Category: Sport

Spouse of fallen defender to take part in MHP Run4Victory race in Lutsk<p>Viktoria Chaika, spouse of fallen Armed Forces of Ukraine captain Pavlo Chaika, will take part within the MHP Run4Victory charity race in Lutsk on September 7. She may even arrange her personal race, "Legendary Ten," on September 28 in honor of her husband.</p>

Cincinnati Reds 2B/3B Sal Stewart positive is doing his finest to power the franchise to advertise him to the most important leagues quickly, and fantasy managers should discover. Stewart, exterior the highest 100 prospects within the authentic Kiley McDaniel checklist coming into this season, has thrived and is among the many higher choices now, showing at No. 31 on his up to date checklist, revealed final week.

Stewart, 21, is hitting .311/.383/.526 throughout Double-A and Triple-A this season, with 19 house runs (together with three final week) and 17 stolen bases. The Reds, definitely within the thick of the NL wild-card race, haven’t acquired nice manufacturing from second base this season, as solely 4 golf equipment current a decrease wOBA from the place. Blame 2B Matt McLain, who’s hitting a disappointing .221/.300/.331, albeit with 11 house runs and 16 steals. Stewart would look like an improve.

MLB rosters increase from 26 to twenty-eight on September 1, with every group seemingly so as to add one place participant and one pitcher. Fantasy managers, as all the time, ought to take note of all potential strikes and react accordingly, however there may not be a lot to look at. Would the New York Yankees actually promote slugging OF Spencer Jones? Which hitter would they sit? The identical goes for the Philadelphia Phillies and speedy OF Justin Crawford.

Until a Yankees or Phillies outfielder suffers an harm, we’ll most likely wait till 2026 with these fellows. Jones has 32 house runs between Double-A and Triple-A this season, however he has sputtered in August, and his excessive strikeout charge is regarding. Crawford would possibly win the Worldwide League batting title — he’s presently hitting .328 — however he hardly ever places the baseball within the air.

With Stewart, much more contact-oriented than McLain, a promotion is sensible, particularly because the Reds lack right-handed hitting manufacturing this season. Counting on prospects (each in actual life and in fantasy) is dangerous, however the Reds may need to search out room for this teenager.

Listed here are a number of different names who would possibly debut in September, each for contenders and people already enjoying for 2026. We lately eliminated Baltimore Orioles C/1B Sam Basallo (he debuted on Aug. 17) and Tampa Bay Rays SS Carson Williams (he debuted this previous Friday) from consideration.

JJ Wetherholt, SS, St. Louis Cardinals: Wetherholt, the No. 7 choice within the 2024 draft, has been at Triple-A Memphis for barely a month, and he already appears to be like as if he’s prepared for the majors with a .328/.413/.648 line. He has 16 house runs and 19 stolen bases throughout two minor league ranges. The Cardinals boast strong-armed SS Masyn Winn at Wetherholt’s major place, however he can play second base and third base, too. Maybe the Cardinals promote Wetherholt up in these ultimate weeks to get him acclimated, since he must be of their 2026 Opening Day lineup.

Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: The AL East leaders have been fairly aggressive with this Pennsylvania product, who has hurled at 4 totally different ranges this season — and they won’t be completed selling him but. Yesavage, 22, is putting out practically 42% of the hitters he’s going through. With RHP Shane Bieber debuting this previous weekend, there may not be an out there rotation spot open, however a future ace lurks.

Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, RHP, New York Mets: Tong, 22, dominated at Double-A (1.68 ERA, 41% Ok charge), and little has modified over two outings at Triple-A Syracuse, with 17 strikeouts over 11 scoreless innings. Sproat, 24, has been at Triple-A Syracuse all season lengthy, posting a 4.70 ERA. The sputtering Mets must be “all in” to win now, and these arms would possibly be a part of RHP Nolan McLean within the main leagues quickly.

Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants: Eldridge, 20, is an intimidating, lefty slugger who has hit 21 house runs throughout two minor league ranges this yr, although he additionally served injured checklist stints for wrist and hamstring accidents. That is the long run first baseman for the group (it’s definitely not Rafael Devers), and the long run would possibly arrive quickly.

Andrew Painter, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies: Painter, 22, was presupposed to make his MLB debut round July, not less than based on the preseason expectations given by membership officers. Nevertheless, he merely hasn’t carried out persistently nicely at Triple-A Lehigh Valley (5.11 ERA, 1.49 WHIP in 18 begins). Dropping RHP Zack Wheeler to a blood clot hasn’t compelled the staff to advertise Painter but, however issues would possibly change quickly.

Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates: Griffin has vaulted into the highest prospect spot for a lot of analysts on the energy of a breakout 2025, as he hit .332/.414/.524 with 16 house runs and 59 steals over 101 video games at A-ball earlier than incomes a promotion to Double-A Altoona. There are different teenage shortstops on the quick observe (Leo De Vries, Athletics; Sebastian Walcott, Texas Rangers; Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers) who may also debut subsequent season. Be sure they’re rostered in your dynasty codecs.

Max Clark, OF, Detroit Tigers: Clark, 20, has hit nicely for Double-A Erie (.274/.376/.481), exhibiting energy, pace and glorious plate self-discipline. We should always anticipate him to debut subsequent season. Clark and Minnesota Twins OF Walker Jenkins had been top-five choices from the 2023 novice draft out of highschool, so that they had been anticipated to want extra growth time than faculty merchandise similar to Washington Nationals OF Dylan Crews and Rangers OF Wyatt Langford. Jenkins thrived at Double-A Wichita (.309/.426/.487) and earned a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul over this previous weekend.

JR Ritchie, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Ritchie, 22, has pitched at three ranges this season with little bother, posting a 2.58 ERA and an 0.95 WHIP, with practically one strikeout per inning. Maybe he lacks the upside of Painter or Pirates RHP Bubba Chandler, however we additionally ought to assume nothing. Ritchie underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in 2023. He would possibly open 2026 in Atlanta’s rotation.

EA Sports activities has launched the primary scores for NHL 26, kicking off everybody’s favourite section forward of launch with the strongest defensemen of the league.

Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks has been topped as essentially the most stalwart defender with 95 OVR, boasting unbelievable mobility and pace in addition. On prime of being the highest-rated participant of his place, the American is among the many prime 5 highest-rated athletes in your entire sport.

Following very shut behind him is Colorado Avalanche defender Cale Makar with the identical 95 OVR, however barely decrease stats in Velocity and Passing, incomes him sixth rank total.

Zach Werenski, Roman Josi, Victor Hedman, and Rasmus Dahlin are chasing the highest duo with 92 OVR every, which is sufficient for Werenski and Josi to slide into the general prime 20.

Listed below are the highest 20 defenders in NHL 26:

A Liverpool goal has ‘determined to remain’ at Lyon this summer season regardless of Nottingham Forest seeing a bid accepted earlier within the window, in line with studies.

"West Ham" near signing promising "Monaco" midfielder Magassa<p>West Ham United have submitted an official provide to Monaco for the acquisition of younger midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, who performed for the French youth nationwide workforce.</p>

NEW YORK — When Frances Tiafoe walked onto the courtroom Monday for his first-round match on the US Open, he knew it could possibly be the final time he performed on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It wasn’t Yoshihito Nishioka, his far much less seasoned opponent, or the again harm that plagued him earlier this month in Cincinnati, or perhaps a insecurity that made him really feel that approach. It’s what runs via his head each time he steps onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, the biggest tennis stadium on the planet, named after the trailblazing Black American who paved the way in which for Tiafoe and numerous others within the sport.

“It’s simply goose bumps, man,” Tiafoe instructed ESPN earlier this month about what it’s like enjoying on the courtroom. “I get a lot inspiration from [Ashe] and I by no means need to take that as a right. There aren’t any ensures in life. Clearly, I’m [only] 27, however I really feel like this could possibly be the final time I’m enjoying on this courtroom; you simply by no means know. And due to that, I need to take pleasure in it and I need to play on the highest stage each time.”

