Mets Afternoon News: Subway Series South
TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 22: New York Mets catcher Hayden Senger (6) reacts after he rounds second base after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees on February 22, 2026, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets got their first win of spring yesterday against the Yankees, by a 6-4 margin. Jared Young, Luis Torrens, and Hayden Senger all hit solo home runs, and JT Schwartz provided the lion’s share of the offense with a three-run home run in the eighth inning. Justin Hagenman looked good in his 2.1 innings, giving up just one run on two hits, with three walks and three strikeouts. Mets’ top prospect Carson Benge had his spring training debut, but he blanked with an 0 for 3 final line.
After his departure from the Mets, Brandon Nimmo opened up about his leadership style, how the trade transpired, and his future with the Rangers.
Buster Olney ranked the top 10 third basemen in the league, and new Met Bo Bichette has made the cut.
John Harper investigated rookie Met sensation Nolan McLean and what gives him an edge.
Around the National League East
Marlins middle infielder Graham Pauley has been shut down from all baseball activities due to forearm tightness.
Around Major League Baseball
The Twins dodged a bullet, with Joe Ryan’s MRI only revealing inflammation.
Rhys Hoskins has joined the Cleveland Guardians, signing a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training.
Angels players have taken notice of Arte Moreno claiming that their fans don’t prioritize winning, and have met with the new director of MLBPA.
Michael Conforto has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.
ABS is here, and Jayson Stark broke down what fans need to know about the so-called “robot umps” this season.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Thomas Henderson examined Daniel Duarte and his quest to make it back to the major leagues by way of the Mets bullpen.
Linus Lawrence considered whether Ben Rortvedt might make his way to the Mets major league roster in the form of positional insurance.
Chris McShane welcomed back Nate Lavender after the Rays returned him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft last season.
This Date in Mets History
The infamous former Met Bobby Bonilla is celebrating his birthday today, turning 63 years old.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mets-afternoon-news-subway-series-184143606.html
Ranji Trophy final | 'Bowled 1000 balls in a year': The making of J&K speedgun Auqib Nabi
When J&K step onto the field on Tuesday, expectations will once again rest on Nabi’s shoulders. He has taken 55 wickets from nine matches this season — the second-highest tally — at a remarkable average of 12.72. Bowling coach P. Krishnakumar reflected on the shy pacer’s rise into a dominant force.
“If you look at his record, he has got 199 wickets in 40 games. I have been with him for the last three years and he has taken 99 wickets in the last two seasons. In this season, he’s taken 50-plus wickets so far and that shows his skill level has gone to a different level now because he knows how to move the ball, bowl on different pitches and against different batters. So it’s not a one-day process – it took almost one year to develop it and it began in the first year when I came into the Jammu & Kashmir team,” said Krishnakumar to IANS.
A fan of Dale Steyn, Nabi made his Ranji debut in 2020 but has flourished in the past two seasons. Krishnakumar credited his bowling action as the foundation of his success.
“You see, he has a very, very good action… If you compare and look at it from a biomechanical perspective, his action is perfect… With the swing and seam he has, it becomes very difficult for the batters to get runs against Auqib.”
The transformation required relentless effort.
“The first year of me being with him, it was all about the process… He bowled a thousand balls in the first year to develop his skills, master his wrist position, and his backspin… it took almost one year to change him,” he said.
Nabi’s nine-wicket haul against Bengal in the semi-final, alongside a crucial 42 with the bat, underlined his all-round impact. He also produced career-best figures of 7-24 against Rajasthan and played key roles against Delhi.
“Auqib has been fantastic because taking 99 wickets in the last two seasons is unbelievable… I am sure that he will definitely get a nod in some upcoming Test series,” Krishnakumar said.
Calling for national recognition, he added, “As a coach, I feel that he should be given a chance when he is performing… Taking almost 100 wickets in two years – what do you want as a player?… If somebody is performing there, I think they should definitely get into the team.”
With Karnataka’s star-studded batting line-up awaiting in the final, Krishnakumar believes the occasion will not change Nabi.
“The best part about Nabi is, he’s very calm in his mind… If he takes a six-wicket haul, he’s still the same and that is very important,” he said.
For Nabi, who once trained without proper facilities, the final is another step in an extraordinary journey — but his focus remains firmly on delivering glory for Jammu and Kashmir.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ranji-trophy-final-bowled-1000-184100097.html
Woody Johnson’s report card from Jets fans is in
Jan 27, 2025; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson speaks during an introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images
Recently the NFL announced that the results of report cards players fill out each year to grade their teams will no longer be made public. Jets owner Woody Johnson was reportedly behind the league’s push to block publication of the grades. Johnson was upset a year ago when Jets players gave him an F for his disastrous behind the scenes meddling.
