Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell surveyed the field on Oct. 5, 2025, in Tottenham, United Kingdom, before the NFL International Series matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings’ overseas appearance drew thousands of fans to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where O’Connell’s focus during warmups set the tone for a crucial midseason test abroad. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings are widely expected to be in the market for a new center. Top pending free agent Tyler Linderbaum could plug that hole, but he’ll be expensive if the franchise wants to enter those sweepstakes, a PFF contract projection revealed.
Last offseason, the Vikings wanted to upgrade the middle of their offensive line and acquired four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly. An aging player with injury concerns, the Vikings were convinced his on-field talent would outweigh the risk involved. The long-time Colts blocker appeared in only eight games and suffered three concussions, certainly putting his NFL future in jeopardy.
Retirement could be on the horizon, or the Vikings might say “goodbye” after one season. His 2026 salary is not guaranteed. Either way, the Vikings need a replacement.
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On the roster are backups Blake Brandel — a converted tackle — and Michael Jurgens, who was drafted in the 7th round of the 2024 Draft. They are solid depth players, but if the Vikings truly want to solidify the offensive line, acquiring a high-level center could be the preferred move.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) with center Tyler Linderbaum (64) and guard Andrew Vorhees (72) at the line of scrimmage in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Linderbaum has been the center for the Baltimore Ravens over the last four years. The former first-round pick is set to become a free agent in March. Pro Football Focus ranked him as this year’s third-best free agent, behind only Trey Hendrickson and George Pickens.
If their contract projection for the Iowa alumnus comes true, the Vikings would have to swallow a massive salary. PFF projects a four-year contract, with an annual pay of $20 million, which would reset the center market.
Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs is the top-paid center, making an annual $18 millions. Eagles blocker Cam Jurgens is set at $17 million. Last year’s free agent prize Drew Dalman signed a deal worth $14 million a year with the Bears, and ranks third.
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PFF wrote about Linderbaum, “Linderbaum ranked as the fifth-highest graded center in the NFL in 2025 and has improved his PFF grade in every season since entering the league, all while heading toward free agency at just 25 years old. While he remains imperfect in pass protection, he has earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 60.0 in three consecutive seasons. He is among the league’s best run blockers, however, having posted a PFF run-blocking grade above 80.0 in three of his four NFL seasons.”
His style is comparable to that of former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury, but he’s the Pro Bowl version of the veteran. Linderbaum is an athletic and undersized interior protector who excels in the ground game. While it’s not his strong suit, his pass protection isn’t a huge liability. Last season, he allowed only two sacks and one QB hit.
Baltimore declined the fifth-year option a year ago. The simple reason is that the NFL doesn’t differentiate between specific OL positions and that option would have been in the range of the highest-paid centers. For the same reason, he’s unlikely to draw the franchise tag, which would pay Linderbaum roughly $27 million in 2026. That’s costly but acceptable for a tackle, but ridiculous for a center.
Oct 6, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Vikings are currently expected to be way over the salary cap. Several moves need to be made to be cap-compliant. The good news is that it’s pretty easy to do just that and find contracts to restructure or terminate.
Still, finding the salary cap room to hand a player a huge $80 million contract would be a challenge. Teams, including the Vikings, usually structure contracts in a way that gives signings low cap hits in the first year of the deal, so it wouldn’t be impossible by any means.
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While Kelly’s status is in question, the other four starters are expected to return for the 2026 season. Both tackles Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw aim to be in better physical shape in the upcoming campaign after struggling with injuries all year. Guards Will Fries and Donovan Jackson hope for improvement under new OL coach Keith Carter.
Linderbaum would be expensive, but 25-year-olds with three Pro Bowls on their resume don’t often become available.
Club Bolivar host Deportivo La Guaira at the Estadio Hernando Siles on Tuesday for their second game of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores group stages. El Más Grande began their campaign with a 1-0 loss to Independiente Rivadavia on 8 April as Carlos Lampe’s second-minute own goal was enough to down them.
Adding insult to injury was a red card for Jesus Sagredo in the 72nd minute, as the defender will now be sidelined for matchday two.
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Flavio Robatto’s side picked themselves up over the weekend to beat Academia del Balompie Boliviano in the Bolivian Primera Division to make it two wins from two in the new season.
