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Deadspin | Braves promote RHP Didier Fuentes, shuffle rotation Mar 29, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Didier Fuentes (72) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves promoted right-hander Didier Fuentes from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Wednesday’s road game against the Washington Nationals. Right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Fuentes. The Braves pushed previously announced starter Martin Perez back to Thursday at Washington, giving fellow left-hander Chris Sale an additional day of rest before he takes the mound at home Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Fuentes, who made his major league debut last season, started the season in the Atlanta bullpen before being sent down to Gwinnett to build up as a starter. He had a 2.25 ERA in four major league innings with four strikeouts and one walk before he was sent down. In three Triple-A starts spanning 16 2/3 innings, he went 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA, 20 strikeouts and six walks. Fuentes, who debuted three days after his 20th birthday last June, had a 13.85 ERA in four starts and 13 innings in 2025, allowing 20 earned runs on 23 hits. However, his 0.66 ERA, 18 strikeouts and one walk over 13 2/3 innings this spring helped him earn an Opening Day roster spot. Hamilton, 30, allowed three runs in one inning of his Braves debut in Tuesday’s 11-4 loss to the Nationals. Over seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2018, 2020), Minnesota Twins (2022), New York Yankees (2023-25) and Braves, Hamilton is 6-6 with a 3.75 ERA over 151 1/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #promote #RHP #Didier #Fuentes #shuffle #rotation

Deadspin | Braves promote RHP Didier Fuentes, shuffle rotation
Deadspin | Braves promote RHP Didier Fuentes, shuffle rotation Mar 29, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Didier Fuentes (72) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves promoted right-hander Didier Fuentes from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Wednesday’s road game against the Washington Nationals. Right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Fuentes. The Braves pushed previously announced starter Martin Perez back to Thursday at Washington, giving fellow left-hander Chris Sale an additional day of rest before he takes the mound at home Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Fuentes, who made his major league debut last season, started the season in the Atlanta bullpen before being sent down to Gwinnett to build up as a starter. He had a 2.25 ERA in four major league innings with four strikeouts and one walk before he was sent down. In three Triple-A starts spanning 16 2/3 innings, he went 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA, 20 strikeouts and six walks. Fuentes, who debuted three days after his 20th birthday last June, had a 13.85 ERA in four starts and 13 innings in 2025, allowing 20 earned runs on 23 hits. However, his 0.66 ERA, 18 strikeouts and one walk over 13 2/3 innings this spring helped him earn an Opening Day roster spot. Hamilton, 30, allowed three runs in one inning of his Braves debut in Tuesday’s 11-4 loss to the Nationals. Over seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2018, 2020), Minnesota Twins (2022), New York Yankees (2023-25) and Braves, Hamilton is 6-6 with a 3.75 ERA over 151 1/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #promote #RHP #Didier #Fuentes #shuffle #rotationMar 29, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Didier Fuentes (72) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves promoted right-hander Didier Fuentes from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Wednesday’s road game against the Washington Nationals.

Right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Fuentes.

The Braves pushed previously announced starter Martin Perez back to Thursday at Washington, giving fellow left-hander Chris Sale an additional day of rest before he takes the mound at home Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies.


Fuentes, who made his major league debut last season, started the season in the Atlanta bullpen before being sent down to Gwinnett to build up as a starter.

He had a 2.25 ERA in four major league innings with four strikeouts and one walk before he was sent down. In three Triple-A starts spanning 16 2/3 innings, he went 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA, 20 strikeouts and six walks.

Fuentes, who debuted three days after his 20th birthday last June, had a 13.85 ERA in four starts and 13 innings in 2025, allowing 20 earned runs on 23 hits. However, his 0.66 ERA, 18 strikeouts and one walk over 13 2/3 innings this spring helped him earn an Opening Day roster spot.

Hamilton, 30, allowed three runs in one inning of his Braves debut in Tuesday’s 11-4 loss to the Nationals. Over seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2018, 2020), Minnesota Twins (2022), New York Yankees (2023-25) and Braves, Hamilton is 6-6 with a 3.75 ERA over 151 1/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Braves #promote #RHP #Didier #Fuentes #shuffle #rotation

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Mar 29, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Didier Fuentes (72) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves promoted right-hander Didier Fuentes from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Wednesday’s road game against the Washington Nationals.

