Carlos Mendoza has been fired as manager of the underperforming New York Mets and replaced by Andy Green. Last-place New York was 34-47 halfway through a miserable season, 15 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 9 1/2 games back of the final NL wild-card berth. Mets owner Steve Cohen had high expectations for a team without a World Series title since 1986. The club opened the season with baseball’s highest payroll at $358 million and was projected to pay an additional $124 million in luxury tax. A former major league infielder, Green had been working in the Mets' front office running the farm system. He was given the title of interim manager for the rest of the season.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets made a big addition on the eve of the draft by acquiring do-it-all winger Valeri Nichushkin in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets sent the 43rd pick this weekend, a third-rounder next year and a fifth-rounder in 2028 to Colorado. Nichushkin scored nine goals during the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run and played the clinching Game 6 in the final on a broken right foot. He also had off-ice issues that sidelined him in the playoffs in 2023 and '24.
The WNBA has suspended Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas for one game after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat in Wednesday night’s matchup against Indiana. It happened with 6:52 left in the second quarter and was deemed to be a non-basketball act. The league gave Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty for it. No foul was called on the play by officials. The WNBA is allowed to review a game to reclassify a Flagrant foul or to classify as Flagrant any foul not called as such during a game. Thomas will serve her suspension on Saturday when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo.
The NCAA Division I Cabinet has approved changes to the college football calendar. Starting in fall 2027, teams can schedule up to 12 regular-season games over 14 weeks, ending after Thanksgiving. This week, the cabinet also allowed teams moving from the Championship Subdivision to the Bowl Subdivision to be bowl-eligible immediately. The change applies to teams like North Dakota State and Sacramento State. Additionally, the FBS and FCS oversight committees proposed shortening the January transfer portal window from 15 to 10 days. They also suggested a new model for spring and summer activities. Votes on these proposals are set for August.
The Edmonton Oilers have hired Mike Babcock as head coach, marking his return to the NHL after more than six years. The NHL cleared him following an investigation into his brief 2023 stint with Columbus. Babcock aims to lead stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to a Stanley Cup. Babcock, 63, has a history of success but also controversy. He stepped down from the Blue Jackets due to privacy concerns and has faced criticism for his coaching style. Despite past issues, the NHL found no reason to prevent his employment.
The Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire signed Emma Maltais to a two-year contract in adding another Canadian Olympian to their lineup. The 26-year-old forward is a two-time Olympian and signed with Montreal in free agency after spending her first three seasons in Toronto. Maltais had three goals and 10 points last season centering Toronto’s second line. Maltais joins a team led by Team Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin, and national squad teammates in forward Laura Stacey and goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens.
Ryan Craig is the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights. He has been with the team since 2017, starting as an assistant coach. Craig replaces John Tortorella, who led the team to the Stanley Cup Final. Craig has been part of the organization for all nine years and has coached many of its players. He also gained head coaching experience with the Henderson Silver Knights. Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon praised Craig’s leadership. Craig is ready for the challenge and understands the high expectations.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow says that he feels similarly about this year’s Cincinnati team to how he felt about the LSU squad that he won a national championship with in 2019. The Bengals have had an aggressive offseason, rebuilding the defense through free agency and adding veteran leaders with winning experience. With new players Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe, Burrow says that the Bengals have everything they need to contend. The Bengals had full attendance in OTAs and minicamp, and coach Zac Taylor canceled the final two practices of minicamp with the Bengals having gotten in the work he was looking to see.
Cooper Pratt has reached the major leagues 2 ½ months after the Milwaukee Brewers signed the shortstop prospect to an eight-year, $50.75 million contract. Pratt made his major league debut and went 0 for 3 in a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night after getting called up from Triple-A Nashville. They made room for Pratt by designating third baseman Luis Rengifo for assignment. Brewers officials showed their faith in Pratt when they signed him on April 3 to an eight-year deal that includes club options for 2034 and 2035.
A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the New York Jets and guard Joe Tippmann have agreed on a four-year contract extension. The move Monday keeps Tippmann, a second-round draft pick in 2023, with the Jets through the 2030 season. NFL Network reported the deal is worth $66.4 million, with $34.9 million guaranteed. The 25-year-old Tippmann has started 48 of 50 games in his first three seasons and missed just one game. The Jets have prioritized signing their young talent, including recently extending the contract for running back Breece Hall.