The finisher who now takes wickets: Ashutosh Sharma is making a compelling all-round case for India after exploits in England originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Ashutosh Sharma has taken 13 wickets in his first four One-Day Cup games for Hampshire.The IPL finisher had never bowled in his 32-match IPL career before this.His medium pace is quietly building a genuine all-round case for higher honours.Ashutosh Sharma is making a compelling all-round case for India after exploits in EnglandAshutosh Sharma arrived in England with a reputation built almost entirely on clean, fearless hitting down the order. A few weeks into his maiden county stint, the Delhi Capitals finisher is rewriting that identity, turning heads not with the bat but with a bowling arm few knew he possessed.Sharma has claimed 13 wickets across his appearances in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup for Hampshire. He struck three times on debut against Yorkshire before improving on that with four scalps against Middlesex, followed by a five-wicket haul - an eye-catching return for a recognised batting specialist.SHARMA AGAIN THAT IS SUPERB pic.twitter.com/oisuL9Sv7Q Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) July 31, 2026The numbers are all the more surprising given his history. Before this, Sharma had managed just two wickets in 22 overs across four List A innings before this tournament and has never once been called upon to bowl in his 32-match IPL career.MORE:Delhi Premier League 2026: Fixtures, scores & where to watchFrom power-hitter to wicket-takerSharma first announced himself in 2023, breaking Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian, reaching the milestone in a staggering 11 balls. That innings earned him an IPL contract with Punjab Kings before Delhi Capitals invested in him as a finisher for the following seasons.His batting pedigree in the format is well established. Not only that but Sharma has scored at a strike rate of around 170 across his two Delhi campaigns, cementing a role as one of the more destructive lower-order hitters on the circuit.The bowling, though, has been a revelation. His medium pace was expected to be an afterthought at Hampshire, a part-time option at most, yet it has instead become the standout feature of his early weeks in county cricket.MORE:England's Rob Key won't rule out Ben Stokes' 2027 Ashes returnBuilding a fuller cricketerThe signs had been there in the shorter format before he travelled. Even before his time in England, Sharma picked up seven wickets in eight innings for the Malwa Stallions in the 2026 Madhya Pradesh League, finishing as a joint-highest wicket-taker for his side while captaining the team.That form has now carried into a higher standard against professional English batting units. The willingness to develop a second string, having built his career on a single, specialised skill, points to a cricketer consciously broadening his range rather than resting on his finished reputation. The temptation is to get carried away, and a note of caution belongs here.Two matches against county opposition do not make a Test all-rounder, and Sharma's List A batting average remains modest despite the strike rate. Yet in an Indian set-up that prizes multi-dimensional cricketers, a finisher who can also take wickets is exactly the kind of profile selectors covet, and Sharma is quietly making himself harder to overlook.For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to ourFacebook,Instagram,andX (Twitter)pages.

Night one of the was a blast as corps showed off their latest work on the latest stop of the DCI Summer Tour.This time, J. Birney Crum set the backdrop for the annual visit to one of the most historic stops of the season. The massive one-sided stadium seating was packed to the brim and the crowd came ready to give it up for the corps' latest improvements and additions.Watch DCI Replays With Sound On-DemandWhat's Streaming On FloMarching? Checkout The ScheduleBluecoats held their lead at the top as the Blue Devils followed in second. They matched the pace of 96.825 exactly with the 2014 Blue Devils who set the record-high score of 99.65 at the DCI World Championships the following week.View the results from night one of the 2026 DCI Eastern Classic as the corps meet in Allentown en route to Indianapolis and the World Championships.DCI Allentown 2026 ScoresWorld Class CorpsBluecoats - 96.825Blue Devils - 95.450Blue Stars - 92.025Colts - 88.500Troopers - 87.500Spirit of Atlanta - 86.025Blue Knights - 85.863Music City - 81.475Genesis - 76.275All-Age CorpsReading Buccaneers - 92.825Hawthorne Caballeros - 91.175Bushwackers - 88.650DCI Allentown 2026 ScheduleDay 15:30 p.m. ET - Gates Open7:00 p.m. ET - Welcome & National Anthem7:10 p.m. ET - Bushwackers - Princeton, NJ7:27 p.m. ET - Reading Buccaneers - Reading, PA7:44 p.m. ET - Hawthorne Caballeros - Hawthorne, NJ8:01 p.m. ET - Genesis - Austin, TX8:18 p.m. ET - Music City - Nashville, TN8:35 p.m. ET - Intermission8:52 p.m. ET - Troopers - Casper, WY9:09 p.m. ET - Spirit of Atlanta - Atlanta, GA9:26 p.m. ET - Blue Knights - Denver, CO9:43 p.m. ET - Blue Stars - La Crosse, WI10:00 p.m. ET - Colts - Dubuque, IA10:17 