Sports
Facing Mets, Astros' Christian Walker looks to stay healthy, make impact
Mar 27, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros first base Christian Walker (8) hits a RBI single against the New York Mets in the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Veteran first baseman Christian Walker was among the quartet of newcomers making their debuts with Houston on Thursday, with Walker going 1-for-4 with a run scored in the Astros’ 3-1 win over the New York Mets in the opener of a three-game series.
And Walker, who signed a three-year deal as a free agent in December, hopes to keep contributing on an everyday basis — or at least close to it.
Walker, 34, was sidelined by an oblique strain during spring training, the same injury that hampered him last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Astros exercised extreme care in getting Walker up to speed, and he said he is optimistic he can move forward without any restrictions.
“I think we’re going for it,” Walker said. “I plan on playing. Each day is its own thing for sure. Got to make sure the body is responding the right way and we’re doing the right things, but we know this initial stretch too — we’ve got some off days sprinkled in — I think that helps the progression.”
Astros manager Joe Espada offered a more cautious perspective regarding how the club plans to utilize Walker during the early stages of this season.
“He feels good, but I’ve got to keep an eye on that,” Espada said. “We can’t have him aggravate that oblique again. One of the reasons why we’re carrying some of these players is because we have to make sure we ease him into the season.”
Right-hander Hunter Brown (11-9, 3.49 ERA in 2024) is the scheduled starter for the Astros in the second game of the series on Friday. Brown was winless over his final six starts last season, going 0-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings. He had a 2.31 ERA over his final 20 regular-season starts.
Brown has faced the Mets once, surrendering six runs on seven hits — including two home runs — and two walks with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in an 11-1 home loss on June 19, 2023.
Right-hander Tylor Megill (4-5, 4.04 ERA in 2024) has the starting assignment for the Mets. He finished 0-2 with a 4.24 ERA over four starts in spring training, recording 18 strikeouts in 17 innings. The Mets won his final six starts last season, with Megill going 2-0 with a 2.32 ERA.
Megill has not recorded a decision in two career starts against the Astros, logging 7 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts against seven walks and posting a 9.39 ERA.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza played Tyrone Taylor and rookie Luisangel Acuna in center field and at second base, respectively, on Thursday, with both expected to split time at their positions. Taylor and Jose Siri are slated to share center field; Brett Baty and Acuna will get reps at second base.
Mendoza made it clear that all four players can expect to see playing time this season.
“I think for the last 10 days of spring training I’ve been asking coaches, ‘Hey, Siri or Taylor?’ Mendoza said. “I think it will be fluid. Siri will play a lot, (and) Taylor will play a lot. And they both understand that.”
As for Acuna and Baty, Mendoza said: “I don’t want to call it a straight platoon. If we feel good about Baty playing against a lefty, we’ll probably do it. And the same goes with Acuna. If there’s a righty where we feel he matches up well, he’ll get the start. We’ll play it day by day.
“They’ll both get opportunities, and we’ll see how it goes.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Aug 21, 2025; Mississauga, Ontario, CAN; Hannah Green plays her tee shot at the third hole during first round play at the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Australia’s Hannah Green held off Auston Kim on Sunday to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore for the second time.
Green, the 2024 champion, balanced three birdies and three bogeys on an eventful back nine to finish with a 3-under 69 and a final score of 14-under at Sentosa Golf Club. The 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner tapped in for bogey at the 18th for her seventh LPGA Tour title.
“When I did win Singapore two years ago, I went on to win two other tournaments that season and pretty much had my best season on tour,” said Green, 29. “So having a win so early in the season gives me a bit more flexibility with the tournaments that I can play. So I’m hoping that this puts me in good stead for the rest of the year.”
Green was at 16-under after birdies at the first, 11th and 13th holes and an eagle at the par-5 eighth hole. Her birdie at the par-3 15th helped her survive a bogey-bogey finish.
“I knew that I had enough of a lead to be able to get away with making mistakes coming down the stretch. But I think 15 was the real turning point,” she said.
First- and second-round leader Kim nearly chased down her first title, matching the low round of the day with a 67 to finish one shot behind Green in the 72-hole, no-cut tournament.
Kim carded six birdies and an eagle at No. 8, but a bogey at the par-3 15th proved costly for the 25-year-old American.
“Overall, I think it was a really solid week,” Kim said. “A great way to start the year. I hit a lot of bad shots but I also hit a lot of good ones, and it was really confidence boosting. I hit all these bad shots, and I didn’t feel like I had anything chose to my A game, but I was still able it pull off a result like this and play some really solid golf.”
Australia’s Minjee Lee (72 on Sunday), Angel Yin (71) and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (68) tied for third place at 11-under with South Korea’s Haeran Ryu (72) another shot back in solo sixth.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished with a 73 and tied for 31st at 2-under, one shot behind defending champion Lydia Ko (72) of New Zealand.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
