The 2025 Major League Soccer season — the 30th in league history — is quickly approaching.

While the Los Angeles Galaxy enter the season as defending MLS Cup champions and Inter Miami CF are the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners, San Diego FC is the latest expansion club to join the league. San Diego FC is the league’s 30th team.

The regular season will kick off on Saturday, Feb. 22 and will conclude with Decision Day on Saturday, Oct. 18.

In the time leading up to the season openers, teams will be shaping rosters in preparation for a run at MLS Cup 2025.

Follow along here this preseason for transfers, trades and other MLS news and analysis:

FC Cincinnati acquiring Evander from Portland Timbers

Feb. 16 — Evander, who spent the previous two seasons with the Portland Timbers and was a 2024 MLS Best XI selection, has been sold to FC Cincinnati for $12 million, according to multiple reports.

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder will be tasked with filling the void left by 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta, who was sold to FC Dallas.

Evander is the latest player moved to a different team via a new cash-for-player rule that was unveiled in January.

Portland, for its part, will try to replace Evander in the lineup with David da Costa, who the team acquired from French club Lens, according to Tom Bogert.

Luciano Acosta sold to FC Dallas by FC Cincinnati

Feb. 12 — The Luciano Acosta era at FC Cincinnati is officially over.

After four years of ‘Lucho’ captaining FC Cincinnati through two different technical director/general manager and managerial regimes, Acosta will move within MLS to FC Dallas in the largest cash-for-player trade in league history. FC Cincinnati will receive up to $6 million in exchange for the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP.

Orlando City acquires former LAFC star Eduard Atuesta

Feb. 10 — Eduard Atuesta, a 27-year-old midfielder who was an MLS Best XI selection in 2019 and All-Star in 2021, has been acquired by Orlando City from Brazil club Palmeiras through 2025, with a club option in 2026, the team announced.

Atuesta spent the 2024 season with Los Angeles FC, where he returned following a three-year stint with Palmeiras. Atuesta was a member of LAFC during its inaugural season in 2018 and spent four seasons in Los Angeles before being sold to Palmeiras.

Atuesta has appeared in 124 MLS games, making 109 starts.

Chicago Fire acquire former USMNT player Omar Gonzalez

Feb. 7 — Defender Omar Gonzalez, who has been capped by the U.S. national team 52 times, has joined Chicago Fire FC as a free-agent acquisition.

Gonzalez has bounced around after a decorated tenure with the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2009-2015. With the Galaxy, Gonzalez was part of a club that won three MLS Cups (2011, 2012 and 2014) while being named MLS Rookie of the Year in 2009 and MLS Defender of the Year in 2011. He was a four-time MLS Best XI selection while with the Galaxy. He made his USMNT debut in 2010 and was on Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, making two starts. Gonzalez’s last USMNT appearance came during the 2019 Gold Cup.

After playing in Liga MX from 2016-19, Gonzalez returned to MLS, where he has experienced a vagabond existence ever since. He played three seasons for Toronto FC (2019-2021), two seasons with the New England Revolution (2022-23) and spent the 2024 season with FC Dallas. The Chicago Fire represent Gonzalez’s fourth team in five years.

Christian Ramirez traded to LA Galaxy by Columbus Crew

Feb. 5 — The Columbus Crew are trading forward Christian Ramirez to the Los Angeles Galaxy for up to $500k in general allocation money, with $250k guaranteed, a source confirmed.

Ramirez’s departure leaves another gap in the Crew’s frontline, as the trade comes two days following Columbus’ $16 million transfer of striker Cucho Hernandez to La Liga’s Real Betis.

Atlanta United acquiring Emmanuel Latte Lath for MLS record fee, per reports

Feb. 3 — Atlanta United’s busy offseason continued with the transfer of striker Emmanuel Latte Lath from English Premier League club Middlesbrough. Atlanta United will pay what will be a league-record fee of around $22 million for Latte Lath, per reports. The current MLS record transfer fee is $16.2 million, which FC Cincinnati paid for Kevin Denkey in November.

Latte Lath, a 26-year-old from Ivory Coast, scored 27 goals in 58 appearances for Middlesbrough, which plays in the EFL Championship.

Atlanta United also brought back midfielder Miguel Almiron, who helped the team win the 2018 MLS Cup. Almiron was an MLS Best XI selection in both of his seasons (2017-18) in Atlanta.

Cucho Hernandez transferred from Columbus Crew to La Liga’s Real Betis

Feb. 3 — The Columbus Crew have transferred star forward Cucho Hernandez to La Liga’s Real Betis in Spain. The transfer fee for Hernandez was for approximately $16 million, according to a source.

