Pirates pick Orioles pitcher in Rule 5 Draft but trade him to Rangers for prospect, cash
The Pittsburgh Pirates stocked up on pitching in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., then flipped their pick in the major league phase for a prospect and cash considerations. The Pirates selected 23-year-old right-hander Carter Baumler from the Baltimore Orioles with the fifth...
Penn State coach Matt Campbell details his recruiting strategy: ‘We have a process’
Penn State fans got used to a few set-in-stone slogans and philosophies on the recruiting trail under James Franklin. Whether it was “The best in PA, stay in PA,” “We’re a developmental program” or whatever favorite you’ll remember most from the past 11-plus years, Franklin stuck to his bread and...
Down to 4th-string left tackle, Steelers pressing limits of ‘next man up’ at important position
It’s conventional wisdom that left tackle is the second- or third-most important position in football. So how, then, has it largely flown under the radar that the Pittsburgh Steelers blew through four left tackles in a three-game span? They finished Sunday’s big divisional win off with their fourth-stringer at the...
QB Philip Rivers eager to get back in the game with the Colts after coming out of retirement
INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers wanted one more shot at winning that elusive Super Bowl ring. So the 44-year-old grandfather and Hall of Fame semifinalist is coming out of retirement and rejoining the Indianapolis Colts. Just hours after team officials announced they’d signed Rivers to the practice squad, the eight-time Pro...
Orioles agree to $155 million, 5-year deal with slugger Pete Alonso, AP source says
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a $155 million, five-year contract with slugger Pete Alonso, according to multiple reports Wednesday. The deal was pending a physical. It’s a major move for a Baltimore team that vowed to be aggressive after a last-place finish in the AL East. Alonso hit...
A’ja Wilson wins AP Female Athlete of the Year following historic 4th WNBA MVP
A’ja Wilson stood atop the WNBA again in 2025, winning an unprecedented fourth MVP as her Las Vegas Aces earned a third championship in four seasons. For that, she earned The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year on Wednesday for the first time in her career. It’s the second...
Sports betting websites to require valid ID in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania will soon require a valid government-issued ID for online sports betting. Lee Copello, director of iGaming compliance for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, said that by Feb. 28, all existing iGaming and online sports betting users will have to upload photos of the front and back of their ID...
Penguins assign forward Sam Poulin to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned rookie forward Sam Poulin to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Wednesday. This transaction comes one day after he was recalled from the minor league affiliate. Poulin was a healthy scratch during Tuesday’s 4-3 home shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks. With the NHL...
Pitt volleyball to host 2026 Opening Spike Classic
Pitt volleyball will begin the 2026 campaign with two major tests, as the Panthers were announced as hosts for the Opening Spike Classic, featuring matchups against Kansas and Wisconsin. The two-day event at Petersen Events Center will be televised nationally on ESPN and see Pitt play the Jayhawks Aug. 28...
Penguins forward Tommy Novak is starting to find more offenseVideo
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t necessarily have detailed designs on how to use forward Tommy Novak when they traded for him from the Nashville Predators on March 5. But plenty of intrigue existed over what he could offer as a center. “We like Tommy’s ability to control play, generate scoring chances...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger says Baltimore TD should’ve counted; Minkah Fitzpatrick discusses return to Pittsburgh
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Ben Roethlisberger’s take on a controversy from the Steelers-Ravens game. We check in on Minkah Fitzpatrick prior to his return to Acrisure Stadium. We know the officiating crew for the Steelers’ “Monday Night Football” game versus Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins. Plus, we preview a trip out...
‘We’re casting a wide net’: After striking out on Kyle Schwarber, Pirates GM ready to pivot
When MLB Network showed a potential Pittsburgh Pirates starting lineup based on the current 40-man roster, it gave a glimpse into why the front office plans to be aggressive in free agency and through trades. While the Pirates have 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, the position...
Mike Tomlin’s ‘hot seat’ response has more layers than you might think
In the last few minutes of Mike Tomlin’s news conference Tuesday, WTAE’s Ashley Liotus asked the Steelers’ coach if he felt like he was on the hot seat heading into last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. “Man, I’ve been in the hot seat for 19 years,” Tomlin responded. Before...
