Seattle Mariners land Josh Naylor

The Seattle Mariners added some thump to their lineup Thursday, acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitching prospects Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi.

"We are thrilled to add Josh as we make a push for the postseason," Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said. "Josh's ability to hit for both average and power is unique and we are excited not to have to face him anymore."

Naylor fills a glaring hole in his new team's lineup at first base. Mariners first basemen have been worth a combined 0.4 fWAR while hitting only 16 homers this season. Rowdy Tellez, Seattle's Opening Day starter at the position, was released in June.

Dylan Cease in demand



The market for Dylan Cease is taking shape with the July 31 trade deadline approaching fast.

The Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets have contacted the San Diego Padres about the talented right-hander, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

The Padres entered Thursday's action in the NL's last wild-card spot. However, the club is reportedly listening to offers for Cease because he's slated to hit free agency this offseason. The 29-year-old is expected to be one of the top pitchers available during the winter.

Hurricanes sign Jackson Blake

The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Jackson Blake to an eight-year, $45-million extension that starts in the 2026-27 season, the club announced Thursday.

Blake recorded 17 goals with 17 assists for 34 points in his rookie campaign in 2024-25. He added another six points (three goals, three assists) across 15 playoff contests during the Hurricanes' run to the Eastern Conference Final.

The 21-year-old ranked first among NHL freshmen with six game-winning goals last season.

Blue Jays thump Tigers

Ernie Clement and Joey Loperfido hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning to help the surging Toronto Blue Jays rout the slumping Detroit Tigers 11-4 on Thursday night in a matchup of first-place teams going in opposite directions.

The AL East-leading Blue Jays have won 19 of their last 24 games, and the AL Central-leading Tigers have lost 10 of 11.

Judge rules NOT GUILTY for Canada Juniors

An Ontario judge acquitted five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team on Thursday in their sexual assault case, saying the complainant's allegations lacked the credibility needed to justify the charges.

Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia said prosecutors could not meet the onus of proof for the charges against Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote.

All five players had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an encounter that took place in a London, Ontario, hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018. Years of speculation regarding the allegations — fueled by a lawsuit settlement, parliamentary hearings and revived investigations by the police and Hockey Canada, along with an NHL investigation — all preceded a complex trial earlier this year that included a mistrial and the dismissal of the jury, leaving the verdict to Carroccia.

Hulk Hogan passes away at 71

Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing, bicep-busting icon of professional wrestling who turned the sport into a massive business and stretched his influence into TV, pop culture and conservative politics during a long and scandal-plagued second act, died Thursday in Florida at age 71.

Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital less than 90 minutes after medics in Clearwater arrived at his home to answer a morning call about a cardiac arrest, police said.