Sports
Yankees DH Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) uncertain for Opening Day
Oct 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a solo home run off of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryan Brasier (57) during the third inning in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with chronic tendinitis in both elbows and is uncertain to be ready for Opening Day, manager Aaron Boone confirmed Sunday.
The MVP of the 2024 American League Championship Series was bothered by deep soreness in his elbows for much of last season. The 35-year-old hit 27 home runs and drove in 72 runs over 114 games.
“It’s tough to say,” Boone said in terms of when Stanton might make his season debut. “I’m not going to put any timeline on it. We’re just going to be smart with it.”
Position players reported to Tampa, Fla., Sunday, one day ahead of the team’s first full-squad workout. New York opens the regular season on March 27 against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers.
Boone knew Stanton continued to be bothered by elbow discomfort throughout the winter, so Sunday’s news was not surprising to the Yankees manager.
“Giancarlo’s a little behind just dealing with some elbow stuff that he dealt with last year, actually both elbows kind of really akin to tennis elbow,” Boone said of the club’s main designated hitter. “This is something that if we’re full bore in we’d be grinding away probably, but just want to make sure we give it the proper time and just give ourselves the chance to be in the best position throughout the year.”
The Yankees would like to have a healthy Stanton this season as they look to make up for the lost production of Juan Soto, who departed for the New York Mets as a free agent in the offseason.
Stanton had seven homers and 16 RBIs in 55 postseason at-bats as the Yankees reached the World Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. Stanton went deep twice in the Fall Classic to follow up his four-homer showing against the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS.
Stanton is entering his 16th major league season — the first eight coming with the Miami Marlins before he was traded to the Yankees prior to the 2018 season. He has 429 homers and 1,103 RBIs along with a .257 average in 1,649 career games.
Stanton is a five-time All-Star and he was the National League MVP in 2017 when he established career highs of 59 homers and 132 RBI for Miami.
Also, center fielder Trent Grisham is recovering from a recent left hamstring pull. He batted .190 with nine homers and 31 RBIs in 76 games last season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dani Olmo claims Argentina assistant lying about reason for shove
July 19, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; Argentina’s Nahuel Molina in action with Spain’s Dani Olmo. Mandatory Credit: Jeenah Moon-Reuters via Imagn Images Spanish star Dani Olmo said he does not accept the apology of Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala after their physical confrontation at the end of the World Cup final last week.
Ayala was caught forcefully placing his hands near Olmo’s neck in the aftermath of Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina during the scrap that followed after full time.
Ayala told Valencia Capital Radio on Wednesday that “of course” he was sorry, while qualifying the incident and defending himself on two fronts.
“It was more of a shove than anything else, it wasn’t a punch as they’re making it out to be,” Ayala said before adding, “It was a reaction to something he said, but that’s it. If I see him, I’ll obviously apologize to him in person.”
Olmo told the Catalan newspaper Diari de Terrassa this weekend why Ayala’s apology is not accepted, as he challenged Ayala’s version of events.
“Someone who says they’re sorry but justifies a punch by saying it was a response to a comment is surely not sorry because he is lying,” Olmo said. “I didn’t say anything to him, so he doesn’t need to apologize.
“What truly defines us is not the mistake, but the courage to acknowledge it with humility, honesty and dignity.”
FIFA is actively investigating the post-match altercation that involved both sides, particularly Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes confronting multiple members of the Spanish team.
“When my children, my family and all those fans watch the game,” Olmo said, “I want them to be proud of how we competed, how we won and, above all, of our behavior, because the importance of football means that us players are an example for children and the new generations, and that brings with it a huge responsibility.”
Olmo, a 28-year-old midfielder for FC Barcelona, started six of Spain’s eight World Cup matches and recorded two assists.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Max Scherzer returns Monday for Blue Jays on 42nd birthday
Jun 10, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) celebrates his career 3500th strike out against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images Max Scherzer will celebrate his 42nd birthday by returning to the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation against one of his former teams.
Manager John Schneider announced Sunday that Scherzer will come off the injured list to start Monday’s series opener against the Nationals in Washington. Rookie right-hander Spencer Miles will be moved back to the bullpen.
Scherzer has not pitched in the majors since June 10. He landed on the 15-day IL the following week because of back spasms, then encountered another delay after receiving three cortisone injections in his right thumb during the All-Star break.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner cleared his final test Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo, throwing five hitless innings while striking out seven. The only batter to reach did so on an error, and Scherzer threw 56 pitches with 40 for strikes.
Schneider said Toronto might limit Scherzer’s workload on Monday, but the veteran recovered well from the rehab start and met the club’s requirements for a return.
“Maybe a little bit limited in pitch count, but I think he kind of checked all the boxes,” Schneider said.
Toronto hopes the layoff allowed Scherzer to reset after a difficult opening half. He is 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA through six starts, allowing 25 earned runs over 22 innings.
His return is particularly timely for a rotation that has been tested by injuries. The Blue Jays have lost seven of their first 10 games since the All-Star break and are trying to remain in the American League playoff race.
Monday’s matchup also sends Scherzer to face the team where he achieved some of his greatest success. He played for Washington from 2015-21, winning two Cy Young Awards and helping the Nationals capture the 2019 World Series.
Scherzer owns a 222-121 record and 3.27 ERA over 19 major league seasons. He won another World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023 and reached the 3,500-strikeout milestone with Toronto earlier this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jadelyn Allchin's hot bat leads Talons to AUSL title
Jun 2, 2024; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; UCLA Bruins outfielder Jadelyn Allchin (40) hits a single in the third inning against the Stanford Cardinals during a Women’s College World Series softball losers bracket elimination game at Devon Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images Championship Series MVP Jadelyn Allchin homered, doubled and drove in three runs to lead the Utah Talons to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Bandits on Sunday at College Station, Texas, to win the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Championship for the second straight year.
Allchin hit a two-run homer in the first inning and an RBI double in the fourth to lead the Talons to the victory in the clinching Game 2 of the best-of-three championship series. Utah recorded a 2-1 victory over the Bandits in Game 1 on Saturday.
Bri Ellis and Sahvanna Jaquish also homered for the Talons. Right-hander Montana Fouts pitched a complete game and gave up eight hits. She struck out four and walked one.
Skylar Wallace drove in the lone Chicago run with a single in the seventh inning. It was her second hit of the game.
Bandits right-hander Kat Sandercock gave up four runs (two earned) and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Allchin’s double knocked her out of the contest.
The Talons also beat the Bandits in last year’s championship series in the first campaign of the AUSL.
–Field Level Media
Dani Olmo claims Argentina assistant lying about reason for shove
Max Scherzer returns Monday for Blue Jays on 42nd birthday
