Sports
Samuel Ersson stops 23 shots as Flyers blank Bruins
Oct 29, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Tyson Foerster (71) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Samuel Ersson made 23 saves en route to his first shutout of the season as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the host Boston Bruins 2-0 on Tuesday.
Tyson Foerster netted the game-winning goal in the second period, and Joel Farabee added a last-minute empty-netter.
The Flyers have won two of their last three games since a six-game losing streak (0-5-1).
Emil Andrae had the primary assist on Foerster’s game-opening goal. It was the 22-year-old Swedish defenseman’s first career point in his sixth NHL game, his second contest this season.
Joonas Korpisalo made 17 saves for the Bruins, who have won just one of their past four (0-3-1). That span includes a pair of shutout losses.
Prior to Tuesday, the Bruins had earned at least a point in 20 consecutive home games vs. the Flyers since March 17, 2012.
The Bruins had a 24-19 shot advantage but finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Just three of their shots came in the third period.
Foerster broke the scoreless deadlock 5:32 into the second. Andrae slipped a pass from the half-wall through traffic and right to Foerster between the circles, where a straight-on wrist shot beat Korpisalo.
The Bruins had a prime scoring opportunity before the game was six minutes old but were unable to convert on 1:37 of five-on-three time.
On the other end, Korpisalo made a big save on Garnet Hathaway, who shot off a two-on-one break with Scott Laughton out of the penalty box.
One of Ersson’s best saves of the opening period came with 5:21 left when a crisp passing sequence resulted in Elias Lindholm getting a point-blank chance at the left post.
Ersson did not see a shot on goal on either of Boston’s last two power plays, including attempts in both the second and third frames.
The opening minutes of the third saw 19-year-old Flyers star Matvei Michkov attempt a lacrosse-style goal, only to be thwarted by Korpisalo, while Ersson pounced on a loose puck that Brad Marchand threw on from behind the goal line during a short-handed sequence.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
Jul 18, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) makes a diving stop during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to tightness in his lower back.
A starter for the American League in the All-Star Game last week, Witt left the Royals’ 4-3 win against the San Francisco Giants on Monday with back spasms. The roster move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Being without their best player for any length of time is likely the crowning blow for the Royals, who at 42-60 have a better record than only the Los Angeles Angels (41-60) and Colorado Rockies (41-61) heading into play Wednesday.
Because of the relative weakness of the AL Central, the Royals are 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians. But with a little more than two months to play and a dozen games to make up, Witt’s injury should insure the Royals will be sellers at the trade deadline on Aug. 3.
Veteran starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are projected to be coveted by contenders, though the Royals have said they are not inclined to move either right-hander.
In 94 games this season, Witt is batting .289 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. He has 103 hits and 22 doubles, scoring 51 runs.
His 30 stolen bases lead the major leagues.
Witt is a three-time All-Star and the winner of two Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He won the AL batting title in 2024 when he led the majors with a .332 average.
Kansas City’s shortstop since 2022, Witt has a career average of .288 with 118 home runs, 412 RBIs and 178 stolen bases in 720 games.
In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted 32-year-old Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha. He is a well-traveled utility infielder who has not played in the major leagues since 2023.
He and Tyler Tolbert, a 28-year-old infielder hitting .328 in 38 games this year, are expected to share duties at shortstop.
The Royals also transferred right-hander Stephen Kolek to the 60-day injured list, designated center fielder Kameron Misner for assignment and traded right-hander Nate Pearson to the Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander Max Martin.
–Field Level Media
Sports
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
Jul 12, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Already without injured starter Adley Rutschman, the Baltimore Orioles placed rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Wednesday.
The roster move is retroactive to Monday. In a corresponding move, the Orioles recalled right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk.
Basallo, 21, is enjoying a solid first full season in the majors, posting 16 homers and 46 RBIs to go along with a .241 batting average in 86 games. He left Sunday’s game at the Houston Astros with right shoulder discomfort and did not play in Monday’s series opener at the Boston Red Sox.
Sam Huff started Monday and also was behind the plate Wednesday afternoon in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Boston. Tuesday night’s game was rained out.
Rodriguez, 26, is 0-for-7 with an RBI in five games this season with Baltimore. He played 44 games for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024-25, hitting .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Sports
No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Raiders at odds over bonus
Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko (left) talks with quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Kirk Cousins (8) during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images What’s the deal with Fernando Mendoza as the Raiders begin training camp with rookies due in Las Vegas on Thursday?
The franchise might be without the No. 1 overall pick, and the cause of his absence is a clause in his unsigned rookie deal.
The Heisman Trophy winner is locked into the four-year, $57.2 million contract parameters set by the collective bargaining agreement, with a $38.11 million signing bonus.
Representatives for Mendoza, according to multiple reports, are asking for the entire signing bonus at the time the rookie puts pen to paper on his first pro deal. Fact is, the lump sum bonus for No. 1 picks has become a matter of course since the Cincinnati Bengals decided to pay Joe Burrow, the top pick in the 2020 draft, his full signing bonus before ever taking a snap. After some posturing and public consternation, the Jacksonville Jaguars followed suit in 2021 (Trevor Lawrence) and 2022 (Travon Walker).
Rookies report for the first day of training camp with the Raiders on Thursday and veterans join next week, including backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins could start the season as the No. 1 quarterback even if Mendoza decides to sign.
But he’s not the only quarterback giving the stiff-arm to his rookie contract at the moment. A line formed behind Mendoza with Rams rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson (13th overall) waiting to see whether any precedent is established with the only quarterback drafted ahead of him. Carson Beck (65th overall by the Arizona Cardinals) and Drew Allar (76th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers) were in the same holding pattern as of Wednesday afternoon.
–Field Level Media
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
