Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter GreeneOne of baseball's most exciting starting pitchers will remain sidelined for at least a full year.Hunter Greene underwent his second Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, per the Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer. The Cincinnati Reds ace is expected to miss the entire 2027 season with a recovery timeline of 12 to 18 months.Greene didn't make his season debut until July 4 after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow in March. The 27-year-old posted a 6.83 ERA in five starts before feeling soreness during a side session last week.The Reds confirmed that Greene would require season-ending surgery without specifying the procedure or speculating on his 2027 availability.Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!"They're going to go in there, find out what it is and go from there," Reds president of business operations Nick Krall said on Friday, per ESPN.com. "The ligament was failing. It's going to be some sort of procedure around the ligament."A healthy Greene flashed Cy Young upside, posting a 2.76 ERA and 0.98 WHIP from 2024 to 2025. The right-hander collected 301 strikeouts over 258 innings during those two seasons and threw his fastball at the highest average velocity of any starter (99.4 mph) last year.Unfortunately, staying on the mound has remained a constant issue for the former No. 2 pick. Greene, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, has spent time on the injured list in each of the last four seasons.Greene has made just 96 starts since joining the Reds in 2022 and hasn't topped 150 1/3 innings in a season. The Reds will hope he can return strong in 2028.More MLB:Dodgers Lose Top Spot To NL Opponent In ESPN Power Rankings

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 1: Dalton Rushing #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on between pitches in the eighth inning during a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 1, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Dodgers have spent much of the season managing injuries while preparing for a deep run in October.Though the Dodgers carry baseballs most star-heavy roster, there has been a tricky balancing act behind the plate, as perennial All-Star Will Smith has been sidelined for much of the season. And after the teams primary backup catcher, Dalton Rushing, suffered his own unexpected elbow issue, the team was forced to make another adjustment.Rushing felt discomfort while warming up before a game against the Boston Red Sox earlier this month and was scratched shortly before the first pitch. He was subsequently placed on the injured list, creating an immediate need for additional catching depth.The Dodgers responded by bringing in some veteran options, but one of those players ultimately proved to be a very short-term solution.FORBES | By Peter ChawagaLonely Former Mets All-Star Sends Clavicular Message After Trump EmbraceLos Angeles Dodgers Make Catching Move After Dalton Rushing InjuryAfter the Dodgers signed veteran backstop Chuckie Robinson to a minor league contract in the offseason, the team shuttled him back and forth from the minors several times. That included a promotion in the wake of Rushings injury setback.Shortly afterward, though, the team acquired some other options and designated Robinson for assignment yet again.The Dodgers acquired Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt through trades Monday to serve as replacements for Robinson and Eliezer Alfonzo on the active roster, CBS Sports reported. Robinson was up with the Dodgers for just a day as a temporary depth piece due to Dalton Rushing (elbow) hitting the 10-day injured list Monday.Robinson cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City, but now it seems the team is no longer interested in carrying him there either.The Dodgers released Robinson on Wednesday, according to the official transaction log.FORBES | By Peter ChawagaPhillies Bryce Harper Offers 3-Word Injury Response Right Before Field Of Dreams GameLos Angeles Dodgers Cut Veteran Catcher After Addressing DepthThe latest on Rushing might have motivated the Dodgers to cut ties with Robinson.Dalton Rushing said his season is not over yet, Fabian Ardaya reported for The Athletic. In rehashing the injury for the first time publicly, Rushing said the tear was not a massive surprise or an area of real immediate concern.The young catcher indicated that he wont have to get surgery and that could be giving the Dodgers some confidence about the position, even as Smith remains sidelined.And while that seems to be good news for the Dodgers primary backup, it might have pushed the decision to cut Robinson from the organization.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Although it was short and sweet, Thursday's outing of training camp was still a tad sour for the Carolina Panthers. (Yup, you guessed it . . . another injury.)Here are the top takeaways and observations from this morning's practice:Setback in the backfieldStarting running back Chuba Hubbard did not participate due to what head coach Dave Canales described as a "legit" hamstring injury. The sixth-year veteran underwent an MRI to evaluate the issue, and will now have to be eased in as we inch closer to the regular season.Nevertheless, Canales seemed optimistic about Hubbard's outlook for Week 1."It's week to week right now the way we see it. So we're gonna get him in RTP (return-to-play), we're gonna get him some treatment," Canales told reporters after the session."Very confident he'll be ready for Game 1, trying to get him out there sooner