April 9, 2026 4:29 am
The Associated Press has learned an NCAA panel is scheduled to discuss potential changes to eligibility rules that would incorporate age into the process. Two people with knowledge of the situation told AP the proposal would give athletes five years of eligibility with the clock starting at the earliest of two dates: either when they turn 19 or graduate high school. The people did not want their names used because the NCAA hasn’t publicly discussed the proposal.
April 9, 2026 4:27 am
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has two kids and two Masters titles. He’s the favorite in this week’s tournament, as he tends to be for all majors these days. But his family life has been more exciting than his golf recently. His son Bennett turns 2 next month, and Remy was born less than two weeks ago. It was hard to tell which of the kids was more of a hit at Wednesday’s family friendly Par 3 Contest at Augusta National. Remy was carried by Meredith in a baby wrap, and Bennett knocked the ball around with a blue toy club.
April 8, 2026 4:28 am
The Pirates have announced that they have signed infielder Konnor Griffin to a nine-year contract extension that runs through the 2034 season. According to reports, the deal is worth $140 million with escalators that could take it to $150 million. The 19-year old made his major league debut last week at the Pirates home opener. “Signing Konnor is a meaningful commitment to this team, this city and our fans. It reflects our belief in Konnor, in this season’s club and in the future of our organization,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “Konnor represents everything we value in a player – exceptional talent, strong character, a team-first mentality and a maturity that stood out to all of us from the beginning. He is the right person, from the right family. This is another important step in the work we have been doing to build a winning team, for this year and going forward.”
April 7, 2026 4:26 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes put together his second straight solid start, keeping San Diego hitless until the sixth inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 7-1 win over the Padres. Skenes struck out six and walked two in 6 1/3 innings while lowering his ERA to 5.54. The Padres’ first of two hits against the 23-year-old was a clean single to left by Fernando Tatis Jr. with one out in the sixth. Xander Bogaerts homered in the seventh to end Skenes’ night. Oneil Cruz hit a two-run double off Nick Pivetta in the fifth and Nick Gonzales added a two-run single to start a five-run eighth for the Pirates.
April 8, 2026 4:27 am
Fernando Mendoza, expected to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, will watch the NFL draft with family and friends in Miami, someone with knowledge of the quarterback’s plans said Tuesday. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Mendoza hasn’t made his plans public. The draft will take place in Pittsburgh starting on April 23, and many top players will be there to receive congratulations and a hug from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. But players, even those who are drafted first, sometimes prefer to watch from a different location.
April 8, 2026 4:30 am
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy thought winning the Masters was one of the greatest days of his career. Returning as the champion is also pretty sweet. He has been taking what amounts to a victory lap ahead of the Masters. And then he gets back to the golf in time for the opening round on Thursday. McIlroy says a weight has been lifted off his shoulders by finally getting that green jacket in his 17th attempt. He expects a difficult test this week, with a forecast for hot and dry weather. McIlroy is trying to become only the fourth back-to-back winner at Augusta National.
April 7, 2026 4:24 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Germán Márquez combined with two relievers on a seven-hit shutout for his first win with San Diego, and the Padres ended the Pittsburgh Pirates’ five-game winning streak with a 5-0 victory. Nick Castellanos hit the first of San Diego’s four RBI doubles. Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth and Ramón Laureano each had a run-scoring double as well to help the Padres win their third straight. Márquez pitched five innings, allowing six hits and one walk on 92 pitches. Ron Marinaccio and David Morgan each worked two innings to finish San Diego’s second shutout this season. Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler threw 83 pitches over 4 1/3 innings. He gave up three runs, five hits and four walks.
April 7, 2026 4:25 am
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — High-scoring Michigan had to get down and dirty to dig out the national title, making only two 3-pointers all night but still muscling its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn UConn. Elliot Cadeau led the Wolverines with 19 points, including the team’s first 3, which came 7:04 into the second half. The second, from freshman Trey McKenney, came with 1:50 left and felt like a dagger, giving the Wolverines a nine-point lead. UConn fought to the finish in a game that had a 1950s feel. Alex Karaban scored 17 points for UConn, which was denied in its bid for a third title in four seasons.
April 7, 2026 4:26 am
The New Jersey Devils are parting ways with general manager Tom Fitzgerald in an abrupt late-season change of direction for a team that is set to miss the playoffs. Co-owner David Blitzer announced Monday that a decision had been made for Fitzgerald to leave the organization. Fitzgerald had been in charge of hockey operations since January 2020 and was responsible for building much of the core of the roster. New Jersey reached the playoffs just twice in the past five seasons.
April 6, 2026 4:37 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn homered and matched a career high with four RBIs as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 to sweep a three-game series and extend their winning streak to five. O’Hearn hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a two-run double in a four-run second. Oneil Cruz made it 8-1 with a two-run homer in the sixth. He also singled home a run in the second. That was plenty of support for Braxton Ashcraft, who allowed one run in six innings. He had a career-high eight strikeouts and no walks. Orioles starter Chris Bassitt was roughed up for six runs in two innings.
