WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros closer Josh Hader played catch again Friday after the six-time All-Star left-hander dealt with biceps tendinitis while throwing bullpen sessions in the offseason.
Manager Joe Espada said Hader, who missed the end of last season with a shoulder capsule strain, had stopped playing catch after a series of offseason bullpens before getting to Florida for the start of spring training this week.
“Hopefully we could get him going here. He’s trending in the right direction,” Espada said.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros closer Josh Hader played catch again Friday after the six-time All-Star left-hander dealt with biceps tendinitis while throwing bullpen sessions in the offseason.
Manager Joe Espada said Hader, who missed the end of last season with a shoulder capsule strain, had stopped playing catch after a series of offseason bullpens before getting to Florida for the start of spring training this week.
“Hopefully we could get him going here. He’s trending in the right direction,” Espada said.

In a 10th-end comeback, the U.S.

In a 10th-end comeback, the U.S.

For Erik Bakich, opening weekend is about more than starting a new season.
Yes, Clemson will begin the year Friday against Army at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Yes, the Tigers enter 2026 as a preseason Top 20 team with expectations to again be in the postseason conversation. But Bakich is just as focused on what the weekend represents as what happens between the lines.

For Erik Bakich, opening weekend is about more than starting a new season.
Yes, Clemson will begin the year Friday against Army at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Yes, the Tigers enter 2026 as a preseason Top 20 team with expectations to again be in the postseason conversation. But Bakich is just as focused on what the weekend represents as what happens between the lines.

The Eagles continue to revamp their coaching staff and have added a new hire to the defensive side of the football. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports that the Eagles are hiring Bills nickelbacks coach Mike Pellegrino as a defensive backs coach.
Pellegrino entered the NFL in 2015 as a Patriots coaching assistant and remained in that role until he was promoted tocornerbacks coach in 2019. Pellegrino was a staff member of the Patriots Super Bowl LI and LII winning teams.

The Eagles continue to revamp their coaching staff and have added a new hire to the defensive side of the football. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports that the Eagles are hiring Bills nickelbacks coach Mike Pellegrino as a defensive backs coach.
Pellegrino entered the NFL in 2015 as a Patriots coaching assistant and remained in that role until he was promoted tocornerbacks coach in 2019. Pellegrino was a staff member of the Patriots Super Bowl LI and LII winning teams.

American skier Lindsey Vonn said Friday she’ll need at least two more surgeries after breaking her left leg in a crash during her downhill race at the Winter Olympics last weekend. 
Vonn said earlier this week she was recovering from her third surgery for the injury.
The 41-year-old Olympic veteran from Colorado gave the latest update on her condition in a social media video.
She said she’s expected to have another surgery Saturday. If that goes well, she can potentially leave Italy and return to the U.S., where she’ll need another operation, she said.

American skier Lindsey Vonn said Friday she’ll need at least two more surgeries after breaking her left leg in a crash during her downhill race at the Winter Olympics last weekend. 
Vonn said earlier this week she was recovering from her third surgery for the injury.
The 41-year-old Olympic veteran from Colorado gave the latest update on her condition in a social media video.
She said she’s expected to have another surgery Saturday. If that goes well, she can potentially leave Italy and return to the U.S., where she’ll need another operation, she said.

Iman Shumpert, Stephen A.

Iman Shumpert, Stephen A.

For the first time EVER, the U.S.

For the first time EVER, the U.S.

Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef.

Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef.

The NFL won its grievance against the NFL Players Association, effectively banning the union from conducting and publishing future player report cards.

The NFL won its grievance against the NFL Players Association, effectively banning the union from conducting and publishing future player report cards.

We’ve got you covered with grades and analysis on every winter signing and big offseason trade.

We’ve got you covered with grades and analysis on every winter signing and big offseason trade.

Fans love a big splash but don’t always get one. Here’s what some non-moves mean for each team’s playoff forecast.

Fans love a big splash but don’t always get one. Here’s what some non-moves mean for each team’s playoff forecast.

