John Coppolella reinstated by MLB

Major League Baseball has reinstated former Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella from his lifetime ban, the commissioner's office confirmed to The Athletic's Jayson Stark.

Coppolella was originally placed on the permanently ineligible list back in 2017 for circumventing international signing rules between 2015-16. He had resigned from his post as Braves GM the month prior.

As a result of the investigation, the Braves forfeited numerous international signees from their system, including Kevin Maitan, and were also banned from signing Robert Puason, a shortstop now in the Oakland Athletics organization. The team was unable to make any international signings above $10,000 for two years and stripped of its third-round selection in the MLB Draft.

Houston Texans fire head coach Lovie Smith

The Houston Texans fired head coach Lovie Smith after going 3-13-1 this season, the team announced Sunday.

Smith, who still had three years left on his contract, is the second straight Houston coach to be fired after just one season on the job. 

UPDATE: Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, his agent said Friday — the latest step in his remarkable recovery in the four days since going into cardiac arrest and being resuscitated on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bills said on Twitter that Hamlin even joined the Friday morning team meeting by FaceTime, and told them "love you boys." In a statement, the team said Hamlin's "neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team."

Team Canada wins Gold

Dylan Guenther scored the golden goal as Canada won the World Junior Hockey Championship for the second year in a row, defeating Czechia 3-2 in overtime in Thursday's gold-medal game.

Red Sox avoid arbitration with Rafael Devers

The Boston Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers agreed to a one-year, deal, avoiding arbitration, the team announced Tuesday.

The deal is reportedly worth $17.5 million, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Devers, 26, is in the final year of arbitration before being eligible to hit free agency for the first time next winter. The two sides have reportedly been discussing long-term extensions and this deal does not prevent that from happening in the future, Passan adds.

Damar Hamlin Toy Charity raises $4M

Fans have raised more than $4 million for Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin's charity toy drive in the hours after he suffered a cardiac arrest during Monday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 24-year-old Hamlin's initial goal for the fundraiser, which he started in 2020, was to raise $2,500. The foundation had brought in just over $2,900 prior to Hamlin's collapse. More than 150,000 people have now donated to the charity.

Damar Hamlin in critical condition…. prayers!

"The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin," the players' union said in a statement. "We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar's health and well-being."

Hamlin, 24, joined the Bills as a sixth-round selection in the 2021 draft after a five-year college career at Pitt.

Bruins defeat Penguins at a Fenway Park Winter Classic

Boston goaltender Linus Ullmark raised his arms in jubilation when the final buzzer sounded and the party was complete for the sellout crowd at Fenway Park.

Jake DeBrusk scored his second goal of the third period with just over two minutes remaining and the NHL-leading Bruins rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic on Monday at Fenway.

Connor Bedard OT Winner!

Connor Bedard continues to amaze.

The 17-year-old phenom scored a sensational OT winner Monday in the quarters of the World Junior Hockey Championship, leading Canada past Slovakia.

Canada will play the United States in the semis. Czechia will play Sweden in the other final-four contest.

Bedard has already rewritten the Canadian WJHC record book, setting new benchmarks for most goals and points all time, as well as most points and assists in a single tournament. Now, he's an overtime hero.

He recorded a pair of goals and an assist in the contest, bringing his tournament totals to eight tallies and 13 helpers in five games.

Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field

Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin was administered CPR after collapsing on the field in the first half of Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hamlin, who fell to the ground after making a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, remained on the field to receive medical attention for over 10 minutes before being taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

The ESPN broadcast initially suggested that both sides would take five minutes to warm up before play resumed. Following a conversation between head coaches Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor, however, teams were removed from the field and the game was temporarily suspended.