than that. But again, we'll be smart about it, we'll get him back in the appropriate time."2025 wasn't a smooth ride for Hubbard either, as he dealt with a nagging calf injury. That played a part in Hubbard taking a backseat to Rico Dowdle, who started in 11 of Carolina's 17 regular-season games.Canales added that Jonathon Brooks will get the start at running back in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Buffalo Bills. The third-year rusher, who was sidelined during the last two offseasons due to two separate ACL tears, will be making his NFL preseason debut.The new guyAs reported on Wednesday night, the Panthers have reached an agreement with former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller.Although Waller's signing was not official prior to practice, leaving him off the field for now, Canales explained the addition."Just looking for ways to challenge our roster, challenge our rooms," Canales stated. "Bringing different types of talent into the rooms to really challenge the group and see what we have there."We felt like it was a good fit. There was a lot of conversations back and forthabout the vision, about the group that he's coming into. So felt comfortable about that, found an agreement and we'll bring him in and do the physical and all that stuff."Waller now joins a room that features Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans and Ja'Tavion Sandersnone of whom have amassed a season of at least 350 receiving yards over eight combined campaigns.Top observationsNew #Panthers TE Darren Waller needs to be onboarded today so he wont be practicing on Thursday. Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026#Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is not in uniform this morning with a sleeve around his right leg.@CSLonQCN#KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/khj4q3oT5j Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) August 13, 2026JT Sanders in indy drills. pic.twitter.com/4JERNDcuz5 Joe Person (@josephperson) August 13, 2026#Panthers tight end group in red zone drills. (And yes, Tommy Tremble went first, caught pass, etc.)Darren Waller pic.twitter.com/Dfach8i3O4 Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) August 13, 2026Xavier Legette has been working on keeping his feet in this camp #Pantherspic.twitter.com/GGtGv2TdRx Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 13, 2026Rob Hunt and Damien Lewis participating in team drills together for the first time since the first day of practice. Joe Person (@josephperson) August 13, 2026#Panthers Kyle Trask threads the needle on a slant to Roc Taylor who makes a juggling catch for a TD in red zone team pass.Corey Thornton in coverage.@CSLonQCN#KeepPounding Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) August 13, 2026Tight ends are being featured a lot today, in part because theres been a lot of red-zone work. Joe Person (@josephperson) August 13, 2026Kenny Pickett with an excellent RZ toss over a leaping Claudin Cherelus to XL in the ends zone in 11s. #Panthers Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026Jimmy Horn is getting open A LOT away from the ball. That should be acknowledged as he fights for a roster spot. #Panthers Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026XL catches a shallow crosser from Young and puts on the jets to the end zone. Young set him up well but Legette looked smooth too. Then Young slings a laser through traffic to Tommy Tremble for a TD in two minute 11 on 11.Final horn sounds. Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026Follow@ThePanthersWireon Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 12

As the Pittsburgh Steelers enter a new era, national attention has shifted to the reunited dynamic between veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy. While the duos public commentary highlights past success, analysts like Mike Florio and Chris Simms suggest that the internal power balance in Pittsburgh carries potential friction if early adversity strikes.The dynamic differs significantly from Rodgers first season in Pittsburgh under Mike Tomlin. During Year 1, Rodgers adapted completely to the existing culture. In Year 2, however, the dynamic has shifted as Rodgers operates alongside his former Green Bay head coach on his own terms.On Pro Football Talk, Florio outlined how Rodgers' comfort level changes his approach.Last year, Rodgers embraced anything and everything that Mike Tomlin wanted, said Florio. Now, this is year two. Oh, and it's my old coach like you're talking about. And we got history. I feel like I could talk back a little bit.This subtle shift raises questions regarding coaching authority and organizational control. Florio highlighted how public misalignments, such as debates over preseason playing time, can signal underlying operational issues to the rest of the league.If Mike McCarthy's attention to detail was at the level that all the people who seem to be on the McCarthy bandwagon are pushing, this detail would not be a detail, added Florio.We wouldn't be talking publicly or at all about this push and pull between McCarthy and Rodgers over whether or not he's going to play in the preseason because the deeper level is Mike McCarthy isn't running his the way that he should be. That's the deeper message to the rest of the league and to the fans. He's not in charge the way he should be.Whether this dynamic yields championship results or internal tension will depend on how cleanly McCarthy and Rodgers navigate early-season challenges.This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Is Aaron Rodgers already testing Mike McCarthy's authority?

