Dodgers sign Roki Sasaki

 

Roki Sasaki has made his decision. 

The star Japanese right-hander announced Friday that he's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bob Uecker passes away

 

Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker "Mr. Baseball" and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90.

The team announced Uecker died Thursday morning, calling it "one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history." In a statement released by the club, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023.

Puma sueing Tiger Woods

Sun Day Red, Tiger Woods’s new apparel line through TaylorMade, is facing its second trademark dispute in four months—this one coming from Puma. 

In a court filing last week, the German apparel company alleged the Sun Day Red logo is too similar to the primary “Leaping Cat” logo Puma has used since 1969. The filing was submitted through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Virginia, with a goal of preventing Sun Day Red from using its logo, which is a tiger with 15 lines to honor Woods’s 15 major championships. The name Sun Day Red is a nod to Woods wearing red on Sundays in golf tournaments. 

Malkins’ home robbed theft 3 Stanley Cup rings

 

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin's home was burglarized last Saturday, the team announced.

Malkin's missing the three Stanley Cup rings won with Pittsburgh in 2009, 2016, and 2017, he confirmed to The Athletic's Rob Rossi and Alex Andrejev.

"We are working closely with local authorities and team security," the Penguins said in a statement. "Malkin has requested that his privacy be respected during this time and we will have no further comment on the matter."

Nick Taylor wins Sony Open

 

Nick Taylor beat Nico Echavarria in a playoff Sunday to win the Sony Open and seal his fifth career PGA TOUR victory.

Taylor earned the victory with a birdie on the second playoff hole. He made a four on the par-5 18th despite launching his tee shot into the bunker. Echavarria opened the door for Taylor to win with a three-putt par.

Taylor was 1-over par through seven holes Sunday, then reeled off four consecutive birdies to put himself into contention. He grabbed the clubhouse lead with a chip-in eagle on his 72nd hole of the tournament.

Puma pouncing on Tiger Woods

 

Puma is pouncing on Tiger Woods' Sun Day Red logos.

The German footwear and sports apparel company filed a notice of opposition against the legendary golfer's new brand, stating that the logos are too similar.

"Due to the confusing similarity of the marks and the identical, legally identical, or closely related nature of the goods and services of the parties, consumer confusion is likely between the Challenged Marks and the Leaping Cat logo," Puma said in the filing.

Raiders fire Head Coach Pierce

 

The Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce, the team announced Tuesday.

The Raiders will keep general manager Tom Telesco, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Pierce posted a 4-13 record over his lone full season as head coach. His Raiders also suffered a 10-game losing streak and went winless against AFC West opponents for the first time since 2006, per Schefter.

Pierce went 5-4 as the interim coach in 2023 following the firing of Josh McDaniels. He was named Las Vegas' 23rd head coach in January 2024.

Oakland Athletics sign Rooker $60M

 

The Athletics and slugger Brent Rooker agreed to a five-year extension worth $60 million, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Rooker's deal reportedly contains a vesting option that can take the contract to $90 million over six years.

The move halts trade speculation that followed the 30-year-old into the offseason. Rooker bashed 69 home runs over the past two seasons, making him a premier power threat and an intriguing trade chip for the typically frugal Athletics.

Matthews returns to Leafs

 

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is returning to the lineup Saturday against the Boston Bruins.

Matthews confirmed it to reporters, including TSN's Chris Johnston, on Saturday morning. The Maple Leafs then activated the American superstar off injured reserve in the late afternoon.

He missed Toronto's last six games after aggravating an upper-body injury Dec. 20. He sat out nine contests earlier in the campaign with the ailment.

Cowboys release Elliott

 

The Dallas Cowboys cut running back Ezekiel Elliott after he asked to be released, the team announced Tuesday.

Elliott now heads to waivers, where he can be claimed by another team. He will become an unrestricted free agent if he isn't claimed during the waiver process.

Dallas parted ways with Elliott to give the veteran tailback an opportunity to join a playoff contender.