Sports
Megan Fudge wins two golds at U.S. Open Pickleball Championships
Megan Fudge returns the ball during the Mixed Pro doubles gold medal match at the Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park on Saturday, May 3, 2025. She and her partner, Jack Munro won the match Megan Fudge’s quest to win three gold medals at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships fell a little short, but Fudge did win two events Saturday in Naples, Fla.
A year after finishing second, Fudge beat Bobbi Oshiro 11-4, 11-7 in the women’s pro singles final.
Fudge partnered with Jack Munro and won the mixed pro doubles match over Riley Bohnert and Richard Livornese.
However, Fudge and Jillian Braverman lost to the mother-daughter team of Leigh Waters and Anna Leigh Waters, who also won gold in 2024.
Fudge wasn’t the only player to win two golds. Her mixed doubles partner Munro also took home the men’s pro doubles. He and Len Yang defeated Ryler DeHeart and Livornese.
In the men’s pro singles final, Christopher Haworth swept past Grayson Goldin 11-3, 11-6 to win gold. Haworth, like Fudge, won silver at last year’s event.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Twins activate OF Byron Buxton from injured list
Jun 28, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton (25) looks on against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton from the 10-day injured list Monday.
Buxton was placed on the IL with a right hip strain on July 7, a move that prevented him from playing in the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. He was voted to start in that game for the American League.
Buxton, 32, is hitting .271 with 25 homers and 45 RBIs in 75 games this season. The three-time All-Star has a .250 average in 12 seasons with the Twins. He has 193 homers, 481 RBIs and 124 steals in 137 attempts in 973 games.
Also on Monday, the Twins optioned infielder Tristan Gray to Triple-A St. Paul.
Gray, 30, batted .232 with four homers and 29 RBIs while playing in a career-high 63 games for the Twins this season. He is a career .222 hitter with eight homers and 39 RBIs in 110 games with the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, then-Oakland Athletics and Twins.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Paige Bueckers leaves game after collision, hitting head on floor
Jul 19, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and Los Angeles Sparks guard Erica Wheeler (17) react after a play during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Dallas Wings star guard Paige Bueckers suffered a scary fall late in her team’s 90-82 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday in Arlington, Texas, leaving with 3:33 to play and not returning.
As Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike was dribbling down the court, she was fouled and lost her balance. She tumbled into the legs of Bueckers and the second-year player fell straight back, landing on her back.
The back of Bueckers’ head appeared to hit the floor when she fell, and the 24-year-old immediately grabbed her head.
After lying face down on the floor briefly, Bueckers walked off the court on her own but with members of the Wings’ staff flanking her as she continued to hold her head and had a slight limp.
Before walking off the court, she hugged Ogwumike after the two got up. Both players were selected to the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday in Chicago.
Bueckers finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting — including 2-of-4 from 3-point range — as well as five assists and four rebounds in 32 minutes. Ogwumike led the Sparks (10-15) with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
There was no update provided on Bueckers’ status after the game. Last season’s rookie of the year after being selected No. 1 overall out of UConn, Bueckers entered the day averaging 20.7 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 38.1% from distance.
The Wings are now 17-8, fourth in the WNBA and a half-game behind the Las Vegas Aces for third place.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Yankees option RHP Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A
May 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (71) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images The New York Yankees optioned right-hander Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Monday.
Rodriguez, 22, was recalled Sunday before the second game of a split doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers to fill the designated 27th roster spot. He did not pitch in the game.
After making his major league debut April 29, Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA over 17 innings across four starts.
–Field Level Media
Twins activate OF Byron Buxton from injured list
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 21, 2026