Right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Fuentes.

The Braves pushed previously announced starter Martin Perez back to Thursday at Washington, giving fellow left-hander Chris Sale an additional day of rest before he takes the mound at home Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fuentes, who made his major league debut last season, started the season in the Atlanta bullpen before being sent down to Gwinnett to build up as a starter.

He had a 2.25 ERA in four major league innings with four strikeouts and one walk before he was sent down. In three Triple-A starts spanning 16 2/3 innings, he went 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA, 20 strikeouts and six walks.

Fuentes, who debuted three days after his 20th birthday last June, had a 13.85 ERA in four starts and 13 innings in 2025, allowing 20 earned runs on 23 hits. However, his 0.66 ERA, 18 strikeouts and one walk over 13 2/3 innings this spring helped him earn an Opening Day roster spot.

Hamilton, 30, allowed three runs in one inning of his Braves debut in Tuesday’s 11-4 loss to the Nationals. Over seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2018, 2020), Minnesota Twins (2022), New York Yankees (2023-25) and Braves, Hamilton is 6-6 with a 3.75 ERA over 151 1/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Braves #promote #RHP #Didier #Fuentes #shuffle #rotation

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Kentucky’s transfer portal struggles put more heat on Mark Pope, and he deserves it <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mark Pope’s first year as the head coach of the Kentucky men’s basketball program was sort of like a Hallmark Christmas movie: Cute, predictable, got the job done, but lacking in the substance for any viewer or fan to refer to it as one of their favorite movies or seasons of all-time.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Pope understood the assignment. Whenever there’s an unamiable parting of ways, the task for the next person up is to showcase that they’re capable of continuing to provide the good qualities of the person they’re replacing, but also that they are the antithesis of said person in the areas that had ultimately steered the relationship towards a breakup.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Kentucky fans were upset that John Calipari seemingly refused to modernize his offensive philosophies.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mark Pope came from BYU with an offensive game plan centered around lighting up the scoreboard with outside shots and high percentage buckets at the rim.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Kentucky fans were upset that John Calipari had seemed to believe that he had become bigger than the program.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mark Pope was a former player who played up the notion that the Big Blue Nation WAS Kentucky basketball, and that this was a perpetual truth that couldn’t be changed.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Kentucky fans were <em>really </em>upset that John Calipari hadn’t been to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2019 and couldn’t seem to stop losing games to double-digit seeds.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team played to its 3-seed, making the Sweet 16 before getting hammered by conference rival Tennessee.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It was nice, it was refreshing, and it hit just about every necessary benchmark the fan base had for year one. It also wasn’t going to be good enough moving forward.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This is a fan base that demands the biggest and the best, and Hallmark Christmas movies don’t win Oscars and they don’t get standing ovations at Cannes.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Telling Kentucky fans how great they are and consistently referencing how lucky he is to be the most important man in Lexington was never going to be enough for Pope in year two. The bar was always going to be raised, and simply not being John Calipari was never going to be the boost necessary to clear it.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The task got even taller when <a href="https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article312461238.html">reports</a> surfaced last October that Kentucky had spent $22 million on its 2025-26 roster, and that the number was the most in the sport “by a wide margin.” Immediately, the target that is always on UK’s back became larger than Pope’s 6’10 frame. The tolerance for another potential “cute, fun, but not special” season evaporated instantly.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Dealing with some injuries?</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Don’t care, $22 million roster.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Drop a game you’re not supposed to drop?</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Can’t happen, $22 million roster.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Fall short of the ultimate goal in March.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Simply unacceptable, $22 million roster.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This was the established terrain when Pope and Kentucky began year two ranked inside the preseason top 10.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Pope then stepped in nearly all of the covered landmines that were scattered seemingly everywhere across the college basketball landscape.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">One of the few things that BBN still loved about Calipari by the time that both sides agreed it was time for a divorce was that he still dominated hated rival Louisville. Cal was 13-3 against the Cardinals and had won his two last Battle of the Bluegrass games by a combined 42 points.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In its first real test of the 2025-26 season, Pope’s Wildcats trailed Louisville by as many as 20 points before ultimately falling by a score of 96-88. Prominent members of UK’s fan media declared it as the official “honeymoon’s over” moment between Pope and the fan base. There are certain games you can lose as Kentucky’s head coach without sending the websites and the message boards and the radio shows in the Commonwealth into a full-blown 48 hour (or more) meltdown. The Louisville game is never one of them.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">When the on-the-court stuff goes haywire at a place like Kentucky, the off-the-court stuff suddenly becomes nearly impossible to manage. Pope didn’t do himself any favors on that front.