Tim Benz: If Kyle Schwarber bid signals dive into deep waters, Ben Cherington can’t wear a life vest
At his weekly press conference, the only thing Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was not asked about was his level of surprise at the news that the Pirates’ “bid” to sign free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber came up short. My guess is that he is as completely stunned as the rest...
Penguins suffer mind-boggling shootout loss to Ducks after allowing last-second goal
The Pittsburgh Penguins have had losses this season that were far uglier than the 4-3 shootout defeat they suffered at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks in PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday. And they’ve certainly been on the wrong end of setbacks that were far more lopsided. There are probably...
After missing on Kyle Schwarber, Pirates sign lefty reliever Gregory Soto to $7.75M deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates took their first big swings in free agency, missing on slugger Kyle Schwarber on a multiyear offer but signing a veteran left-handed, high-leverage reliever in Gregory Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million contract, a source confirmed Tuesday night to TribLive. Where the Pirates offered Schwarber a long-term...
Honor Huff scores 24 points for West Virginia in 90-58 win over Little Rock
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Honor Huff scored 24 points behind eight 3-pointers, and Treysen Eaglestaff added 23 for West Virginia in a 90-58 win over Little Rock on Tuesday night. The Mountaineers (8-2) pulled away on a 19-2 run that lasted almost six minutes. Huff shot 8 of 13 from the...
NASCAR chairman refuses to budge on team charters in testimony during Michael Jordan’s lawsuit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR chairman Jim France testified Tuesday in Michael Jordan’s federal antitrust lawsuit against his family that he still has not changed his mind on granting teams permanent charters, and evidence showed he entered negotiations on a new revenue-sharing agreement determined to thwart teams’ efforts for a better...
Steelers notes: Minkah Fitzpatrick to return to Pittsburgh with Dolphins
About 5 1/2 months after his shocking trade by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minkah Fitzpatrick will soon be back in Acrisure Stadium. Fitzpatrick and the Miami Dolphins play at the Steelers on “Monday Night Football.” In a trade announced June 30 — after all of spring practice, organized team activities and...
Steelers defensive line could get some help with Harmon scheduled to return to practice
Mike Tomlin on Tuesday alluded to defensive tackle Derrick Harmon’s potential return to the lineup. Because of attrition at the position and the performance of the run defense without Harmon, it can’t come soon enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have three defensive linemen on injured reserve, creating a...
Despite having 3rd-best odds of winning 2026 MLB Draft lottery, Pirates draw No. 5 pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates slipped two spots in the lottery for the 2026 MLB Draft, drawing the No. 5 overall pick despite having a 16.8% chance of landing the top overall pick for the third time in six years. The Chicago White Sox, who had the best odds at 27.7%, received...
NHL cautiously optimistic of Olympic participation despite smaller rink size and ice safety concerns
The NHL said Tuesday it remains cautiously optimistic about sending the world’s best hockey players to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in February amid issues with a smaller-than-expected rink size and questions regarding ice quality resulting from construction delays. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly reiterated that belief in an email to...
Notre Dame AD still upset with ACC and CFP committee, calls for expansion to 16-team playoff field
Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua thinks there’s a simple solution to politicking for College Football Playoff spots — expansion. He was still upset Tuesday about the selection committee’s decision to bypass the Fighting Irish from the 12-team playoff field and the ACC’s public campaigning to get full-time league member...
Walk-on to Heisman finalist: Diego Pavia’s journey fuels Vanderbilt’s rise from SEC cellar
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Clark Lea can tick off all the statistics Diego Pavia piled up leading Vanderbilt to its best season ever as the quarterback put himself all over the program’s record books. Defining what Pavia means to the Commodores is much simpler. “This guy deserves all the attention, all...
Bronx man charged in shooting of New York Jets’ Kris Boyd
NEW YORK — A Bronx man has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of New York Jets’ player Kris Boyd, police announced Tuesday. The New York Police Department said Frederick Green, 20, was charged late Monday night. Police had revealed Monday that a “person of interest” was in...
