November 27, 2025 5:02 am
Free-agent pitcher Dylan Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $210 million, seven-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced. Cease would join a terrific rotation with the reigning American League champions that also includes Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and José Berríos. The right-hander, who turns 30 next month, went 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts last season for the San Diego Padres. He struck out 215 batters and walked 71 in 168 innings.
November 26, 2025 4:26 am
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes will receive a record $3.4 million from this year’s pre-arbitration bonus pool, raising his two-year total to $5.5 million under the initiative to direct more money to top younger players. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez was second at $2.6 million, followed by Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown at $2.2 million, Seattle pitcher Bryan Woo at $1.5 million and Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll at $1.3 million, according to figures compiled by Major League Baseball and the players’ association. Also topping $1 million were Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin, Milwaukee second baseman Brice Turang and Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero.
November 26, 2025 4:28 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers and his broken left wrist could play on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers sat out Pittsburgh’s 31-28 loss in favor of Mason Rudolph. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called the decision to sit the four-time MVP a “prudent” one. There seems to be a greater chance of Rodgers returning when Pittsburgh tries to snap out of a midseason funk against the Bills. Whichever player is at quarterback will have a new face protecting his blindside. Left tackle Broderick Jones will sit out with a neck injury.
November 26, 2025 4:30 am
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow confirms he’ll return Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow had surgery for a turf toe injury on Sept. 19 and is returning nearly a month early. The Bengals have a 3-8 record, but coach Zac Taylor emphasized Burrow’s readiness over the team’s record. Burrow says he’s eager to play, not wanting to sit out if healthy. He looked sharp in practice last week. Burrow missed last week’s game against the Patriots, but he’s excited to play on Thanksgiving, especially against division rivals such as the Ravens.
November 26, 2025 4:29 am
A sleepy week filled with nonconference blowouts locked the College Football Playoff rankings into a virtual standstill, with Ohio State ranked first again and Oregon’s flip-flop with Ole Miss at Nos. 6 and 7 one of the few significant changes in the newest top 25. Oregon’s impressive victory over Southern California accounted for its move up one spot over Mississippi, which didn’t play last week. The other meaningful change was Miami’s move to No. 12, in a switch with Utah after the Utes gave up 472 yards rushing in a tight win over Kansas State.
November 26, 2025 4:25 am
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) — Josh Reed scored a season-high 17 points for Penn State in a 96-87 win over Boston University. Penn State used a 14-3 run to take a double-digit lead midway through the first half and took a 51-35 advantage into the intermission. Michael McNair led the Terriers in scoring with 28 points, shooting 10 of 15 from the field and 7 of 11 from beyond the arc.
November 25, 2025 4:28 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin thrives when things get tough, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are struggling right now. The Steelers have lost four of their past six games, including a 31-28 defeat in Chicago that dropped them out of first place in the AFC North. Mistakes and inattentiveness to detail have been costly during Pittsburgh’s slide. Things don’t get any easier. Four of the Steelers’ final six games are against teams currently in playoff position, starting next week when Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills visit Acrisure Stadium.
November 25, 2025 4:31 am
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey had a big night in his first game against Carolina since the Panthers traded him to San Francisco three years ago. McCaffrey gained 142 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown to help the 49ers beat the Panthers 20-9 on Monday night. He helped the Niners overcome three interceptions in the first half by Brock Purdy. San Francisco is 8-4 heading into the stretch run of the season and in position for a playoff berth. The Panthers fell to 6-6 and missed a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
November 25, 2025 4:27 am
CINCINNATI (AP) — Ja’Marr Chase has apologized for spitting on Jalen Ramsey during the Cincinnati Bengals’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 16. Chase posted a statement apology on social media on Monday. He said he takes responsibility for his actions, adding that he let his emotions get the better of him. But he did not mention Ramsey by name. Chase was suspended by the NFL for the Bengals’ loss to New England on Sunday. According to the players’ union, Chase was docked at least $448,333 in base salary as a result of the suspension.
November 25, 2025 4:33 am
Purdue remained at No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. The Boilermakers earned 46 of 61 first-place votes in Monday’s poll to remain at the top. Arizona jumped to No. 2 after another impressive win against a ranked opponent. The Wildcats won at then-No. 3 UConn. They have already beaten ranked Florida and UCLA teams. Houston was third, followed by Duke and UConn. No. 24 Vanderbilt and No. 25 Indiana were new additions to the poll. They replaced Wisconsin and Kansas.