The La Paz outfit will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Copa Libertadores stage to pick up their first win and get their campaign up and running.
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Deportivo also failed to win their opening match of the group stages, drawing 0-0 with Fluminense, who endured a frustrating game despite dominating the proceedings. The Brazilian giants had 61% of possession, mustered 14 shots, of which seven were on target, but couldn’t find the back of the net even once.
Their Venezuelan rivals spent much of the time on the back foot and were fortunate due to some wasteful finishing from their mighty hosts.
Bolivar vs Deportivo La Guaira Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
This marks the first official meeting between Bolivar and Deportivo La Guaira.
Club Bolivar have faced a Venezuelan side on eight occasions, never losing. They’ve won six times and drawn twice (both against Minervae).
Meanwhile, Deportivo La Guaira face a Bolivian side for the first time.
Bolivar’s Jesus Segredo will be suspended from the clash after getting sent off on matchday one.
Since the beginning of Apertura in February 2026, Deportivo La Guaira are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, winning six.
Bolivar vs Deportivo La Guaira Prediction
Deportivo have been a tough nut to crack this season, with no side being able to get the better of them.
Their stoic defense has made up for their lack of goals in 2026. Bolivar have the home advantage but may end up with a draw here.
Neymar in Santos’ match against Cruzeiro at Estadio Urbano Caldeira, Santos, Brazil, on Dec. 7, 2025.
Brazil star Neymar still has time to recover from recent injuries and return to form well enough to play in this summer’s FIFA World Cup, according to Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“He is capable of getting back to 100%,” Ancelotti told L’Equipe in response to questions about Neymar. “He is being assessed by the CBF (Brazil’s Football Confederation) and by me, and he still has two months to show that he has what it takes to play in the next World Cup.”
A fixture on the Brazilian national team starting in 2013, Neymar hasn’t played for his country since 2023 when he began dealing with left knee issues. He had minor surgery on the knee on Dec. 22, and over the international break in early April, he reportedly underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment to further aid in his recovery.
“After his knee injury (in December), Neymar has made a good recovery,” Ancelotti said. “He’s scoring goals. He needs to keep going down this path and improve his fitness. He’s on the right track.”
The 34-year-old who has scored more goals for Brazil than anyone else (79) has openly discussed his desire to be on Brazil’s World Cup team this summer for the tournament in North America.
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He is currently the captain of Santos in Serie A, Brazil’s top soccer league, where his contract expires at the end of the calendar year. He formerly was one of the world’s best attacking players during his time with Barcelona (2013-17) and Paris Saint-Germain (2017-23), playing alongside Lionel Messi with both clubs.
An ankle injury slowed Neymar before his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, leading to a stint with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where his brief tenure was halted by a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He returned to action in January 2025 when he made the move to Santos.
In five games for Santos this season, Neymar has three goals and two assists. He had missed the previous two games for Santos but played all 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 league win over Atletico Mineiro.
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“Neymar is improving with every game,” Santos coach Cuca said after Saturday’s match, per ESPN. “He’s been staying behind to train. His movement on the ball is much better and he’s likely to get even better. It’s risky to play him for the full 90 minutes; we’ll see if he can handle it, and we’ll work towards him playing on Tuesday.”
Last season, his first year playing professionally in his home nation, he tallied eight goals and one assist in 20 games (17 starts).
“Neymar has made, and continues to make, history in Brazilian football,” Ancelotti said. “He is a great talent and it’s only natural that people think he can help us win the next World Cup.”
However, Neymar has not been included on any of Ancelotti’s squads since the Italian took over the team last June.
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“I’ve said this several times, and it’s very clear: I’ll call up the players who are physically ready,” Ancelotti said.
Daniil Medvedev is known for having on-court outbursts, and his latest resulted in a fine for his actions at the Monte Carlo Masters last week.
The former world number one men’s singles star was assessed a $7,000 fine by the ATP Tour on Monday for smashing his racket seven times during a blowout loss to Matteo Berrettini.
Medvedev, who ranks 10th in the world, was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct violation by the chair umpire during the tennis match after what transpired early in the second set of his match against Berrettini on Wednesday.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev smashes his racket during a round of 32 match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, on April 8, 2026.(Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images)
Berrettini was dominating Medvedev to the point where he didn’t win a single game in the 6-0, 6-0 loss. The match lasted just 49 minutes, and the crowd in Monte Carlo was egging him on as he had quite the outburst.
