of March Madness and was also a third straight loss to end UNC’s season.

The Tar Heels were without their best player — star freshman and projected top-10 pick Caleb Wilson — who missed the final nine games due to two separate hand and thumb injuries. 

If a move is made, it would be an earthquake for college basketball. North Carolina is unequivocally considered one of the four best and most prestigious jobs in the sport alongside the likes of fellow blue bloods Duke, Kansas and Kentucky. In the eyes of some, the Tar Heels job sits at No. 1. A split with Davis would also signify profound move. For the first time in 74 years, the program would almost definitely go outside of the Carolina family to find its next men’s basketball coach.

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The lineage dates back to 1952, when Frank McGuire was brought on. McGuire won a national title in 1957 and stayed until 1961, when then-assistant Dean Smith was promoted and went on to build out one of the most impactful and legendary coaching careers in college sports history. From Smith to Bill Guthridge to Matt Doherty to Roy Williams to Davis, every men’s basketball coach at UNC has been linked from one tenure to another for seven-plus decades.

Davis, a 55-year-old UNC alum, was handed the blue blood job in 2021 after Roy Williams’ retirement at the conclusion of that season. Davis, who starred at UNC from 1988 to 1992, has been with the program since 2012. As a head coach, he has a 125-54 record (.698) and made the NCAA Tournament in four years. The one year he missed, in 2023, infamously came after the Tar Heels were the preseason No. 1 team, making UNC the only school to ever not make the Big Dance after being awarded a preseason No. 1 ranking.

🏀 How each UNC season under Hubert Davis has ended

Season Finish Result Notes
2025-26 NCAA Tournament First Round loss (vs. VCU) Blew a 19-point lead in a historic collapse
2024-25 NCAA Tournament First Round loss (vs. Ole Miss) Advanced from the First Four, then fell in the Round of 64
2023-24 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 loss (vs. Alabama) No. 1 seed and ACC regular-season champion
2022-23 No postseason Missed NCAA Tournament Declined an NIT bid after becoming the first preseason No. 1 to miss the field
2021-22 NCAA Tournament National runner-up (lost to Kansas) Beat Duke in the Final Four in Mike Krzyzewski’s final game

A primary group of boosters met late Friday afternoon with UNC stakeholders, a source said, to gain clarity on whether keeping Davis was feasible. The verdict: If Davis stays, the money for roster-buildilng next season would likely be flimsy. North Carolina has the No. 26 recruiting class in 2026, including the nation’s No. 8 player Dylan Mingo, who is committed but not signed. The Tar Heels last transfer cycle brought in four blue-chip talents to pair with Wilson out of the high school ranks, a big spend that did not deliver the expected return on investment at the end of the season. 

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One source told CBS Sports that there is “no conceivable way to fund a roster through donor money, it can’t be raised to fund the team next year” under Davis because almost most of the boosters at UNC have “lost faith in the program.” 

That source also stressed that North Carolina is seriously cash-strapped due to the humongous investments in football under Bill Belichick. 

And yet, in that meeting Friday afternoon, the big money people did voice a critical piece to all of this: They believe they could rally the money to pay off Davis’ remaining years on his contract and would doubly band the base together to fund the buyout for whatever big-name coach can be brought in over the next couple of weeks if a change is made. 

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Former heavyweight champion set to break Mike Tyson’s 40-year world record

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Mike Tyson set many world records throughout his boxing career but one former heavyweight world champion looks poised to break one of them upon his return.

When Roy Jones Jr ended a five-year hiatus to box UFC star Anthony Pettis, ‘Captain Hook’ broke Jack Johnson’s record as the former heavyweight world champion with the longest boxing career, having fought professionally for over 33 years (12,384 days).

However, that record was topped again the following year, when Tyson’s controversial comeback against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul took place, with his career being extended to 14,499 days – almost 40 years.

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Another veteran who made a return, and maintained his activity, is former WBC heavyweight king Oliver McCall, who has boxed three times since November 2024, registering two stoppage wins and a draw.

At present, McCall’s professional career, which began in November 1985 and currently extends to June 2025, consists of a total of 14,458 days – just 41 short of Tyson’s record.

However, in an interview with World Boxing News, Jimmy Adams of Country Box, the promotional outfit which has staged McCall’s recent fights, confirmed that ‘The Atomic Bull’ will return to the ring during 2026.

“He is fighting again. For real, Oliver called me personally to say he wants to go again, and I’m looking to get him a date soon on Country Box,”

Any fight from this point onwards will see McCall become the new record-holder as the former heavyweight world champion with the longest professional career. Yet, another professional outing from Tyson cannot be ruled out, with his exhibition against Floyd Mayweather poised to take place next month.

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Kane & Olise score as Bayern beat Union Berlin

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Bayern Munich put four past Union Berlin, including a goal from Harry Kane that moves him within 10 of the Bundesliga single-season goals record.

