Jake Rogers has a new home.Rogers, the veteran Tigers catcher who was designated for assignment earlier this week, has been traded to the Baltimore Orioles. The Tigers and Orioles announced the trade Thursday afternoon.The Tigers have acquired minor-league right-hander Zane Barnhart, who will report to Double-A Erie. Barnhart is an alum of Hillsdale College.Barnhart, 24, was a 17th-round pick by the Orioles in 2023. This season at Double A, he is 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA in 40 appearances, all in relief. He was 45 strikeouts and 19 walks.Rogers, 31, was acquired by the Tigers in 2017 from the Houston Astros in the Justin Verlander trade and debuted with Detroit in 2019. He was replaced as starting catcher in 2025 by Dillon Dingler.Rogers was DFA'd by the Tigers this week when the Tigers activated Javier Baez off the injured list and promoted red-hot minor-league catcher Eduard Valencia, who had four home runs in his first seven games in the major leagues.Rogers was batting just .166/.266/.301 in 34 games with the Tigers this season.tpaul@detroitnews.com@tonypaul1984This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers trade Jake Rogers to Orioles for minor-league pitcher

The New Orleans Saints could not afford to let uncertainty surrounding Chris Olave's future linger much longer.They made sure it won't. And now, he's being paid like one of the NFL's premier receivers. The Saints and Olave agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $132 million, including $90 million guaranteed. The deal carries a maximum average value of $33 million per season.That figure would make Olave the NFL's sixth-highest-paid wide receiver by average annual value, tied with Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf. He also becomes the 12th at his position ever to surpass the $30 million-per-season mark. Here are the receivers currently ahead of Olave:Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: $42.15 million per yearJa'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: $40.25 million per yearDrake London, Atlanta Falcons: $35.26 million per yearJustin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: $35 million per yearCeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: $34 million per yearChris Olave, DK Metcalf: $32.9 million per yearThough Olave's contract averages the same as Metcalf's, the Saints WR received $30 million more in guaranteed money. Garrett Wilson and AJ Brown follow them at $32.5 million and $32 million, respectively. The exact rankings could change once the complete structure of Olave's contract becomes available. The reported $132 million is the deal's maximum value. Incentives and other mechanisms could affect its practical average.Still, Olave has been placed firmly in the top tier of NFL receiver contracts. He's in the same category as some of the game's best, which means that the Saints believe in the talent for the long haul. That commitment also provides stability for second-year quarterback Tyler Shough and the rest of a young Saints offense. New Orleans has invested heavily in building around Shough; retaining his top target ensures that the offense won't need to undergo any major transitions.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Where Chris Olave's new contract ranks among NFL's highest-paid WRs

Anchor Ryan Clark was fired from ESPN during a live broadcast of his NFL Live show. Getty ImagesRecently, anchor Ryan Clark, 46, was fired from ESPN during a live broadcast of his NFL Live show. Many critiqued ESPNs decision to fire Clark mid-show, but the network defended its decision, citing fears that Clark would find out the news through the grapevine. In an episode of The Pivot Podcast post-firing, Clark claims he adjusted who he was to keep his job at ESPN, specifically stating that he felt he couldnt be too Black. ESPN declined an official comment regarding these claims, directing Forbes to a memo Chairman Jimmy Pitaro sent to employees on July 21 that stated the following: Over the past several months, we've made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN. Throughout this process, we have taken the time to carefully evaluate our collective teams, resources and organizational structure to best position us for the future. As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today. While most of the job impacts are tied to the acquisition, we will also notify colleagues in other parts of the company today that their positions have been impacted. We are committed to treating employees with compassion and respect and to providing support as they navigate this transition. Even in moments like these, the strength of ESPN comes from our people, our teamwork and our shared mission to serve sports fans.In 2019, actor Gabrielle Union, who was a judge on the TV show Americas Got Talent was told her hair was too Black.Getty ImagesClark is not unique in his experiences. Workplaces that make Black employees feel like they must tone down their Blackness are a persistent experience across different fields and industries. In 2019, it was reported that actor Gabrielle Union, who was a judge on the TV show Americas Got Talent: The Champions, was told her hair was too Black. That same year, actor Reagan Gomez-Preston alleged in a series of tweets that while filming for That 70s Show, she had to tone down her