April 19, 2026 7:53 am
The NFL is not investigating Mike Vrabel’s behavior after published photos of the New England Patriots coach and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort prompted her resignation and an internal investigation at The New York Times-owned sports outlet. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday the league isn’t looking into the matter. The Patriots didn’t immediately respond to a question about whether the team has launched its own review of Vrabel’s actions. The New York Post last week published the photos of Vrabel and Russini at the Sedona hotel and said they were taken before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29
April 18, 2026 5:29 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Oneil Cruz hit a two-run home run, Brandon Lowe went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Tampa Bay 5-1 to snap the Ray’s six-game win streak. Bubba Chandler (1-1) allowed a run and three hits over six innings. Mason Montgomery, Gregory Soto and Dennis Santana each pitched an inning of scoreless relief. Marcell Ozuna and Spencer Horwitz each had three hits. Rays starter Nick Martinez (0-1), who went winless with a 2.41 ERA in his first four starts this season, gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Chandler Simpson singled with two out, advanced to second on a wild pitch by Bubba Chandler and scored the Rays’ only run when Junior Camerino singled.
April 18, 2026 4:55 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The longstanding rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers will receive a jolt when the two clubs meet in the opening round of the playoffs. The Penguins are returning to the postseason after a three-year absence, while the Flyers are back for the first time since 2020. Pittsburgh has won three of the four playoff series between the clubs since captain Sidney Crosby arrived in 2005. The Penguins are still choosing between goaltenders Arturs Silovs and Stuart Skinner while the red-hot Flyers are hoping a lack of playoff experience isn’t a problem as they try to advance beyond the first round for just the second time since 2012.
April 18, 2026 5:13 am
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The family of late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler is nearing a sale of the team, a person with knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Padres aren’t commenting publicly on the process. The Wall Street Journal first reported the progress of a deal with private equity billionaire Jose E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones. While the deal hasn’t been finalized, the team is expected to be sold for $3.9 billion, a record valuation for a Major League Baseball team.
April 18, 2026 5:12 am
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Jon Rahm says he isn’t worried about the future of LIV Golf despite uncertainty about its funding. The two-time major champion has shown it’s not affecting his golf. After a poor week at the Masters, Rahm has started 65-67 for a one-shot lead at LIV Golf Mexico. Speculation centers around Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund cutting financial backing of the rival golf league. Scott O’Neil is the CEO of LIV. He has told the staff funding would continue without interruption. But in another interview, he suggests the league will have to “work like crazy” to create a business plan.
April 18, 2026 5:09 am
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson has died. He was 53. The multitalented player became the Angels’ career hits leader and led the team to its only World Series title. The Angels announced Anderson’s death without immediately disclosing the cause or location. Anderson reached the majors with the then-California Angels in 1994 and played for the club until 2008, primarily as a left fielder. He was a fixture in the heart of their batting order for his entire tenure, becoming the franchise’s leader in hits, RBIs and games played among many other achievements. Anderson was a three-time AL All-Star from 2002-05.
April 18, 2026 5:10 am
SAO PAULO (AP) — Oscar Schmidt, the Basketball Hall of Famer known to his Brazilian compatriots as the “Holy Hand,” died Friday. He was 68. Schmidt’s family said in a statement that he fought a brain tumor for 15 years “with courage, dignity and resilience . . . while remaining a role model of determination, generosity and love of life.” Schmidt is beloved in Brazil for committing to the national team for 19 years and becoming one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. He also starred in a historic victory over the United States in the final of the 1987 Pan American Games.
April 18, 2026 5:08 am
The United States heads into the World Cup hoping for its first knockout-stage victory since 2002. While the Americans enter with their weakest goalkeepers in four decades and few central defenders playing in a top league, they benefit from being seeded as a co-host in the expanded tournament, which could keep them from playing an elite opponent until the round of 16. The U.S. hopes to advance far in the tournament and show it is making progress in a sport that trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity at home. The Americans face Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in Group D.
April 18, 2026 5:04 am
[AP] Fernando Mendoza, who will reportedly not be in Pittsburgh next week when Roger Godell announces his name during the NFL Draft, will get a chance to learn from Kirk Cousins before the Las Vegas Raiders give him an opportunity to start. The only question surrounding the Heisman Trophy winner is when he’ll make his debut. Mendoza, who led Indiana to its first national championship, is an overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1-overall pick. The intrigue starts with the second pick. Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese was widely considered the choice for the New York Jets but Texas Tech edge David Bailey has gained momentum.
April 17, 2026 4:23 am
The eight first-round series in the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs are set. The matchups include the bitter cross-Pennsylvania rivalry between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Elsewhere in the East, top-seeded Carolina plays Ottawa, while Atlantic Division-champion Buffalo takes on Boston and Tampa Bay goes up against Montreal. In the Western Conference, it’s Colorado vs. Los Angeles, Dallas vs. Minnesota, Vegas vs. Utah and Edmonton vs. Anaheim.
