Sports
Tigers' Casey Mize hopes sunny skies signal success vs. Marlins
Apr 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (12) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Casey Mize made his most recent start in brutal weather conditions, and the Detroit Tigers right-hander hopes better weather will lead to better results on Saturday when he pitches the middle game of a three-game home series against the Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon.
Mize’s season debut was stellar. He held the Arizona Diamondbacks to one run and four hits while striking out nine in six innings, but didn’t figure into the decision in the 7-5 defeat. But in his second start, played with wind chills in the 20s in Minneapolis on Monday, Mize allowed five runs and seven hits while walking three in 4 1/3 innings and was charged with the 7-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
“It was a tough night to pitch, which made it hard on me,” Mize (0-1, 5.23 ERA) said. “But I didn’t pitch well. The splitter, I could tell, was going to be tough to command from the get-go, just it being so cold and dry.”
Twins second baseman Luke Keaschall hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning.
“Four-seamer at 91,” Mize said. “I’m not normally throwing 91-mph fastballs. When you miss your spot with it, that’s what happens. Frustrating, for sure.”
Sunny skies and temperatures in the low 50s are expected Saturday in Detroit.
Mize, who will be making his first home start this season, lost his lone career outing against the Marlins on May 15, 2024. He gave up two runs in six innings and took the 2-0 loss.
He’ll be opposed by right-hander Janson Junk (0-1, 3.09 ERA). He delivered one of the best outings of his career on Monday, limiting the Cincinnati Reds to two runs and seven hits in a career-best 7 1/3 innings. The Marlins didn’t provide any offensive support in the 2-0 loss.
Junk, who has pitched for four major league clubs, is trying to establish himself as a starter.
“I just want to go out there and do the best I can,” he said. “Whatever’s best for the team, that’s what I’m willing to do. I’m starting right now. I started last year. I want to get out there with the ball, and do everything I can to put up zeros and give us a chance to win.”
Junk won a spring training battle to earn the final spot in the rotation. He solidified his role with his latest performance.
“I’ve said it a number of times. Janson’s a good pitcher,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “We still feel very good about the group that we have here right now, and Janson certainly is proven to be a really high-quality major league pitcher.”
Junk’s one career appearance came Sept. 13, 2025, in a start Junk made one start against Detroit last season, giving up three runs in six innings while getting a no-decision in Miami’s 6-4 win.
Detroit won the series opener on Friday, 2-0, to snap a five-game losing streak. Keider Montero and three relievers combined on the shutout.
It wasn’t all good for the Tigers on Friday. It was revealed that center fielder Parker Meadows suffered a broken forearm as well as a concussion when he collided with left fielder Riley Greene in Minnesota on Thursday. Wenceel Perez was called up from Triple-A Toledo and started Friday, going 0-for-3.
“Tough blow for him, tough blow for us, and significant injuries,” manager A.J. Hinch said of Meadows. “We don’t know if anything more is going to be required, surgery or anything like that. I think he needs multiple appointments to figure out what’s next for him, and he’s got a long road to recovery.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Colorado coach Deion Sanders now 'cancer free'
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced he is “cancer free” heading into the 2026 season.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer talked about his battle with bladder cancer Tuesday on “Good Morning America.”
“I’ve got my health back. I’ve got my swagger back,” said Sanders, 58. “Last year at this time I was fighting cancer, didn’t know which way it was going to go. … I’m fully back now. Last year at this time, it wasn’t a good look.
“We fought the battle and we won the battle fighting cancer. I’m cancer free. I’m good. Great doctors in Colorado that have brought me through. God has brought me through. I’m thankful I’m healthy.”
Sanders said he underwent 14 surgeries, including the removal of his bladder.
Colorado struggled to a 3-9 finish last season following a 9-4 campaign in 2025.
“I’m ready to go coach my butt off this season,” Sanders said. “I’m having a good time.”
Sanders is 16-21 with one bowl appearance through his first three seasons in Boulder.
The Buffaloes open the season at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
A two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time All-Pro cornerback, Sanders played 14 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and the Baltimore Ravens. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
–Field Level Media
Sports
NYCFC announce departure of D Strahinja Tanasijevic
Mar 15, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijevic (19) runs with the ball during the second half against New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijevic has departed the club, the team announced on Wednesday.
Tanasijevic, 28, joined NYCFC in February 2024 and made 43 appearances across all competitions.
“We would like to thank Tana for the commitment and professionalism shown throughout his time with the Club,” sporting director Todd Dunivant said. “This move provides an opportunity for Tana to pursue the next step in his career while also giving the Club additional roster flexibility. We wish Tana and his family all the best moving forward.”
Tanasijevic played for several clubs in his native Serbia prior to joining New York City FC.
–Field Level Media
Sports
LeBron James on GOAT debate: 'Not taking nobody over me'
Nov 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles after a Philadelphia 76ers foul during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images LeBron James told Time magazine that he believes he is the greatest basketball player of all time.
When asked the age-old question of who is the GOAT in the NBA, James embraced his own name.
“I’m not taking nobody over me,” he told Time in a profile published Monday. “There’s no question.”
James, however, admitted the NBA has other all-time greats, namely Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Larry Bird and Shaquille O’Neal, among others.
“But I think Mike will say the same thing,” James said. “Rest his soul, Kobe will say the same thing. Magic will say the same thing. Bird will say the same thing. Shaq could say the same thing. The late great Wilt (Chamberlain), Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar). I don’t think none of us are going to take somebody else.
“If there’s a general manager and he’s eyeballing all of us on a baseline, with the No. 1 pick, it’s gonna be hard not to take me, champ.”
James, 41, just completed his record-setting 23rd NBA season, and the league’s all-time leading scorer is heading into unrestricted free agency.
“It’s up to the mind,” James told Time about whether he will suit up next season or retire. “Where the mind goes, the body will lay. When I’m not in love with getting to the arenas on game days five hours before to start my preparation, if I’m out of love with getting to practice 2 1/2 hours beforehand, then I know I’ll be done. Because then I’m going to start cheating the game.”
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds this season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 22-time All-Star, four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champion is the all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).
–Field Level Media
Colorado coach Deion Sanders now 'cancer free'
NYCFC announce departure of D Strahinja Tanasijevic