Blackness and was humiliated by a white male director who critiqued every scene, making remarks asking her for less sass. Black employees are often forced to navigate corporate landmines that require them to adhere to Eurocentric standards, norms and values. These unspoken rules signal to Black employees that they must code-switch, be more palatable and tone down their Blackness to ascend. The rub is no matter how proficient, prolific or productive you are as a Black employee, Black excellence will never save you. In the short term, corporations often justify firing or sidelining Black talent because of a financial need. But in the long term, workplaces that foster environments that continue to ignore these harmful norms will lose Black talent, thus impacting their competitiveness and sustainability. There must be more awareness around this issueBlack employees are often held to impossible and unrealistic standards much more than their non-Black counterparts. Integrating more objectivity within workplace practices during hiring, recruitment and advancement can play an instrumental role in addressing this issue. Black employees are often held to impossible and unrealistic standards in the workplace.gettyFor Black employees, its important to understand this stigma, how it manifests and how it can impact your career. While the expectation should never require one to contort themselves to fit into a box, workplaces often have unspoken rules and standards that demand this of employees. Navigating this issue requires Black employees to consider where they will draw the line and stand firm in their boundaries. Sometimes it can be difficult to remain uncompromising when it comes to unrealistic norms and values that professional spaces require. Occasionally, Black employees may find that the best solution is to exit the environment entirely, but its imperative to understand that this isnt just a workplace-specific issue but a pervasive and rampant problem across organizations, institutions and workplaces everywhere. It is the responsibility of organizations to address this issue; the burden should never be placed at the feet of Black employees to alter themselves to meet these unrealistic workplace standards. This article was originally published on Forbes.com

After spending the season proving he can lead the New Orleans Saints' offense, Chris Olave is being rewarded like a true star. Olave and the Saints have agreed to a four-year extension worth $132 million with $90 million guaranteed, ESPN reported Thursday. The payday comes after Olave flourished and became the go-to target in first-year head coach Kellen Moore's offense. Olave was able to haul in 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns to secure his third 1,000-yard season since entering the league. With the extension, Olave is now in an elite company. His $33 million average annual salary ties him forthe sixth-highestamong receivers, per Over The Cap. Olave's $90 million in guarantees surpasses the recent deal signed by Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce earlier this offseason. Olave, 26, was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He has yet to play a full season, but a lot of his recurring injuries might be behind him as Olave is heading into training camp fully healthy. Over his four seasons in the league, Olave has suffered multiple concussions, leading him to briefly contemplate retirement before returning to play last season. He stayed healthy until Week 18 after the medical staff discovered a blood clot in his lung. Not only is Olave now a part of the long-term future, but the Saints could be on the verge of building quite the young nucleus. They could have something special in second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, who built quite the connection with Olave last season. Alongside Olave will be rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, who the Saints ended up selecting No. 8 overall in this years NFL Draft. While Olaves target share isnt expected to take a hit, fewer double teams should be on the horizon for him going forward. With Olave healthy and locked in for the long haul, the Saints will look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. New Orleans went 5-4 after Shough became the starting quarterback last season, finishing the year 6-11.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received a few minor injury updates on the opening day of training camp, though head coach Todd Bowles doesn't expect any of the issues to become long-term concerns.According to Greg Auman, Bowles revealed that left tackle Tristan Wirfs tweaked his hamstring during Tuesday's conditioning test and will miss some time while he recovers. The All-Pro tackle is considered day-to-day.Bowles also announced that defensive tackle Vita Vea is dealing with a minor tweak of his own and will remain sidelined for the time being. The update comes as Vea continues his hold-in after requesting a trade from the Buccaneers, though Bowles indicated the injury itself is minor.Second-year cornerback Benjamin Morrison is also working through a hamstring issue. Like Wirfs and Vea, Bowles labeled Morrison as day-to-day.While none of the three injuries appear to be serious, each player plays an important role for Tampa Bay entering the 2026 season. Wirfs anchors one of the league's premier offensive lines after earning a 92.7 overall PFF grade in 2025, while Vea remains the centerpiece of the Buccaneers' defensive front. Morrison, Tampa Bay's second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to compete for a significant role in the secondary throughout training camp.With the Buccaneers still in the NFL's mandatory acclimation period, the coaching staff is expected to take a cautious approach with all three players. Tampa Bay's first padded practice isn't scheduled until Aug. 3, giving the trio additional time to recover before the intensity of camp ramps up.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs injuries headline day one of camp for the team