Russell Wilson and Dalmatian, Naomi.
Russell Wilson/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

Russell Wilson announces Dalmatian Naomi’s death after 12 years
Wilson also mourned the death of his other Dalmatian, Prince, just a year ago from cancer
Wilson and wife Ciara have also mourned the singer’s dog, Tyson, as they welcomed new puppy, Bronco, in 2022

Russell Wilson is mourning the loss of a beloved member of his family.
On Friday, Feb.

Feb 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Richard Pitino yells out instructions in the first half against the St. John’s Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Why be miserable? If you like wallowing in the decline of empire, there is plenty of that to found elsewhere. If being bummed out by the weather is for you, look outside.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – DECEMBER 20: KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns will enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 10 selections, including two in the first round, and a self-imposed mandate from general manager Andrew Berry to make a “heavy investment” in the offense.

Ligue 1 Predictions | Round 22: managerless Marseille host European challengers Strasbourg
Ligue 1 Predictions, Round 22
GFFN editor-in-chief Luke Entwistle, and sub-editors Raphaël Jucobin and Bastien Cheval face off in our Ligue 1 predictions competition. This season, GFFN will also be hosting guests. Earlier this season, The Athletic’s Alex Barker participated and became the first name on our guest leaderboard, and he has since been joined by Julien Laurens.

Take a listen to the incredible, passionate Kor

Take a listen to the incredible, passionate Kor

Quentin Fillon Maillet won in the men’s biath

Quentin Fillon Maillet won in the men’s biath

On First Take, Brian Windhorst, Stephen A.

On First Take, Brian Windhorst, Stephen A.

Not a bad day’s work for Finland and Flor

Not a bad day’s work for Finland and Flor

Top 10 at the Winter Olympics: Subtle FLEX.

Top 10 at the Winter Olympics: Subtle FLEX.

Despite not finishing on the podium, South Afri

Despite not finishing on the podium, South Afri

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is beginning to fill out his coaching staff. It was announced that he’s appointed Mike McCoy as his assistant head coach. Elsewhere, Kubiak is interviewing in-house candidate Rob Leonard for the defensive coordinator job.
Leonard spent last season as the Raiders’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator. He initially joined the Raiders in 2023 as the position coach. Pete Carroll decided to retain him while offering him a promotion to run game coordinator.

Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby had comments on Will Campbell, as the dust settles from the New England Patriots‘ Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Campbell’s disappointing performance has been one of the biggest headlines following the game. The rookie first-round draft pick allowed 14 pressures in a game where Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was sacked six times. Some have advocated for the team to move Campbell to guard and pursue a different approach at the left tackle position.

Jon Jones‘ greatest of all time claim has been challenged, with Khabib Nurmagomedov given the nod ahead of him.
The greatest of all time debate is rarely ever universally agreed upon by fanbases, and that remains the case in mixed martial arts. Many factors go into being labeled the GOAT, with championship success and dominance among the main criteria for a fighter to be included in the discussion.
Jon Jones has that in abundance.

Player who dreams of playing for Arsenal now wants move in the summer

Last year, Luiz Henrique admitted via Sport Witness that he dreams of playing for Arsenal, and the attacker is now reportedly seeking a move away from Zenit Saint Petersburg this summer. The Brazilian has been performing well in Russia, attracting interest from multiple clubs across Europe who are monitoring his situation closely.

At the right price, Henrique is expected to make a transfer, and several teams are reportedly preparing to submit offers.

American Faye Thelen, the only five-time Olympi

Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Egor Demin has been having a solid rookie season for the Nets especially since the calendar turned to December, coinciding with the team’s dominant stretch during the month. While Brooklyn has struggled to return to the form they had in December, Demin has been one of the players that has maintained his level of play through it all.
Demin will be participating in the NBA’s Rising Stars competition on Friday, meaning that he was considered to be one of the better rookie/sophomore players in the league this season.

Josie Baff streaked down the slope to claim gol

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OutKick has learned exclusively that on Friday the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated a directed investigation into Puyallup School District in Puyallup, Washington, based on reports that a female wrestler was sexually assaulted by a male competitor during a competition designated as a girls’ wrestling event.
The female wrestler, Kallie Keeler, a 16-year-old sophomore at Rogers High School in Puyallup, says the incident occurred during a December 6 girls’ wrestling match against Emerald Ridge High School.

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After losing its first game of the tournament,

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