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Monday, February 2, 2026

Edwin Diaz will play for Puerto Rico at WBC


Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz will represent Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic, according to a Primera Hora report translated by WBC reporter Shawn Spradling.

Díaz's inclusion comes amid controversy involving the Puerto Rican team, which is threatening to withdraw from the event due to insurance issues that are preventing some of their best players from participating.

The addition of Díaz, who missed the entire 2023 MLB season after injuring his knee while celebrating a win during the WBC that year, could be good news for Puerto Rican captain Francisco Lindor, who had his insurance declined.

Reds sign Eugenio Suarez to 1 Year


The Cincinnati Reds and All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez agreed to a one-year, $15-million contract that includes a mutual option for the 2027 season, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Suárez is expected to serve as the Reds' primary designated hitter in 2026, according to Passan.

The 34-year-old's option is worth $16 million, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Barry Trotz stepping down in Nashville


Barry Trotz is stepping down as Nashville Predators general manager, he announced Monday.

"After working for 40 years in professional sports and 26 years in the National Hockey League, including the past three as the general manager of the Nashville Predators, I told (owner) Bill Haslam in December that I would be stepping away at the conclusion of my contract at the end of the 2026-27 season," Trotz said in a statement obtained by team reporter Brooks Bratten.

He continued, "After some discussion, we elected to begin a search for my replacement now, but I am happy to work in my current role until we make a new hire, however long that might be."

Goalie Fight


Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy and Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman traded blows in the first outdoor goalie fight in NHL history during Sunday's Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium.

Vasilevskiy skated the length of the ice to drop the gloves after Swayman went after Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in front of the Bruins crease.

Rams sign Sean McVay and Les Snead


The Los Angeles Rams signed head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead to multi-year contract extensions, the team announced Monday.

"As we enter their 10th season together, it is only fitting to reflect on the tremendous success Sean and Les have brought to this franchise and the indelible impact they have made on Los Angeles and the NFL," Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. "They continue to embody the standard of this franchise to compete for championships, consistently delivering a product that our fans and city can be proud of."

McVay and Snead have guided the Rams to a 92-57 record over nine regular seasons. The pair has also helped lead the franchise to seven playoff appearances, two NFC championship wins, and a victory in Super Bowl LVI.

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Player insurance a big issue at WBC


Ongoing controversy surrounding the World Baseball Classic's player insurance policy may result in some last-minute changes to rosters.

On Saturday morning, after Puerto Rico captain Francisco Lindor withdrew from the WBC after being declined insurance coverage, Puerto Rico Baseball Federation president Dr. José Quiles offered a harsh rebuke of the tournament's participation requirements. Dr. Quiles suggested that the insurance problems are disproportionately affecting Puerto Rico and that his nation, which is hosting Pool A at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium, may withdraw from the WBC entirely.

Giants sign Luis Arraez to 1 Year $12M


The San Francisco Giants agreed to a one-year deal with three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, sources told ESPN's Jorge Castillo.

Arraez will earn $12 million and play second base for the Giants, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo. The 28-year-old turned down multi-year offers so he could return to second base after spending last season at first base for the San Diego Padres.

He'll join Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman in San Francisco's infield. Casey Schmitt, Tyler Fitzgerald, and Christian Koss all appeared in games at second for the Giants last season.

Kenny Atkinson fined $50K


Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was fined $50,000 by the NBA for "aggressively pursuing, berating, and making inadvertent contact with a game official" during a game on Friday night.

The NBA's head of basketball operations James Jones made the announcement on Saturday.

The incident happened after Atkinson was called for his second technical foul and ejected from the game with 10:59 remaining in the fourth quarter of a 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Linus Ullmark returns to Ottawa with 1st Star


Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark had a triumphant return to the crease Saturday night, making 26 saves in a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in his first game since taking a leave of absence in late December.

"At the end there, also during lineup, it was really hard holding it together," UIlmark said postgame, per Coming In Hot. "I didn't want to hold it together, also. It's one of the things I've been working on, is letting the feelings flow a little bit. There's nothing bad about that. I was really happy that we got a win today as well."

Ullmark was given a standing ovation by Ottawa's home crowd when the starting lineup was announced and again when he was named first star.

Steve Tisch denies visiting Jeffery Epstein


New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said he knew Jeffrey Epstein but denied going to his island after his name was mentioned more than 400 times in files released Friday by the U.S. Justice Department.

"We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments," Tisch said in a statement provided by the NFL team. "I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with."

According to emails that were among the 3 million pages of documents, Epstein connected Tisch to numerous women. Tisch, 76, was never charged with any crime connected to the investigation.