“I wouldn’t expect to win like that and it doesn’t happen that often,” Berrettini, a 2021 Wimbledon finalist, said after what’s considered a double-bagel loss for Medvedev. “It was definitely one of the best performances of my life.”
The 30-year-old hit a forehand into the net to fall behind 2-0 in the second set after just losing swiftly in the first. He couldn’t contain his anger with his game, as he slammed his racket near the baseline, and then proceeded to throw it toward the end of the court.
As Medvedev walked over to pick up the racket, he decided his equipment didn’t have enough. He continued to smash it until it was unrecognizable of its original shape.
Daniil Medvedev competes against Matteo Berrettini during day five of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on April 8, 2026.(Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Medvedev threw the racket away as the crowd sent out their sarcastic cheers and continued with the match.
It’s not the best look to be known for outbursts on the court, but Medvedev’s temper has been showcased in Grand Slams as well as ATP Tour matches.
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Last year alone, he was hit with much larger fines for his actions in the Australian Open and U.S. Open, being hit with $76,000 and $42,500 fines, respectively, for what occurred on the world stage.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev reacts during his round of 32 match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, on April 8, 2026.(Manon Cruz/Reuters)
Nashville SC called a brawl inside Geodis Park involving fans at a soccer game between Club America and Nashville SC on April 7, “an isolated incident.”
Video circulating on social media shows several skirmishes of fans pushing, shoving and throwing punches and drinks.
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The 0-0 tie was the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal series.
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Apr 7, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC fans taunt Club America players as they warm up for their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
The Nashville Police Department did not report any arrests from the brawl as of April 13.
Nashville SC issued the following statement about the fight.
“Nashville SC and GEODIS Park, in close collaboration with Concacaf, are committed to providing a safe, family-friendly environment for all matches and events at our stadium.
“This was an isolated incident that was addressed by the stadium’s security team and is being handled in accordance with stadium policy and Concacaf’s Safety and Security Guidelines.”
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Nashville SC did not comment any further.
Nashville SC is scheduled to go into the second leg against Club América in Mexico City on April 14.
The Ghana Football Association has officially appointed Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach of Ghana’s senior national team.
The announcement was made on Monday, 13 April 2026, with the 73-year-old Portuguese tactician taking over from Otto Addo, who was relieved of his duties weeks earlier.
Queiroz is expected to lead the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on 11 June, as Ghana aims to make an impact on the global stage.
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The GFA is placing strong faith in the vast experience of the former Real Madrid manager, who has handled several national teams across the world. Over the years, Queiroz has coached countries including South Africa national football team, Portugal national football team, Iran national football team, Egypt national football team, Oman national football team, Japan national football team and Qatar national football team.
Among his achievements, the Portuguese manager guided South Africa to qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and led Portugal to the knockout stages of the 2010 edition.
With his wealth of international and tournament experience, Queiroz is now tasked with steering Ghana through the World Cup and restoring the team’s competitive edge on the global stage.
Fans at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad expected a run-fest in the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 contest on Monday. Instead, they returned home after witnessing a terrific performance by two debutant pacers – Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 57 runs in Hyderabad on Monday, and much of the credit went to their pace duo. Put in to bat first, SRH posted 216/6, largely powered by skipper Ishan Kishan (91 off 44 balls, including eight fours and six sixes) and supported by cameos from Heinrich Klaasen (40 off 26 balls, with one four and three sixes) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (28 off 13 balls, with four boundaries).
During the chase of 217, RR’s top order was ripped apart in the first over by debutant Praful Hinge (4/34 in four overs), leaving the visitors reeling at 9/5. Donovan Ferreira (69 off 44 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) and Ravindra Jadeja (45 off 32 balls, with five fours) stitched together a century partnership for net run-rate purposes, but RR were eventually bundled out for 159, with Sakib Hussain providing late support with figures of 4/24.
According to iplt20.com, “Sakib Hussain is a right-arm seamer who made his T20 debut for Bihar in the 2022/23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Just 17 years old then, he registered figures of 4 for 20 in two overs in his second game. Despite limited opportunities, Hussain has continued to push his case for higher honours and picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy – returning 6/41 against Arunachal Pradesh. Hussain’s grind has not gone unnoticed by IPL scouts, and he was first signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2024.”