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">With the fan base still fuming over the loss, Pope seemed to try and hint at an excuse for the team’s poor performance.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“I’m not ready to tell the story yet, but at some point, we will talk in detail about our pregame experience at Louisville,” Pope said. “It was out of character for us. I don’t want our guys to be run by their emotion; I want them to be able to focus their emotion.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The message did not resonate with its targeted audience.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Kentucky fans ripped into their head coach for insinuating there was a valid reason for the team not looking stellar against Louisville but not telling anybody what it was. Rumors also began to swirl throughout the Bluegrass State in a way that is typically reserved for if the Wildcats are really struggling during the heart of a season.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Did Pope get into it with a player?</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Are two players going after the same girl?</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Are THREE players going after the same girl?</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Three nights later, after a 99-53 blowout win over Eastern Illinois, Pope made light of the comment and the tidal wave of response it had created.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“I’m a big Taylor Swift fan and I just love to leave out these things that keep everybody wondering and guessing,” Pope joked. “It really is nothing; it’s just something about the emotional level of our team. I want to tease it and let it play for a few more days. It was just the way we felt as a team and how we responded.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Pope quickly learned that a 44-point win in a buy game three days after a loss to Louisville didn’t earn him the right to make quirky jokes again. Not even ones with Taylor Swift references.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The heat doubled a week after the Louisville loss when Kentucky went to Madison Square Garden for the annual Champions Classic doubleheader and got throttled by Michigan State, 83-66. They followed that up with a home loss to North Carolina and a 45-point beatdown at the hands of Gonzaga that sent BBN into a full-on frenzy.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The heat didn’t die down during conference play, where UK lost eight games and was forced to play on the opening day of the SEC Tournament for the first time in the history of the program. Even Billy Gillispie earned at least a single bye in the league tourney in both of his failed seasons in Lexington.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">A dramatic overtime win over Santa Clara provided some positive March vibes for about 24 hours, but a blowout loss to a short-handed Iowa State team in round two officially set the tone for Pope’s third spring wearing the Commonwealth’s heaviest crown: It’s time to start showing us something … or else.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">So far, “or else” has dominated the spring conversations in the Bluegrass State.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Kentucky was viewed as a heavy favorite for G-Leaguer Dink Pate. Pate ultimately committed to Providence.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Highly-coveted BYU point guard Rob Wright was seen as a done deal for the Wildcats … until Wright actually visited UK. Quickly, rumors of Wright’s visit going south began to spread, and the rising junior ultimately opted to re-sign with the Cougars.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman was talked about as a sure thing for Kentucky for weeks. Then, Rick Pitino — Pope’s former head coach and mentor — swooped in and stole him. <a href="https://x.com/GoodmanHoops/status/2046401813411221854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2046401813411221854%7Ctwgr%5Eb3799addae0f03bd01f3313bc2fc558e351f436b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fkentucky%2Fmen-s-basketball%2Fthis-quote-on-donnie-freeman-s-decision-to-pick-st-john-s-will-frustrate-kentucky-fans">Reports</a> that Freeman wanted to play for “a guy that would coach him hard, and wanted someone who had coached pros” added insult to injury.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Tyran Stokes, a Kentucky native and the No. 1 overall player in the recruiting class of 2026, has seemed to be in no particular rush to pledge his loyalty to Pope and the Wildcats despite receiving the full-court press from BBN.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Cats also lost Collin Chandler, who most believed would return for another season to BYU, and productive power forward Mo Dioubate to conference rival LSU.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">During this run of futility, Pope has become something of an internet meme, both locally and nationally.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There are more. There are lots more.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In fairness, it’s not like Kentucky appears to be headed for an all-time disaster of season. Pope <em>has </em>landed a pair of high-profile transfers in Washington’s Zoom Diallo and Furman’s Alex Wilkins. He’ll also return heavy contributors Malachi Moreno and Kam Williams from last year’s team. Those bones should be strong enough to form the nucleus of a team that should once again be NCAA Tournament good.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But NCAA Tournament good isn’t the standard at Kentucky. Certainly not in year three of a head coach’s tenure.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Pope knew exactly what he was signing up for when he agreed to be the guy who followed Calipari in Lexington. The ceiling for the potential good at Kentucky is always about as high as any good in college basketball can be. You are king of the sport’s most passionate fan base and one its most powerful programs, and every second you exist, you are treated as such.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The floor for the potential bad is … well, Pope is flirting with finding out just how low that can get and how ugly things can become over the 10 months ahead.</p></div></div> #Kentuckys #transfer #portal #struggles #put #heat #Mark #Pope #deserves