Following the closure of La Liga’s winter transfer window on Monday, the Crew officially announced the move.

Last year, Hernandez was the runner-up in the MLS MVP vote behind Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi. The 25-year old’s two goals in the 2024 Leagues Cup final allowed the Crew to defeat Los Angeles FC for the title.

Another key goal for Hernandez with the Crew was his penalty kick in a 2023 MLS Cup victory over LAFC, earning the club its third MLS Cup title. — Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch

Philadelphia Union trade USMNT prospect Jack McGlynn to Houston Dynamo

Feb. 3 — U.S. national team prospect Jack McGlynn is on the move.

The Philadelphia Union traded the 21-year-old midfielder to the Houston Dynamo for a $2.1 million fee that includes an additional $1,300,000 if certain performances metrics are met plus a sell on percentage for any future McGlynn transfer.

This deal was consummated due to a new MLS rule that was unveiled in January that allows teams to make up to two trades involving cash, rather than needing to move players or MLS-only assets like allocation money, international spots, or draft picks.

Dejan Joveljic goes from MLS Cup champs to Sporting Kansas City

Feb. 2 — Dejan Joveljic thought he would be part of the Los Angeles Galaxy for a long time.

But after his best MLS season and pivotal part of the franchise’s 2024 title, Joveljic will be looking to further his accolades with Sporting Kansas City.

One day after being acquired for $4 million — the first cash-for-player trade in MLS history — the change in scenery was sinking in for the 25-year-old Serbian.

‘In 2021, I came to the United States for the first time and I had big goals,’ Joveljic said on social media on Sunday. ‘I joined the most historic team in MLS and I wanted to play and score in every match. I had to wait a little longer than I would’ve liked, but I finally showed everyone what my game is about: scoring goals and doing anything and everything for the team to win.’

Joveljic excelled in the 2024 postseason with six goals in five matches. He scored one of LA’s goals in the 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup title match. — Reuters

Miguel Almiron returns to Atlanta United

Jan. 30 — Atlanta United announced the return of franchise hero Miguel Almiron.

The 31-year-old Paraguay international helped Atlanta claim the 2018 MLS Cup before joining the Premier League’s Newcastle United for a then-record outgoing transfer fee of $27 million.

Almiron returns from Newcastle for a reported $10 million transfer fee, plus add-ons. Atlanta also had to pay Charlotte FC $400,000 in general allocation money to acquire his discovery priority. — Reuters

Five MLS franchises top $1B in Sportico’s latest valuations

Jan. 30 — Five MLS franchises top $1 billion, with the average team worth $721 million, in Sportico’s valuations announced on Thursday.

The other four reaching the $1 billion plateau are superstar Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami ($1.19 billion; 17 percent increase), LA Galaxy ($1.11 billion; 11 percent increase); Atlanta United ($1.08 billion, 3 percent increase) and New York City FC ($1 billion, 19 percent increase).

Inter Miami and the Galaxy each moved up one spot from the 2024 rankings, with Atlanta United slipping two spots.

CF Montreal again ranked last at $450 million, which was a 2 percent increase. — Reuters

New 2025 Leagues Cup format for MLS, LIGA MX clubs

Jan. 30 — The 2025 Leagues Cup will feature 18 of 30 MLS teams and all 18 clubs from LIGA MX, beginning July 29 to the Aug. 31 final. Tournament organizers announced the new format Thursday.

Leagues Cup 2025 will be played in two rounds: Phase One and the Knockout Rounds. Phase One will feature three consecutive match dates per club, and all 54 Phase One matches will be played between MLS and LIGA MX clubs.

New York Red Bulls sign Canadian defender Raheem Edwards

The New York Red Bulls announced the signing of Canadian defender Raheem Edwards.

The two-year deal is pending receipt of his international paperwork and includes an option for 2027.

Edwards, 29, has eight goals and 28 assists in 177 MLS matches with Toronto FC (2016-17), CF Montreal (2018, 2024), the Chicago Fire (2019), Minnesota United (2020), Los Angeles FC (2021) and the Los Angeles Galaxy (2022-23).

Edwards won the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield with hometown Toronto FC in 2017. — Reuters

MLS, Apple make push for more viewers; ‘Sunday Night Soccer’ game added for 2025

Jan. 29 — Major League Soccer and Apple are making a major push to reach more viewers in 2025.

Soccer fans with Comcast Xfinity and DirecTV can subscribe and watch MLS Season Pass through the TV providers, while T-Mobile users will be able to access MLS Season Pass for free, the league announced Wednesday.