Major League Soccer has suspended FC Cincinnati midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela for a total of two games, and levied additional fines to several members of both teams after the postgame altercation July 25 following FC Cincinnatis 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew.The MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended Valenzuela for one additional match in addition to his red card suspension after he received a red card for a hard foul in second-half stoppage time.Valenzuela will serve his regular suspension during FC Cincinnatis next match against the San Jose Earthquakes on Aug. 1 at TQL Stadium. The additional match suspension will be served during Cincinnatis match against Orlando City SC on Aug. 15, also at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati will play three games in the Leagues Cup in between but that is a separate competition and MLS suspensions dont carry over.The committee fined Valenzuela an undisclosed amount under Disciplinary Committee Parameter 2, which reads that Supplemental discipline (suspension and/or fine) will be administered if the Committee believes the offense is egregious in nature; and/or it must act to protect player safety; and/or it must protect the integrity of the game; and/or the player is guilty of repeat behavior.Valenzuela received a similar punishment earlier this season after committing a red-card foul in the second half of Cincinnatis 6-1 loss at New England March 15. He was suspended an additional match for that foul, too.The MLS Disciplinary Committee also found both teams in violation of the Mass Confrontation Policy. Cincy has violated the policy for the first time this season, and fines have been issued to the club and head coach Pat Noonan. Columbus Crew have violated the policy for the third time this season and fines have been issued to the club and head coach Laurent Courtois.Due to their roles in the mass confrontation, FC Cincinnati forward Ayoub Jabbari and Assistant Coach Kenny Arena; and Columbus Crew players Mohamed Farsi, Sean Zawadzki and Max Arfsten will be fined for inciting and/or escalating a mass confrontation.The hostilities began after Valenzuela ran full speed into Columbus forward Taha Habroune, knocking him down. That led to a fracas as several Columbus players rushed to Valenzuela to defend their teammate, and Cincinnati players rushed to the scene to defend Valenzuela, who drew a red card for violent conduct.After the final whistle, video showed Valenzuela appearing to motion to Columbus players to come meet him outside the field of play. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Farsi and Zawadski ran after Valenzuela and had to be restrained.The argument continued into the tunnel near the locker rooms. A video captured by Columbus TV reporter Adam King that was shared on social media showed the teams yelling at each other and being separated. The video showed no physical confrontation.The Hell is Real rivalry spilled over into the hallway after the match.Crew players and FC Cincinnati players were yelling back and forth and had to be broken up in the hallway. Here is a minute of that interaction: pic.twitter.com/7I8VgAaKcQ Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) July 26, 2026Habroune injured a leg in the collision. The Dispatchreported he has had some discomfort but fully participated in training July 30.We were a bit frustrated with what happened on the field," Farsi told the Dispatch July 25. "The way that he hit Taha, I think it was just vicious. At the end of the day, we all play the same sport. I know it's a derby, but he needs to have some sportsmanship. ... If you want to make a foul, grab him and put him down, but don't try to break his leg.In the tunnel, nothing really happened," Farsi continued. "It's not the image that we want to show to young kids who watch us, but at the end of the day we try to protect our players from some vicious play like that, some dangerous plays."In an interview with the Enquirers Yanyan Li July 29 before the additional suspension, Valenzuela acknowledged his mistake.It was just frustration and I went in (on) a reckless challenge and got a red card for it, he said. He was going to give a yellow and Im sure because everyone came over and started a fight, maybe the VAR changed it to a red.He will focus on helping the team in the Leagues Cup, in which Cincinnati will host three teams from Mexicos Liga MX Aug. 4-11.There are other games, he said. Just (be) professional. You just gotta move on and and keep training as hard as you can and just learn from it."This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: MLS suspends FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela for additional game