Since we will not learn how Jets players grade Woody Johnson, I thought it might be a good idea to find out how Jets fans grade him. That was our question last week in our SB Nation Reacts survey. The results were overwhelming.
An overwhelming majority of 90 percent gave Johnson a grade of F. Strikingly, another 7 percent gave Johnson a grade of D.
I don’t think there are many areas where you could get 97 percent of Jets fans to agree. Johnson’s terrible management evidently is one of them. It’s unbelievable to see only 3 percent of fans think the owner deserves a grade of C or higher. Well, it would be unbelievable if we hadn’t watch Johnson’s destructive management.
Nobody really even defends the owner at this point. The most positive argument anybody can muster seems to be simply that despite being a bad owner, Johnson gets too high a proportion of the blame for the Jets’ struggles.
I don’t happen to believe that. In fact, if anything I think Johnson gets off too easy for his hand in setting the Jets’ culture of failure. But the fact the owner is universally regarded is bad, and most of the debate centers on how much of the blame he should get speaks volumes.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/woody-johnson-report-card-jets-184004945.html
Van der Sar makes Onana feelings clear as United plan summer sale
Van der Sar makes Onana feelings clear as United plan summer sale
Edwin van der Sar has given Manchester United a clear message about their security between the sticks.
According to Metro, the former United goalkeeper suggests that the bigger issue is the environment around Andre Onana, with the English club planning to sell the ex-Ajax ace in the summer.
The 55-year-old brought his mind back to when the Cameroon international first arrived in Amsterdam.
Difference maker
“I worked with Andre Onana for three or four years at Ajax,” van der Sar explained. He added: “He came in as a third-choice goalkeeper and was very eager to step up and become the first choice.”
The former Dutch international insisted that he still rates the ability of the player currently on loan at Trabzonspor. “I thought, and I still think, that he has tremendous qualities […] reflexes and his feet,” he continued.
The football executive also argued that the problem is the mistakes. “But somehow, he has the odd mistake in him that makes you think ‘That’s crazy, how can he do that,’” van der Sar remarked.
Such moments become a big story at Old Trafford, and can change how people see you. After all, few clubs come with more pressure than United. The legendary shot-stopper stressed, however, that a team needs trust in its goalkeeper.
In addition, he noted that the defence needs to know what is coming. “A team wants stability, to know what your goalkeeper is doing so the back four can relate,” he pointed out. He illustrated: “I think that’s what happened [the issue] with Andre.”
No safety
Furthermore, van der Sar talked about the wider picture at M16. He maintained that the club has lacked structure for years. “Manchester United haven’t had stability for the last six or seven years,” he observed.
Moreover, he highlighted changes in the back four, midfield, and coaches. The former Fulham man emphasised that this makes it harder for new purchases to settle in.
Additionally, he warned that the expectations are high for everyone. “It’s difficult for new players to come into an environment where the expectations are high,” he stated. He also claimed that many past acquisitions have not reached the level people expected.
In the final analysis, van der Sar admitted he thought the move would work at first. “I absolutely thought that he would succeed when he first came here to United,” he recalled,
The Barcelona academy graduate’s past form at Ajax and Inter Milan were referenced as well as his performance in the Champions League final against Manchester City.
Ahead of the summer transfer window, the Red Devils will now lament that Onana failed to hit similar heights at Old Trafford.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/van-der-sar-makes-onana-184000033.html
Suns reveal injury timeline for Dillon Brooks following broken hand
Suns reveal injury timeline for Dillon Brooks following broken hand originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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As many have seen throughout the year, the Phoenix Suns have been decimated by injuries.
Phoenix has already been without Jalen Green for 48 games and have missed Devin Booker for 14 games.
Unfortunately for head coach Jordan Ott, the Suns’ health took another hit against the Orlando Magic Saturday.
In that game, Dillon Brooks played seven minutes before breaking his hand, adding another injury to what has already been an unhealthy season.
Following the Suns’ last matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday, Phoenix learned of Brooks’ recovery time Monday.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Brooks is expected to miss at least one month and could be out for a maximum of six weeks.
As the team continues to battle through ailments, Ott expressed the need for his team to remain rigid through adversity. “The identity doesn’t change,” said Ott. “Play the same style. Our defense is going to have to be better, offense is going to have to be better. (…) We’re just going to have to find new ways as things continue to progress.”
With Brooks sidelined, the Suns will certainly miss his 20.9 points per game total on offense, in addition to his one steal per game defensively.