MLS announces clubs for US Open Cup, Leagues Cup in 2025

Jan. 28 — All 30 Major League Soccer teams will compete in at least one, but no more than two North American competitions during the 2025 MLS season.

MLS announced its qualification structure for the four tournaments — the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and Canadian Championship — on Tuesday for the next two seasons. The qualifications will be revisited in the 2027 season. — Safid Deen

NYCFC sells prospect Christian McFarlane to Manchester City

Jan. 27 — New York City FC has sold 18-year-old defender Christian McFarlane to Manchester City, the MLS club announced on Monday.

McFarlane joined NYCFC at age 11 and represented the club at every age category, making his senior debut last season. He is expected to join the academy at City which, like NYCFC, is under the City Football Group ownership umbrella.

In 2021, McFarlane became the third-youngest Homegrown Player signing in MLS history when he signed a pro deal with NYCFC at age 14 years, 234 days.

State of soccer in U.S. 500 days before 2026 World Cup

Jan. 27 — Mark your calendars, soccer fans: The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts in 500 days.

Expect President Donald Trump, reigning World Cup champion Lionel Messi and the U.S. men’s national soccer team to be among those playing major roles in driving attention to the sport and the tournament during the next 500 days.

What is the state of the sport in the United States with about a year and a half until the big tournament? — Safid Deen

MLS NEXT Pro releases 2025 schedule

Jan. 27 — MLS NEXT Pro — the developmental league for Major League Soccer — will kick off its 2025 season on Friday, March 7. This is the earliest season kickoff date for MLS NEXT Pro, which is entering its fourth season.

The 2025 season will include 29 clubs — 27 MLS affiliates and two independent teams (Caronlina Core FC and Chattanooga FC).

More than 155 players have signed MLS first-team contracts after playing in MLS NEXT Pro. That collection of players includes five who played for the U.S. national team during its January friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica: defender Max Arfsten and goalkeeper Patrick Schulte of the Columbus Crew, forward Patrick Agyemang of Charlotte FC, midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi of Inter Miami CF and midfielder Jack McGlynn of the Philadelphia Union.

Most MLS NEXT Pro matches will be available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

USMNT’s Luca de la Torre joins San Diego FC on loan

Jan. 21 — San Diego FC has announced the signing of Luca de la Torre on a 12-month loan from Spanish La Liga club Celta Vigo.

The U.S. men’s national team midfielder returns to his hometown ahead of the club’s inaugural season in MLS.

‘We’re thrilled to bring Luca home to San Diego,’ SDFC sporting director Tyler Heaps said. ‘Luca’s journey — competing in some of the world’s top leagues and representing the USMNT — speaks volumes about his dedication and talent.’

New England Revolution sign MLS veteran Maximiliano Urruti

Jan. 16 — The New England Revolution signed forward Maximiliano Urruti to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026.

Urruti, 33, joins the Revolution after spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Austin FC, posting 10 goals and two assists in 57 games (38 starts) in that span. In 11 MLS seasons, he has 70 goals and 39 assists in 295 games (218 starts) with Toronto FC, the Portland Timbers, FC Dallas, CF Montreal, the Houston Dynamo and Austin.

The Argentina native ranks ninth in goals and 17th in games played among active MLS players. — Reuters

San Jose Earthquakes sign former MLS MVP Josef Martinez

Jan. 13 — The San Jose Earthquakes signed former MLS MVP Josef Martinez to a one-year contract, the team announced.

The deal with the 31-year-old free agent striker from Venezuela includes a club option for 2026.

Martinez tallied 11 goals in 23 matches with CF Montreal last season, his fifth MLS season with double-digit goals. He has 116 goals and 20 assists in 184 matches with Atlanta United (2017-2022), Inter Miami (2023) and Montreal. — Reuters

First look at ‘Onside: Major League Soccer’

Jan. 9 — A trailer for the eight-part documentary, ‘Onside: Major League Soccer,’ has been released.

‘Onside: Major League Soccer’ will premier on Friday, Feb. 21 on Apple TV+, and is produced by Box To Box Films, the company behind Netflix’s popular ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ series.

The documentary will showcase the biggest moments from the 2024 MLS season, which concluded with the Los Angeles Galaxy winning MLS Cup for the first time in 10 years.

‘Onside: Major League Soccer’ is the latest soccer-themed project from Apple, which includes the docuseries ‘Messi Meets America’ and ‘Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend,’ as well as the award-winning scripted series ‘Ted Lasso.’

Austin FC adds USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez

Jan. 6 — Austin FC finally has its impact striker.

At least it hopes so.

