Deadspin | Brewers place LHP Angel Zerpa (forearm) on 15-day injured list Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The Milwaukee Brewers placed left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness on Wednesday. The move was retroactive to Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Brewers called up left-hander Brian Fitzpatrick from Triple-A Nashville. Zerpa, acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City, was 0-2 with two saves, a 6.39 ERA, six walks and eight strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over 12 appearances with Milwaukee. “This looks like it could be serious. He’s not going to be back any time soon,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before Wednesday’s game against Arizona. “Big blow, but we’re kind of used to that.” Zerpa, 26, last pitched on Monday, giving up three runs, one hit and one walk with one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning in taking a 6-3 loss in 10 innings to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The native of Venezuela is 12-9 in his career with two saves, a 4.13 ERA, 59 walks and 158 strikeouts in 189 2/3 innings over 160 regular-season games (eight starts) with Kansas City (2021-25) and Milwaukee. He also was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five playoff appearances with the Royals in 2024. Fitzpatrick was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 relief appearances with Nashville. The 6-foot-7 pitcher allowed two runs, but none earned, in 10 1/3 innings. Fitzpatrick, 25, has never pitched in the majors. The Brewers also announced that outfielder Luis Matos has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Sounds. Matos, 24, hit .200 (4-for-20) in nine games in his first season with Milwaukee after parts of three seasons with the San Francisco Giants (2023-25). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brewers #place #LHP #Angel #Zerpa #forearm #15day #injured #list

Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.

Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments

Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.

Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.

While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.

“So hopefully we will make that.”

HARROWING EXIT

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.

Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.

Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.

She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.

“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.

“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”

Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.

Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.

“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.

“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">

Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournamentsPrior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.“So hopefully we will make that.”HARROWING EXITSince the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition

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Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.
Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.
Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.
“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.
“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”
READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.
Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.
While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.
“So hopefully we will make that.”
HARROWING EXIT
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.
Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.
Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.
She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.
“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.
“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”
Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.
Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.
“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.
“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”
Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments