PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates rookie slugger Esmerlyn Valdez was back in the lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night, a day after getting hit in the hand by a pitch. Valdez was forced from Monday night's game after being hit on the left hand by a fastball from Arizona ...

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — The Big Ten Conference would do away with its championship game if college football adopts a 24-team playoff. Commissioner Tony Petitti says that's a worthwhile sacrifice to get his preferred postseason format. "When we make this ...

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The quarterback position took even more heat — and hits — than usual last season around the NFL. Ill-timed injuries to Daniel Jones, Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix left their teams in the lurch. Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels and ...

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says there's "zero debate" that this season will be his last. The future Hall of Fame quarterback's status beyond 2026 is seemingly one of the few certainties for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the only thing familiar ...

By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Draymond Green has agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million deal to return to the Golden State Warriors, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Green will sign the contract that essentially matches the deal ...

CHICAGO (AP) — Defending national champion Indiana has three of the 12 players selected for preseason honors to lead all teams. Rather than putting together a traditional preseason all-conference team, the Big Ten has a media panel select 12 players for preseason honors without regard to ...