In what at first glance appears to be a major get for the club, Austin FC signed forward Brandon Vazquez from Mexican side C.F. Monterrey for a club-record transfer fee to a four-year deal through 2028.

Vazquez, 26, who has made 11 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team in the past two years, scored 14 goals in 48 appearances for C.F. Monterrey after joining the club in January 2024. Vazquez spent 2020-23 with FC Cincinnati, where he broke out in 2022 with 20 goals across all competitions. — Colby Gordon, Austin American-Statesman

When does the 2025 MLS season start?

Dec. 19 — The 2025 MLS season will kick off on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Here is the slate of games for ‘MLS is Back’ weekend (all games on  MLS Season Pass on Apple TV):

Saturday, Feb. 22

Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC, 2:30 p.m. ET
Los Angeles FC vs. Minnesota United FC, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Atlanta United vs. CF Montreal, 7 p.m. ET
FC Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
D.C. United vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Orlando City SC vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET
Austin FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET
Houston Dynamo FC vs. FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET
Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution, 8:30 p.m. ET
St. Louis City SC vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m. ET
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. ET
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Charlotte FC, 10:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, Feb. 23

Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m. ET
LA Galaxy vs. San Diego FC, 7 p.m. ET

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SAN FRANCISCO — LeBron James’ historic run is over.

James, who was slated to play in a record 21st All-Star Game, will sit out with continued left ankle and foot soreness.

His record for consecutive starts ends at 20, as he will miss an All-Star Game for the first time in which he had been chosen to play. He was not tapped in his rookie year.

‘With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I feel like it’s important for me to take care of myself and understand what’s coming on,’ James, 40, said during a news conference before Sunday’s game. ‘I don’t want to say it’s maintenance — well, it is maintenance — but at the same time, it’s like, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury that I’ve been dealing with for years.’

James missed a game Feb. 8 against the Indiana Pacers with the same issue.

The Lakers are 32-20 and in fifth place in the Western Conference, just a ½ game behind fourth-place Houston, 2½ games behind third-place Denver and three games behind second-place Memphis.

The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Charlotte Hornets in a game rescheduled because of the California wildfires, which was another reason James cited for his decision to sit out the All-Star Game.

‘I hope to be available on Wednesday,’ James continued. ‘We have to have a makeup game. So, I am headed back to L.A. tonight. There will be no vacation for me, so I head back to LA tonight and back to rehab tomorrow and getting ready for practice on Tuesday, and hopefully I can play against Charlotte on Wednesday and hopefully play against Portland on Thursday. It’s a big stretch for us.’

The league is introducing a new format into the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, depending on players to deliver a competitive event that satisfies commissioner Adam Silver, fans and the league’s partners.

Given the timing of James’ announcement, there will be no replacement to fill his spot on the team drafted by TNT analyst and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq’s OGs — a team comprised mostly of veteran players with several All-Star appearances.

Across his 20 All-Star Game appearances, James has averaged 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.

USA TODAY Sports is live blogging today’s Daytona 500 race. Click here for the latest updates and highlights.

Just a week after attending the Super Bowl, President Donald Trump made an appearance at another great American sporting event, the 2025 Daytona 500.

The 47th president arrived in Daytona Beach, Florida, a little after 1 p.m. ET and at Daytona International Speedway shortly after as some drivers and team owners awaited Trump’s arrival. The President took a lap around the 2.5-mile track and received loud cheers when he was shown as the national anthem neared its conclusion.

He came down to pit road to meet race teams and notable NASCAR legends, including ‘The King’ Richard Petty, and spoke to Fox Sports’ Jamie Little before heading back to the presidential limo and leading the drivers onto the track for pace laps ahead of the start of Sunday’s race.

This isn’t Trump’s first time at the Daytona 500 either, nor is it his first time as serving president. In 2020, Trump made his way down to Florida for the event, and even served as the race’s grand marshal and gave drivers the ceremonial command to ‘Start your engines’ and pacing the field.

The magnitude of Trump’s first appearance is tough to match, but that doesn’t mean his appearance today was any less memorable. Here are pictures and video from the president’s appearance in Daytona.

WATCH: President Trump at 2025 Daytona 500

Is Trump the first sitting President to grand marshal the Daytona 500?

No. He was the first to lead the pace car ahead of the race though.

Other presidents who have served as the grand marshal for the race include:

George H. W. Bush (1978) – prior to his presidency
George W. Bush (2004)

Jimmy Carter was arguably the biggest friend of NASCAR among presidents. As Georgia’s governor, Carter hosted three dinners for NASCAR drivers, owners, officials, and media between 1971 and 1975. He also waved the green flag for a NASCAR Cup Series race at the Atlanta International Raceway on April 4, 1971.

