Sports
Japan outlasts Australia, clinches Group C in WBC
Feb 17, 2026; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Masataka Yoshida (7) poses for a photo during media day at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Masataka Yoshida belted a two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning, helping defending champion Japan clinch Group C in pool play of the World Baseball Classic with a 4-3 victory over Australia on Sunday in Tokyo.
Yoshida was able to come to the plate in the inning after Australia pitcher Jon Kennedy failed to catch shortstop Jarryd Dale’s throw to first base to complete a double play. The Boston Red Sox slugger made Kennedy pay for the miscue by depositing his 0-1 slider into the seats in right-center field to give Japan a 2-1 lead.
Teruaki Sato and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki provided insurance in the eighth inning, with the former ripping an RBI double and the latter drawing a bases-loaded walk.
Japan, which mustered just five hits, benefited from 12 walks to improve to 3-0 in round-robin play.
Alex Hall and Rixon Wingrove each launched a solo homer in the ninth inning for Australia (2-1), which still can reach the quarterfinals with a win over Korea (1-2) on Monday.
The top two teams from each of the four pools will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be split between Miami and Houston. The semifinals on March 15 and 16 as well as the final on March 17 will be contested in Miami.
Australia’s Aaron Whitefield collected three of his team’s eight hits and scored a run on a throwing error in the sixth inning.
Whitefield, who previously played for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, ripped a double to right field with one out and attempted to steal third base. Catcher Kenya Wakatsuki’s throw sailed well inside the third-base line and into left field, allowing Whitefield to scamper home.
Japan was threatening to snap a scoreless tie with Shohei Ohtani at the plate and the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth inning. Australia catcher Robbie Perkins, however, alertly caught Shugo Maki leaning too far off second base and fired a strike to Dale to end the inning.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Commanders signing RB Rachaad White to 1-year deal
Dec 28, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs out for player introductions prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The Washington Commanders are signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White to a one-year contract, his agent confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
The move reunites White, 27, with his former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels. Financial terms were not immediately available.
White rushed for 572 yards and four touchdowns and caught 40 passes for 218 yards in 17 games (eight starts) with the Buccaneers in 2025.
A third-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2022, White has rushed for 2,656 yards and 14 TDs and added 205 catches for 1,450 yards and 11 scores in 67 career games (48 starts).
In Washington, White bolsters a backfield that includes 2025 seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Former Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Eagles sign P Braden Mann to $14M extension
Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles punter Braden Mann (10) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Eagles are signing punter Braden Mann to a four-year, $14 million extension that includes $7 million guaranteed, ESPN reported Thursday.
Mann, 28, is entering his fourth season with the Eagles after playing his first three seasons with the New York Jets, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2020.
The $3.5 million average annual salary is tied for fifth at his position, and only six other punters have signed deals with more guaranteed money, per ESPN.
Mann ranked fifth in the league with a career-high average of 49.9 yards per punt last season (43.1 net), placing 20 of 72 punts inside the 20-yard line.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Chiefs get help at CB with signing of Kader Kohou
Sep 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou (4) celebrates following an interception against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images The Kansas City Chiefs are signing cornerback Kader Kohou, a former starter with the Miami Dolphins who missed all of last season with a partially torn ACL, ESPN reported on Thursday.
Kohou, 27, can help the Chiefs replace departed cornerbacks Trent McDuffie (trade) and Jaylen Watson (free agency), both now on the Los Angeles Rams. He played both nickel and outside corner roles with the Dolphins.
Kohou stared 38 of his 47 regular-season games with Miami from 2022-24, totaling 180 tackles, three interceptions, 28 passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one sack. He also started two playoff games.
–Field Level Media
Report: Commanders signing RB Rachaad White to 1-year deal
Hurdle hints and answers for March 13, 2026
