Sports
Rookie SS Konnor Griffin gets 9-year contract extension from Pirates
Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) and center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) take the field for the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Pirates said Wednesday they have agreed to a nine-year contract extension with shortstop Konnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball.
The team did not announce the contract value, but ESPN pegged it at $140 million, making it the largest amount of guaranteed money in Pirates history and the most for any rookie.
The Pirates selected Griffin with the ninth overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, Miss. A year earlier, the Pirates took pitcher Paul Skenes with the No. 1 overall pick.
Griffin turns 20 on April 24. He started this season at Triple-A Indianapolis and was called up to make his major league debut on April 4.
“Signing Konnor is a meaningful commitment to this team, this city and our fans. It reflects our belief in Konnor, in this season’s club and in the future of our organization,” Pirates chair Bob Nutting said in a statement. “Konnor represents everything we value in a player — exceptional talent, strong character, a team-first mentality and a maturity that stood out to all of us from the beginning. He is the right person, from the right family. This is another important step in the work we have been doing to build a winning team, for this year and going forward.”
The contract was a matter of when, not if. ESPN reported that by waiting until after Griffin’s debut to agree to a deal, the Pirates would gain a first-round draft pick should Griffin win Rookie of the Year honors or be voted in the top three for Most Valuable Player in 2026, 2027 or 2028.
“This week has been amazing, debut week, and then sitting here signing a contract, it’s been amazing,” Griffin said, per ESPN. “It’s one of the best weeks of my life. … But it’ll be even better if we can get a win today.”
In 2025, he was named minor league player of the year after hitting .333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases. Those statistics are combined for his 122 games across three levels — Class A, High A and Double A.
In his first five games with Pittsburgh, Griffin is hitting .176 with three RBIs.
He becomes the third shortstop prospect to sign a lucrative extension this spring. Seattle signed Colt Emerson to a contract worth $95 million over eight years. Milwaukee and Cooper Pratt agreed to a $50.75 million contract to run eight seasons with two team options.
Both Emerson and Pratt are playing at Triple A to open the season.
The Pirates last made the playoffs in 2015.
–Field Level Media
Sports
New York City FC's Drew Baiera (ACL) to undergo surgery
Mar 22, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC defender Drew Baiera (38) looks on during the second half against the Inter Miami at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images New York City FC defender Drew Baiera will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured ACL in his left knee, the team said Thursday.
Baiera played in 21 minutes over three matches for NYCFC and didn’t dent the scoresheet.
Per NYCFC.network, Baiera sustained the injury during his recent stint with the U.S. youth national team.
The 19-year-old will begin rehab immediately after the surgery.
New York City FC visit the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Michigan adds former Tennessee F J.P. Estrella
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella (13) signals a close shot during the NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at the United Center in Chicago on March 29, 2026. Tennessee transfer forward J.P. Estrella told multiple media outlets on Thursday that he has committed to national champion Michigan.
Listed at 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Estrella averaged 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 33 games (13 starts) with the Volunteers this past season. Tennessee’s season came to an end in the Elite Eight, courtesy of a 95-62 setback to the Wolverines on March 29.
Michigan went on to capture its second national championship and first since 1989 with a 69-63 victory over UConn on Monday.
Estrella missed all but three games in 2024-25 after having season-ending surgery on his left foot.
He was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023 out of Brewster Academy in South Portland, Maine.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Twins make clutch plays, add to Tigers' losing skid
Apr 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Trevor Larnach (9) slides into third base on a single by Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell (not pictured) against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Brooks Lee pulled a two-run single through the right side of the infield, and the Minnesota Twins held on for a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Josh Bell went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run for Minnesota, which completed a four-game sweep over the Tigers.
Gleyber Torres drove in the lone run for Detroit, which has dropped five straight games.
Twins right-hander Garrett Acton (1-0) earned his first career win after allowing one run in two innings of relief. He followed starter Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings.
Tigers right-hander Will Vest (0-2) gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Twins right-hander Eric Orze pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.
Lee delivered the go-ahead hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth. He fell behind Vest 0-2 before working the count full and knocking a single to right.
The Twins grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Bell led off the inning against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty and ripped the first pitch he saw 401 feet over the wall in right-center field. The blast marked his third home run since signing with the Twins.
The Tigers evened the score at 1-all in the top of the seventh. Jake Rogers started the action when he was hit by a pitch with one out. Moments later, Rodgers advanced from first to third on a single by Colt Keith. Torres lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Rogers and tie the game.
Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows had to be carted off the field after a scary collision in the bottom of the eighth. Meadows and Riley Greene converged on Bell’s fly ball that was slicing toward the gap in left-center field, and Greene made the catch but his head clipped the side of Meadows’ face.
Meadows stayed down and rolled on his back as trainers attended to him. He eventually sat up and walked a few steps slowly to a cart that took him out of the game.
–Field Level Media
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New York City FC's Drew Baiera (ACL) to undergo surgery