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BRADENTON, Fla. – As Paul Skenes’ lumbering stride crossed from Field 1 to Field 2 at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training complex, a wave of humanity followed his every step.

Kids wearing LSU hats or donning fake mustaches in tribute to the reigning National League Rookie of the Year scampered around ropes in a wave of humanity, shouting his name in hopes of snagging an autograph. Parents followed suit, skin pale from the Pittsburgh winter and determined to bask in the brightest ray of sunshine to touch the Pirates organization this decade.

At 6-7 and 235 pounds, Skenes could not hide on a baseball diamond if he tried. Yet Saturday, when he faced live batters for the first time this spring, it only illuminated how much has changed in one year, when Skenes faced enormous expectations in his first full professional season and more than exceeded them.

Now, it is about refinement and efficiency and raising floors along with ceilings – a daunting task when you finish third in Cy Young Award voting just 23 starts into your career. Yet this is Skenes: So talented, almost equally focused and quietly setting the stage for a much-anticipated Year 2.

“Obviously, it’s a privilege. It’s not something I’m going to run away from,” says Skenes of his status as the most notorious Pirate, his profile cresting in the Steel City and almost equally across Major League Baseball. “It’s not something I noticed a ton. I noticed it today and that was pretty much the first time.

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“Things change. People talk to you differently and all that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day, it’s about executing.”

That Skenes did in 2024: He struck out 170 batters in 133 innings, pitched to a 1.96 ERA, posted a 0.95 WHIP and most important, the Pirates won 15 of his 23 starts. The dominance exceeded even the considerable hype that came with his No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 draft out of LSU.

And given the ease with which the ball rockets from his hand at an average 98.8 mph, and the hopeless waves at the ball as opposing batters struck out 33% of the time, it only felt like a beginning.

To that end: Skenes started just 23 games last year, but that number will, given good health, begin with a three this year. He has been tinkering with two new pitches – a cutter and a running- two-seam fastball – to pair with his fastball and devastating “splinker” that were more than enough to silence lineups last year.

“Man, anything that looks like a fastball and doesn’t end up being a fastball – we all know how special his fastballs are,” says pitching coach Oscar Marin. “That’s just something that’s going to open up the zone even more.”

Most notably, Skenes hopes to improve his pitch efficiency – no, not by pitching to contact, silly, but rather ramping up first-strike percentages and put batters away sooner in counts. Even as he adjusted to the big leagues, Skenes completed six innings in 15 of his 23 starts and pitched into the seventh in five more.

And then there is the Being Paul Skenes piece of it.

‘Welcome to second grade’

Far from a wide-eyed rookie a year ago, Skenes nonetheless had to shake a lot of hands and listen furtively to veteran voices. He’d reach the major leagues by May and never look back, while forming a 1-2 duo and kinship with fellow SoCal rookie Jared Jones.

Jones and Skenes and veteran Mitch Keller all want that Opening Day assignment, which would seem likely to go to the reigning Rookie of the Year. Yet it is the conversations and conservation of energy among that group that should both benefit the Pirates and change the dynamic for their marquee attraction.

“Last year, I was meeting everybody,” says Skenes. “(This year) It’s definitely less of that, ‘I’m the new kid in school. Moreso, ‘Welcome to second grade.’ All your first-grade friends are back (after) a long summer.

“Good to see everybody. And we have a unique opportunity to create a dynamic in the locker room this year.”

Skenes’ off-season was a little different than his teammates. He and girlfriend Livvy Dunne, the LSU gymnast and online force, are in demand from red carpets to the Super Bowl to all things Baton Rouge.

Skenes’ public persona is that of slow-pulsed, unperturbed dude, be it from borderline paparazzi situations to the standard demands of an elite athlete in a town like Pittsburgh.

“He did a remarkable job managing that and continued it into this offseason,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington tells USA TODAY Sports. “It comes along with the territory of who he is, but there’s a lot of interest in him around the world and a lot of interest in his time.

“In some ways, I joke about it that spring training is maybe an opportunity to be a baseball player again. Show up early with the guys, have breakfast, do your bullpen, take a breath. I’d be happy for him if he’s able to do that.”

Yes, there’s plenty of anticipation, baseball-wise, and not just on the days Skenes pitches.

Raise the floor, raise the roof

The Pirates have finished last or second-to-last in the NL Central for eight consecutive years. And after their three-year run of wild card success last decade, they’ve missed the playoffs in 29 of the past 32 seasons.

The club has once again brought back Andrew McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, and also reunited with infielder Adam Frazier, a Bucco from 2016 until a 2021 trade.