p.m. ET - Bluecoats - Canton, OH10:34 p.m. ET - Blue Devils - Concord, CA10:42 p.m. ET - Scores AnnouncedDay 25:30 p.m. ET - Gates Open7:00 p.m. ET - Welcome & National Anthem7:10 p.m. ET - Spartans - Nashua, NH7:27 p.m. ET - Seattle Cascades - Seattle, WA7:44 p.m. ET - The Academy - Tempe, AZ8:01 p.m. ET - Pacific Crest - City of Industry, CA8:18 p.m. ET - Madison Scouts - Madison, WI8:35 p.m. ET - Crossmen - San Antonio, TX8:52 p.m. ET - Intermission9:09 p.m. ET - The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL9:26 p.m. ET - Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL9:43 p.m. ET - Santa Clara Vanguard - Santa Clara, CA10:00 p.m. ET - Boston Crusaders - Boston, MA10:17 p.m. ET - Carolina Crown - Fort Mill, SC10:42 p.m. ET - Scores AnnouncedHow To Watch DCI Allentown 20262026 Eastern Classic is streaming live on FloMarching from J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA on July 31 - August 1.Subscribe to FloMarching to catch this weekend's action live and the latest news and events from the 2026 DCI season.2026 DCI Live Streaming Schedule: Here's When To Watch DCI On FloMarchingFans should look forward to watching multiple DCI shows each week, from the start of the 2026 DCI season on June 26th, all the way through DCI Finals on August 6-8. Watch all the action live from the comfort of your home, or watch on the go using the FloSports app.2026 DCI Streaming ScheduleJuly 29 | DCI HuntingtonJuly 30 | The Marion OpenJuly 31 - August 1 | DCI Eastern ClassicAugust 3 | Innovations In BrassAugust 3 - 4 | DCI Open Class World ChampionshipsAugust 6 - 8 | DCI World ChampionshipsAugust 7 - 8 | DCI All-Age World ChampionshipsAugust 8 | SoundSport International Music & Food Festival* indicates FloMarching exclusive show separate from the 2026 DCI Summer TourWatch DCI Replays On Demand With SoundSelect replays from past DCI seasons are available with sound on-demand. Keep an eye out for more information on the 2026 DCI season and how you can watch more of your favorite shows with sound.Encore: On The Shoulders of GiantsWatch the full 22 minute documentary following the 85th anniversary Boston Crusaders 2025 corps.FloMarching Radio Streaming 24/7 Starting This JuneFloMarching Radio is returning this June, bringing the sounds of DCI straight to your ears 24/7, all summer long! Stream it for free LIVE starting on June 1 on the FloMarching YouTube channel or on the FloSports app.How To Watch DCI World Championships 2026FloMarching is the exclusive streaming partner for the DCI Summer Tour. Fans can watch the action from home here on FloMarching and the FloSports app with a subscription.When Are DCI World Championships 2026?The DCI World Championships begin on Thursday, August 6 with Prelims before moving onto Semifinals on Friday, August 7, and Finals on Saturday, August 8.Where Are DCI World Championships 2026?The DCI World Championships are hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, home to the Colts.Join the Conversation on SocialFollow us on X @FloMarching.Follow us on Instagram @flomarching.Like us on Facebook.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures during his visit to the new Concentration Hotel of the Colombian Football Federation in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 24, 2026. The Mexican city of Guadalajara is trying to reassure football fans ahead of the World Cup, which begins in 100 days, after being shaken by the violence sparked on February 22 by the death of powerful cartel boss Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera. (Photo by David SALAZAR / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesGianni Infantino has built his presidency on an ability to push through ambitious and often controversial changes despite widespread resistance. His abrupt decision to abandon plans to sell a stake in FIFAs commercial rights to private equity marks a rare and significant political defeat, exposing the limits of his authority and raising new questions about his future leadership.The plan itself was unprecedented. By placing FIFAs most valuable commercial assets including the World Cups into a $20 billion company with outside investors holding a 20% stake, Infantino was attempting to fundamentally reshape how the planets most lucrative and popular sporting event is financed and managed. Infantino had argued that private capital would have accelerated investment and unlock long-term revenue. Critics, however, saw something much more sinister: The commercialization of soccers crown jewel.What ultimately doomed the plan was not simply opposition, but the breadth and speed of that opposition. Within days, UEFA, European soccers governing body, voted to boycott FIFA competitions, an extraordinary escalation from an organization that has frequently clashed with Infantino but rarely challenged his authority. CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also aligned itself against the proposal, transforming what might have been a regional disagreement into a near-global rejection.That coalition mattered because FIFAs political strength has traditionally rested on balancing competing continental interests. When Europe, Asia and North America