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Wizards G Trae Young (quad, back) does not need surgery

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NBA: Washington Wizards at New Orleans PelicansMar 8, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Wizards guard Trae Young (3) reacts after a three-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young is dealing with a right quadriceps contusion and lower back irritation, the team announced Saturday.

“Both injuries are being treated conservatively and will not require surgery at this time,” the team said in a press release. “Further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

Young, 27, reinjured his quadriceps in the third quarter of Washington’s 125-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors and did not appear in back-to-back losses to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday and Thursday.

The Wizards (16-53) take a 14-game losing streak into their Saturday game against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Acquired in a Jan. 9 trade with the Atlanta Hawks, Young made his Washington debut on March 5. It was the four-time All-Star’s first action since Dec. 27 due to a quadriceps contusion and an MCL sprain.

Young has averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists in five starts for the Wizards. He has been limited to 20.8 minutes per game, well below his career average of 34.1.

Since being drafted No. 5 overall in 2018, Young owns career averages of 25.1 points, 9.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 498 games (all starts) with the Hawks and Wizards.

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–Field Level Media

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UCF center John Bol scores on own basket in March Madness loss to UCLA

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In March Madness, it often comes down to the little things, but for UCF center John Bol, his blunder was not a little thing: he scored on his own basket.

In the first half of No. 7 UCLA’s 75-71 win over No. 10 UCF on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center, Bol tapped a rebound into his own basket.

With just under two minutes left in the first half and the shot clock winding down, UCLA guard Donovan Dent shot a desperation 3-pointer. Bol, instead of corralling Dent’s miss and turning the other way, tapped the ball into his basket to increase UCLA’s lead to 35-21.

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John Bol reacts in first half

UCF Knights center John Bol (7) reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)

The points were not credited to a UCLA player.

It was the beginning of a rough night for Bol, who went 0-5 from the free throw line with an unorthodox free-throw motion. The 7-foot-2 center scored two points on the night, contributing as many points to his own team as he did to the other team.

Bol’s own basket was not the only odd event during the game, as UCLA guard Skyy Clark also lost a tooth during the game.

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UCLA’S SKYY CLARK LOSES FRONT TOOTH IN MARCH MADNESS THRILLER TO HELP BRUINS SEAL FIRST-ROUND VICTORY

John Bol reacts

UCF Knights guard Riley Kugel (2) and center John Bol (7) react in the first half of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)

UCF made it close late, erasing a double-digit deficit from the first half, but was not able to cap off the comeback, adding more significance to Bol’s own basket.

Jordan Burks led UCF in the loss with 22 points and six rebounds. Jamichael Stillwell (10 points), Themus Fulks (10 points) and Riley Kugel (13 points) were the only other players to score in double figures in the loss.

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John Bol reacts

UCF Knights center John Bol (7) reacts in the first half of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

Eric Dailey Jr. led the Bruins with 20 points and five rebounds, while Trent Perry and Xavier Booker each had 15 points in the win.

UCLA will play No. 2 seed UConn in the Round of 32 on Sunday at 8:45 p.m. ET.

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Duke vs TCU live updates: March Madness Round 2 game score, highlights

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Follow all of Saturday’s NCAA Tournament second round games with USA TODAY Sports’ live updates.

The NCAA Tournament’s overall top seed Duke was in a first-round dogfight against No. 16 seed Siena on Thursday.

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Afterward, Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer called it his toughest March Madness moment.

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“Toughest one,” he told reporters after the 71-65 win. “Not close. Toughest moment, toughest game, toughest position I’ve ever been in in the tournament, no question about it.”

Upset alert! Ranking 5 most likely March Madness upsets in second round

March Madness games today: Ranking all 8 men’s NCAA Tournament games Saturday

You’d imagine things will only get tougher as the tournament goes on.

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Up next for Duke is No. 9 seed TCU. The Horned Frogs beat No. 8 seed Ohio State, 66-64, on a late Xavier Edmonds bucket in Thursday’s first round opener.

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TCU has never won a Round of 32 game in March Madness. Is today the day?

Toppmeyer: If Jon Scheyer feels any Duke pressure, Coach K can relate

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Duke vs TCU live score

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What time is TCU vs Duke ?

  • Time: 5:15 p.m. ET, Saturday.

What channel is Duke vs TCU? Streaming, how to watch

  • The game is airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Odds provided by BetMGM as of 1:15 p.m., Saturday.

  • Moneyline: Duke (-800); TCU (+550)

Cameron Boozer NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions

Boozer is widely projected as a top-3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Here’s a look at where various mock drafts from major outlets have the Duke freshman going:

Is Cameron Boozer related to Carlos Boozer?

Cameron Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden (also a freshman for Duke) are the sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.

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Before his 13-year career in the NBA, Carlos Boozer was a standout forward for the Blue Devils under Mike Krzyzewski from 1999-2002. A member of Duke’s 2001 national championship team, Carlos Boozer finished his three-year career with the Blue Devils with more than 1,500 points scored and started 93 of the 101 games in which he appeared.

Jamie Dixon coaching record: How long has Jamie Dixon coached TCU?