Tiafoe, the No. 17 seed, did that Monday. In entrance of a large afternoon crowd throughout a moist late summer season day, Tiafoe impressed together with his trademark showmanship. Thriving on the frequent roars and chants of the partisan followers, and powerful serving, he earned a 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-3 victory to advance to the second spherical. He sealed the win with an ace, his nineteenth of the day, and gave a decisive head nod to the gang as he walked to the online.

Six matches nonetheless stand between Tiafoe and his final objective — the one he has needed since he first picked up a racket as a younger baby on the Junior Tennis Champions Centre in Faculty Park, Maryland, the place his father labored in upkeep. Nevertheless it appears he could possibly be headed to a different deep New York run. A semifinalist on the match in 2022 and 2024, Tiafoe has turn into the emotional chief and fan favourite among the many American males, and one who appears to be like as poised as any to snap the 22-year main drought among the many group.

However he tries to not let the strain get to him throughout the house Slam. He merely appears to be like to embrace it and let it gasoline him.

“There’s only a totally different stage of pleasure [here],” Tiafoe instructed ESPN. “I simply attempt to carry my highest stage and compete. It’s enjoyable, man. I simply need to don’t have any regrets once I look again on all of it. All the pieces I do is with a smile on my face.

“And for now, the story continues.”

Tiafoe had his main breakthrough on the Australian Open in 2019 when he reached his first quarterfinal, but it surely was the US Open in 2022 when he reworked from an thrilling younger participant to an rising celebrity within the sport.

Taking part in on — the place else? — Arthur Ashe Stadium, Tiafoe had the momentous activity of dealing with Rafael Nadal within the fourth spherical. Nadal had received the 12 months’s first two Slams and was seeking to make historical past as the primary man to earn his twenty third main title. Tiafoe, who had by no means even taken a set in opposition to Nadal, knew it could be an uphill battle. However he expressed self-confidence forward of the match.

And with 24,000 followers trying on, Tiafoe backed up his phrases with among the best matches of his profession. Needing 3 hours, 34 minutes, Tiafoe had 18 aces, 49 winners and one electrifying level (and celebration) after one other for the 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

That match holds a revered place in his coronary heart three years later.

“Actually, there’s not going to be a greater second for me than beating Rafa on Heart Courtroom apart from profitable the match,” Tiafoe stated. “There’s not going to be one other win that will make me really feel that approach. It’s the sort of factor you dream about, what it’s all about. He’s one of many guys I at all times seemed as much as, and it was simply so particular. He’s a pinnacle of sport in each sport.”

And his matches in New York have been can’t-miss, popcorn-viewing ever since. A well known basketball fan, he has attracted Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Paige Bueckers and Kevin Garnett to his matches, along with former First Girl Michelle Obama and rapper Pusha T (who later name-dropped him in a track). LeBron James and Joel Embiid have posted their help on social media.

“I believe he’s the participant on tour with essentially the most clout,” fellow American and two-time main champion Coco Gauff stated earlier this month. “Each superstar is aware of him, or he is aware of each superstar, and he’s talked about in two rap songs, I believe. So, he’s fairly iconic, however I believe that power is real and he makes you like the game much more, simply realizing his backstory and his historical past.”

On Monday, the gang was sparse when the match began — followers possible wanted a brief break after Renata Zarazua’s thrilling three-set win over Madison Keys that concluded simply moments earlier than — but it surely continued to develop in measurement as the competition continued. And, regardless of what number of have been within the stands, Tiafoe appeared energized after Mustard and Migos’ “Pure Water” performed firstly of the warmup.

Because the match turned more and more aggressive within the second set, extra followers streamed into their seats. There have been “Let’s go, Frances, let’s go” chants and frequent “Come on, Huge Foe!” cheers all through. Many within the crowd gave him a standing ovation after he received an important level following a protracted rally within the sixth recreation of the second set. He raised his arm in celebration and the gang roared much more.