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LSG vs RR, IPL 2026: Bowlers rule the roost to help Rajasthan Royals return to winning ways <div id="content-body-70894262" itemprop="articleBody"><p>In a rare slow-burn Indian Premier League (IPL) contest, Rajasthan Royals defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 40 runs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday by successfully defending this season’s lowest total. </p><p>After the Royals managed just 159, Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger reduced the Super Giants to 11 for three in the PowerPlay, as Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant and Aiden Markram fell for ducks. </p><p>Nicholas Pooran’s painstaking 25-ball 22 ended just as the West Indian looked to tee off in the face of a mounting required rate. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi’s stranglehold through the middle meant the host was always behind the eight ball. </p><p>With 61 runs needed from five overs, Mitchell Marsh’s steady presence in the middle gave the home fans hope before the Australian was undone by Burger’s slower one. </p><p>Riyan Parag’s low diving catch at extra-cover to dismiss the dangerous Mukul Choudhary was the last nail in LSG’s coffin. Brijesh Sharma and Archer later completed the formalities.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/mumbai-indians-vs-chennai-super-kings-ipl-2026-mi-csk-rivalry-preview/article70893555.ece" target="_self">IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: A familiar rivalry seeks new relevance</a></b></p><p>Earlier, after the Super Giants elected to bowl, Mohammed Shami steamed in, with a slip in place on a spicy pitch, and delivered a pearler that was angled on leg-side but moved away late to kiss Dhruv Jurel’s outside edge and into the wicketkeeper’s gloves. A ball earlier, Shami had dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal with a bouncer after he had carted Shami for three consecutive fours. </p><p>In the following over, Mohsin Khan stemmed the flow of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s exuberance by homing in on a good length consistently, which resulted in five dot balls, before Sooryavanshi rushed into a fatal slog. </p><p>Sensing the situation, Parag didn’t go feeling for the ball when Shami strode in again, with the RR skipper leaving one in the channel before solidly defending—pure Test match stuff. </p><p>RR’s top-order juggernaut had ground to a halt, crawling to 44 for three inside the PowerPlay. </p><p>Mayank Yadav’s 0 for 56 in four overs was the sole blemish in an otherwise spotless Super Giants bowling performance. </p><p>However, Jadeja and Impact Player Shubham Dubey’s 49-run partnership off 25 balls was crucial in consigning the Super Giants to their third straight defeat at home. </p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 22, 2026</p></div> #LSG #IPL #Bowlers #rule #roost #Rajasthan #Royals #return #winning #ways

