The Rundown — Sports News, Analysis & Culture

The wire

Skenes sees room to grow amid rough patch in '26

Pirates ace Paul Skenes said he knows there remains plenty to work on after Wednesday's rocky outing bumped his ERA to 3.95, more than double his career mark of 1.96 when the season began.

ESPN/MLB/49m ago

Mets' Polanco placed on IL, to have ankle surgery

Jorge Polanco's challenging first season with the Mets likely ended Wednesday when he was placed on the 10-day IL with left ankle bursitis.

ESPN/MLB/49m ago

📈 MLB Rank in-season update: Who's No. 1?

We asked ESPN MLB experts for their updated top 50 to take stock of the best performances as the 2026 regular season begins to wind down.

ESPN/MLB/49m ago

Pirates add veteran C Bethancourt from Yankees

The Pirates acquired veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations.

MLB Trade Rumors/MLB/51m ago

What Are The Next Steps For The A’s?

The A’s stand alone at the bottom of the MLB standings after Wednesday’s loss to Kansas City (combined with an Angels win over Houston). Their 49-77 showing has them on a 63-win pace. Given their injuries and how poorly they’ve played over

ESPN/NFL/54m ago

Buzz, news and more from Cowboys training camp: Coaches seek consistency from RT Terence Steele

Catch up on our daily updates from Cowboys training camp, including intel on QBs, position battles and potential breakouts.

ESPN/NFL/54m ago

'The team being hunted': Why things feel -- and look -- different for the Patriots in 2026

After an eventful offseason with much roster turnover, New England is again focusing on identity to combat a harder schedule this season.

MLB Trade Rumors/MLB/2h ago

Cubs To Activate Daniel Palencia

The Cubs will reinstate Daniel Palencia from the 60-day injured list before Friday’s series opener in Seattle, reports Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Chicago will need to open a spot on the pitching staff and 40-man rosters after

Deadspin/Culture/2h ago

Ran Binyamin scores late winner as FC Dallas tops Real Salt Lake

Ran Binyamin ripped a shot from outside the box into the right corner of the net in the 90th minute for the game-winner in FC Dallas' wild 4-3 victory

Yahoo Sports/NBA/2h ago

Report: Cavs acquiring Peyton Watson and trading Max Strus to Clippers in 4-team deal

Peyton Watson is heading from Denver to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade that will also have the Cavaliers sending Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Yahoo Sports/NHL/2h ago

2026-27 Pittsburgh Penguins Player Projections: Connor Dewar

Connor Dewar had a career year for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. Can he repeat it this year?

Deadspin/Culture/2h ago

Robert Lewandowski's penalty kick leads Fire past Orlando City

Robert Lewandowski scored his third MLS goal and first from the penalty spot midway through the second half, lifting the visiting Chicago Fire to a 2-

NFL

All NFL →

ESPN/NFL/54m ago

Buzz, news and more from Cowboys training camp: Coaches seek consistency from RT Terence Steele

Catch up on our daily updates from Cowboys training camp, including intel on QBs, position battles and potential breakouts.

ESPN/NFL/54m ago

'The team being hunted': Why things feel -- and look -- different for the Patriots in 2026

After an eventful offseason with much roster turnover, New England is again focusing on identity to combat a harder schedule this season.

ESPN/NFL/2h ago

Sources: Texans' Higgins tears ACL, out for season

Texans second-year wideout Jayden Higgins will miss the season after suffering a torn ACL during a joint practice with the Raiders, sources told NFL Network.

ESPN/NFL/2h ago

Sources: Bucs extend Vea with $30M guaranteed

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed on a one-year extension that guarantees him $30 million, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

NBA

All NBA →

Yahoo Sports/NBA/2h ago

Report: Cavs acquiring Peyton Watson and trading Max Strus to Clippers in 4-team deal

Peyton Watson is heading from Denver to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade that will also have the Cavaliers sending Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Yahoo Sports/NBA/2h ago

Cavs Trade Grade: Cleveland finally has their answer at small forward

Peyton Watson has the potential to make the Cavs title contenders.

ESPN/NBA/3h ago

3-team deal sends Watson to Cavs, Strus to Clips

The Cavaliers, Nuggets and Clippers have agreed on a trade that will send Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to Los Angeles, sources told ESPN. Watson will sign a new four-year, $88 million deal to join the Cavs, his agents said.

ESPN/NBA/3h ago

Wemby named France captain for FIBA qualifiers

The French national team announced Victor Wembanyama as its captain Wednesday in preparation for the FIBA World Cup European qualifiers.