And Tiafoe appeared to feed off the followers and their power throughout the hard-fought second-set tiebreak. He was grateful for the continued fan help when chatting with ESPN forward of the match — and appeared to know why he resonated a lot with the gang.

“I believe everyone loves someone being themselves, proper?” Tiafoe stated. “I believe folks can really feel the fervour I play with, and everyone needs to really feel good and really feel part of one thing. I believe once I’m on a run, I really feel prefer it’s a lot extra than simply me; folks need to be part of that experience. Clearly, I give them a ton of power and so they give that pleasure proper again. New Yorkers reside for that, proper? They reside for leisure and folks enjoying laborious and enjoying with ardour.”

Tiafoe will subsequent play Wednesday, dealing with fellow American Martin Damm, who got here via qualifying and defeated Darwin Blanch on Monday in straight units.

Together with his humble origin story, everyman persona and infectious power, Tiafoe is as well-liked amongst his friends as he’s with followers. Amanda Anisimova, who reached the ultimate at Wimbledon in July, not too long ago known as him “one among my favourite folks on tour” whereas recounting the frequent hilarious messages he sends her. Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked American man who defeated Tiafoe in final 12 months’s semifinal on the US Open, known as him one among his greatest buddies and praised his capability to not take himself too critically.

“Frances is one among a sort,” Fritz stated Sunday. “We’ve at all times gotten alongside rather well. The easiest way to explain our relationship, [and] why we get alongside so effectively, is [that] each of us can chuckle at ourselves rather a lot. So nonstop with him, it’s simply us making enjoyable of one another on a regular basis.”

Taking part in in final week’s combined doubles occasion alongside Keys, his longtime pal, Tiafoe was seen hyping up his buddies, together with Fritz and Jessica Pegula, within the participant foyer forward of their matches, even after his personal first-round loss. Whereas chatting with ESPN for this story in a crowded and hectic hallway on the Cincinnati Open, Tiafoe stopped to playfully tease Emma Navarro, one other 2024 US Open semifinalist, who was signing posters close by. “Emma doesn’t actually speak to me,” he stated as she walked by and jokingly rolled her eyes. “She’s too big-time.”

Ranked as excessive as No. 10 and with three tour titles, Tiafoe has turn into a beloved determine at tournaments all over the world. Earlier this summer season, he reached his first quarterfinals on the French Open and didn’t drop a set en path to the ultimate eight. However regardless of his success and recognition elsewhere, every thing main as much as the late summer season North American hard-court swing is preparation in his thoughts. Nothing issues to him as a lot as this portion of the season, and the US Open is his Tremendous Bowl. “Fingers down, [it’s] the perfect occasion on the planet,” he stated earlier than the match Monday.

Although it’s unsure which courtroom will host Tiafoe’s match in opposition to Damm this week, he’ll most actually return to Ashe throughout the fortnight if he continues to win.

And that, in line with him, offers him an edge that few others can declare — and can solely assist him get even nearer to his childhood dream in entrance of a crowd that will need to see nothing extra.

“It’s the identical objective as final 12 months, and yearly, I simply need to win it,” Tiafoe stated. “I do know on that courtroom, I’m harmful. I can lose to a whole lot of guys week in, week out [during the season], however enjoying on Ashe, I can beat anyone on the planet. I really imagine that.”

Liverpool have been backed to finish a “document deal” with Newcastle United for world-class striker Alexander Isak at this time, with a pundit “completely positive”.

Rebrov known as Ocheredko and Mykhavko for World Cup 2026 qualification matches: nationwide staff squad introduced<p>Serhiy Rebrov has introduced the squad of the Ukrainian nationwide staff for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, together with Taras Mykhavko and Oleh Ocheredko as potential debutants. Ukraine will play towards France and Azerbaijan in September.</p>

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals can cross off the ultimate factor on their offseason guidelines.

Lengthen Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Discover a contract decision for Trey Hendrickson.