simultaneously reject a major initiative, it becomes almost impossible for the FIFA president to portray resistance as isolated or politically motivated.The controversial plan also revived longstanding criticism of Infantinos leadership style. Throughout his decade as FIFA head, he has repeatedly pursued transformative projects including an expanded Club World Cup and other commercial ventures often with limited consultation before presenting them as near-finished proposals. This centralized approach has increasingly alienated both confederations and FIFAs own administration. The failed private equity initiative reinforces that perception.The involvement of Joshua Kushners investment firm added another layer of political sensitivity. Even if the proposal could be justified on commercial grounds, the association with a high-profile American investment group linked to President Donald Trump made the deal harder to separate from broader questions about governance, transparency and influence. The optics became nearly as problematic as the financial structure itself.Infantino attempted to frame his retreat as evidence of responsive leadership, arguing that unity must take precedence over division. But the language of his statement also acknowledged an unavoidable political reality: Once opposition reached a critical mass, the proposal became unsustainable regardless of its merits. Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place, Infantino said in a statement. Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve.He added that moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support. The broader consequence is that Infantino appears politically weaker than at any point since becoming FIFA president in 2016. Having previously secured re-election without opposition, he now enters the final phase before the next presidential election which will be decided by the organizations 211 members facing widespread criticism from senior executives, public resistance from major confederations and renewed scrutiny over his leadership.Whether this episode develops into a genuine challenge for the presidency remains to be seen. FIFA politics has often rewarded incumbency and Infantino still retains significant support across many associations. Nonetheless, the quick collapse of the private equity proposal demonstrates that even a dominant FIFA president cannot override unified resistance from soccers most influential stakeholders. This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Saturday's matchWhen: 7:25 p.m.Where: Isotopes Park, 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SETV/streaming/radio: New Mexico 50/ESPN+/FM-101.7Records: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (7-5-4), New Mexico United (7-4-3)The series: United leads 13-5-3.Ah, Isotopes Park.Theres little doubt thats how New Mexico Uniteds feeling after three weeks of traveling. And the club gets to welcome a familiar opponent Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday for an important border battle.Here are some things to note:Free kicks1. A RUBBERMATCH, YOU SAY: United and Switchbacks have met twice this season with each club coming away with a win.The importance of those victories, however, has differed. The first meeting counted for points in the Western Conference table. The second, just for the USL Cup placement.New Mexico won the regular-season matchup 3-2 on March 28 thanks to Ousman Jabangs score in the sixth minute of stoppage time, two minutes after Khori Bennett provided an equalizer for Colorado Springs.Switchbacks took the USL Cup matchup 4-0 on May 16 with three of those goals coming in the first half, one of which was an own-goal from New Mexico defender Kipp Keller. United, however, rested the majority of its starters.2. SOME HOME COOKING: Yes, New Mexico has played well in its home competitions. The club is 7-2-3 in such matches between the regular season, USL Cup, U.S. Open Cup and its international friendly. Yes, this will be Uniteds first home game since beating Oakland Roots SC 2-1 on July 4.But New Mexico has also played Colorado Springs well at Isotopes Park extremely well.United is 6-1-1 all-time against Switchbacks at home, having outscored Colorado Springs a combined 17-9. The loss came in 2020, a 3-2 result in favor of Switchbacks in the Four Corners Cup. The tie came last season after New Mexicos Kalen Ryden scored an own goal in the 40th minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw.3. STILL STREAKING: United and Switchbacks both come into the match on a bit of a roll.New Mexico hasnt suffered a loss across all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 20 a string of nine matches. During that stretch, United has recorded five shutouts and conceded five goals, three of which came in the international friendly against Liga MX side Atlante FC.It will be interesting to see whether last weeks double-postponement at Birmingham Legion FC and the 17-day layoff between matches will affect that.Colorado Springs, meanwhile, has won its last four with two of those featuring clean sheets.4. THE WILD WEST: At this point, thats what the Western Conference is starting to feel like.Entering Friday, the