With this win, RR’s four-match winning streak came to an end, while SRH registered their second victory of the season alongside three losses. Rajasthan Royals, despite the defeat, continue to sit atop the points table, while SRH climbed to fourth place.
During the 217-run chase, Praful Hinge sent shockwaves through the RR camp by dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a golden duck and removing Dhruv Jurel (0) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (0) in the same over, reducing RR to 1/3 in the first over.
In the next over, Sakib Hussain dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for just one run, and in the third, Praful returned to clean up RR skipper Riyan Parag for a six-ball four, sinking RR to 9/5 in just three overs.
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Jadeja and Ferreira attempted to salvage the innings, taking RR to 40/5 by the end of the powerplay. Two successive boundaries from Ferreira brought up the 50-run mark in the seventh over.
At the halfway stage, RR were 70/5, with Jadeja (27*) and Ferreira (31*) unbeaten. Ferreira brought up his half-century in 31 balls as RR crossed 100 in the 13th over.
The 118-run stand was broken by Sakib, who bowled Ferreira for 69 off 44 balls. Jadeja followed soon after, dismissed by Eshan Malinga for 45 off 32 balls. Sakib then removed Jofra Archer (2) and Ravi Bishnoi (0), as RR were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
With ANI inputs
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Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash
The business end of the UEFA Champions League season is in full swing as action resumes this week, all eight quarterfinalists still able to picture a spot in the semifinals after closely-contested first leg matches last week.
Barcelona and Liverpool carry the more sizable deficits from the first leg, both sides losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively last week and in need of a significant turnaround to book a spot in the last four. Barcelona will do so without Pau Cubarsi after his red card in the first leg, a classic contrast of styles set for the Metropolitano Stadium as Hansi Flick’s side seem set to resume their attack-first approach while Atleti attempt to keep them at bay.
On Wednesday, Bayern Munich will look to build upon their one-goal advantage over Real Madrid while Arsenal hope to do the same against Sporting Lisbon. The concurrent first legs of these ties painted a fascinating picture about Bayern’s credentials as champions and the Gunners’ potential shortcomings, the second legs likely to add to that narrative one way or another.
With semifinal berths on the line, here’s what you need to know before tuning in.
How to watch
Paramount+ will have every minute of Champions League action this week, as well as all pre- and post-match coverage while CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network will air select portions of the broadcast. Coverage begins each day with the UEFA Champions League Today pre-match show (simulcast on CBS Sports Golazo Network on Wednesday) and all four matches will air exclusively on Paramount+, which will offer a curated multicast option to watch multiple matches at once. Coverage continues with the UEFA Champions League Today post-match show on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, as well as new editions of The Champions Club on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube.
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Champions League bracket
Quarterfinals second leg schedule
All times U.S./Eastern
Champions League scenarios
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
First leg score: Barcelona 0, Atletico Madrid 2
Atletico Madrid advance with: a win or draw
Barcelona advance with: a three-goal win
The game goes to extra time if: Barcelona have a two-goal lead after 90 minutes
Liverpool vs. Paris Saint-Germain
First leg score: Paris Saint-Germain 2, Liverpool 2
Liverpool advance with: a three-goal win
Paris Saint-Germain advance with: a win or draw
The game goes to extra time if: Liverpool have a two-goal lead after 90 minutes
Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid
First leg score: Real Madrid 1, Bayern Munich 2
Bayern Munich advance with: a win or draw
Real Madrid advance with: a two-goal win
The game goes to extra time if: Real Madrid have a one-goal lead after 90 minutes
Arsenal vs. Sporting Lisbon
First leg score: Sporting Lisbon 0, Arsenal 1
Arsenal advance with: a win or draw
Sporting Lisbon advance with: a two-goal win
The game goes to extra time if: Sporting Lisbon have a one-goal lead after 90 minutes
Monday, 13 April marked five years since Northern Ireland qualified for the Euro 2022 finals.
It was a historic night at Seaview as Northern Ireland beat both Ukraine and the odds to qualify for a first major tournament, which would take place the following year in England.
Of the 23 players who went to Southampton, only nine are still involved for the current World Cup campaign.