Test, verify and verify.

5 months after the Bengals signed their star huge receivers to contract extensions, the crew reached a decision with its All-Professional go rusher. Hendrickson and the Bengals agreed to phrases on a revised contract, the crew introduced on Monday, paving the way in which for him to play this season.

However even with all the contract acrimony with Hendrickson, which featured a hold-in that lasted all of coaching camp, that was the straightforward half. Now the true problem begins: capitalizing on a premium championship window and ensuring Cincinnati doesn’t waste one other 12 months of quarterback Joe Burrow’s profession.

The Bengals are coming off their second straight season with no playoff berth regardless of Burrow, Chase and Hendrickson having the very best seasons of their careers in 2024. By wrapping up Hendrickson’s contract saga 13 days earlier than the beginning of the common season, it ensures each side don’t waste any time as they prep for the upcoming 12 months.

“If we are able to get him on the market, we are able to transition him onto the sector pretty shortly, given his experience and expertise,” defensive coordinator Al Golden mentioned final week.

Hendrickson has lengthy represented one of many NFL’s finest cut price contracts and free agent signings of the last decade.

In 2021, the Bengals signed him to a four-year deal price $60 million. He has reached the Professional Bowl yearly in Cincinnati and had 17.5 sacks in every of the previous two seasons. That whole led the league in 2024, and he was named to the Related Press All-Professional crew, the best honor for a participant outdoors of profitable the MVP or a participant of the 12 months award.

However regardless of that and Burrow being an MVP finalist and Chase profitable the receiving triple crown with 127 receptions, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns, Cincinnati missed the playoffs. The shortage of defensive success was a main issue, and it led the Bengals to fireside Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator and change him with Golden, the previous Notre Dame DC.

At instances this offseason, it was unclear if Golden was ever going to have the ability to coach Hendrickson. In March, the Bengals granted Hendrickson the power to hunt a commerce. By Could, nothing had materialized, and Hendrickson arrived in Cincinnati throughout voluntary exercises to talk with the media. He defined that he needed a long-term contract with substantial assured cash.

The Bengals had different plans.

“Evidently a shorter deal is one thing that they’re pushing fairly exhausting,” Hendrickson mentioned on Could 13.

And that’s finally what occurred. However the deal has a construction that finally works out for each side. Hendrickson will keep the power to be a free agent subsequent season when his contract expires, and the Bengals may have the companies of one of many NFL’s finest edge rushers.

Final season, Hendrickson had the third-highest stress price at 14.6%, in accordance with ESPN Analysis. He additionally created 26 sacks. The following-closest participant in that class was Houston’s Danielle Hunter with 14.5, per ESPN Analysis.

All through Hendrickson’s contract saga, everybody inside Cincinnati’s constructing knew how significantly better he makes the crew, together with Burrow.

“He’s one of the crucial distinctive individuals I’ve ever been round and met, and I really like that about him,” Burrow mentioned in Could. “I feel that’s what makes him an ideal participant. He brings a singular power that I’m all the time excited to see.”

Again in 2022, Burrow mentioned he believed his championship window would run the size of his profession. However a season-ending wrist harm in 2023 preceded the frustration of 2024.

Now, lower than two weeks earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season, Burrow and the Bengals have their finest defensive participant again within the fold. And Cincinnati’s stars know the stakes for a roster of this caliber.

“We will’t dwell on what we did in 2021 and 2022,” Chase advised ESPN in July, referencing the crew’s two journeys to the AFC Championship Sport and a Tremendous Bowl berth after the 2021 season. “So now we have now to indicate it another time and simply show ourselves.”

ASHBURN, Va. — As quickly because the contract extension for Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin was reported, the query started: Who gained?

Within the response to find out which facet — McLaurin or the Commanders — finally made concessions or misplayed their hand throughout the negotiations, the true victors from Monday’s settlement are quarterback Jayden Daniels, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, vast receiver Deebo Samuel, tight finish Zach Ertz and everybody else on the roster.