The bidding has already passed $190,000, but according to Scott Keeney, better known to the world as DJ Skee, whatever price Shohei Ohtanis 2025 MLB Tokyo Series game-worn cleats ultimately sell for, it will probably be a bargain.Whatever price these go for, theyre already at an all-time record, said Keeney, the Founder and CEO of authenticated memorabilia platform The Realest. But you and I are gonna be sitting here like, Why didnt we just pool our money together? We knew this was gonna happen. Its so obvious in hindsight.Shohei Ohtanis game-worn New Balance 1 cleats from the 2025 Tokyo Series, featuring his rare Japanese Kanji signature across the toe, Opening Day inscriptions, and authentic Tokyo Dome infield dirt. (Photo: Courtesy of The Realest)The current leading bid sits at a staggering $190,055 with just under four days remaining, yet the hype surrounding these cleats feels entirely justified. This isnt just a pair of game worn shoes; it is a cultural artifact representing the epicenter of global baseball culture.The cleats were worn by Ohtani during his first MLB game back in his home country, shortly after winning the World Series. They are his inaugural signature shoe, the New Balance Ohtani 1, painted in a Player Exclusive gray, blue, and red colorway to match the Dodgers road uniforms. Furthermore, they feature artwork of Ohtanis dog, Decoy (Deko-pin), bear his exceedingly rare Japanese Kanji signature, and are physically caked in genuine infield dirt from the Tokyo Dome.The heels of Ohtanis Tokyo Series cleats feature custom artwork of his famous dog, Decoy (Deko-pin), derived from illustrations in his best-selling Japanese childrens book. (Photo: Courtesy of The Realest)For Michael Jordan, the Air Jordan 1 will always hold a place because its the inaugural signature shoe, Keeney explained, drawing a parallel to the most significant sneaker in history. For baseball, this is truly as good as it gets. You can make the argument that it is his most important cleats ever. But the one thing you can say definitively is that it is his most important cleats ever to hit the market.Memorabilia as the New Fine ArtTo Keeney, a pair of game-worn sneakers holding this much history shouldnt be treated like a simple retail transaction. Thats why The Realest hosted a private viewing for the cleats at Yamashiro Hollywood, displaying the shoes with the reverence of a museum exhibition.Keeney believes the cultural weight of sports memorabilia has evolved, particularly for Millennials and Gen Z, bypassing traditional fine art in its ability to evoke genuine passion.He recently visited the headquarters of a major New York banking institution that boasted an incredible, priceless art collection. I told them, If you had Jalen Brunsons jersey in here from the Finals you would get more attention than a Picasso,' Keeney recalled. People would be logging up and taking pictures, and theyre not doing that with the art I think that thats why these are going to become institutional.For Keeney, game-worn memorabilia is the undisputed next frontier of the collectibles space. Unlike trading cards, which rely on manufactured scarcity, game-worn items offer true, irreplicable historical connections.These are things that would have every right to live in a museum 100 years from now telling the story and the history of baseball, Keeney said. Regardless if theres another player, he is the Babe Ruth of our time.Why The Realest Was BornThe passion Keeney has for the Ohtani cleats is exactly what drove him to create The Realest in the first place. Prior to launching the company, Keeney ran a fund in the space, investing in platforms like Whatnot and buying million-dollar sports cards. But the memorabilia sector had a fatal flaw: rampant fraud.I have bought stuff and got burned on existing auction sites, including some of the bigger ones, Keeney admitted. I realized that Im in a position of privilege from those things, so I can imagine the everyday collector If somebody buys something thats fake, theyre probably burned forever.Realizing nobody was adequately tackling the problem, Keeney built The Realest to serve as a proven trust layer. The platform works directly with teams, leagues, and athletes at the source, utilizing proprietary covert markings to guarantee that items like jerseys havent been tampered with.I did not look at launching a business we did it out of need, Keeney noted. I really built it for myself. I wanted a place that was trustworthy, and we realized there was just this enormous opportunity.The Music Publishing Model for SportsThe Realests proprietary authentication technology goes beyond just protecting fans. The platform has changed the economics of the memorabilia industry by generating perpetual royalties on secondary market resales for teams and athletes.Keeney compares secondary sports memorabilia sales to music publishing, where artists and their estates earn royalties long after a song is released.When a Michael Jordan jersey sells for millions, its value doesnt come from the reseller who flipped it, it comes from Jordan, the NBA, and the Bulls, Keeney explained. Yet historically, theyve never gotten a cut of those secondary sales. Were bringing a music industry model to sports so athletes, teams, and their families actually participate in their own legacy.By ensuring the provenance of the item remains intact forever, The Realest aligns the incentives of the rights holders with the collectors.Its just the right thing to do, Keeney added. And our authentication uniquely unlocks it. Were not just doing it from a position of, Hey, pay us. Were going through this process to guarantee that its real and stand by it.The Power of NostalgiaAs The Realest continues its global expansion, moving into European markets and pushing into the digital proof-of-ownership space, Keeneys underlying motivation remains deeply personal. The kid from Minnesota who fell in love with sports watching the 1991 Twins win the World Series is now building the infrastructure for the next generation to capture their own history.Youre always kind of chasing those things, Keeney reflected. We want to make it easier for the next generation to go back to those moments that matter It brings back childhood, family, all these different memories and happiness. Nostalgia is the most powerful drug in the world.Bid on Shohei Ohtanis Historic First MLB Game in Japan Game-Used Shoes: Kanji-Signed New Balance PE Ohtani 1, 2025 Tokyo Series here.Do these cleats make your Mount Rushmore of sports memorabilia? Let us know on Mantel.