Both disappointing 2026 teams face what could be franchise-altering draft lottery odds at the end of the year

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are going to release designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, per reports. Ozuna had been one of the franchises marquee free agent signings, but his play had not panned out over the course of the season. The veteran signed a one-year deal for $12 million with a mutual option for 2027. Ozuna has played in 70 games this year and is slashing just .203/.286/.327 with eight home runs and 29 RBI. The 35-year-old slugger had gone through a decline in 2025, hitting just 21 home runs for the Atlanta Braves in 145 games, which led to the team not re-signing him. Pittsburgh took a boom-or-bust chance, hoping to add some pop to its lineup, but it ended up being a bust. Ozuna has been in the big leagues since 2013, when he debuted with the Miami Marlins. After five years in Miami, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Sandy Alcantara, Magneuris Sierra, Zac Gallen and Daniel Castano. The slugger spent two years in St. Louis before signing with the Braves in 2020. He was part of the World Series-winning team in 2021, but missed the postseason due to off-the-field issues and being placed on administrative leave. Ozuna is a three-time All-Star. He earned a Gold Glove in 2017 and was a recipient of the Silver Slugger Award in 2017 and 2020.

The Oregon Ducks had one of the best pass defenses in the country last season, but like many areas of the team in 2025, the secondary had some lowlights against top-tier competition.Indiana found ways to let Fernando Mendoza pick apart the Ducks on two separate occasions with the notable exception of a Brandon Finney Jr. pick-six in the first matchup. USC found similar success in losing fashion, and the Ducks had to take it on the chin.Some of the struggles could be attributed to the inexperience the Ducks had. Finney, a true freshman at the time, and Ify Obidegwu, a redshirt freshman, both started on the perimeter all season long. While both played well beyond their years, there were bound to be some lapses that come with playing young players in the system.Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton isn't reinventing the defense this offseason, allowing stars like Obidegwu and Finney to continue to develop and use their early experience to their advantage. Still, Obidegwu's biggest goal for the room is not only to step up against the toughest foes on the schedule, but to play a full 60 minutes.We call it competitive stamina," Obidegwu said. "Just being able to go longer and harder. In the offseason, we know were going to have a long season, so weve got to push ourselves in the offseason. Push ourselves to maximum effort, to exhaustion, basically.Finney and Obidegwu both have changes they want to make to their game this season. Finney has focused on improving his mobility and perfecting his stride when running downfield. Obidegwu, now in his third season in Oregon's defense, has prioritized his knowledge of the field around him.PICKED by Ify Obidegwu @oregonfootball: CBS pic.twitter.com/Fey1PB9awQ Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 22, 2025"The mental side of the game, just understanding what everybodys doing," Obidegwu said. "Understanding the defense as a whole. Its our second year going into it, so getting the feel for the defense and knowing everybodys job and having a feel for what the coaches are going to call on the field.The Ducks have plenty of guys hoping to do the same, but with less experience in Hampton's system. The transfer portal saw additions of Ohio State's Aaron Scott Jr. and Baylor Carl Williams IV to the secondary, and freshman Davon Benjamin flashed in the spring as a candidate to play early in the nickel.Competition breeds excellence, and while the Ducks have a unit overflowing with talent and potential, the overflow can redirect how the eventual starters play on Saturdays. Fall camp will see the youngsters battle for spots on the depth chart, undoubtedly making everyone just a little bit better heading into the season.Knowing youve got good people, good competition, it just makes everybody go harder," Obidegwu said. "It pushes the room because if you dont go hard, if you dont go 100%, youre going to get left. You dont want to be left, you want to be out there playing, competing with the guys. So I think its great having a deep room we got.Obidegwu took time to grow into the starting role he absorbed last season, while Finney pounced on a shutdown role as a true freshman. Benjamin presents similar potential in a couple different spots in the secondary, particularly in the nickel. So far, Obidegwu enjoyed how the freshman defensive back played in the spring, and fall camp could move the needle even more.Davons doing a great job," Obidegwu said. "He came in ready to learn, ready to take on what youve got to do. Hes going to be a great addition to our team, so Im excited for him. For coach (Hampton), if youre good enough, youre old enough, youre going to play."Oregon will begin fall camp on Wednesday, with Finney and Obidegwu teaming up on opposite ends of the field once again to form one of the top duos in the country in the secondary. No longer the young pups on defense, the Ducks have stacked talent on the perimeter and are counting on Finney and Obidegwu to lead the charge into 2026.Contact/Follow@Ducks_Wireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 'Competitive stamina' the difference for Oregon's young cornerback depth