Frazier stepped into the box against Skenes in his live batting practice session and, although Skenes is nowhere near ramped up, called it “electric” and saw plenty of pitches no competent batter could do anything with.

He hopes the group can awaken the town from its hardball slumber.

“Pittsburgh cares about their baseball,” says Frazier. “They’re hungry for some winning. We want to be able to give them that. It’s cool to be appreciated by the city like that.

“They support their guys. They care deeply and it’s cool that they have our back.”

Says manager Derek Shelton: “I think Paul is laying the groundwork to be a big fixture in the Pittsburgh community. Not only with the things he does on the field, but off I think he embraces that.

“When you kind of hit the baseball world by storm like he did last year, fans are going to attach themselves. Not just in Pittsburgh but throughout the league we’ve seen that.”

Skenes’ Rookie of the Year conquest means he already has one full year of service time. A repeat of that season would likely stimulate the Pirates’ interest in attempting to lock down Skenes past the five more years he currently has under their control.

Yet that episode is likely another year away. For now, Skenes hopes the good vibes trickle down to Jones and Keller to Bailey Falter and Johan Oviedo, or anyone else that may crack the rotation.

“If we raise the floor on our staff, as well as raise the ceiling – that’s the goal, to get better as we go on,” says Skenes. “That’s the opportunity. Regardless of who’s the guy.”

It’s not hard to figure out who the guy is. Just follow the scampering, stumbling masses in hot pursuit of the Rookie of the Year.

Despite being ranked among the top-10 golfers in the world, Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg only had one PGA Tour win under his belt heading into the 2025 Genesis Invitational, back in November 2023. However, thanks to a tremendous final round 66, one stroke off the the lowest score ever tallied by a champion at Torrey Pines, Aberg was able to comeback from a deficit to win the event by one stroke over second-place Maverick McNealy.

With the win, Aberg not only claims the biggest championship of his young career, but the biggest check as well, bringing home $4 million. While McNealy and world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler each had opportunities to take the trophy, piling up a myriad of birdies throughout the final round, nobody was able to keep pace with Aberg’s remarkable play.

The Swede shot a phenomenal 32 on the back-nine which included four birdies over his final six holes. Here are highlights and the leaderboard from the 2025 Genesis Invitational.

Ludvig Aberg highlights from 2025 Genesis Invitational

Final leaderboard from 2025 Genesis Invitational

1) Ludvig Aberg: -12

2) Maverick McNealy: -11

T-3) Patrick Rodgers: -9

T-3) Scottie Scheffler: -9

T-5) Tony Finau: -8

T-5) Denny McCarthy: -8

T-5) Tommy Fleetwood: -8

T-5) Patrick Cantlay: -8

T-9) Akshay Bhatia: -6

T-9) Justin Thomas: -6

T-9) Nick Taylor: -6

Golf fans were unsure whether or not Tiger Woods would make an appearance at Torrey Pines for the Genesis Invitational during the weekend. Woods’ mother, Kultida, passed away just three days prior to the tournament entry deadline, and although Woods had originally committed to playing, he eventually pulled out, claiming he was just ‘not ready.’

Despite grieving, Woods made it out to the course for the final day of the tournament, arriving in his traditional red polo. Many golfers participating in the tournament were seen wearing red as well, including red pins, in honor of Woods’ mother.

Woods wasn’t alone when he arrived though. Prior to heading to the range, Woods was seen in the parking lot with Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump. Woods recently played a round of golf with the president, whose granddaughter recently committed to playing golf at the University of Miami.

WATCH: Woods arrives at Torrey Pines

What happened to Tiger Woods’ mother?

Woods’ mother, Kutilda, died at the age of 80 on Feb. 4, 2025. Her son announced her passing on social media.

Kutilda had been a stable figure during Woods’ career, constantly seen standing by her son. Most recently, she’d made appearances at a few TGL events, Woods’ latest golfing venture.

Tiger Woods’ history with the Genesis Invitational

Woods’ first career PGA Tour event came as a 16-year-old at the Los Angeles Open, now known as the Genesis Invitational. Despite playing in the tournament 16 times throughout his career though, Woods has never won the event. The Los Angeles Riviera Country Club has not been kind to Woods. That said, this year, due to the Palisades wildfires, the event had to be moved to Torrey Pines, where Woods has won eight times in his career, making 2025 the best opportunity for Woods to win the event. Woods, though, was obviously unable to participate.

Woods has only finished in the top five at the event three times (1998, 1999, 2003). He finished second or tied for second in 1998 and 1999, while finishing tied for fifth in 2003. The closest Woods came to victory was 1998, when he lost a playoff to Billy Mayfair. The event that year was also not held at the Los Angeles Riviera Country Club, but rather the Valencia Country Club due to the Riviera hosting the U.S. Senior Open around that same time.

