Sports
Nationals OF Dylan Crews runs own race with spotlight on '23 draft class
Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews (3) scores a run during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images Three weeks into the 2025 regular season, Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews will head to Pittsburgh to face former college teammate Paul Skenes, the much more familiar face of LSU baseball.
Skenes, the power pitcher selected No. 1 ahead of Crews in a mildly debated pick in the 2023 draft, made his arrival last season in a dominant debut with the Pirates. He started the All-Star Game for the National League and was named Rookie of the Year. Teammates for one season in Baton Rouge and twice on Team USA rosters, Crews and Skenes are friends, former workout partners and soon-to-be foes.
They’re also destined to be measured against each other — and other gems — from the 2023 draft class being hailed as potential all-time great collection of talent.
It appeared their first matchup would take place late last season. Crews smacked a 404-foot home run in a doubleheader with Skenes in the home dugout on Sept. 7, but that was as close as they got to a head-to-head encounter.
“You hear about it, but whenever that is, we’ll be ready for it,” Crews said.
Skenes’ turn in the Pirates’ rotation would put the former Tigers face-to-face at PNC Park in the afternoon finale of a four-game series April 17.
Crews, 22, emphasized staying “present” and walking his baseball journey one step at a time. That blocks him from envisioning official at-bats against Skenes that are no closer than two months away.
He debuted with the Nationals on Aug. 24, 2024. Crews hit .218 with three home runs, 12 stolen bases and eight RBIs with the Nationals last season. In his final series of 2024, he went 6-for-10 — highlighted by a triple off righty Aaron Nola — with three runs, two stolen bases and two walks against the Phillies.
In 2025, he’ll be fully prepared to go from 31 games to everyday right fielder in Washington. He said knowing what to expect brings comfort and confidence.
“I feel like this year, I have a good feeling of what to do and how the whole thing operates. Now, it’s just full go from here,” Crews said.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez played in the outfield, so he knows a good one when he sees one. He called Crews’ defense “exceptional” and praised his base-running instincts and speed. Crews had 12 stolen bases in just over one month with the MLB club.
He also came to camp noticeable thicker. Crews said he was around 190 when he got the call last August and weighed 205 when he reported to spring training in West Palm Beach.
Crews is part of a fast-moving current of prospects in camp with the Nationals. MLB Pipeline ranked Crews fourth behind Roki Sasaki (Dodgers) and outfielders Roman Anthony (Red Sox) and Walker Jenkins (Twins). Washington right-handers Travis Sykora (70) and Jarlin Susana (79) are also listed among the top 80 prospects in the league.
Measuring the results of the draft decision between Skenes and Crews won’t be a single-season exercise. There are others angling to join the conversation from the same class. No. 4 pick Wyatt Langford (Rangers) hit 16 home runs and collected 126 hits for Texas as a rookie last season.
Jenkins, the fifth pick in 2023 out of South Brunswick (North Carolina) High School, was taken two spots behind outfielder Max Clark. Clark came off the board a pick after Crews and is two spots behind him on the MLB Pipeline prospect rankings. The 13th pick in ’23, Matt Shaw (Maryland), is the frontrunner for the Cubs third base job on Opening Day. White Sox catcher Kyle Teel, acquired from the Red Sox and the No. 14 pick, is also expected to make noise in the Windy City. Georgia Tech shortstop Kristian Campbell (pick 132) is pushing for a job with the Red Sox this season. He’s currently ranked No. 7 by MLB Pipeline.
“That class has been really special,” Martinez said in September. “I’m glad that we’ve got one of them in Dylan Crews. I think this kid is going to be really special.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: A's sign LHP Dallas Keuchel to minor league deal
Jul 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images The Athletics signed former American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract, ESPN reported Saturday.
The 38-year-old left-hander, a two-time All-Star, last pitched in the majors for the Milwaukee Brewers on July 13, 2024.
He has 13 years of major league experience, most prominently with the Houston Astros (2012-18). In 2015, he went 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA and 216 strikeouts, en route to winning the AL Cy Young Award.
The veteran will now attempt another comeback with the Athletics. Per ESPN, he will report to Triple-A Las Vegas.
With the Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Brewers, Keuchel is 103-92 with a 4.04 ERA and 1,254 strikeouts in 282 games (267 starts).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Magomed Ankalaev puts away Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi
Oct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Alex Pereira (blue gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images After a slow-paced, grueling affair that drew boos from the Etihad Arena crowd, No. 1-ranked former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev finally put away No. 9 Bogdan Guskov with fifth-round ground-and-pound at 2:41 to cap off Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi.
The main event was a slog for the first 15 minutes. The opening frame saw very little action, and the second round was largely uneventful aside from Ankalaev (22-2-1, 1 NC MMA) securing a clinch and landing a few knees. The lack of output continued into the third, prompting the restless Abu Dhabi crowd to loudly voice their frustration and shower both men with boos as they returned to their corners.
Ankalaev shifted gears in the championship rounds, immediately taking Guskov (18-4-1 MMA) to the mat to open the fourth. He worked his way to full mount before settling into half guard, eventually threatening with a rear-naked choke that Guskov managed to defend to survive the frame.