In his absence, the duo of Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen will be asked of more offensively. As for the defensive side of the ball, Royce O’Neale and the recently acquired Amir Coffey will be expected to step up.
O’Neale has already done so, having posted three steals and three blocks in the last two games. As for Coffey, he played his highest share of minutes (23) Sunday since being acquired and recorded two steals.
Phoenix will have Monday off before facing the Boston Celtics Tuesday.
More NBA news:
Team USA eyeing Kon Knueppel for 2028 Olympic teamLaMelo Ball focused on winning after franchise record performanceLeBron James adds another milestone to the history books in loss vs. CelticsVictor Wembanyama teases dunk contest appearance after viscous slamJordan Ott talks Devin Booker’s injury following loss vs. SpursVJ Edgecombe vows to be better after six-turnover performance in loss to Hawks
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/suns-reveal-injury-timeline-dillon-174547219.html
FIFA proposes rule change for injured players
FIFA proposes rule change for injured players
FIFA wants injured players to stay off the pitch for at least one minute after receiving treatment, as part of new plans to reduce time-wasting and improve the flow of matches, BBC Sport reports.
The proposal will be discussed at the annual meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab), which decides the laws of the game. If approved, it would introduce a fixed minimum period for players to remain off the field before returning.
There is currently no universal rule. The Premier League has used a 30-second guideline since the 2023-24 season, while FIFA trialled a stricter two-minute rule at the Arab Cup. The one-minute proposal is seen as a compromise.
FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina said the aim is to stop players from slowing the game down and to keep matches moving. Similar rules already exist in Major League Soccer.
However, some clubs are concerned teams could be left with 10 players during important moments, increasing the risk of conceding goals. There are exceptions, including goalkeepers and situations involving yellow or red cards.
If approved, the rule could be introduced in competitions worldwide from next season.
GFN | Finn Entwistle
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/fifa-proposes-rule-change-injured-174500498.html
Colts reportedly have begun multi-year contract extension conversations with QB Daniel Jones
The Indianapolis Colts have had discussions about a multiyear extension for quarterback Daniel Jones, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal with Indy last season and is set to hit free agency unless the team can get a deal done or tag him.
The deadline to franchise tag a player is March 3. The franchise tag for quarterbacks is set at $47,321,000 and the transition tag is $40,799,000, according to Overthecap.
Jones beat out former first-round pick Anthony Richardson to be the Colts’ starting quarterback. Jones threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions before tearing his Achilles tendon.
It’s a big week for Maxx Crosby and the Raiders, who continue to discuss his future, as well as Daniel Jones and the Colts, who have eight days to strike a deal or potentially tag him. @gmfb@nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/EfztRoorlh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 23, 2026
Michigan basketball drops in USA TODAY Coaches Poll after Duke loss
Michigan basketball had a big showdown against Duke in Washington, D.C., on Saturday as the No. 1 team faced the No. 3 team. But the slight favorite Wolverines ended up losing to the Blue Devils, 68-63.
As a result, expectedly, the maize and blue dropped in the rankings.
There are now three teams that sit at 25-2 on the season, and now Michigan is considered to be at the bottom of those three. With the loss to Duke, in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, the Wolverines dropped from No. 1 to 3, and got leapfrogged by Arizona (which beat No. 4 Houston over the weekend), which is now No. 2 overall. The maize and blue have wins over No. 8 Purdue, No. 9 Gonzaga, No. 10 Nebraska, and No. 13 Michigan State. Wisconsin (the other loss this season) and Iowa (which Michigan still has to play) fell out of the rankings.
The Wolverines face No. 11 Illinois on Saturday in Champaign.
Full rankings
RankTeamRecordPTS1stPrevChgHi/Lo1Duke25-277127321/62Arizona25-27334421/133Michigan25-27230121/74Houston23-46470222/85Iowa State23-46290612/186UConn25-36040513/77Florida21-654701143/NR8Purdue22-55380711/129Gonzaga27-25320815/2010Nebraska23-44630915/NR11Illinois22-645301016/1912Virginia24-3449014212/NR13Michigan State22-540401528/2114Kansas20-737301229/NR15St. John’s22-535901616/NR16Texas Tech20-7332013311/2017Arkansas20-7235017-14/2318Alabama20-71920NR89/NR19North Carolina21-6166020112/2520Louisville20-715402115/2321Vanderbilt21-614401838/NR22Tennessee20-71410NR713/NR23BYU20-713702217/2324Saint Louis25-2131019519/NR25Miami (OH)27-0116023223/NR
Schools Dropped Out
No. 24 Clemson; No. 25 Wisconsin;
Others Receiving Votes
Wisconsin 35; Villanova 25; Georgia 18; Utah State 7; Iowa 6; Saint Mary’s 5; Miami (FL) 5; Clemson 1
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan basketball: Wolverines fall to No. 3 in Coaches Poll
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/michigan-basketball-drops-usa-today-174234850.html
Packers QB Malik Willis claims top spot on NFL.com's list of 2026 free agents
All signs point to the Green Bay Packers not bringing back quarterback Malik Willis, who is expected to have a robust market when he hits free agency next month.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com went as far as to rank him at No. 1 on his Top 101 free agents of 2026, further evidence that Willis is unlikely to return to Green Bay, where he would continue to backup Jordan Love.
