Sports
With Manny Machado in question, Padres take aim at Cubs
Apr 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a single during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Manny Machado might not be available for the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night when they vie for a series win against the visiting Chicago Cubs.
The All-Star third baseman left San Diego’s 9-7 victory on Monday with a left calf injury. Machado, who was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs, was seen on Padres TV getting his calf rubbed by the team’s training staff.
San Diego manager Craig Stammen said Machado exited the game as a precaution after Stammen saw how he came out of the batter’s box on a groundout to end the sixth inning.
“Manny is fine,” Stammen said. “He came out of the box a little awkwardly. We’ll talk to him tomorrow and see how he feels, and we’ll go from there.”
If Machado does have to sit out, the Padres at least have the depth to make up for his absence in the short term. Ty France drove in four runs Monday night with a two-run double and two-run triple, while Nick Castellanos added a two-run single that put San Diego ahead to stay in the bottom of the fifth.
Padres general manager A.J. Preller didn’t make many moves until February, but the additions of France, Castellanos and Miguel Andujar have bolstered the team’s depth and lengthened a lineup that at times last year had too many holes.
“There’s an unbelievable amount of talent in the lineup,” France said, “so if everyone plays their game, we’ll come out on top.”
Right-hander Walker Buehler (1-2, 5.75 ERA) will try to bounce back from his shaky start on Wednesday night in Colorado. He absorbed an 8-3 loss, permitting four runs on eight hits over 2 2/3 innings, with three walks.
Buehler is 1-3 with a 4.54 ERA in seven career outings (six starts) against Chicago.
The Cubs will counter with right-hander Edward Cabrera (2-0, 2.73), who’s coming off a no-decision during his team’s 8-7, 10-inning win Thursday against Philadelphia. He pitched seven innings, yielding five runs (three earned) on six hits.
Cabrera has dominated San Diego in three career starts, going 1-0 with an 0.54 ERA.
Chicago could use another good performance from Cabrera for multiple reasons. The team has lost three games in a row following a 10-game winning streak, and its bullpen is experiencing issues. Three relievers gave up four runs in the last four innings on Monday night, enabling the Padres to rally from a 5-3 deficit.
Phil Maton gave up two runs in the seventh inning in his first outing since April 7 in Tampa Bay. Right knee tendinitis, which contributed to a drop in his velocity, kept him out for nearly three weeks.
“I’m kind of hoping we addressed it now and we can focus on getting guys out for the rest of the year,” Maton said.
The good news for the Cubs is their high-scoring offense was back in form Monday, getting a grand slam from Moises Ballesteros and becoming the first team to score off San Diego closer Mason Miller this season when they touched him for two runs in the ninth.
It was the first career slam for Ballesteros, who’s hitting .387 with five homers and 16 RBI.
“I was really excited when I was rounding first,” he said.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Streaking Quakes may be without key player at Toronto
Apr 25, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates after scoring against St. Louis CITY SC in the second half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images The league-leading San Jose Earthquakes may not be at full strength Saturday afternoon as they look to continue the best run in franchise history at Toronto FC.
The Earthquakes (9-1-0, 27 points) extended their club-record winning streak to eight matches in all competitions when they eliminated Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16 at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday. Jack Skahan, Beau Leroux and Niko Tsakiris each scored in a seven-minute stretch to rally the Quakes from a 2-1 deficit.
It wasn’t all good news for head coach Bruce Arena’s side. April’s MLS Player of the Month Timo Werner, who had played the full 90 minutes three days earlier against St. Louis, was forced off in the 34th minute with a hamstring injury and may not feature in the matinee at Toronto.
“We’re somewhat limited. It’s not like you take Timo off and the next guy can fill that void,” Arena admitted after match vs. Minnesota. “And how we manage it, it’s never perfect, and we try our best, but the part that you manage is how you work every day with the players and you give them the confidence to know that when their numbers fall, they’re ready to play.”
Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points) are dealing with their own injury problems in the midst of a four-match winless run.
Center-back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder Jose Cifuentes made for two more additions to TFC’s lengthy injury list in their 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United last Saturday. Designated players Djordje Mihailovic and Richie Laryea were among those absent. Deandre Kerr and Walker Zimmerman, who was away for the birth of his daughter, are slated to return.
“I feel like we just have to put our heads down and work and the guys who are available have to step up,” head coach Robin Fraser said on Thursday.
The fixture will mark the two teams’ first encounter in more than three years. Four of their last five clashes have ended in draws, dating back to August of 2018.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jack Adams Award finalists: Jon Cooper, Dan Muse, Lindy Ruff
Jan 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff coaches against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, Pittsburgh’s Dan Muse and Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff are the three finalists for the 2026 Jack Adams Award, the league announced Friday.
The award, which is presented annually to the top coach in the NHL as voted on by the National Broadcasters’ Association, will be announced at a later date.
Cooper, 58, guided the Lightning to a 50-26-6 record this season and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Cooper has been a finalist for this award on two occasions (2013-14, 2018-19) — however he has yet to win it.
Muse, 43, succeeded in his first season as head coach of the Penguins, leading the club to a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins posted a 41-25-16 record (98 points), which represented an 18-point increase from the previous season.
Ruff, 66, helped the Sabres halt a 14-year playoff drought by guiding the club to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division with a 50-23-9 record. He previously won the Jack Adams Award in 2005-06, during his first stint with the Sabres.
Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals won the award last season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cowboys sign 1st-rounder Caleb Downs, five other picks
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Dallas Cowboys signed six of their seven picks from the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday, including first-round selection Caleb Downs to his four-year rookie deal.
Downs, the 11th overall pick of the draft, will receive $28.95 million in fully guaranteed money that includes a $17.5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.
The Cowboys traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to acquire Downs, a safety. Dallas has yet to sign its other first-round pick, edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, who was selected with the 23rd overall pick.
Downs, a two-time consensus All-American, was named the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Ohio State and took home the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Trophy.
His career totals include 164 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and three forced fumbles in 44 games for Alabama (2023) and Ohio State (2024-25).
In addition to Downs, the Cowboys signed third-round linebacker Jaishawn Barham, fourth-round tackle Drew Shelton, fourth-round cornerback Devin Moore, fourth-round edge rusher LT Overton and seventh-round wide receiver Anthony Smith.
–Field Level Media
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