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Deadspin | NFL draft sees surprises galore after Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza slam dunk Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Fernando Mendoza’s next mission might be his toughest yet: Try to turn Sin City into Win City. The Las Vegas Raiders tabbed Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. The 22-year-old will be the centerpiece of a franchise rebuild following his meteoric rise at Indiana, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the program to its first national title. Mendoza had 41 touchdown passes and six interceptions for Indiana last season, completing 72% of his passes to post a perfect 16-0 record not many outside the program saw coming. Indiana entered the season with the most losses in FBS history (715). It came as no surprise that the Raiders, who finished 3-14 in 2025, used their top pick on Mendoza. The selection had been expected for months as Las Vegas eyed a potential franchise quarterback, and now the only question is whether Mendoza will immediately step in as the starter or whether he will serve as an understudy to veteran Kirk Cousins to start the season. What the Raiders’ top pick lacked in suspense, the rest of the top 10 made up for with surprises. The New York Jets tapped Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 pick. Bailey racked up 14.5 sacks in 14 games last season, and he prompted the Jets to bypass highly touted edge rusher Arvell Reese to select him instead. At No. 3, the Arizona Cardinals added Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The Cardinals had needs at other positions but decided they could not skip out on a home-run hitter in Love, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry and rushed for 18 touchdowns last season. The Titans added another twist at No. 4 when they bypassed high-end defenders to select wideout Carnell Tate from Ohio State. In 2025, Tate caught 51 passes and hauled in nine touchdowns. Tate had a message for Cam Ward, his new quarterback with the Titans. “I’m a reliable target for him,” Tate said. “Whenever he needs me, I’m there for him. I’m always open.” The New York Giants pounced on Reese at No. 5, where he will join what could be one of the league’s more talented pass-rushing units. “The Giants told me they’re going to get unique with me,” Reese said. “They said they’re going to use me in a bunch of unique ways. I’m looking forward to that.” Next came the first trade of the evening, as the Kansas City Chiefs struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns to move up from No. 9 to No. 6. To jump three spots on the draft board, the Chiefs gave up a third-round pick (No. 74) overall and a fifth-round pick (No. 148 overall). Kansas City then selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Delane said the Chiefs were not heavily involved in his pre-draft process, a tactic that appeared to be subterfuge as soon as they called his name. “They said they just wanted to keep it quiet and make that sneak move,” Delane said. “And they made the best move in the draft. So I’m excited.” The Washington Commanders followed at No. 7 by selecting linebacker Sonny Styles — the third Buckeye to go in the top seven picks. At No. 8, the New Orleans Saints drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. A pair of offensive linemen rounded out the top 10. Cleveland got first dibs as it used the No. 9 pick to select tackle Spencer Fano from Utah. Moments later, the Giants took advantage of their second pick of the first round to take Miami Hurricanes tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NFL #draft #sees #surprises #galore #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #slam #dunkApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Fernando Mendoza’s next mission might be his toughest yet: Try to turn Sin City into Win City.

The Las Vegas Raiders tabbed Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. The 22-year-old will be the centerpiece of a franchise rebuild following his meteoric rise at Indiana, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the program to its first national title.

Mendoza had 41 touchdown passes and six interceptions for Indiana last season, completing 72% of his passes to post a perfect 16-0 record not many outside the program saw coming. Indiana entered the season with the most losses in FBS history (715).

It came as no surprise that the Raiders, who finished 3-14 in 2025, used their top pick on Mendoza. The selection had been expected for months as Las Vegas eyed a potential franchise quarterback, and now the only question is whether Mendoza will immediately step in as the starter or whether he will serve as an understudy to veteran Kirk Cousins to start the season.

What the Raiders’ top pick lacked in suspense, the rest of the top 10 made up for with surprises.

The New York Jets tapped Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 pick. Bailey racked up 14.5 sacks in 14 games last season, and he prompted the Jets to bypass highly touted edge rusher Arvell Reese to select him instead.

At No. 3, the Arizona Cardinals added Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The Cardinals had needs at other positions but decided they could not skip out on a home-run hitter in Love, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry and rushed for 18 touchdowns last season.

The Titans added another twist at No. 4 when they bypassed high-end defenders to select wideout Carnell Tate from Ohio State. In 2025, Tate caught 51 passes and hauled in nine touchdowns.

Tate had a message for Cam Ward, his new quarterback with the Titans.


“I’m a reliable target for him,” Tate said. “Whenever he needs me, I’m there for him. I’m always open.”

The New York Giants pounced on Reese at No. 5, where he will join what could be one of the league’s more talented pass-rushing units.

“The Giants told me they’re going to get unique with me,” Reese said. “They said they’re going to use me in a bunch of unique ways. I’m looking forward to that.”

Next came the first trade of the evening, as the Kansas City Chiefs struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns to move up from No. 9 to No. 6. To jump three spots on the draft board, the Chiefs gave up a third-round pick (No. 74) overall and a fifth-round pick (No. 148 overall).