“I see him as the most dynamic quarterback in football as a runner, and his tape in Green Bay showed incredible growth as a passer over his two years with Matt LaFleur,” Rosenthal wrote. “Despite his limited sample size, Willis jumped to the top spot of this ranking based on the same logic that applies to the NFL draft: If a potential franchise quarterback is good enough to be ranked in the top five of a list like this, then he should be placed first, by virtue of the position. The ceiling is the roof.”
The Packers acquired Willis from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a seventh-round pick before the start of the 2025 season. A former third-round pick, Willis blossomed into one of the most effective backup quarterbacks in the league during his two seasons in Green Bay.
In 11 games, including a 2-1 record as a starter with the Packers, Willis completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 972 passing yards and six touchdown passes with no interceptions. He also showcased an impressive ability to maneuver the pocket and pick up yards with his feet, rushing for 261 yards on 41 attempts (6.2 avg) with three rushing touchdowns.
Willis headlines a free agent quarterback class that includes Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers. At 26 years old, Willis is the youngest of the three and entering the prime of his career, ready to make the case that he is a starting NFL quarterback. Teams could view him as the guy with the most upside, given his age, arm talent, and athleticism.
Notable Packers free agents Rasheed Walker, Romeo Doubs, and Quay Walker were also featured on Rosenthal’s list. Rasheed Walker came in at 22nd, while Romeo Doubs ranked 28th, and linebacker Quay Walker checked in at 44th.
Green Bay faces tough decisions on all four players, as they hope to improve their roster this offseason and maximize their current Super Bowl window.
NFL free agency will officially begin at 3:00 pm CT on March 11.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers QB Malik Willis claims top spot on NFL.com’s list of 2026 free agents
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/packers-qb-malik-willis-claims-174232862.html
2027 recruit Israel Hammons commits to official visit with Texas
Over the last few weeks, Longhorns football has had a lot of success with the 2027 class. The Longhorns have already secured multiple commitments with many visits lined up. As Steve Sarkisian and his staff look to improve their depth, they got an encouraging update from Israel Hammons. The Oklahoma native has set his official visit to be June 19 to 21.
While Hammons recent update was a cause for celebration, Texas does face competition. He has received offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss. That list should continue to grow the longer the Choctaw High star stays on the market.
See you in June @TexasFootball 🤠!! pic.twitter.com/sKypFVKeR1
— Israel Hammons (@israelhammons0) February 22, 2026
Although the Longhorns target is not currently ranked, he has drawn the attention of scouts nationwide. He has made life difficult for offensive coordinators, which has been appealing to many programs such as the Longhorns. His focus during the 2026 campaign will be on continuing to improve his rising stock.
If Hammons were to join the Longhorns, he would be part of a class that is already making headlines. The Longhorns’ 2027 class is ranked ninth in the nation by 247Sports. That is partly due to elite prospects such as Easton Royal, Cameron Hall, Cade Haug, and Karnell James.
Check out my Full Junior Season Highlights!!@1COACH_CARTER@JakeCorbin@CoachBradClark@Coach_RustyHall@The1CoachSexton@CoachGarf@YellowjacketsFB@TrePorter5@TheShaqMiller@405Hustleinchttps://t.co/okzDf1ecCV
— Israel Hammons (@israelhammons0) January 9, 2026
When the talented EDGE arrives on campus, he won’t be the only recruit the Longhorns are trying to impress. They are also set to welcome wide receiver Trenton Yancey and defensive back Isaiah Udom to campus for visits this summer.
As Hammons’ visit draws closer, he will be a player to keep an eye on. The Longhorns 2027 class at the moment includes one EDGE in Hall. Adding another deep piece like Hammons would provide a big boost with depth options still needed. For Texas, the focus leading up to Hammons’s trip to Austin will be on preparing an offer he can’t refuse.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: 2027 recruit Israel Hammons will take an official visit at Texas
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2027-recruit-israel-hammons-commits-174047973.html
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