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Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb.

Orioles select high school SS Jackson Holliday with No. 1 pick in MLB Draft

Holliday batted .685 with 17 home runs and 79 RBI in 40 games this past season for Stillwater High School. 

Report: Nationals won't increase contract extension offer to star Juan Soto

The 2020 NL batting champion reportedly wants a long-term contract with a higher total value than Mike Trout's $426 million deal.

Rays' Harold Ramirez to be re-evaluated in two weeks following thumb fracture

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/outfielder Harold Ramirez suffered a fractured thumb against the Baltimore Orioles.

Angels star Mike Trout to sit out 2022 All-Star Game with back spasms

Los Angeles Angels three-time MVP Mike Trout will sit out this year's All-Star Game as he continues to nurse back spasms.

Astros' Justin Verlander earns MLB-best 12th victory; moves to 14th on all-time strikeout list

Verlander has returned with a vengeance in 2022 after missing all of 2021 recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

A's top prospect Shea Langeliers named MVP of 2022 All-Star Futures Game

Langeliers finished 1-for-2 on the night, helping lead the AL to a victory over the NL, 6-4. 

Report: Lions ‘expected to prioritize’ contract extension for TE T.J. Hockenson

Contract negotiations between the Detroit Lions and tight end T.J. Hockenson, which began earlier this offseason, now appear to be coming to a head.

Lakers' star LeBron James scores 42 points in Drew League game

LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan put on a show, combining for 72 points to lead the MMV Cheaters to a 104-102 victory over the Black Pearl Elite.

Red Sox place 2B Trevor Story on 10-day IL with hand contusion

Story left Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays after being hit in the hand by a pitch from Rays' starter Corey Kluber.

Yankees' Miguel Castro placed on 15-day IL with shoulder strain

On Saturday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team was shutting down Castro for four weeks. 

Giants activate 3B Evan Longoria from 10-day IL

San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria has been out of action since July 5, nursing a left oblique strain.

Canadiens trade defenseman Jeff Petry to Penguins

On Saturday, the  Canadiens traded Petry and forward Ryan Poehling to the Penguins in exchange for defenseman Mike Matheson and a 2023 fourth-round pick. 

Report: Lakers PG Russell Westbrook and longtime agent split over 'irreconcilable differences'

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Westbrook and longtime agent Thad Foucher had parted ways due to "irreconcilable differences." 

Report: Giants, Dodgers interested in Reds INF Brandon Drury

Drury is having arguably the best season of his career.

Report: Astros join list of teams interested in Reds SP Luis Castillo

If the Astros can land Castillo ahead of the deadline, he'd join an already-potent starting rotation that boasts the lowest team ERA in baseball.

MLB to pay $185 million to minor leaguers in federal lawsuit settlement

The settlement, pending approval from a judge, stems from a lawsuit filed by minor leaguers seeking payment for minimum-wage and overtime violations by MLB teams. 

Cardinals place SP Dakota Hudson, 1B Juan Yepez on IL

Hudson heads to the 15-day IL with a neck strain, while Yepez goes to the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain. 

Nationals' Sean Doolittle to undergo season-ending surgery to repair UCL tear

The expected rehab time for Doolittle is five to six months, putting him on track to be ready for spring training. 

Veteran DB Jason McCourty announces retirement after 13 NFL seasons

Over 13 NFL seasons, McCourty played for the Titans, Patriots, Browns and Dolphins, and won a Super Bowl with New England.

Yankees 3B Josh Donaldson exits after getting hit in hand by 95 mph fastball

Donaldson took a Hunter Strickland 95 mph fastball to the hand.

Braves' Ozzie Albies eyeing 'mid-to-late August' return from foot surgery

Albies has been out of action for a month. The 25-year-old suffered a fractured left foot swinging at a pitch on June 13.

Astros' Jose Altuve exits vs. Angels after being hit by pitch

Altuve was hit in the left knee with the game's first pitch He stayed in the game to run the bases but limped noticeably.

Adam Silver: NBA may consider lowering age limit in new CBA

Talks began this week between the two sides; the NBA and the NBAPA can opt out of the current CBA but must do so before Dec. 15. 

Capitals sign free-agent forward Dylan Strome to one-year, $3.5M deal

On Thursday, the Washington Capitals announced the signing of former Chicago Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome to a one-year, $3.5 million contract.

Senators sign forward Josh Norris to 8-year, $63.6M extension

On Thursday, the Ottawa Senators announced an agreement with forward Josh Norris on an eight-year, $63.9 million contract extension.