tables No. 2 position (San Antonio FC) and the 11th spot (Las Vegas Lights FC) were separated by just seven points. Four points separate third-position FC Tulsa and No. 8 El Paso Locomotive FC.So, where do United and Switchbacks fall into that placement?New Mexico entered Friday fifth in the table with 24 points. Colorado Springs? One spot ahead with 25. Both have the possibility of moving past Tulsa, which has 26.Orange County FC, meanwhile, entered Friday with a table-leading 31 points. San Antonio had 28.Key matchupUnited forward Joseph Melto vs. Switchbacks forward Khori BennettMelto has played in just four matches for United against Atlante on July 1, against Oakland on July 4, at El Paso on July 11 and at Lexington SC on July 15 but hes scored three goals. Bennett, of course, has found success scoring all season. The forward has 14 goals, including 11 in USL Championship play, which is tied with Detroit City FCs Darren Smith for the most.Player of the matchUnited midfielder/defender Ousman JabangJabang scored the match winner when the clubs met on March 28, but he could also be key to containing Bennett. Jabang leads New Mexico in duels (112) and duels won (61), and is also fifth in clearances (28). Hes contributed two regular-season goals and three assists as well.By the numbers1: United retains its top spot in the Championships power rankings for whatever thats worth. Switchbacks moved up to fourth.4: The number of regular-season clean sheets New Mexico goalkeeper Kris Shakes has tallied. Thats good for a tie for ninth in the league.14: The number of regular-season matches United has played so far. Thats the fewest in the league, regardless of conference and could play a part in the final standings.8/29/26: The date United will have back-to-back home matches. The club is on the road again next week.David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.More New Mexico United reading*NM United doesn't mind a full week at home after its Alabama experienceThree-match road swing ended with multiple postponements and 17-day layoff between games*Chicharito sees different opportunity in joining Atltico DallasMexico's all-time leading scorer is 1st signee for Championship expansion club*Giddy up: NM United plans to honor jockey Mike SmithNew Mexico native, Triple Crown winner will be at Aug. 26 match against Lexington SC*Weather again leads to postponement of NM United matchMakeup date to play Birmingham Legion FC still to be determined*NM United, Girl Scouts team up for 'girls in the game' eventAn old patch helped serve as the catalyst for the partnership*NM United match in Alabama postponedSquad will play Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday*Match day: New Mexico United at Birmingham Legion FCNMU gets to play at unique site to close road swing*NM United routs Lexington, extends unbeaten streak to nineSimplifying a short week paid off as NMU tied its season high in scoring with a dominant road win*NM United stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park clears another legal hurdleCourt of Appeals rules in soccer club's favor against neighborhood associations*Match day: New Mexico United at Lexington SCNMU is on an 8-game unbeaten streak and doing better in road matches*For NM United, keeping unbeaten streak intact outweighs USL Cup exitNMU out on tournament tiebreaker, but win over El Paso means 8 straight without a loss*Match day: New Mexico United at El Paso Locomotive FCNMU still has chance to advance in USL Cup with some help*A nice ring: Nol made most of NM United's break by proposingNMU midfielder popped the question to now-fiance Kate Levitt on June 26*Starr, Mata latest to sign academy contracts with NM UnitedAlbuquerque natives now eligible to play for NMU's first team*Nava is healthy and making the most of his chance to showcase his quality for NM UnitedAlbuquerque native has made key plays since entering lineup and enjoying 'every single second of it'

CARY, N.C. (AP) Evelyn Ijeh scored three goals to lead the North Carolina Courage in a 5-0 victory over the Orlando Pride in the lone National Women's Soccer League match on Friday night. Lauryn Thompson and Ashley Sanchez also scored for the Courage (7-6-3), who snapped a three-game losing streak.Thompson opened scoring with her first career goal in the fourth minute. Ijeh scored two first-half goals to give the Courage a 3-0 lead at the break. She added another in the 70th minute for her first career hat trick. Ijeh has seven goals and two assists in her last eight games. Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan had two saves for the shutout. Sanchez scored her team-leading 10th goal of the season in stoppage time. Sanchez ranks second in the league for goals behind the Pride's Barbra Banda, who was not available for the Pride (7-9-2) because she is playing for Zambia in the Womens Africa Cup of Nations. ___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Noah Gugnon and Milos Janicic meet in the UFC Fight Night 283 main card opener Saturday at Belgrade Arena in Serbia. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.Last event's results: 4-1UFC main cards, 2026: 79-42-1Noah Gugnon vs. Milos Janicic UFC Fight Night 283 previewThe UFC Belgrade main card opener features two UFC newcomers.Gugnon (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) enters on a five-fight, all-stoppage winning streak. Four of those wins on his run came in the first round. Janicic (19-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has won his last eight MMA fights. He's also dabbled in kickboxing, bareknuckle boxing, and other custom rules fights in recent years. Noah Gugnon vs. Milos Janicic UFC Fight Night 283 expert pick, predictionDespite having fights like Ludovit Klein vs. Tofiq Musayev being stuck on the prelims, the matchmakers saw fit to open the main card with a battle between lightweight debutants, Milos Janicic and Noah Gugnon.To Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby's credit, this bout should be exciting for as long as it lasts.Janicic, who has a deceptively experienced record, is a striking-first fighter with opportunistic submissions in his back pocket. That said, I suspect that Janicic's grappling will be tested by a more process-driven fighter like Gugnon.So long as Gugnon can avoid being sucked into a dogfight on the feet, I believe that the Frenchman has superior wrestling and grappling. Should Gugnon get on top, the 25-year-old possesses solid ground and pound that can produce fight-ending damage.The official pick is for Gugnon to force a stoppage via strikes in Round 2.Noah Gugnon vs. Milos Janicic UFC Fight Night 283 oddsDespite the oddsmakers opening the man from Montenegro as a big favorite, public money has pushed this fight to nearly pick'em odds, listing Gugnon -120 and Janicic +102 via FanDuel.Noah Gugnon vs. Milos Janicic UFC Fight Night 283 start time, how to watchAs the main card opener, Gugnon and Janicic are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 1:10 p.m. ET. The fight streams live on Paramount+.This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Noah Gugnon vs. Milos Janicic prediction, pick for UFC Fight Night 283

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a top-shelf player to select in dynasty fantasy football drafts this year.According to Bleacher Reports Zach Buckley, Smith-Njigba is the fourth-best player for dynasty fantasy football this year.Smith-Njigba went for 1,793 receiving yards last season and won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award. He added 10 receiving touchdowns on the season.The 24-year-old Smith-Njigba is a great option to select in dynasty leagues this year due to his age, statistical excellence and position in Seattle as their No. 1 receiver coming off of a win in the Super Bowl from last season.All signs point toward JSN being among the best of the best at the wide receiver position for the next decade or more, so long as his health permits. Given his ability to dominate wherever hes lined up on the line of scrimmage, his value as a WR1 figures to remain the same regardless of any changing variables in Seattle.This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Where does JSN land in Bleacher Report's fantasy rankings?

The so-called "Protect College Sports Act" had stalled, thanks in large part to lingering objections from the Big Ten and the SEC. On Friday, it all changed.Via Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the Big Ten and SEC reached an agreement with lawmakers regarding the bill that would ostensibly restore some order to the chaos flowing from decades of rampant antitrust violations. While also picking the pockets of those who play the most profitable sports.President Trump got directly involved in the effort to smooth out the lingering issues. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) told Dellenger that a vote of the full Senate is expected next week. With a one-month recess looming, the Senate was running out of time to get something done before the midterm elections in November.The bill, if passed by the Senate, would still need to be passed by the House of Representatives. If passed, it would give the NCAA and the various conferences a limited antitrust exemption, allowing the one-time transfer rule to be implemented and create a stricter revenue-sharing cap.It would also prevent coaches from leaving their teams before a season ends a/k/a "the Lane Kiffin Rule."The sticking points related to preventing schools from circumventing the limits on spending. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), one of the bill's sponsors, called it a "hard cap."Which will be a hard pill for the players to swallow. Their earning potential is about to be restricted, without collective bargaining or any real representation in the legislative process. But that wrinkle has been lost in the rhetoric aimed at making Americans think that, without Congressional intervention, sports swimming in cash (like football and basketball) would be in danger of collapsing.Then there's the reality that the restrictions on player pay in the high-revenue sports will help subsidize the low-revenue sports. With all the current talk of socialism and communism, the concept of capitalism is about to go out the window when it comes to the folks who have the skills to play the college sports that make the most money.

