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X-rays negative on Dodgers INF Max Muncy’s hand after HBP
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

X-rays came back negative on the left hand of Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning of the team's Cactus League game Wednesday, USA Today reported.

Muncy stayed in the game but was removed before his second at bat in the top of the fourth inning.

Muncy was hit by Texas Rangers starter Cody Bradford. Muncy, who was batting third, was replaced in the lineup and at third base by Austin Gauthier, who went 2-for-3. Muncy is 3-for-6 with one home run and two RBIs during spring training.

Muncy signed a two-year, $24 million contract extension with the Dodgers in November.

Muncy batted .212 with a career-high-tying 36 home runs and a career-best 105 RBIs in 135 games in 2023, his sixth season with the Dodgers. In eight MLB seasons with the Oakland Athletics (2015-16) and Los Angeles (2018-23), Muncy is a career .227 hitter with 180 home runs and 489 RBIs.

Muncy's 175 home runs in a Dodgers uniform rank sixth in Los Angeles history, two behind Hall of Famer Mike Piazza for fifth place.

Muncy spent most of 2023 at third base but has also played first and second.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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Athletics' Nick Kurtz makes MLB history vs. Astros
MLB

Athletics' Nick Kurtz makes MLB history vs. Astros

Athletics rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz already had an impressive start to his career. Kurtz entered Friday having posted a .288/.360/.622 batting line in 265 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 17 doubles. Despite making his major league debut on April 23, Kurtz has been the A's most valuable player, leading the team with 2.6 bWAR. He appeared to be on the cusp of becoming the superstar the A's needed to sell the team to the residents of Las Vegas. That performance set the stage for what may have been the most impressive game for any rookie in major league history. Kurtz became the 20th player in MLB history to have a four-home run game and the first rookie to achieve that feat. Kurtz's performance also put the 2025 season into baseball history. Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez had a four-home run game on April 26, making this the third time that there have been two four-homer games in a season. That had happened in 2002 (outfielders Mike Cameron and Shawn Green) and 2017 (utility man Scooter Gennett and left fielder J.D. Martinez). Kurtz did not stop with those four homers. He was 6-6 in the A's 15-3 victory over the Astros, with a double and eight runs batted in. The favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award, Kurtz put an emphatic stamp on an already impressive season with his barrage on Friday.

Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension
NFL

Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension

There is not a bigger sporting event in North America than the Super Bowl, and tickets are only getting more expensive every year. There is also a ridiculous secondary market for tickets where seats sell for well above the original face value. It is usually fans or ticket resellers going for a quick profit. But as was reported on Friday, sometimes it can be players in the NFL looking to make a profit. According to multiple reports, including the Associated Press and ESPN, more than 100 players are facing fines and potential suspensions for selling their allotment of tickets to this year's Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs for above face value. Players are reportedly facing fines of one-and-a-half times the face value they originally paid for the tickets, while they are also prevented from purchasing tickets to the Super Bowl for the next seasons. The Associated Press obtained a memo from the NFL detailing the violation and investigation. That memo was as follows: “Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the Policy. This long-standing League Policy, which is specifically incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits League or Club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less. We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.” If players are not willing to pay the fine, they could be facing suspension from the league. It seems unlikely that any of the players — none of whom have been named, or their teams — would refuse to pay such a fine. It's also one of those moments where you can say, professional athletes — they're still normal people trying to make a quick buck. The most logical answer here is perhaps some of the players caught up in this are younger players who have not yet struck it rich on a big contract or perhaps even practice squad players who are not making top dollar.

Klay Thompson Reacts Angrily To Fan Asking About Megan Thee Stallion’s Former Partner
NBA

Klay Thompson Reacts Angrily To Fan Asking About Megan Thee Stallion’s Former Partner

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Five potential landing spots for Christian Wilkins after stunning Raiders release
NFL

Five potential landing spots for Christian Wilkins after stunning Raiders release

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