This is Dixon’s 10th season as TCU’s head coach. Dixon returned to his alma mater after after a 13-year run as head coach at Pitt.

Dixon is 199-137 with the Horned Frogs and has led TCU to five NCAA Tournament appearances.

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Has TCU ever reached Sweet 16?

TCU reached the Regional Final in 1968 but only 23 teams were in the NCAA Tournament that year. So the Horned Frogs have never won a Round of 32 game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Duke vs TCU score live update: March Madness highlights in NCAA Round 2

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MLB news: Tigers prospect Max Clark has blunt reaction to 102 mph fastball

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Detroit Tigers top prospect Max Clark had a very honest reaction after seeing a 102.4 mph fastball on the first pitch of the game.

Clark was the leadoff batter for the Tigers in their 8-7 loss to the Pirates in their Spring Breakout game and was up against top prospect Seth Hernandez. Hernandez’s first pitch was a 102.4 mph fastball above the zone, and it got Clark’s attention.

“What the f—,” Clark could be seen saying after the pitch went by him.

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Max Clark warms up

Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark (31) warms up before a prospects game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on March 20, 2026. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Clark, 21, ended up walking in the at-bat. Hernandez ended up inducing an inning-ending ground ball double play to conclude his lone inning of the game.

The game between the Tigers and Pirates was part of MLB’s Spring Breakout, which is an annual four-day event with exhibition games between the top prospects from all of MLB’s teams during spring training.

FORMER MLB OUTFIELDER LARRY STAHL, BEST KNOWN FOR SPOILING A PERFECT GAME, DEAD AT 84

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Max Clark looks on

Max Clark (31) of the Detroit Tigers looks on after batting in the sixth inning during a game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on March 20, 2026. (Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Clark is the No. 2 overall prospect in the Tigers farm system, according to MLB.com. Last season at High-A and Double-A, Clark hit .271 with 14 home runs and 67 RBI, and could make his big league debut this season, where he will see a lot of high-octane heat like Hernandez’s.

Hernandez, 19, was drafted by the No. 6 overall pick by the Pirates in last year’s draft. Hernandez already has a legitimate four-pitch mix and will begin his season in rookie ball.

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Seth Hernandez throws pitch

Seth Hernandez (25) of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during a game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on March 20, 2026. (Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Pirates organization hopes that Hernandez, alongside top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler, will slot in behind National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes atop their rotation for years to come.

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WSL: Manchester United 2-1 Everton highlights

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Watch highlights as Melvine Malard’s 94th-minute winner snatches victory for Manchester United against Everton to send them back into second place in the Women’s Super League table.

MATCH REPORT: Manchester United 2-1 Everton

Available to UK users only.

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Japan clinch Women’s Asian Cup, beat Australia 1-0 in final encounter | Football News

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Maika Hamano took a pass from the left with her back to goal, turned and launched a powerful strike from outside the area in a moment of individual brilliance that secured Japan a third Women’s Asian Cup final with a 1-0 win over Australia.


The 21-year-old Hamano, on loan at Tottenham from Chelsea, scored in the 17th minute to almost silence the crowd of 74,397 at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on Saturday night.


The Australians applied all the pressure in the last 10 minutes pressing for an equalizer but were continually denied by Japan’s defense, including Alanna Kennedy’s close-range header with two minutes left in regulation.

 

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Japan had beaten Australia in finals to win back-to-back Women’s Asian Cups in 2014 and 2018 and has now won the title three times in the last four continental championships.


“I just want to enjoy it today because it’s only the third time that Japan actually managed to win this tournament,” Japan coach Nils Nielsen said. “(We) really deserve it, I mean we won six games – it’s OK we take the trophy.


“The girls fought with everything they had, so did Matildas, and they made themselves proud as well.” 
The Australians, who reached the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2023, had 54% of possession, had 14 shots on goal compared to nine for Japan, and considerably more passes, crosses and touches in the opposition box.


But as captain Sam Kerr said, “They beat us just off one moment. For most of the game, we had the better chances and definitely in the second half, most of the possession. So it was just one moment. Unfortunately, that’s what football is decided on. 

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“The last few games, we’ve had the moments and made the most of them. Tonight, they had an amazing goal.” 
Japan, the top-ranked team in Asia, tallied 29 goals and conceded just one in six games in a dominant performance in Australia.


The Matildas haven’t won the continental championship since 2010, when Kerr – then 16 – scored in the decider.


Crowd records 
The crowd of almost 75,000 for the final was a record for the Women’s Asian Cup along with the total crowd of 355,528 across the tournament that started on March 1.


Six teams from the Asian Cup – Japan, Australia, China, South Korea, Philippines and North Korea – have qualified for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

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Iran’s involvement 
The 12-team tournament gained global attention due to the involvement of an Iranian squad affected by the Middle East war.


The Iranian team arrived in Australia before the Feb. 28 attacks by the United States and Israel triggered the Iran war, and their participation held the international focus.


Seven members of the Iran delegation initially were granted asylum by the Australian government, though all but two have since returned home.

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