August 4, 2026 4:27 am
The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies took big swings Monday ahead of baseball’s trade deadline, with the Red Sox adding three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman a few hours after the Phillies picked up three-time batting champion Luis Arraez. The pair of aggressive moves highlighted a hectic day of swaps, featuring dozens of deals in the hours leading up to Monday’s 6 p.m. EDT deadline. Among Monday’s other fireworks: the Houston Astros added veteran outfielder Daulton Varsho from Toronto in exchange for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, and the Chicago Cubs got pitcher Clay Holmes from the New York Mets.
August 4, 2026 4:29 am
DENVER (AP) — The judge who granted the right to play another year of college sports to some athletes whose eligibility ran out last school year issued a new order to make clear that does not include football players who signed pro contracts this summer then had a change of heart. That change comes after U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney responded to an NCAA request for clarity about her ruling granting a fifth year to athletes who were not included in the new rule that allows five seasons of eligibility for Division I players.
August 3, 2026 5:26 pm
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a significant move to boost their struggling bullpen by acquiring veteran pitcher Luke Weaver from the New York Mets. The Pirates, aiming to end a decade-long playoff drought, traded 21-year-old shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura for the 32-year-old Weaver. This marks an aggressive financial push for the typically frugal team. Weaver is in the first season of a $22 million, two-year contract. The trade follows a 2-7 stretch for Pittsburgh in which the bullpen frequently struggled. Weaver has been a standout for the Mets this season, going 2-1 with a 1.84 ERA in 42 appearances.
August 3, 2026 2:14 am
West Covina, CA claimed the final berth in this year’s Printscape PONY League World Series, the crowning piece of PONY Baseball’s 75th Anniversary celebration. The three-time championship program is returning to the World Series for the first time since 2000. The West Zone champions join Hagerstown, MD (East), Bay County, MI (North) and Hidalgo, TX (South) as US zone qualifiers. South Hills and Washington County round out the domestic field with international squads coming from Taichung City (Taiwan), Navojoa (Mexico), Paderborn (Germany) and Guaynabo (Puerto Rico). Action in the 10-team bracket begins Friday afternoon when Hidalgo takes on Paderborn. Bay County and Guaynabo wrap up the opening-day doubleheader. Hear every game of the 2026 Printscape PONY League World Series on WJPA-AM (1450) and online.
August 3, 2026 4:34 am
CINCINNATI (AP) — Chase Burns won his 12th straight decision and Sal Stewart hit his 24th home run as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-2. Stewart tied Joey Votto for second-most homers by a Reds rookie. Votto hit 24 in 2008. Frank Robinson holds the franchise’s rookie mark with 38 homers in 1956. Burns (13-1) is the first Reds pitcher to win 12 straight decisions since Brooks Lawrence won 13 straight in 1956. Burns allowed one run on two hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in six innings and lowered his ERA to 2.35. Pirates starter Mitch Keller (6-8) allowed seven earned runs and walked four in two innings.
August 3, 2026 4:36 am
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is on the move to the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving the two-time defending champions even more talent on a loaded roster. Right-hander Freddy Peralta is switching teams, too, as the Tampa Bay Rays beef up their rotation. Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. EDT and two of the biggest prizes are already off the board. But other enticing options still remain, including Padres closer Mason Miller, Giants second baseman Luis Arraez and Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho.
August 3, 2026 4:35 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is bringing a different mindset to his first training camp in Pittsburgh. McCarthy is banning tackling during practice, a marked departure from former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. McCarthy says the decision is about minimizing injury risk, adding that his philosophy has evolved in lockstep with changes in the NFL over the years. McCarthy believes in refining tackling techniques without full contact, using tools like GPS and video analysis to help players learn how to tackle the right way. The players say they’re on board with the decision, adding they can still be physical without taking each other to the ground.
August 2, 2026 7:16 am
CINCINNATI (AP) — Braxton Ashcraft gave up two hits over five innings, while a pair of bases-loaded walks during a three-run third helped the Pittsburgh Pirates snap a four-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Steady rain was falling in the third inning when Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott issued four walks including two with the bases loaded to Brandon Lowe and Esmerlyn Valdez to help the Pirates take a 2-0 lead. Ashcraft (11-4) retired the first eight batters and didn’t allow a hit until Nathaniel Lowe’s single with one out in the fourth.
August 2, 2026 7:25 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees to boost their struggling bullpen. Pittsburgh is sending prospects Omar Alfonso and Luis Cruz to New York for Doval. The 29-year-old former All-Star provides a much-needed experienced arm as the Pirates compete for a National League wild-card spot. Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been an issue all season, with 20 blown saves contributing to their 55-56 record. Doval went 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 44 games this season for the Yankees. Pittsburgh hopes a new setting provides Doval with a fresh start.
August 2, 2026 7:31 am
PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have revealed the 2026 Hall of Honor class. The team announced on Saturday morning that general manager Kevin Colbert, cornerback J.T. Thomas, and offensive lineman turned broadcaster Craig Wolfley are all Hall of Honor members. Colbert was at the ceremony at the Fred Rogers Institute on the Saint Vincent College campus. The 2026 Steelers Hall of Honor induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25 at Acrisure Stadium, the weekend the Steelers host the Bengals. Each inductee will receive a replica of a solid steel football, a model of the original given to Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney Sr. by the United States Steel Corporation and United Steel Workers in 1982 on the team’s 50th season. The Steelers’ Hall of Honor was established in 2017 to recognize former players, coaches, and front office personnel who were integral to the franchise’s success. To be considered, a player must be retired for at least three years and have played a minimum of three seasons for the Steelers. Former coaches and contributors had to make significant contributions to the team and community. Previous inductees include Terry Bradshaw, Bill Cowher and Arthur J. Rooney Sr. Click here to find a full list of inductees.