Over his six NFL seasons, McLaurin had develop into the “heartbeat” of the offense, offering vitality, emotion and fervour for the unit, one former Washington assistant coach instructed ESPN just lately, and the receiver was routinely voted a crew captain.

For these causes, the coach stated, the deal wanted to get completed.

The true cash on McLaurin’s new deal gained’t be recognized till the three-year extension is filed with the league and the full ensures and true breakdown are recognized. For now, the headline is that McLaurin acquired a pleasant per-year common quantity, and the full contract is price “as much as” $96 million over three years, in accordance with sources.

It could possibly be found within the subsequent few days that the crew received the deal it wished. So, saying which facet gained or misplaced on this state of affairs is untimely and can finally develop into irrelevant.

What issues now’s that Washington can enter its Sept. 7 opener towards the New York Giants feeling good and with its finest receiver in tow.

Following its finest season in a long time, Washington couldn’t afford to enter the 2025 marketing campaign with the contract deadlock hanging over them. The negotiations had already dominated headlines, starting with McLaurin expressing his frustration in a 30-minute information convention July 15, failing to report back to camp per week later, then holding out the primary 4 days — and being fined $200,000 — earlier than turning into a hold-in and requesting a commerce, which, a number of crew sources stated, was not a shock to the group.

In the meantime, on the sphere, there was rising frustration amongst members of the offense.

On Aug. 15, Kingsbury expressed his personal dissatisfaction with the unit’s efficiency. The Commanders ranked fifth in factors and seventh in yards final season, however their summer season was uneven. Daniels seemed like himself, as did Samuel and Ertz, however Kingsbury knew what — specifically, who — was lacking.

“There hasn’t been a ton of contact with him,” Kingsbury stated of McLaurin. “He’s been right here, however he’s been working with trainers, so till he will get again on the grass, that’s once we’ll begin constructing that again up.

“Till we get a few of these different items again, we’re not going to know precisely what we’re. … That’s one thing we’ve got to get to over the following three weeks.”

With McLaurin on the sphere, the strain on Washington’s different offensive weapons diminishes. Samuel may have extra room to function beneath, giving him the flexibility to run after the catch and break tackles. Ertz might be more practical when going over the center as effectively. The deep ball additionally will come extra into play. Of Daniels’ 46 passes that traveled 20 air yards or extra final season, 24 went to McLaurin. Daniels posted a QBR of 88.4 (out of 100) when focusing on McLaurin on these routes, with eight completions for 341 yards and three scores.

McLaurin additionally serves as an offensive catalyst, which is one motive Washington likes getting him the ball early in video games. When McLaurin caught three or extra passes within the first half final season, Washington was 6-1. Over his profession, Washington is 21-23-1 when McLaurin catches three or extra passes within the first half. However examine that to its document general with him: 41-58-1.

That general document — which had been 29-53-1 earlier than final season’s turnaround — is why leaving Washington by no means made sense for McLaurin. He had performed with 10 completely different beginning quarterbacks earlier than Daniels arrived. Now, he has a quarterback coming off a historic rookie season with 3,568 passing yards and 25 touchdowns together with 891 yards and 6 scores dashing.

With stability at quarterback and a brand new contract in hand, McLaurin — a beloved determine by the fan base and for years the one brilliant spot in Washington due to his manufacturing and professionalism — can take into consideration retiring as one of many franchise’s hottest gamers ever.

So, whereas declaring a victor for this deal remains to be essential to some, the influence will probably be felt into the long run.

Washington was all the time involved about setting a precedent with this deal, realizing it has different key gamers up for extensions or new offers in 2026 comparable to Samuel, left deal with Laremy Tunsil, linebacker Frankie Luvu and, probably, cornerback Marshon Lattimore. That’s why the main points, finally, will matter.

Different gamers on the crew have been extremely to see McLaurin’s contract resolved, realizing they could possibly be in an analogous place quickly.

For now, although, Washington’s vitality is again. And it occurred at simply the proper time.