Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez is the franchises new leader for all-time home runs. Perez launched a 401 ft. blast in the top of the seventh inning. It tied the Royals with the Detroit Tigers at 2-2 in Saturday afternoons game, but also broke the tie the catcher had with longtime Royal George Brett as the franchises home run leader.FOR THE RECORD!Salvador Perez passes George Brett to become the @Royals all-time home run leader https://t.co/s6t4FFHPoqpic.twitter.com/H66Xgnr2bb MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2026The home run was the catchers 318th of his career. Perez has been with the Royals since 2011 and is one of the longest-tenured active players in MLB. Brett played for the Royals his entire career from 1973 to 1993. Over the course of 2,707 games, the third baseman mashed 317 home runs. Perez achieved the feat in only 1,805 career games.He tied Bretts mark with his 317th home run last Wednesday. The impressive feat was overshadowed by a fan going into a fountain at Kauffman Stadium to retrieve the ball. The fan was promptly arrested, but Perez made a public request that they be released from custody.Please, police, just take care of the job, please, and send him home. If I was him, I'd maybe jump too and try to get that ball, so please. And thank you for the hard work in trying to get that ball."The Kansas City Police Department later confirmed to Fox 4 Kansas City that the fan was cited for trespassing and had been released. Questions are starting to rise about how many more seasons Perez has in him. He has largely moved from behind the plate to serving as the Royals designated hitter to help prolong his career.Perez will turn 37 next season in what would be his 17th year in the league. He has caught 39 of the 97 games he has played this year, largely filling in as Kansas Citys designated hitter.The veteran is slashing just .210/.257/.361, which would all be career lows if the season ended today. Perez has hit 15 home runs with 44 RBI, with none more historic than the franchise record-setting home run on Saturday.

NEW YORK (AP) New York Mets slugger Juan Soto was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday because of a left calf strain.Soto walked twice against Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki in Fridays 4-2 loss before being replaced by Jorge Polanco in the sixth inning with the score tied at 1. He appeared to experience discomfort while running to second base on Bo Bichettes double-play grounder in the second inning.Soto is hitting .293 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 84 games this season. He missed 15 games with the same injury on April 3-21 and the Mets went 3-12 without him.Soto sat out Wednesdays 4-3 loss at Milwaukee but was back in the lineup Friday after the Mets had a day off.The lone All-Star for the Mets this year, Soto exited the teams first game after the break in the eighth inning on July 16 at Philadelphia. New York was off the following day, and he returned to the lineup as the designated hitter on Saturday and Sunday against the Phillies. He played left field Monday in Milwaukee and was the DH on Tuesday.To replace Soto, the Mets called up infielder/outfielder Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse. Wagaman is hitting .162 with two homers and four RBIs in 21 games this season.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

West Ham Makes A Big Decision On 28-Year-Old: Good Decision For The Hammers?West Ham United have put a fresh contract offer on the table for Konstantinos Mavropanos as they look to secure the long-term future of their stand-out performer.Reports circulating across transfer channels suggest the Greek international is now considering the proposal. What makes this move particularly striking is the financial scale. The board have reportedly structured the terms to align with the bracket of Jarrod Bowen, traditionally one of the highest earners at the London Stadium. That is a massive statement from the hierarchy.West Ham move to lock down Hammer of the Year with bold contract offerIt makes complete sense when you look back at how the campaign unfolded. Mavropanos is coming off his finest individual season in England, capped off by picking up the Hammer of the Year award for 2025/26.His output was vital for a side that struggled for consistency. He logged 31 Premier League appearances and built up 2,533 minutes on the pitch across the campaign. On top of his defensive duties, he chipped in with three goals, including a memorable brace during a 4-0 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers in April. He even took on captaincy duties in the FA Cup and popped up with a crucial equaliser against Manchester City back in March.His current deal runs until June 2028, with a market valuation hovering around 15 million. But after a year like that, waiting around is a risk West Ham can rarely afford.Balancing the wages against the defensive realityRewarding your best player is standard procedure, but placing a central defender on terms usually reserved for star attackers does raise eyebrows. Bowen commands top money because he provides match-winning goals and brings commercial weight to the table. Modern football rarely sees defenders match those figures unless the team is playing Champions League football week in, week out.West Ham do not have Premier League football to offer next term. That absence creates an obvious hurdle. Mavropanos was comfortably among the most impressive individual centre-backs in the league last term, and rival clubs higher up the table have certainly taken notice. Negotiation tables often double as moments of reflection, and the player could easily weigh up whether his career growth matches the clubs current trajectory.Fitness remains another factor in the background. While this past campaign was his cleanest run without major injuries, his earlier career had its fair share of spells on the treatment table. Locking down a 28-year-old on huge money carries a degree of medical risk that the medical staff will be monitoring closely.LONDON, ENGLAND MAY 24: Konstantinos Mavropanos of West Ham United warms up prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at the London Stadium on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Yet, doing nothing would be far worse. Letting your top defender sit on an appealing market price while foreign and domestic suitors hover is a recipe for disaster. Nuno Espirito Santo needs stability. The side shipped 65 league goals last season, a record that needs fixing if they want to climb back towards the top half. Mavropanos was the main piece holding that backline together through some difficult weeks.Sorting out this extension allows the club to focus on repairing the surrounding unit, because relying on one man to clean up at the back is never a long-term plan.