(This story was updated to include new information.)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The swaggering ballplayer and the once-proud baseball town consummated their relationship this weekend, an engagement that may only last one year, yet might prove too bountiful and beautiful for both sides to see it end.

Alex Bregman is a Boston Red Sox, and Sunday morning, the nagging details – What position will he play? Will he opt out of his $120 million, three-year deal after just one season? – could be back of mind. Certainly, there have been ideal fits between big-time free agent and a franchise willing to spend money.

Yet rarely has a player’s skill set – such as Bregman’s punishing statistics at Fenway Park – and peripheral contributions nestled so snugly together, like the Green Monster tucked above Lansdowne Street.

The Red Sox won four World Series championships since 2004 yet have missed the playoffs five of the past six years. Bregman has never missed out on them in eight full seasons with the Astros.

The twin flame has been lit.

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‘I’ve been fortunate to be in the playoffs the first eight years of my career,’ Bregman says Sunday morning at Fenway South, after a whirlwind 48 hours meeting teammates and staff, ‘and I plan on continuing to do that here.

‘I plan on winning here.’

A beacon for Boston

There is a certain glint Bregman gets in his eye, usually when he’s about to say something significant or do something otherworldly on the baseball field. He was a World Series champion in 2017 and 2022, but the sign-stealing scandal that dogged the ’17 champs – and ensnared Red Sox manager Alex Cora, then Houston’s bench coach – took much of that swagger away.

Audacity gave way to anodyne. Bregman and his teammates were mercilessly booed wherever they went, including Fenway Park, where the Astros eliminated Boston in 2017, 2019 and 2021, with Boston getting the upper hand on Houston on its way to the 2018 title.

But in Boston, the past seven years has seen a model franchise desiccated, now on its third general manager since then and with the growing sense that free agents did not seriously consider Boston a destination.

And why would they? Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Rōki Sasaki barely gave it a thought before they bolted to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox were in the Juan Soto sweepstakes long enough to perhaps qualify for a cake with ‘At Least You Tried’ written in frosting.

A wild card lottery ticket in ’21 was the only campaign to break up a string of third- and last-place finishes. The Fenway ticket was now a soft one.

And as Bregman festered on the market, letting a six-year, $156 million deal with Houston grow stale on the shelf, the Red Sox’s sense of desperation kicked in.

Club chairman Tom Werner – he’s also chair of Liverpool Football Club – called agent Scott Boras at 3:30 a.m. London time. General manager Craig Breslow called Boras 13 times, the agent recalls. And owner John Henry got involved, bemoaning what the Red Sox have become – which might come as news to a fan base that sensed Fenway Sports Group grew indifferent to years of mediocrity while having eyes for their other sports holdings.

‘There was a bit of a charge, a bit of an onus to really return back to winning,’ says Boras. ‘And a conversation I had with John where he expressed a sincerity and more of a passion of saying that we’re missing something here that should be here, that has been here.

‘Something that’s been lost. And we have a strong intention to return it.’

Bregman, Cora believes, is the perfect messenger.

Cora calls everyone ‘kid,’ give or take, but Bregman is now 30, with a 2-year-old son, Knox, that already has Boras Corporation officials salivating at his swing. Wife Reagan, says Bregman, will start an executive leadership program at Harvard Business School with the family in Boston.

And Cora saw firsthand in his one year in Houston just what Bregman brings to a clubhouse, to a dugout, and throughout an organization

‘One thing he’s going to do: He’s going to challenge everybody here,’ says Cora. ‘He’s going to ask about pitch usage and swing decisions and scouting reports, the nutrition side of it.

‘Not in a bad way. He wants to learn, wants to be involved. In 24 hours, his teammates, the front office, the coaching staff has already seen what I’ve been talking about him a long period of time. This kid gets it.

‘He commanded my attention in 2017 and throughout the years, he’s kept evolving, getting better. For him, it’s his family, baseball and winning.’

A good time, not a long time?

The baseball piece will be nice enough. Bregman is a two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, owner of an .848 OPS and that Fenway track record – 375 average, .490 OBP and 1.240 OPS in 21 games – everyone’s swooning over.

Yet even still, he could be gone in a year.