HOUSTON (AP) Yainer Diaz homered and tied a career high with four hits and Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker also went deep to lead the Houston Astros to an 11-2 rout of the Texas Rangers Friday night that put them in first place in the AL West.Jeremy Pea had three RBIs and Yordan Alvarez added two as the Astros tied a season high with 18 hits for their ninth win in 10 games to move a half-game ahead of Texas atop the division.There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when LaMonte Wade Jr. doubled to make it 1-0. Nathan Eovaldi (10-9) plunked Pea on the arm to load the bases with two outs.Alvarez followed with a single on a grounder to left field to score two and push the lead to 3-0. Cam Smith tripled with two outs in the fourth before Pea extended his hit streak to 12 games with a single that made it 4-0.Paredes and Walker hit back-to-back home runs off Eovaldi to open the fifth inning and leave Houston up 6-0.Joc Pederson homered and Corey Seager doubled and had two hits for the Rangers in his return after missing 23 games with inflammation in his lower back as they dropped a third straight.Pedersons home run to right-center field cut the lead to 6-1 in the sixth. Evan Carter hit an RBI single with two outs in the sixth to make it 6-2.Diazs solo homer was the first of four runs Houston scored with two outs in the seventh that pushed the lead to 10-2. Houston starter Hunter Brown (3-1) yielded six hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Eovaldi allowed 10 hits and tied a season high with six runs in five innings.Up NextTexas RHP Jacob deGrom (7-6, 3.67 ERA) opposes RHP Ronel Blanco (0-1, 8.10) when the series continues Saturday night.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 08: Dean Kremer #64 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 8, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesAccording to The Athletics Ken Rosenthal, the Twins have acquired starting pitcher Dean Kremer from the Baltimore Orioles. The Twins are sending outfield prospect Jhonmardo Reyes in return. Kremer is owed $5.75M this season and is controllable via arbitration for 2027. Kremer has struggled this season to a 6.50 ERA/6.24 FIP in seven starts this year, but has a long track record as a reliable starter. Hes also missed most of the season with a quad strain and just returned July 1, and his advanced numbers paint a prettier picture with a 4.92 xERA/3.81 xFIP. From 2022-2025, Kremer had 3.95 ERA/4.17 FIP in 599 innings, so the Twins are making the bet hell return to that form down the stretch. If theres one area that is likely to get back to normal immediately, its Kremers home run rate. Kremer has allowed 12 home runs in those 7 seven starts for a robust 3.00 HR/9. He was sitting at a 1.17 HR/9 for his career before this season and will likely regress closer to that figure as he rounds into shape. Reyes, 18, will be heading back to the Orioles. Hes still a long ways away, but hes had some very exciting flashes in his first full season in the Twins system. FanGraphs has him rated as the Twins 10th-best prospect, touting his top end power potential with a lot of questions about his ability to make contact against better pitchers. Twinkie Towns Aidan OBrien is a bit lower on Reyes, placing him at number 22. Starting pitching is always significantly more expensive than relievers, but this is a pricey trade for a pitcher that has looked rough this season. His track record will likely pay off in the long run, but Reyes is a significant tier above most 18-year-old wildcard prospects. The Orioles were likely only willing to move Kremer this early specifically because the Twins were willing to offer Reyes. And while I consider this a bit of an overpay, its not outrageously high and the cost for starting pitching is high in July (See: Minnesota getting a decent prospect for Chris Paddack last season).The Twins have been very active early, completing two of the three trades that have happened so far at deadline week. I still expect them to bring in one more reliever, though the Kremer acquisition makes moving Prielipp to the pen much more likely, if not probable. Welcome to Minnesota, Dean!