When the Atlanta Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, it created massive expectations for the former Florida Gators tight end. Pitts lived up to the hype during his rookie season, topping 1,000 receiving yards as the team's No. 1 option. However, Pitts' production fell off a cliff after the team traded quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. Things only got worse once Pitts suffered a knee injury 10 games into his sophomore season. In 2025, Pitts put himself back on the map with an 88-catch, 928-yard campaign. This bounce-back year helped the former top-five pick land a three-year, $54 million contract extension to stay in Atlanta through 2028.Pitts' production put him back on the map in the world of fantasy football. NFL.com's Matt Okada listed Pitts among the biggest fantasy values at tight end ahead of the 2026 season. "New offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was the Browns tight ends coach in 2024 and OC in 2025, when the Browns ranked fourth and second in tight end targets, respectively," wrote Okada. "Also, Pitts saw a career-low 7.2 air yards per target last year, per Next Gen Stats. With a potentially larger target share and better efficiency, Pitts should maintain his spot in the top tier of fantasy tight ends, making him a value pick two rounds behind Colston Loveland andTyler Warren."Despite his big year, fans are rightfully cautious about using a high fantasy draft pick on Pitts. The lack of consistency from year to year makes it hard to have confidence in the sixth-year tight end. The fact that the Falcons have not named a starting quarterback certainly doesn't help the situation. However, as Okada pointed out, Stefanski's offenses are very tight end friendly. Plus, if you consider the fact that the Falcons lack a clear No. 2 option at wide receiver, Pitts should have every opportunity to pick up where he left off in 2025. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Kyle Pitts ranked among best TE values for 2026 fantasy season

The Detroit Tigers are reportedly preparing to add one of Europes most intriguing young baseball talents to their international pipeline.According to Francys Romero of Beisbol FR, Detroit is closing in on an agreement with 17-year-old German outfielder Emilio Gtz. The reported package is worth $500,000, including a $400,000 signing bonus and a $100,000 scholarship.The deal is expected to become official later this summer.Emilio Gtz Brings Rare Athletic UpsideGtz is a 6-foot-2 left-handed hitter who projects primarily as a center fielder. He has also pitched as an amateur and recently reached 92 mph on the mound, though scouts appear more excited about his potential as an everyday position player.He has a chance to develop into a true five-tool player, and thats clearly his stronger path, one scout told Beisbol FR.That is a lofty projection for any teenager, especially one coming from a country that has produced relatively few MLB players.Gtz has reportedly run the 60-yard dash in the 6.9-to-7.0-second range, and his arm already grades above average. Evaluators who watched him at MLBs European Showcase in Barcelona reportedly viewed him as the top prospect in attendance.Strong Results Against Older CompetitionThe numbers have matched the tools.Gtz hit .455 with a .520 on-base percentage during the recent U-18 European Championship, adding a home run, a triple, two doubles and nine RBIs.He also plays for the Paderborn Untouchables in Germanys top professional league. Through 24 games this season, Gtz was batting .322 with a .447 on-base percentage, a .529 slugging percentage and nine stolen bases.That experience matters. Gtz is already facing older competition instead of spending his developmental years solely against players his own age.Tigers Continue Expanding International PipelineDetroit has made international scouting a larger part of its long-term roster-building strategy. Adding Gtz would give the organization another athletic position player with center-field potential and room to grow physically.There is plenty of development ahead. European prospects often require time to adjust to the speed, pitching quality and daily demands of affiliated baseball.Still, the Tigers are not paying $400,000 from their bonus pool for a novelty signing. They clearly see legitimate upside.Bottom LineEmilio Gtz is years away from Comerica Park, but his combination of speed, arm strength, power potential and experience against older players makes him a prospect worth tracking.Detroits farm system already features several high-profile position players. If Gtz develops anywhere near his five-tool projection, the Tigers may have found another exciting athlete in an unconventional baseball market.

NEW YORK The Mets will be without Juan Soto at least through the MLB trade deadline.The club has placed Soto on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain and recalled Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse.The Mets will be missing that key piece as they continue their three-game series against the Dodgers at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday at Citi Field.Soto had been dealing with nagging soreness in his calf before being removed from Friday night's game before a sixth-inning at-bat.The Mets are at their lowest point this season, entering Saturday with a 43-61 record.NY Mets, Dodgers probable starting pitchers for SaturdaySaturday's game figures to be a dream for fans of pitching as Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Nolan McLean reprise one of the duels of the season.Back in April, Yamamoto allowed one earned run over 7 innings with seven strikeouts while McLean turned in seven innings with eight strikeouts and one earned run allowed.McLean is 7-6 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.09 WHIP entering his 21st start. Yamamoto is 10-6 with a 2.78 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.NY Mets announce Saturday lineup vs DodgersA.J. Ewing LFFrancisco Lindor SSBo Bichette 3BCarson Benge RFLuis Robert Jr. CFJorge Polanco DHMarcus Semien 2BBrett Baty 1BFrancisco Alvarez CThis article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets announce lineup vs Dodgers for Saturday. Is Juan Soto playing?