Kansas City then selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.

Delane said the Chiefs were not heavily involved in his pre-draft process, a tactic that appeared to be subterfuge as soon as they called his name.

“They said they just wanted to keep it quiet and make that sneak move,” Delane said. “And they made the best move in the draft. So I’m excited.”

The Washington Commanders followed at No. 7 by selecting linebacker Sonny Styles — the third Buckeye to go in the top seven picks. At No. 8, the New Orleans Saints drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

A pair of offensive linemen rounded out the top 10.

Cleveland got first dibs as it used the No. 9 pick to select tackle Spencer Fano from Utah. Moments later, the Giants took advantage of their second pick of the first round to take Miami Hurricanes tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NFL #draft #sees #surprises #galore #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #slam #dunk">Deadspin | NFL draft sees surprises galore after Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza slam dunk Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Fernando Mendoza’s next mission might be his toughest yet: Try to turn Sin City into Win City. The Las Vegas Raiders tabbed Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. The 22-year-old will be the centerpiece of a franchise rebuild following his meteoric rise at Indiana, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the program to its first national title. Mendoza had 41 touchdown passes and six interceptions for Indiana last season, completing 72% of his passes to post a perfect 16-0 record not many outside the program saw coming. Indiana entered the season with the most losses in FBS history (715). It came as no surprise that the Raiders, who finished 3-14 in 2025, used their top pick on Mendoza. The selection had been expected for months as Las Vegas eyed a potential franchise quarterback, and now the only question is whether Mendoza will immediately step in as the starter or whether he will serve as an understudy to veteran Kirk Cousins to start the season. What the Raiders’ top pick lacked in suspense, the rest of the top 10 made up for with surprises. The New York Jets tapped Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 pick. Bailey racked up 14.5 sacks in 14 games last season, and he prompted the Jets to bypass highly touted edge rusher Arvell Reese to select him instead. At No. 3, the Arizona Cardinals added Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The Cardinals had needs at other positions but decided they could not skip out on a home-run hitter in Love, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry and rushed for 18 touchdowns last season. The Titans added another twist at No. 4 when they bypassed high-end defenders to select wideout Carnell Tate from Ohio State. In 2025, Tate caught 51 passes and hauled in nine touchdowns. Tate had a message for Cam Ward, his new quarterback with the Titans. “I’m a reliable target for him,” Tate said. “Whenever he needs me, I’m there for him. I’m always open.” The New York Giants pounced on Reese at No. 5, where he will join what could be one of the league’s more talented pass-rushing units. “The Giants told me they’re going to get unique with me,” Reese said. “They said they’re going to use me in a bunch of unique ways. I’m looking forward to that.” Next came the first trade of the evening, as the Kansas City Chiefs struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns to move up from No. 9 to No. 6. To jump three spots on the draft board, the Chiefs gave up a third-round pick (No. 74) overall and a fifth-round pick (No. 148 overall). Kansas City then selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Delane said the Chiefs were not heavily involved in his pre-draft process, a tactic that appeared to be subterfuge as soon as they called his name. “They said they just wanted to keep it quiet and make that sneak move,” Delane said. “And they made the best move in the draft. So I’m excited.” The Washington Commanders followed at No. 7 by selecting linebacker Sonny Styles — the third Buckeye to go in the top seven picks. At No. 8, the New Orleans Saints drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. A pair of offensive linemen rounded out the top 10. Cleveland got first dibs as it used the No. 9 pick to select tackle Spencer Fano from Utah. Moments later, the Giants took advantage of their second pick of the first round to take Miami Hurricanes tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NFL #draft #sees #surprises #galore #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #slam #dunk

India began its Thomas Cup campaign with a 3-1 lead over Canada in the first round with Srikanth Kidambi’s game still left at the Forum Horsens, Court 2 in Denmark on Friday.

Ayush Shetty and double pairs of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R Arjun won their respective games.

Ayush beat Brian Yang 21-13, 21-17 while Satwik-Chirag won 21-10, 21-11 over Jonathan Lai and Kevin Lee. Amsakarunan and Arjun pair defeated Ty Alexander Lindeman and Nyl Yakura 21-7,

Lakshya Sen, however, lost 21-18, 19-21, 10-21 to Victor Lai in the first match.