That number will hit double figures when influential captain and key striker Simone Magill returns after expecting her first child later in the spring, but a lot has changed for Northern Ireland.
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In terms of average age, the squad has dropped from 26.7 to 25.2, while the average caps has also fallen from 42.3 to 28.4.
Not only has Kenny Shiels’ tenure ended, but so has that of his successor, Tanya Oxtoby, and Tuesday’s game with Malta will mark the first game in charge for Michael McArdle as boss.
Rebecca McKenna has been a constant over the past half decade, and at the age of 25 she is on the verge of winning her 60th cap against Malta in 2027 World Cup qualifying.
The Birmingham City defender has seen it all in that time, and she says while she doesn’t think “there’s any real comparisons” between the generations, she feels the current youthful group are as “special” as the Euro 2022 history-makers.
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“Qualifying for the Euros five years ago, I think that’s just made us hungrier,” McKenna, who turned 25 on Monday, told BBC Sport NI.
“That was a special moment and for that group and we deserved to be there.
“I think the group we have now is just as special and I think all the girls who are here, deserve to be here.”
Rory McIlroy carried the weight of expectations, the burden of grand dreams, for 14 years. It was crippling at times, and then in a moment of catharsis last April, it all melted away. The long road to his dreams finally ended when he rolled in a 4-foot putt to win the 2025 Masters and crumpled to the ground, having been released from years of torment.
But what Rory McIlroy found at the place where his dreams became reality was something he didn’t expect. Shedding those ghosts as the sun set on Augusta National didn’t bring him self-fulfillment but instead sent him in search of something else. What now? McIlroy wondered in the months after he finally caught the car he’d spent his entire life chasing. A malaise known as post-achievement depression ensued. It’s a common psychological phenomenon in which people suffer emotional emptiness after achieving a long-term goal. For McIlroy, he was stuck in a purgatory between celebrating and wandering.
“Look, you dream about the final putt going in at the Masters, but you don’t think about what comes next,” McIlroy said at last year’s U.S. Open.
Human beings are, by nature, dreamers, searchers. Self-actualization is not found in completing one quest. We lust for more, for the next peak, the next challenge. What McIlroy found in the wake of his defining achievement, in the glow of his forever moment, was an existential question that humans have long tried to solve: If there can always be something else to chase, how can you ever be truly fulfilled? A summer of media squabbles and mediocre finishes followed as McIlroy tried to navigate his new reality. Things turned during a home Open at Royal Portrush, and he won the Irish Open and an away Ryder Cup. He arrived as the defending champion at this year’s Masters, liberated at a place he has long wanted to love him back — one that used to bring him only pain.
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That’s the thing about weight: put too much in one place, and you can’t move; remove it all, and you’ll float; but shift the location and amount of load, and it becomes beneficial.
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Masters win was an unburdening. The freedom it provided him at Augusta National was evident during the early rounds when he built a six-shot lead, and on the weekend when he weathered a collapse and responded to become the fourth player in history to win back-to-back green jackets. McIlroy’s Augusta freedom was not the removal of doubt or anxiety. It was not the disappearance of fear. Instead, it was the liberation that comes from being willing to accept that you might fail — that pain might return and you might only leave with a new set of scars — but you’re willing to jump with conviction because you’ve already proven to yourself that you can fly.
“Good things come to those who wait, maybe. Just keep going,” McIlroy said on Sunday night after winning his sixth major and second Masters. “Just keep going. Keep your head down and keep it going. If you put the hours in and work on the right things, eventually it will come good for you.”
After surviving a rollercoaster weekend at Augusta National to capture another green jacket, McIlroy found another question. This one, he believes, he has the answer to after last year’s search for meaning: Will this win lead to a similar rut?
“I said at the start of the weekend here, I felt like the grand slam was the destination, and I realized it wasn’t. I’m on this journey.” McIlroy said. “I feel like this win is just — I don’t want to say a stop on the journey, but yeah, it’s just a part of the journey. I still have things I want to achieve. But I still want to enjoy it as well.
“I’ve waited so long to win the Masters, and all of a sudden I win two in a row. So I still want to enjoy it. I’ve got a couple of weeks off before I go back to play competitive golf, but I don’t think I’ll go through that lull of motivation or the sort of things that I was feeling last year, post-winning this tournament.”