Despite his track record, Bregman opted to accept what Boras calls a ‘bridge contract,’ much like the half-dozen players he’s guided that way the past two years. In most cases, it works out famously for the recipient – just look at Blake Snell’s $182 million deal this year – but can create the impression the upcoming season may just be a waystation for the player.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Carlos Correa opted out with the Minnesota Twins only to return. Matt Chapman signed a bridge deal with San Francisco and ultimately signed an extension. Cody Bellinger remained with the Chicago Cubs before a trade to the New York Yankees.

Bregman – who has a passion for racehorses he shares with now-teammate Walker Buehler – is more than ready to bet on himself.

‘I believe in my ability,’ he says, that familiar glint returning to his eye with a nine-figure guarantee and a chance to show out for a new and ravenous baseball market.

‘And I look forward to proving it.’

That fortitude enabled him to forgo the $171.5 million contract offer from the Detroit Tigers, where both winning and offensive production in Comerica Park might have been harder to come by. While his $120 million guarantee has significant deferrals, the $40 million annual value is in the 95th percentile for multiyear contracts.

Still, turning down more than $50 million more in guaranteed money isn’t for the faint of heart.

‘You adhere to what the player’s about. There’s some players you’d never do this with,’ says Boras. ‘But with a guy like Alex Bregman, he’s just built with an understanding of himself, a confidence, he trusts his preparation.’

Sunday, Bregman seemed both relaxed and edgy, playfully tossing a Red Sox cap on agent Boras’s head, looking nearly starry-eyed mentioning how his favorite player – Red Sox legend Dustin Pedroia – calling him several times to recruit him, along with current Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story.

These Red Sox can use him. Franchise player Rafael Devers, beginning the third year of a $313.5 million extension, may remain at third base while Bregman slides to second, but Breslow says discussions on defensive alignments will be ‘ongoing.’

A lineup hamstrung by unproductive DH Masataka Yoshida and defense-first players like WIlyer Abreu and Ceddane Rafaela suddenly grows longer.

And the very imposing kiddie corps on the way – most notably Kristian Campbell, who may be the second baseman of the future and a roster impact in the present – will benefit from Bregman’s tutelage.

‘There’s great players, veteran players, young players that are ready to get after it and compete,’ says Bregman. ‘From the beginning of this process, ownership has met with us and expressed how they want us to win.

‘They showed us how we have a track record of doing it before. I think everyone here is motivated to win it.’

Says Breslow: ‘It became clearer and clearer Alex was the perfect fit. In Alex, we’re getting an elite defensive infielder. An offensive profile that fits our park almost perfectly.

‘Perhaps most importantly, we’re getting a champion, a winner, a leader, someone who will serve as a mentor to our young, emerging group and will have a lasting impact on our organization.’

And now, it’s almost as if Bregman’s Astros era didn’t exist. Bregman acknowledged it was ‘difficult’ to leave Houston and the respect level he has for the organization and players. And he certainly heard the boos from Fenway fans after the sign-stealing scandal was revealed – a postseason in which Houston eliminated Boston.

‘Yeah. But it’s all good,’ he said, grin only slightly mischievous.

There’s that audacity again – a look that says, ‘Watch me play and 2017 will disappear.’ He needed a home and the Red Sox needed a beacon and suddenly, it’s game on for both of them.

‘You up your game in pressure-packed environments,’ he says. ‘Starting out at LSU was about as much pressure as you can get in college. Being able to play in the playoffs the last eight years in Boston and New York and Philly and Houston yourself – there’s a pressure you put on yourself.

‘It locks you in.’

For at least one year, and perhaps much longer.

Paige Bueckers remains one of the best players in the most significant moments in women’s college basketball for UConn.

Bueckers, who entered Sunday’s contest against No. 4 South Carolina averaging 18.8 points per game, did not have to do much in UConn’s dominant 87-58 blowout win against Dawn Staley and defending national champion South Carolina. Bueckers finished with 12 points and 10 assists.

Bueckers returned for her senior season with the Huskies for the 2024-25 season and has continued to be among the best players in the country. Her scoring average has dipped this season, but she makes an impact everywhere on the court as a veteran on Geno Auriemma’s national title-hopeful team.

Here’s a look at Bueckers’ full stat line from the Huskies’ 87-58 win to the Gamecocks on Sunday:

How many points did Paige Bueckers score tonight?

Bueckers finished with 12 points on 3-of-12 shooting but contributed 10 assists, six rebounds and a steal in 33 minutes. Bueckers constantly found Azzi Fudd, who finished with 28 points, including six 3-pointers for the game. The UConn senior finished 2-of-5 shooting from 3-point range.

Paige Bueckers stats

Here’s Bueckers’ full stats against South Carolina:

Points: 12
Rebounds: 7
Assists: 10
Shooting: 3-of-12
Steals: 1
Blocks: 0
Fouls: 1