MLB

All MLB →

MLB Trade Rumors/MLB/41m ago

MLBTR Podcast: The Athletics’ Unclear Future, The Reds Without Hunter Greene, The Yankees’ Infield, And More!

The latest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at this link to listen, if you don’t use Spotify or

ESPN/MLB/49m ago

O's bash MLB technology after near-HR ruled foul

The Orioles criticized MLB for being behind on technology after Pete Alonso's deep fly to left was ruled foul and the call was upheld on a review Wednesday night against the Yankees.

ESPN/MLB/49m ago

Rangers' deGrom, near 2,000 K's, to start Thu.

Jacob deGrom is set for another chance to become the second-fastest pitcher to 2,000 career strikeouts in his Rangers start Thursday night.

ESPN/MLB/49m ago

Murphy downplays buzz over MLB-best Brewers

The Brewers appear well on their way to earning an eighth playoff berth in nine seasons, but manager Pat Murphy said he doesn't think them has played great.

NHL

All NHL →

Yahoo Sports/NHL/2h ago

2026-27 Pittsburgh Penguins Player Projections: Connor Dewar

Connor Dewar had a career year for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. Can he repeat it this year?

Culture

All Culture →

Deadspin/Culture/2h ago

Ran Binyamin scores late winner as FC Dallas tops Real Salt Lake

Ran Binyamin ripped a shot from outside the box into the right corner of the net in the 90th minute for the game-winner in FC Dallas' wild 4-3 victory

Deadspin/Culture/2h ago

Robert Lewandowski's penalty kick leads Fire past Orlando City

Robert Lewandowski scored his third MLS goal and first from the penalty spot midway through the second half, lifting the visiting Chicago Fire to a 2-

Deadspin/Culture/2h ago

Astros ride strong bullpen effort to victory over Angels

Christian Vazquez homered, Jose Altuve hit an RBI double during a two-run fourth inning, and a strong bullpen performance helped carry the Houston Ast

Deadspin/Culture/2h ago

Tristan Muyumba nets go-ahead goal to lead Atlanta United past Minnesota United

Tristan Muyumba scored the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute and Lucas Hoyos made three saves to lead Atlanta United to a 2-1 victory over Minnesota Un

Every sports take worth your time, in one place

MLBTR Podcast: The Athletics’ Unclear Future, The Reds Without Hunter Greene, The Yankees’ Infield, And More!

O's bash MLB technology after near-HR ruled foul

Rangers' deGrom, near 2,000 K's, to start Thu.

Murphy downplays buzz over MLB-best Brewers

Marte in Phoenix for MRI on knee after no-show

The wire

Skenes sees room to grow amid rough patch in '26

Mets' Polanco placed on IL, to have ankle surgery

📈 MLB Rank in-season update: Who's No. 1?

Pirates add veteran C Bethancourt from Yankees

What Are The Next Steps For The A’s?

Buzz, news and more from Cowboys training camp: Coaches seek consistency from RT Terence Steele

'The team being hunted': Why things feel -- and look -- different for the Patriots in 2026

Cubs To Activate Daniel Palencia

Ran Binyamin scores late winner as FC Dallas tops Real Salt Lake

Report: Cavs acquiring Peyton Watson and trading Max Strus to Clippers in 4-team deal

2026-27 Pittsburgh Penguins Player Projections: Connor Dewar

Robert Lewandowski's penalty kick leads Fire past Orlando City

NFL

Buzz, news and more from Cowboys training camp: Coaches seek consistency from RT Terence Steele

'The team being hunted': Why things feel -- and look -- different for the Patriots in 2026

Sources: Texans' Higgins tears ACL, out for season

Sources: Bucs extend Vea with $30M guaranteed

NBA

Report: Cavs acquiring Peyton Watson and trading Max Strus to Clippers in 4-team deal

Cavs Trade Grade: Cleveland finally has their answer at small forward

3-team deal sends Watson to Cavs, Strus to Clips

Wemby named France captain for FIBA qualifiers

MLB

MLBTR Podcast: The Athletics’ Unclear Future, The Reds Without Hunter Greene, The Yankees’ Infield, And More!

O's bash MLB technology after near-HR ruled foul

Rangers' deGrom, near 2,000 K's, to start Thu.

Murphy downplays buzz over MLB-best Brewers

NHL

2026-27 Pittsburgh Penguins Player Projections: Connor Dewar

Culture

Ran Binyamin scores late winner as FC Dallas tops Real Salt Lake

Robert Lewandowski's penalty kick leads Fire past Orlando City

Astros ride strong bullpen effort to victory over Angels

Tristan Muyumba nets go-ahead goal to lead Atlanta United past Minnesota United