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 30: Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean #33 is shown during the Philadelphia Eagles training camp on July 30th, 2026 at Jefferson Health Training Complex in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe Eagles are getting ready for their first preseason game against the Ravens on Saturday, and the list of injured players continues to grow. In addition to DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon missing their seventh and eighth practice, respectively, three cornerbacks were added to Mondays practice injury report, including Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.DeJean left practice early last week, but returned the next day, so its unclear if this groin injury is related or something new. The team may just be giving him, and others, some extra rest, and letting the guys playing on Saturday get extra reps.Hopefully, the team is just being cautious with getting Smith and Lemon back on the field. Smith has been seen grabbing a coaches headset at the beginning of practice, and staying involed that way. Meanwhile, Lemon has been hitting the jugs machine, and even got some work with Jalen Hurts after practice on Thursday. Jalen Hurts getting in extra work after practice with rookie receiver Makai Lemon Lemon has missed a week and a half with a recurring hamstring injury. But Jalen is making sure he has a lot of mental reps. pic.twitter.com/pK8Ean0xQp John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 13, 2026DID NOT PRACTICE 8/13CB Tariq Castro-Fields (heel)CB Cooper DeJean (groin)OLB Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle)CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder)WR Makai Lemon (hamstring)CB Quinyon Mitchell (glute)RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring)WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring)S Cole Wisniewski (hamstring)LIMITEDWR Danny Grey (concussion)

True to his word, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore confirmed Thursday that starting quarterback Tyler Shough and the team's first-string offense will not play in Saturday's preseason game with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It'll be backup quarterback Spencer Rattler leading the team out of the tunnel this weekend.While the Saints haven't opened up a competition for the starting QB job -- everyone in the building knows it's Shough -- the reviews have been positive on Rattler in Year 3. He's worked well from the pocket and attacked the field at different levels. His deep shot to wide receiver Trey Palmer during Thursday's joint practice emphasized that point.So this preseason game will be a big opportunity for Rattler and his teammates on the second-team offense to show what they can do. He's kept a gap between himself and Zach Wilson for the QB2 spot, but Rattler still has ambitions of starting in the NFL. Putting quality plays on game tape will keep on interested teams' radar. Let's see what he can do.Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 15.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints announce starting QB for first preseason game vs. Jaguars

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina reacts as he walks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesChelsea have decided to make a public spectacle of Enzo Fernndezs potential (expected?) transfer to Manchester City, by setting a hard deadline of tomorrow evening (Friday, 5pm local time) for City (or any other team) to meet our demands. These demands had been privately communicated to any interested parties already, but now theyre out in the wild as well, no longer just lurking in the rumor mills shadows.And those demands are simple and straightforward: 120m cold hard cash, or go away. Thats 120 million pound sterling; not euros, dollars, or riyals. And thats 120 million up front, not in bonuses or add-ons or IOUs.These demands shouldnt too hard to understand, but something may have already gotten lost in translation. According to Argentinian journalist-turned-transfer-influencer Csar Luis Merlo, City have indeed made an offer, but in the wrong currency. 120m is not 120m! In fact, its nearly 20m less! (Merlo was a solid source of information during Enzos protracted transfer to Chelsea from Benfica, so presumably hes still got the connections to Enzos camp.)[EXCLUSIVO] El Manchester City ofrece 120M al Chelsea por Enzo Fernndez. Enzo Maresca lo quiere s o s. @tribuna_ftbl https://t.co/TX91kgRh37pic.twitter.com/ZhSpFm1cIc Csar Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) August 13, 2026Merlos supposed information has not been corroborated by anyone else so far; in fact, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the situation has not changed at all since yesterday: no offer received, and, obviously, no change in our stance. Its the battle of the transfer-influencers! How exciting. (Its not exciting.) Chelsea are yet to receive any official bid for Enzo Fernndez as of 4pm UK time today 25 hours before the deadline for the exit.#CFC do not change their stance: 120m net, no Euros and with payment terms details clarified to all parties already since May. pic.twitter.com/5JYHI7rPO4 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2026As much as I appreciate the clubs attempt to create our very own Enzo Transfer Deadline Day, I have a feeling that this story will drag on until the actual Transfer Deadline Day at the end of the month.

Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) is out of practice Thursday, Aug. 13, due to a hamstring injury. Head coach Dave Canales said he's confident Hubbard will be ready for Week 1.SOURCE:Charlotte Observer - Scott FowlerHuddle Up:Jonathon Brooks' stock receives another boost with Hubbard on the shelf. Brooks was already expected to take over as lead back, and this setback for Hubbard gives him more runway. Hubbard's ADP is 80, and Brooks' is at 125. Look for that gap to be bridged in the coming days. Both are RB3s that you'll need to handcuff together.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard out of practice with injury