Guskov, who landed just 42 strikes throughout the entire fight, nearly pulled off a miracle head-in-arm choke early in the fifth round. Ankalaev calmly escaped the sudden submission threat and eventually took Guskov’s back. Despite a brief reversal from Guskov in a desperate scramble, Ankalaev regained top position and unleashed a vicious barrage of ground-and-pound to force the stoppage.
The victory gave Ankalaev his 13th UFC win, the most among active light heavyweights.
“I want to say thank you to Bogdan (Guskov) for coming in here and saving the fight,” Ankalaev said. “I feel good. Thank you.”
Watching the grueling affair cageside was reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, who is currently sidelined recovering from a torn ACL. With the stoppage victory, Ankalaev likely solidified his position as the next challenger for Ulberg once the champion is cleared to return to the Octagon.
Flyweight Ramazan Temirov (20-3 MMA) secured his 12th consecutive victory in spectacular fashion, thoroughly dominating former title challenger Steve Erceg (14-5 MMA) en route to a first-round knockout.
Temirov set the tone early with a spinning back attack to begin the bout. Later in the frame, he unleashed a barrage of punches before putting the finishing touches on the performance. The final sequence began with a right hand before Temirov dropped and flatlined Erceg with a single punch to end things at the 4:21 mark.
Following the spectacular finish, Temirov used his post-fight interview to call out reigning UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van for a future title fight.
“I’m ready for everyone,” Temirov said. “Whoever is champion, I’m ready.”
Lightweight Magomed Zaynukov (9-0 MMA) leaned on highly effective striking and mixed combinations to secure a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Damian Rzepecki (10-1 MMA). After a slow-paced opening frame, Zaynukov found his rhythm and dictated the action down the stretch, opening noticeable cuts over Rzepecki’s nose and eyes to cruise to the win.
Heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev (14-3-1 MMA) wore down an incredibly game Tyrell Fortune (18-4 MMA), ultimately securing a TKO victory with a devastating knee to the head at the 1:12 mark of the third round. Kuniev nearly finished the bout in both the first and second frames with a barrage of knees and elbows, but Fortune showed immense toughness, surviving the early onslaught and continuing to fight despite a severely compromised right rib.
In the main card opener, Abubakar Vagaev (25-4 MMA) leaned on a balanced attack of striking and timely takedowns to secure a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Saygid Izagakhmaev (22-4 MMA).
Saturday’s main card was unexpectedly reduced from six fights to five just three hours before the event began. The UFC announced that Islam Dulatov was forced to withdraw from his scheduled welterweight bout against Wellington Turman due to an illness, prompting a last-minute cancellation.
Heavyweight Valter Walker (16-1 MMA) made history on Saturday’s preliminary card, securing his fifth consecutive submission victory to tie former middleweight title challenger Demian Maia for the longest submission streak in modern UFC history. Walker finished Thomas Petersen (11-5 MMA) via first-round calf slicer — an incredibly rare finish that marks only the fourth of its kind ever successfully executed inside the Octagon.
Saturday marked the UFC’s 23rd event in Abu Dhabi since 2010. The promotion also announced during the broadcast that it will make its 24th trip to the United Arab Emirates on Oct. 24 for UFC 333.
The UFC returns to action next Saturday, kicking off August with a trip to Serbia for UFC Fight Night.
–Field Level Media
Sports
WTA roundup: Anna Bondar goes overtime, reaches Hamburg final
May 25, 2026; Paris, France; Anna Bondar of Hungary reacts during her first round match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine on day two at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images No. 4 seed Anna Bondar of Hungary outlasted Elina Avanesyan of Armenia 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (2) in a three-hour, 29-minute match on Saturday to advance to the final of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open in Germany.
Bondar will face fifth-seeded Tamara Korpatsch of Germany, who advanced in her semifinal match when Mayar Sherif of Egypt retired in the second set with an injury. Bondar reached the final at Hamburg for the second consecutive year.
Bondar was down 5-3 in the opening set against Avanesyan before rallying then taking the final four points of the tiebreaker for the set. Bondar also lost serve to fall behind 2-0 in the deciding set then won the first five points of the tiebreaker to advance.
Korpatsch dominated the opening set 6-1 then went up 2-0 in the second set before Sherif was forced to bow out. Sherif was coming off her first title in four years at the Iasi Open in Romania.
Prague Open
Lilli Tagger of Austria pulled off an upset of No. 2 seed Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic and earned her way into the final with a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-6 (4) semifinal victory.
Both semifinalists from the Czech Republic fell in their home country with No. 5 seed Tereza Valentova losing 7-6 (4), 6-3 to No. 8 seed Daria Snigur of Ukraine.
After losing the opening set, Tagger rallied by breaking Krejcikova’s serve to go up 4-2 in the second set. She broke serve again in the fourth game of the final set then won the final three points in the tiebreaker to win the match.
Snigur and Valentova each broke serve twice in the opening set before Snigur won the final four points of the tiebreaker. Snigur then broke Valentova’s serve twice in the second set, including once to take a 5-3 lead before serving for the match.
–Field Level Media
Report: A's sign LHP Dallas Keuchel to minor league deal
Magomed Ankalaev puts away Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi