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver A.J. Brown are beginning to find their connection, and that was evident at Thursday's training camp practice. Maye put the ball perfectly in the back of the end zone, where only Brown could get to it. The receiver made an incredible catch with the ball coming over the shoulder. It was one of the best plays of the day, marking another great battle between Brown and Gonzalez, who tied 1-1 in one-on-one matchups. If anything, this is iron sharpening iron for the Patriots with their elite receiver consistently matching up with arguably the best cornerback in the NFL. AJ Brown records a touchdown against Christian Gonzalez in the back corner of the end zone. Brown told Gonzalez to step up. pic.twitter.com/uxjsTvStyP Billy Zahner (@patriotfocus) July 30, 2026The good news for Patriots fans is the fact that Maye and Brown are starting to find more of a connection. They even connected on a couple of touchdowns during the competitive 11-on-11 period. The progress was evident at Day 5 of training camp, and it should only improve with every outing. Follow Patriots Wire onTwitterandFacebook.This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Watch: A.J. Brown beats Christian Gonzalez on perfect Drake Maye throw

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England Jeeno Thitikul took the first step toward the missing prize of her career Thursday when she opened with a 7-under 64 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes for a two-shot lead over Haeran Ryu and Shiho Kuwaki of Japan in the AIG Womens Open.Thitikul, one of only two players to have been No. 1 in womens world ranking without ever having won a major, made three straight birdies early in her afternoon round and kept bogeys off her card the rest of the way.The 23-year-old Thai has been overlooked during the LPGA major season dominated by Ryu and Nelly Korda, who have split the four majors. Korda, who replaced Thitikul at No. 1 in April, won the first two majors and Ryu won the next two.Ryu put herself in good position to make it three in a row not since Inbee Park in 2013 has anyone claimed three straight majors with two birdies on her last three holes for a 66. She won the Womens PGA at Hazeltine and closed with 60 to win the Evian Championship.I was so amazed, and I asked my caddie why Im playing well this week, Ryu said. I think its because Im more calm and enjoying the golf more, thats why these days my golf is going pretty well.Korda has work to do. The dominant player through the first week of June, the American star missed the cut at Evian Championship in the most recent major, and she couldnt atone for four bogeys in a pedestrian round of 73.Thitikul had her best chance to win a major at the Evian a year ago when Grace Kim pulled off a stunning playoff victory. Shes yet to contend in a major this year, and shes off to a great start in the final one.I knew that I havent won one yet, but I feel like Im so young and then I still had I dont know how many majors ahead of me, Thitikul said. I feel like one day it will come if I do my job.When I always step up in the major week Im not really expecting to like win it because its just really out of my control, she said. What I can control is if I beat the course every day I should (have a) really good chance to be on the leaderboard.AIG Womens Open - Rd 2Watch the second round of the AIG Womens Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham Saint Annes.She got the best of Royal Lytham & St. Annes by avoiding so many of the pot bunkers that dot the landscape. She hit into a couple of greenside bunkers but managed to save par.Thitikul has been around so long, even at her age, that she was low amateur in the Womens British Open in 2018, the last time it was held at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.My strategy is beating my 15-year-old score, she said. Thitikul shot 12-over 300 that week when Lytham played to a par 72, so that doesnt look to be a problem.Kuwaki, who has won twice this year on the Japan LPGA, is playing in only her seventh LPGA major. She also had three straight birdies on the front nine and dropped only one shot.I managed my game well despite the strong winds and I was able to hole some key putts, she said.Celine Boutier and Yealimi Noh each shot 67 and were three behind. Charley Hull, another player often reminded she has yet to win a major, was in the large group of players at 69. Adding to pressure on Hull is playing in her home country.But I missed quite a few putts today that I felt I should have holed, but I felt like I stayed in there pretty well considering how nervous I was, because I feel there was a lot of pressure on me out there, Hull said.Charley Hull tells critics of lottery card prank to loosen up Steve Coulter, Steve Coulter,Also at 69 was Spains Paula Martin Sampedro, a senior at Stanford who last year won the Womens British Amateur. She was challenging for the lead until a pair of late bogeys, the last one on No. 18 that cost her a chance to tie the amateur record in the Open."After the British Amateur win last year, I have been playing quite solid golf," she told reporters. "More so links, I enjoy it a lot. It creates a lot of creativity, and strategy becomes an even more important part of the game plan."

