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Visiting D.C. United short-handed for clash with NYCFC

MLS: New York City FC at FC CincinnatiAug 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York City FC midfielder Nicolas Fernandez Mercau (7) dribbles during the second half against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

Short-handed D.C. United will try to build off last weekend’s dramatic home win on Sunday when they visit a New York City side hoping to ride momentum from a midweek U.S. Open Cup victory over their crosstown rival.

After a slow start, the attack for D.C. (3-4-3, 12 points) has suddenly erupted with seven goals in its last two matches.

In a 4-4 draw at the New York Red Bulls on April 22, Tai Baribo scored a hat trick for his fourth, fifth and sixth league goals. Then last Saturday, Louis Munteanu scored his first goal for the club in the 84th minute and Kye Rowles had the 90th-minute winner as the Black-and-Red rallied for a 3-2 home win over Orlando.

But Baribo will miss a second straight match with an injury, manager Rene Weiler confirmed this week. And one of the candidates to replace him, Brazilian attacker Gabriel Pirani, has played his way out of consideration, Weiler said.

“He’s playing for himself instead of the team, and I dislike,” Weiler told reporters. “And I can’t see the joy in his face in the identification of our club. So he will not be in the team.”

The victory against Orlando halted a five-match league winless run for D.C. in its first full season under Weiler. Now it visits an NYCFC squad mired in a similar six-match MLS slide, with City’s last league win coming on March 14 at home against Colorado.

But Pascal Jansen’s squad earned a decisive 3-1 win at the Red Bulls in Wednesday’s Open Cup Round of 16 clash, with Raul Gustavo scoring the winner in the 39th minute and Thiago Martins adding insurance in the 57th minute.

Nicolas Fernandez Mercau leads NYCFC (3-4-3, 12 points) with eight league goals, including two in a 4-4 home draw against FC Cincinnati on April 22.

And given their current form, Jansen isn’t about to feel sad that his side will likely have their top scorer while his opponent won’t.

“Obviously a massive piece for them. An important player,” Jansen said of Baribo’s absence. “We’re coming out of a good game against Red Bull, and now the focus is on D.C., and they’re missing one of their key players. That’s tough for them, but good news for us.”

The two sides have split their last four head-to-head matches, including a pair of draws.

–Field Level Media

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Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal scratched; could miss 2-3 months after elbow surgery

Syndication: Detroit Free PressDetroit 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

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USGA CEO would be 'surprised' if Tiger Woods plays U.S. Open

Syndication: Palm Beach PostTiger 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

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Report: Wolves star Anthony Edwards expected to play Game 1 vs. Spurs

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota TimberwolvesMar 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

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