Patriots’ Mike Vrabel to seek counseling, miss third day of NFL Draft

1 of 5 | New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will start counseling this weekend. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will seek counseling and not be with the team during the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced. Vrabel made the announcement in a statement released Wednesday. The news came two weeks after the New York…

Padres sign pitcher Lucas Giolito to one-year deal

Veteran pitcher Lucas Giolito spent time with the Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox. File Photo by Maria Lysaker/UPI | License Photo The San Diego Padres signed right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito to a one-year contract, they announced Wednesday. Giolito, who spent last season with the Boston Red Sox, went unsigned this off-season.…

Royals, Hallmark Cards plan move to new downtown Kansas City stadium

The Kansas City Royals have played at the site of Kauffman Stadium since 1973. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo The Kansas City Royals and Hallmark Cards will team up to build a new downtown stadium in the Crown Center district, they announced Wednesday. The Royals said they plan to construct a "world-class ballpark," which will be surrounded by mixed-use development. They estimate…

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, wife announce birth of first son

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife, Emily, announced in November they were expecting their second child. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife, Emily, announced the birth of their first son, Maverick, on Wednesday on Instagram. "Baby Mav is here," Emily Mayfield wrote Wednesday on the social media…

Titans get Love, Giants snag Styles in final 2026 NFL mock draft

1 of 5 | Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to be a Top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. File Photo by Mike Zarrilli/UPI | License Photo Quarterback Fernando Mendoza sits atop UPI senior sports writer Alex Butler's final first-round 2026 NFL mock draft, which features five trades. Unlike my two previous mock drafts, when Arvell Reese went No. 2 overall, I project David…

Dallas Cowboys, kicker Brandon Aubrey agree to record $28M extension

1 of 5 | Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) is a three-time Pro Bowl selection. File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo The Dallas Cowboys and kicker Brandon Aubrey agreed to a record four-year, $28 million contract extension, his agency announced Monday. Athletes First said Aubrey's deal includes $20 million in guarantees and an average salary of $7 million per season. Once signed, the…

San Francisco 49ers, tackle Trent Williams agree to $50M extension

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams appeared in 84 games over the last six seasons. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo The San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams agreed to a two-year, $50 million contract extension, his agency announced Monday. Elite Loyalty Sports said Williams' pact includes $37 million in guarantees and a $22 million signing bonus. With his…

Alabama QB Simpson weighed ‘life-changing’ NIL deal vs. 2026 NFL Draft

1 of 5 | Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said he consulted former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban when deciding if he should leave college or enter the 2026 NFL Draft. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said he seriously considered a "life-changing" offer to play at Miami before deciding to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson spoke about the name, image and likeness…

Houston Texans, Will Anderson Jr. agree to record $150M extension

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. totaled a career-high 12 sacks over 17 starts last season. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo The Houston Texans agreed to a record three-year, $150 million contract extension with All-Pro pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., sources told UPI on Friday. Anderson's pact, which includes $134 million in guarantees, will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback…

LA Angels legend Garret Anderson, three-time All-Star, dies at 53

1 of 5 | All-Star outfielder Garret Anderson was a member of the Los Angeles Angels' lone World Series-winning team in 2002. File Photo by Jon Soohoo/UPI | License Photo Former MLB All-Star Garret Anderson has died, the Los Angeles Angels announced Friday. He was 53. The Orange County Sheriff's Department told UPI that Anderson, who lived in Newport Beach, Calif., died Thursday, but did not disclose a…

Sovereignty, Journalism to meet again Saturday in Oaklawn Handicap

1 of 3 | Sovereignty, shown winning the 2025 Kentucky Derby, faces off with old foe Journalism in Saturday's Oaklawn Handicap. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo With all due respect to Saudi Arabia and Dubai, the race of the year, at least so far, is set for this weekend in Arkansas. Sovereignty, the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers and Jim Dandy winner and Horse of the Year, makes his…

Tigers, rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle agree to $150M extension

The Detroit Tigers and rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle agreed to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. The fully guaranteed pact will keep McGonigle under contract through the 2034 season. Escalators over the final three seasons of the contract could push its total value to $160 million. McGonigle joined the Tigers as the No. 37 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He hit .308 with 25…

MLB, Twins investigating Red Sox’s Jarren Duran, alleged heckler

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran aimed an obscene gesture toward a fan during a loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday in Minneapolis. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo MLB is investigating after Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran aimed an obscene gesture toward a fan during a loss to the Minnesota Twins, a source familiar with the probe told UPI on Wednesday. The Twins also announced Wednesday they are…

Teams attempt to trade for Raiders’ No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick

Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo Several teams expressed interest in trading for the Las Vegas Raiders' No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager John Spytek said. Spytek made the disclosure during a news conference Tuesday in Henderson, Nev. The…

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz OK after line drive hits face

The Baltimore Orioles said manager Craig Albernaz is OK after he took a foul ball to the face during a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday in Baltimore. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was hit in the face by a line drive during a rabid comeback win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, but is doing OK, the team said Tuesday. Albernaz took the 70.6-mph foul…

Yankees’ Judge calls Angels’ Trout ‘greatest of all time’ after HR duel

1 of 5 | New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge went 2 for 5 with two home runs and three RBIs in a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in New York. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo Aaron Judge and Mike Trout provided powerful proof of why they deserve their combined six MVP awards in a battle between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels. "Every time he comes to the Bronx,…