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 30: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Thursday, July 30, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty ImagesWith neither team scoring through nine innings on Thursday afternoon, the White Sox lineup had a little more juice in extra innings to outlast the Yankees in a 2-1 walk-off win. The decisive plate appearance was a bases-loaded free pass from Tristan Peters against a clearly gassed Fernando Cruz. In a game in which neither team hit well, it was fitting that the winning run would score without a bat being swung.Wasted opportunities in the first are not something a team normally dwells on for too long, but in this matchup, both clubs had reasons to lament not opening the scoring right from the get-go. Sean Burke saw the first two hitters reach safely with a catchers interference and a walk, only for the Yankees offense to go 0-for-3 with a runner in scoring position. In Ryan Weathers turn, the left-hander had a dose of luck as Colson Montgomery swung at a middle-middle 3-0 fastball but couldnt square it, rolling over to second with runners at second and third.The lament stems from a lack of scoring on both sides that lasted until the ninth inning. Assessing the big picture, one cannot praise Weathers enough for the job he did today. Despite needing 27 pitches to complete that tumultuous first, Weathers recalibrated to complete seven scoreless innings efficiently. Perhaps not as overpowering as Burke with four strikeouts to Burkes eventual 10, Weathers succeeded by relentlessly keeping the ball on the ground, recording over half of his 21 outs on the ground. The value of this lengthy outing for a tired bullpen in the middle of 13 games on 13 days is immense and could very well mean an extra win or two when all is said and done.On the other side, having created his own mess in the first, Burke went on to dominate the Yankees with an outing even more impressive than his win at Yankee Stadiumat one point, the right-hander had a stretch of nine strikeouts in 11 at-bats.View LinkStill, the Yankees manufactured run-scoring chances, only to squander them, one in particular in excruciating fashion.The only Yankee batter to record a hit and not be struck out by Burke, Spencer Jones got that two-out single in the fourth and put himself in scoring position by stealing a bagJazz Chisholm Jr. didnt get a pitch to drive him in, but earned the walk for two on and two out ahead of Anthony Volpe. Probably seeking a fastball, Volpe looked through two breaking balls in the zone for the punchout on just three pitches, a letdown at-bat if there ever was one. Then in the sixth, Jasson Domnguez hit what was by all accounts a leadoff triple but was tagged out sliding through the bag in pretty inconsequential fashionthe frustrating thing is that the way Domnguez slid, he didnt have a prayer at keeping contact with the bag.A traditional silver lining of so many strikeouts induced by Burke is that an elevated pitch count led the White Sox to pull the plug after six innings on 91 pitches. While more aggressive in his managerial style, Aaron Boone left Weathers to return for the seventh inning despite being over 90 pitches as well, seeing his trust rewarded with a 1-2-3 inning. Boone even came out for a talk with two outs and a pitch count over 100 but backed his starter to end the frame.For the Yankees offense, while Burke left the game, their propensity to waste opportunities remained intact; the seventh inning ended with Chisholm picked off at first, and in the eighth, Domnguez and Paul Goldschmidt stranded a pair after Trent Grisham and Ben Rice reached base safely. It seems Weathers was the only one who got the memo about the bullpen needing rest. You cant win if you dont score, and extras are inevitable if no one does.The tenth inning nearly carried on the theme of previous ones, with Ali Snchez originally grounding into a double play on a failed bunt following a leadoff walk. However, the Yankees challenged the call, and he was safe at first. Grisham then broke through with an RBI single for the games first run. New York aimed for more than one with their best hitter up, but Rice and Domnguez lifted uneventful fly outs.View LinkYou know what they say about one run just holding serve hitting first in extras. Angel Chivilli did his best, but not only couldnt he strand that runner at second in the 10th, but he left the game with two on and just one out.Luckily for him and the Yankees, Fernando Cruz put out the fire by inducing a double play, begging the question of why he wasnt out there to start the inning if he had any chance of pitching in this gamecertainly it wouldve been the preferred choice over pushing Chivilli for a second inning. Then again, as the game goes, you accept more and more compromises.On a concerning note, it looked like Chisholm felt something on a groundout in the ninth. He stayed in there until an intentional walk in the 11th that led to Boone pinch-running for him with Jos Caballero, who stole second. Unfortunately, Volpe stranded two base runners with the Yankees putting up a zero in the frame, setting the stage for a walk-off loss.Munetaka Murakami got the intentional walk to open the 11th, Cruz punched out Miguel Vargas, and then Sam Antonacci loaded the bases with just one out with an infield single smothered by Rice. Cruz wasnt about to go down without a fight, though, bouncing back in a 3-0 count to strike out Montgomery with the bases loaded. Against Tristan Peters, he also went down 3-0 in the count, and you cant play with fire like that for so long without getting burned. Peters exercised the patience that Montgomery didnt have, earning the walk to win the game.View LinkIts an extremely rare sequence of back-to-back matinees away from home against different teams in the same city, as the Yankees head north in the streets of Chicago ready to face the Cubs on Friday at 2:20pm at Wrigley Field. The pitching matchup of Will Warren against Shota Imanaga presents its challenges for New York, which will bring in an exhausted pitching staff and a lineup that currently looks dead on arrival. Any Trade Deadline or minor-league reinforcements cant come soon enough.Box Score

Former Tennessee baseball pitcher Chase Silseth was traded from the Angles to Texas in MLB on Thursday.Silseth was traded to the Rangers, along with catcher Logan O'Hoppe, in exchange for infielder Angel Arredondo. The MLB trade deadline is Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. EDT.Silseth pitched at Tennessee as a freshman during the 2019 season and had a 1-1 record. He appeared in 18 games, including two starts, and recorded 24 strikeouts in 20.2 innings.Silseth finished his collegiate career at Arizona and advanced to the 2021 College World Series. He was selected by the Angels in the 11th round (No. 321 overall) of the 2021 MLB draft. Silseth was the first player from the 2021 draft to debut in MLB.He appeared in 47 games for Los Angeles in 2026 and had a 3-2 record and a 2.72 ERA. The former Vol allowed 34 hits, 14 runs (12 earned) and 21 walks, while recording 48 strikeouts in 39.2 innings.In his career, Silseth has appeared in 82 games, including 17 starts, and pitched 139.2 innings. He has allowed 126 hits, 70 runs (64 earned) and 70 walks. Silseth has totaled 158 strikeouts, an 8-7 record and a 4.12 ERA.More: Two former Vols play in Giants' walk-off win against AngelsMore: Former Vol recalled by Angels, replaces Vanderbilt pitcher on rosterFollow Vols Wire onFacebookandX(formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Former Vol traded to Rangers ahead of MLB deadline