Sports
Red Sox eager to ride Jarren Duran's blast to another victory over Astros
May 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images There were encouraging signs from the Boston Red Sox’s offense on Friday night, and the team will look to build on that performance when it hosts the Houston Astros on Saturday afternoon.
Jarren Duran’s three-run home run was the big blow in Boston’s 3-1 victory Friday. The home run, Duran’s second of the season, erased a 1-0 deficit in the third inning.
Duran entered the game hitting .170. His home run came after Carlos Narvaez drew a walk in an 11-pitch at-bat and Caleb Durbin singled.
“Whenever a guy has an at-bat like that, you kind of wear down the pitcher, see some more pitches,” Duran said. “You always have to tip your cap to (Narvaez). That guy is a stud, and every time he goes to the plate he has a great approach.
“I just got a pitch I could handle,” Duran continued. “I was just trying to get the job done, just tie the game by getting an RBI from third base … just do my job, and I happened to run into a homer right there.”
Boston also received three hits — a double and two singles — from Roman Anthony, who began the game in a 4-for-31 slump. It was Anthony’s first multi-hit game since April 15, and his first three-hit performance since Opening Day. He entered the weekend hitting .209.
“He looked good today,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. “He stayed off pitches out of the zone. I saw him chase a little bit in the last couple of games, which I’m not used to seeing with him. I think it was a big step in the right direction for quality.”
Despite the positive signs from Duran and Anthony, Friday’s game was the 18th time Boston has scored three runs or less in a game this season. The Red Sox are 4-14 in those games.
Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (3-0, 2.00 ERA) will take the mound for Houston on Saturday. He’s 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two career starts against Boston.
Left-hander Connelly Early (2-1, 2.84 ERA) is Boston’s probable starter. He will face Houston for the first time.
The Astros were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 in Friday night’s loss. Houston scored on a solo home run by Carlos Correa, who had three of his team’s 11 hits.
“Today is one of those days where we pitched really well, then we don’t hit,” Correa said. “Sometimes we hit and we don’t pitch well. We’ve just got to find the perfect balance where we’re all in sync and just doing everything at the right time.”
Houston left at least one runner on base in seven of the nine innings.
“We were one swing away,” Houston manager Joe Espada added. “But we pitched really well. Mike (Burrows), Bennett Sousa and Bryan King gave us a shot. That’s all you can ask for. Mike settled down after that one inning (when Duran homered). Really pitched through some tough stretches there and gave us an opportunity, but just one swing away and sometimes that happens.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal scratched; could miss 2-3 months after elbow surgery
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field for pitching change during the seventh inning against Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal was scratched from his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday and it could be months before he’s back in the rotation.
Skubal is expected to miss 2-3 months to recover from arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his pitching elbow.
The Tigers turned to left-hander Tyler Holton to start Monday in what will be a bullpen game for Detroit against the Red Sox.
News of the procedure comes five days after Skubal called a trainer to the mound in the latter stages of an outing against the Atlanta Braves.
Skubal threw a 96-mph fastball to the Braves’ Matt Olson in the seventh inning Wednesday, then motioned for catcher Dillon Dingler while rubbing his left forearm near his elbow. Skubal remained in the game and finished his outing with three consecutive strikeouts.
“I don’t really know how to explain it, I just needed a little bit of time,” Skubal said after the outing. “… And then the symptoms that I experienced on the one throw went away, and obviously it felt pretty good after that.”
Skubal had further issues during a throwing session Sunday and underwent tests where the loose bodies were discovered, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters Monday.
The relatively minor arthroscopic procedure is expected to have the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner back on the mound at some point during the second half of the season.
Skubal, 29, is 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA over seven starts this season. He led the American League with a 2.21 ERA over 31 starts and 195 1/3 innings last season.
Over seven major league seasons, all with the Tigers, Skubal is 57-39 with a 3.06 ERA over 144 appearances (141 starts). He has 934 strikeouts over 810 innings.
–Field Level Media
Sports
USGA CEO would be 'surprised' if Tiger Woods plays U.S. Open
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC stretches his left leg next to Tom Kim during warms up before match against the Los Angeles Golf Club who won the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Tiger Woods is not expected to compete at next month’s U.S. Open or the U.S. Senior Open in July, USGA CEO Mike Whan told Sports Illustrated in a report released Monday.
“I’d be super surprised,” Whan said in response to whether he thought Woods would play at the U.S. Open this year. “It would be wonderful for the event, and if he was ready, it would be wonderful for him.”
The 50-year-old Woods entered rehab — reportedly a 90-day inpatient residential treatment program in Switzerland — following a car crash on March 27 near his home at Jupiter Island, Fla. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and refusing to take a urine test near his home in Florida after his Land Rover clipped the back of a truck and rolled over onto its side. He was not injured and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Authorities alleged that Woods was impaired by medication and not alcohol. At the time of his arrest, he had two hydrocone pills in his pocket, according to law enforcement authorities.
“Obviously what he’s going through is much bigger than golf,” Whan told SI. “He’s proven before that when he puts his mind to something, he’s going to be great at it. I’m sure he has a lot of years to play USGA championships. I don’t think he’s going to play in any 2026 USGA championship. If he ends up playing in USGA championships, great. But when I think of Tiger, my friend, that’s not really what’s important to me right now.”
Woods hasn’t played on the PGA Tour since The Open Championship in 2024, where he missed the cut, because of injury. He ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the spring of 2025 and underwent lumbar disk replacement surgery in October. A single-car rollover crash in February of 2021 in the Los Angeles area caused significant leg injuries.
Just hours before the March crash, USGA confirmed that Woods had registered for this year’s U.S. Senior Open, scheduled from July 2-5 at the Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. It served as an indication he was close to returning from his recent setbacks.
However, in a statement issued March 31, Woods said he was prioritizing his health over golf.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods’ statement read. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
Woods is not currently eligible for the 2026 U.S. Open and would need an exemption to play in the major tournament, which starts June 18 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southhampton, N.Y.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Wolves star Anthony Edwards expected to play Game 1 vs. Spurs
Mar 3, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates after a three point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Anthony Edwards has received medical clearance and is expected to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, pending final sign-off after his pregame routine, ESPN reported.
The Timberwolves visit the San Antonio Spurs for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Per ESPN, Edwards was a “significant participant” in the team’s shootaround Monday morning and video clips on social media showed him shooting jumpers and wearing a sleeve on his injured left knee.
Edwards was listed as questionable on the league’s injury report as of mid-afternoon Monday. He suffered a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise on an awkward landing in Minnesota’s Game 4 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first round on April 25. He avoided ligament damage but did not play in the rest of the series.
Teammate Julius Randle told reporters after shootaround that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Edwards on the court for tipoff.
“He loves to play the game so he’s going to do whatever he can to put himself in position to be out here,” Randle said.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Edwards is in his sixth season with Minnesota. In the first three games of the series against the Nuggets, Edwards averaged 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists. He also totaled five blocks.
The four-time All-Star averaged a career-high 28.8 points per game on 48.9% shooting, including 39.9% from 3-point range, in the regular season (61 games).
Ayo Dosunmu, who led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Denver series (21.8 points per game), including 43 points in Game 4, was downgraded to out due to right calf soreness. He missed the clinching Game 6 win over the Nuggets with the ailment.
If Edwards, 24, is ultimately not able to play on Monday, his next opportunity will come Wednesday in Game 2 in San Antonio. The series shifts to Minneapolis with Game 3 on Friday.
–Field Level Media
Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal scratched; could miss 2-3 months after elbow surgery
USGA CEO would be 'surprised' if Tiger Woods plays U.S. Open