Mariner High School (Cape Coral, Fla.) has fired four football coaches and put two others on administrative leave as it investigates events that occurred during a recent lock-in at the school.The school sent a letter to parents on Aug. 4 stating that it relieved head coach Tyran Jones and assistant coach Kaycie Zorbas of their coaching duties due to a lack of supervision by the staff during the gathering. Four other assistant coaches who were not school district employees were fired.While it's unclear what exactly happened during the team-building event, principal Tom Michel confirmed that no hazing took place. However, students who violated the school's expectations will be held accountable for their actions, as stated in the letter."While student privacy laws prevent us from disclosing specific names or consequences, please be assured that no hazing took place and every individual involved is being held fully accountable," the letter read.The news comes just one week before the Tritons kickoff the 2026-27 season. Mariner fell 3-7 last season under Jones, who spent just one season at the helm. Jones previously coached two seasons at Island Coast.Doug Faase, an assistant football coach who was not present at the lock-in, has been named interim head coach, while assistant coach Luis Esposito will also remain on staff.Mariner employees Martin Cardenas and Jake Arbuckle will also join the staff, along with volunteers Justin McEwen and Adrian Shipman."We believe this new coaching staff is well-prepared, experienced, and deeply committed to leading our student-athletes with integrity both in the classroom and on the field," Michel said in the letter.The Tritons begin their season at Cypress Lake on Aug. 14.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida high school removes six football coaches after incident at team lock-in

The National Women's Soccer League will begin its 2027 season earlier than ever, the league announced on Aug. 5. The NWSL regular season will kick off Feb. 11, 2027 in Los Angeles, the same weekend as the Super Bowl being held across town. Players will report to preseason training camps in early January, meaning a shortened offseason after the 2026 NWSL Championship on Nov. 21. For comparison, the 2026 regular season began on March 13. The NWSL made the change to accommodate the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, which will take place June 24 to July 25 in Brazil and feature many of the league's top players. The NWSL will pause its season during the World Cup but will still play a full 30-game schedule in which every team will play every opponent home and away. The NWSL Challenge Cup, a neutral-site game played between the reigning champion and the previous season's Shield winner, will be played on Feb. 6 one week before the regular season begins. The 2027 regular season will end Oct. 31 and playoffs will begin Nov. 5. The 2027 NWSL Championship will be held Nov. 20 at a site yet to be determined. The complete schedule will be released at a later date. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NWSL announces major schedule change around 2027 Women's World Cup

Taylor Trammell of the Houston Astros hit the ball far and did the things a player might do after a home run.He ran around the bases, stuck out a No. 1 sign as he headed toward home plate, touched his heart and looked skyward.There was just one problem, though. It wasnt a home run. Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Myles Straw had made a leaping catch at the wall.Trammell eventually realized that his big dinger was actually a flyout. The camera followed him into the dugout where he threw what looked like a towel in disgust. The Astros eventually lost on Monday, 3-1.One poster on X who shared the TV feed of Trammells goof called itthe most embarrassing moment of his life.Never seen anything like this .. Has to be the most embarrassing moment of his life pic.twitter.com/vzGpwSYsBa JOHN BOLARIS (@JohnBolaris) August 4, 2026Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.Still confused on how it didnt get out, Trammell said the next day.But at least the home run trot practice came in handy on Tuesday. Trammell swatted a real round-tripper in a 7-2 Astros win over the Blue Jays.There was no doubt about this one.Taylor Trammell lifts off for a three-run homer pic.twitter.com/PKGgSfS491 MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2026Sports UpdatesTony Romo Placed On Leave From CBS Following His Arrest Last WeekNew York Mets Misery Is Encapsulated In One Little League PlayMLB Star's Ankle Bends In A Way That Nature Didn't IntendRead the original on HuffPost

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