The ongoing chatter of Aaron Donald returning to Los Angeles only amplified heading into the Rams training camp on Saturday. However, head coach Sean McVay wouldn't say if Donald's return was imminent, but he continued to leave the door open for the franchise icon. "If that is something that he wants to do, we are going to try to be able to make that happen," McVay said at training camp on Saturday, according to ESPN. "But I genuinely do not have an answer on whether he is or isn't." The surge in rumors also comes from Donald's recent appearance at the Rams training facility earlier in July. FOX Sports' Eric Williams reported where Donald currently stands on a return: "While the team hasn't set a timetable for Donald to decide whether to potentially unretire, a league source close to Donald told me he is leaning toward returning. Donald participated in a workout in full pads at the teams facility two weeks ago," Williams wrote on Friday. Donald retired as one of the Rams' most decorated defensive stars. After 10 seasons, Donald recorded 111 sacks, 543 total tackles, and 24 forced fumbles. He also has one Super Bowl ring, three Defensive Player of the Year honors and 10 Pro Bowl selections. The Rams are coming off a successful season that earned them a trip to the NFC Championship Game before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Looking ahead to this year, the Rams return a star-studded roster that includes NFL MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Puka Nakua and Davante Adams, defensive tackle Kobie Turner and cornerback Trent McDuffie. And if Donald were to don a Rams' jersey again, he would play alongside two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade in June. McVay continued to note that Donald is still preparing himself to make that decision, and will be prepared to play if so. "I know he's preparing himself to be able to make that decision," McVay said. "And if he feels good, then you guys know he's going to be ready to rock. But if not, he's earned the right. He doesn't owe us anything. And he's a special person."

BOSTON (AP) Red Sox All-Star left-hander Ranger Surez is expected come off the injured list and start Sundays series finale against Toronto, interim Boston manager Chad Tracy said Saturday.The 30-year-old Surez was placed on the injured list on July 9 with a strained left groin. He missed the All-Star game.Ranger should be good to go for (Sunday), Tracy said before the Red Sox faced the Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Saturday. We have him scheduled to start the game.Surez was throwing on the field about 2 1/2 hours before Saturdays game. Tracy said the club will push lefty Payton Tolle from Sunday to start Mondays series opener in Sacramento against the Athletics.Surez is 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA in 17 starts in his first season after signing a $130 million, five-year contract with the Red Sox in free agency.Earlier this week, the team was planning for him to come off the IL and start Tuesday, but they pushed him back to possibly starting Wednesdays second game of a split doubleheader after that game got rained out. Then, he was under the weather and still sore, so they used lefty Eduardo Rivera in the nightcap that snapped their club record-tying 15-game winning streak.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The Bengals are set to open up training camp without defensive tackle B.J. Hill on the field. The team announced on Saturday that Hill has been placed on the physically unable to perform list. Hill, who has an undisclosed injury, is eligible to come off that list at any point during camp, but won't be eligible to practice until he's off the list. Hill started every game for the Bengals last season and posted 66 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks. The Bengals also placed tight end Josh Kattus on the non-football injury list. Kattus signed with the Bengals after going undrafted out of Kentucky.

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have found another trade partner following a heartbreaking injury to a Carolina Panthers defender.In the very first practice of Panthers training camp, starting edge rusher Nic Scourton tore his ACL, effectively ending his 2026 season before it got going. If Carolina is looking to keep its defense competitive, the Steelers have more than enough edge rushers to spare in a potential trade.Panthers LB Nic Scourton suffers torn ACL and is out for the season. (via @RapSheet + @CameronWolfe) pic.twitter.com/S4iturkhlr NFL (@NFL) July 23, 2026Alex Highsmith, who has been tied to more trade rumors than Steelers fans can keep up with, would make an excellent target for the Panthers, pairing well with Jaelen Phillips to form an outstanding edge-rush duo in Carolina.Despite missing time due to injury, Highsmith is coming off an impressive 9.5 sack season. He's reportedly looking for a contract extension, which the Steelers could be hesitant to hand out after Nick Herbig's massive $100 million deal.The Steelers' asking price for Highsmith is speculated to be around a second-round draft pick, which would actually be a win-win deal for both Pittsburgh and Carolina. A second-round pick would give the Steelers excellent value while the team moves forward with T.J. Watt and Herbig. The Panthers would get a short-term upgrade over Scourton in Highsmith, giving them enough firepower on defense to potentially compete for the NFC South title once again.For up-to-dateSteelerscoverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X@TheSteelersWireand give ourFacebook pagea like.This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers may have new trade partner after Panthers injury news