One scene Sunday evening at Augusta National suggests that this time McIlroy won’t find himself listless in the emerald radiance of his latest achievement.
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When he won last year, Rory McIlroy folded onto the perfectly manicured 18th green at Augusta National, put his head in his hands and began to sob. The tears freely flowing, he let out a primal scream signaling only relief that he had finally slayed the dragon, that his long battle with himself and this tournament was over. Relief that after that Sunday, the mental agony of the weight of time and expectation was over. Overcome with the realization that his dreams had finally arrived, McIlroy sobbed uncontrollably as he made his way back to the clubhouse, hugging friends and family along the way. It was a blur.
On Sunday, as McIlroy readied to tap in for a closing bogey to beat Scottie Scheffler by one stroke, the tears started to arrive again, but everything else about this moment was different.
This time, McIlroy didn’t collapse. His head didn’t drop in disbelief that the long journey had ended. Instead, he lifted his head immediately to the sky and let another scream, not one of catharsis but one of pure jubilation. A huge smile stretched across his face and he laughed as he hugged caddie Harry Diamond. As he walked to the clubhouse after hugging his wife, daughter, parents and some friends, Rory McIlroy lifted both of his arms in the air and soaked in a moment of pure, unadulterated joy.
This time, Rory McIlroy’s system wasn’t in shock. He wasn’t shedding anything. There was no recalibration needed. The ghosts have long gone.
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There was just Rory McIlroy, a two-time Masters champion, reveling in a victory that hit similar themes but meant something different. He did so with his eyes forward, locked on the horizon, not in search of the finish line but with his soul’s compass pointing in the only direction humans can go: forward.
Injury woes continue for the Houston Astros, exacerbating a 6-10 start that currently has them sharing the worst record in Major League Baseball. The Astros have lost seven consecutive games going into Monday’s matchup with the Seattle Mariners.
Shortstop Jeremy Peña was placed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. Pitcher Tatsuya Imai is joining several starting pitchers on the IL with right arm fatigue.
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Peña left Saturday’s 8-7 loss to the Mariners in the fourth inning with what was described as tightness at the back of his right knee. He underwent an imaging exam on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury and a mild strain was discovered.
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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena was off to a slow start due to a fractured right ring finger during the spring. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images)
After batting 1-for-3 on Saturday, Peña’s triple-slash line is .256/.304/.349 with four extra-base hits in 46 plate appearances. Though it’s early in the season and Peña has only played in 10 games, those numbers are a notable decline from the .304 batting average and .840 OPS he posted last year.
However, his preparations during the spring were sidetracked by a fractured right ring finger that prevented him from playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
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The 28-year-old was also limited to 125 games last season with a fractured rib (sustained when he was hit by a pitch) and left oblique injuries.
Tatsuya Imai is third Astros starting pitcher to go on IL
The Astros feared that an IL stint for Imai was imminent when he was sent back to Houston on Saturday to evaluate what the team called “right arm fatigue.”
Houston has already placed starting pitchers Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier on the injured list, both with strained right shoulders. Brown is expected to be out until May, while Javier will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Going back to Friday, the Astros play 13 straight games without a day off, putting more pressure on an undermanned pitching staff.
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Imai faced the Mariners on Friday for his third start of the season but lasted only one-third of an inning. Pitching against eight batters, the right-hander allowed three runs on one hit and four walks in an eventual 9-6 defeat. He threw only 17 of his 37 pitches for strikes in the performance.
Following the game, Imai complained of the hard mound at T-Mobile Park and the cooler weather than he was accustomed to pitching in Japan. The temperature was 64 degrees at first pitch in Seattle.
In his three starts, the 27-year-old has walked 11 batters in 8 1/3 innings, adding 13 strikeouts. He’s allowed seven runs on seven hits, resulting in a 7.27 ERA. The Astros were hoping for better production from a pitcher signed to a three-year contract that could pay him up to $63 million.
However, Imai showed what he was capable of in his second start, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Athletics with nine strikeouts.
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During his eight seasons pitching for the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, Imai compiled a 3.15 ERA and 58-45 record in 159 appearances with a strikeout rate of 8.5 per nine innings. But his walk rate of 4.4 hinted at the concerns that have manifested thus far in his MLB career.
;)
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