Sports
Astros trial 2B Jose Altuve in left field, add another INF
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) catches a pop up hit by Cincinnati Reds outfielder Spencer Steer (not pictured) in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was willing to move to left field if it meant bringing back longtime teammate Alex Bregman, but those days are done in Houston.
Without Bregman, the Astros are moving forward with a spring training trial of Altuve in left field. He’s taking fly balls with outfielders and working at his typical spot, second base.
Houston did reach agreement on a minor league deal with second baseman Brendan Rodgers, the player selected third overall and one spot behind Bregman in the 2015 MLB Draft. A defensive whiz at second who won a Gold Glove with the Rockies in 2022, Rodgers is a former top prospect in the Colorado system. He was non-tendered at the end of last season, when he hit .267 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 135 games.
Astros manager Joe Espada said it was premature to disclose any plans for the season and he doesn’t want to make Altuve’s spot in the field a matter of daily discourse.
“He will play some second base. Right now, it’s one day at a time,” Espada said. “I want to get some feedback from him before we discuss where we’re going to go next, but he will play some second base.”
Rodgers played only second base in Colorado the past three seasons but has 36 career games played at shortstop.
Houston added third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December. If Altuve is used in the outfield or as a designated hitter on a given day, utility infielder Mauricio Dubon could be in the mix at second along with Luis Guillorme, who signed with the Astros last week, and Rodgers. Paredes was used at first, second and shortstop in 2022 and 2023 with the Tampa Bay Rays but didn’t make an appearance at the middle infield positions in 2024 with the Rays and Cubs.
Bregman signed a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox and is working through a perceived tug-of-war at third base with All-Star Rafael Devers. Red Sox manager Alex Cora downplayed reports that tensions were simmering between the two, sparked when Devers said he wasn’t moving to a new position on Monday.
Altuve, 34, has spent his entire career with Houston since making his major league debut in July 2011 at age 21. A Gold Glove winner in 2015, he is the active major league leader with 1,765 games at second base, including 1,749 starts. He has played in two games at shortstop for a total of six innings.
History is on the Astros’ side, having once moved Hall of Fame second baseman Craig Biggio to the outfield to make room for Jeff Kent.
Espada said prior to spring training that Altuve is capable of playing outfield.
“He’s so athletic, and he can do some things on the baseball field that a lot of people can’t do,” Espada said. “If we get there, we’ll have that conversation with him. He wants to do whatever it takes to win. It’s important to us. I think he’s a cornerstone on this team. He’s the heart of the organization. He understands that, but when we get to that point, we’ll have that conversation with him.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy's wife shot at home
Nov 7, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy looks on during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s wife is hospitalized in stable condition in Virginia following a shooting in their home on Sunday night, ESPN reported.
A woman identified by the outlet’s sources as Mia Bieniemy, 57, was being treated for “serious injuries” in Loudoun County, where a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said police responded to a call at 7:32 p.m. ET Sunday in Ashburn, Va.
The Chiefs said they are aware of the incident involving the “family” of their 56-year-old assistant coach, who was with the club for training camp Sunday in St. Joseph, Mo. No further details were provided.
Bieniemy rejoined head coach Andy Reid’s staff in January after previous stints with Kansas City as the running backs coach (2013-17) and offensive coordinator (2018-22). He helped the Chiefs win Super Bowls LIV and LVII.
He coached the Chicago Bears’ running backs in 2025 and previously served as the OC for UCLA (2024), the Washington Commanders (2023) and his alma mater Colorado (2011-12).
–Field Level Media
Sports
North Carolina places top Bill Belichick aide on leave
UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi North Carolina placed football general manager Michael Lombardi, one of head coach Bill Belichick’s top aides, on paid administrative leave.
The school announced Monday that the move is effective immediately but declined to provide further details. The Tar Heels open their second season under the legendary coach on Aug. 29 against TCU in Dublin, Ireland.
“As is standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff, and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing this topic further, and has no reflection on the merits,” UNC said in a statement.
ESPN reported that a former front office employee at the university filed a human resources complaint against Lombardi and there is a pending investigation into the situation.
Lombardi, 67, joined Belichick in Chapel Hill in December 2024. He previously worked with the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach in New England, serving as an assistant to the coaching staff from 2014-16.
Lombardi was the general manager and vice president of the Cleveland Browns in 2013 and previously worked in the front offices of the Denver Broncos, then-Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.
North Carolina was 4-8 in Belichick’s debut season in 2025.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Browns' Jerry Jeudy: Clip didn't indicate his preferred QB1
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) catches a pass during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy insists he wasn’t weighing in on Cleveland’s starting quarterback battle during a livestream clip that quickly went viral.
Jeudy flashes four fingers in the TikTok video, taken by many to indicate his support for the player who wears that jersey number, Deshaun Watson.
“Yall cut the clip perfectly for that narrative,” Jeudy posted Sunday on X, referencing the apparent skip in the clip between when the question is posed and when Jeudy holds up his fingers.
Jeudy, 27, who is entering his third season with the Browns, said he will not weigh in as new head coach Todd Monken and his staff evaluate the training camp competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
“I don’t speak on decisions that aren’t mine to make. I support my teammates/Brothers, I do my job, and control what I can control,” Jeudy posted on X. “Let’s stop creating narrative that aren’t there for likes and clicks. I bet this won’t go viral because it’s too positive/real for y’all.”
Jeudy caught 50 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) in 2025, when Watson missed the entire season with a torn Achilles. Jeudy made the Pro Bowl in his first season with Cleveland in 2024, setting career highs in catches (90) and receiving yards (1,229).
–Field Level Media
Report: Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy's wife shot at home
North Carolina places top Bill Belichick aide on leave