– More to follow

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Thomas #Cup #India #takes #lead #Canada #opener #Lakshya #Sen #loss">Thomas Cup 2026: India takes lead over Canada in opener despite Lakshya Sen loss India began its Thomas Cup campaign with a 3-1 lead over Canada in the first round with Srikanth Kidambi’s game still left at the Forum Horsens, Court 2 in Denmark on Friday.Ayush Shetty and double pairs of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R Arjun won their respective games.Ayush beat Brian Yang 21-13, 21-17 while Satwik-Chirag won 21-10, 21-11 over Jonathan Lai and Kevin Lee. Amsakarunan and Arjun pair defeated Ty Alexander Lindeman and Nyl Yakura 21-7,Lakshya Sen, however, lost 21-18, 19-21, 10-21 to Victor Lai in the first match.– More to followPublished on Apr 24, 2026 #Thomas #Cup #India #takes #lead #Canada #opener #Lakshya #Sen #loss

Deadspin | NBA fines Suns’ Devin Booker K but rescind his technical Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA referee JB DeRosa calls a technical on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images One day after calling a referee’s performance “terrible,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker received a ,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday for his comments — but he did receive some vindication from the league. The NBA rescinded the technical foul called against Booker late in the third quarter, announcing it was “improperly assessed.” After the Suns lost 120-107 to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, falling behind the defending champions 2-0 in a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, Booker expressed his thoughts on the officiating. “It’s definitely something that has to be looked at,” Booker said postgame. “I heard (Oklahoma City’s Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight.” He added, “Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.” NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones issued the fine. The accompanying press release also addressed Booker’s allegations, saying, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.” However, the league went on to state that Booker’s technical foul was overturned. Booker finished with 22 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday after he had 23 points and six boards in Game 1 on Sunday. In 64 regular-season starts this campaign, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds. In 11 NBA seasons, all with the Suns, Booker has been an All-Star five times. He has career averages of 24.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 737 games (712 starts). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #fines #Suns #Devin #Booker #35K #rescind #technicalApr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA referee JB DeRosa calls a technical on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

One day after calling a referee’s performance “terrible,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker received a $35,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday for his comments — but he did receive some vindication from the league.

The NBA rescinded the technical foul called against Booker late in the third quarter, announcing it was “improperly assessed.”

After the Suns lost 120-107 to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, falling behind the defending champions 2-0 in a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, Booker expressed his thoughts on the officiating.

“It’s definitely something that has to be looked at,” Booker said postgame. “I heard (Oklahoma City’s Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight.”


He added, “Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.”

NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones issued the fine. The accompanying press release also addressed Booker’s allegations, saying, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.”

However, the league went on to state that Booker’s technical foul was overturned.

Booker finished with 22 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday after he had 23 points and six boards in Game 1 on Sunday. In 64 regular-season starts this campaign, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

In 11 NBA seasons, all with the Suns, Booker has been an All-Star five times. He has career averages of 24.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 737 games (712 starts).


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #fines #Suns #Devin #Booker #35K #rescind #technical">Deadspin | NBA fines Suns’ Devin Booker K but rescind his technical Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA referee JB DeRosa calls a technical on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images One day after calling a referee’s performance “terrible,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker received a ,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday for his comments — but he did receive some vindication from the league. The NBA rescinded the technical foul called against Booker late in the third quarter, announcing it was “improperly assessed.” After the Suns lost 120-107 to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, falling behind the defending champions 2-0 in a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, Booker expressed his thoughts on the officiating. “It’s definitely something that has to be looked at,” Booker said postgame. “I heard (Oklahoma City’s Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight.” He added, “Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.” NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones issued the fine. The accompanying press release also addressed Booker’s allegations, saying, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.” However, the league went on to state that Booker’s technical foul was overturned. Booker finished with 22 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday after he had 23 points and six boards in Game 1 on Sunday. In 64 regular-season starts this campaign, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds. In 11 NBA seasons, all with the Suns, Booker has been an All-Star five times. He has career averages of 24.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 737 games (712 starts). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #NBA #fines #Suns #Devin #Booker #35K #rescind #technical

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