Shakur Stevenson made easy work of Teofimo Lopez Jr. to win the WBO junior welterweight title and...

<p>Shakur Stevenson made easy work of Teofimo Lopez Jr. to win the WBO junior welterweight title and become a four-division champion at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.</p><p>Stevenson defeated Lopez by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 119-109. He remains undefeated, owning a 25-0 record with 11 knockouts.</p><p>The 28-year-old Stevenson kept Lopez off balance with his elite defense, mixing in quick, stiff jabs and a series of check hooks to leave a cut over his opponent's left eye in the middle rounds. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I felt good, I picked him apart," Stevenson said after the fight. "I did what I was supposed to do. I knew my jab was going to kill him.</p><p>"This is the art of boxing, hit and don't get hit. I told you I'm the best fighter on the planet and I stand by that."</p><p>Lopez landed just 15% of his punches compared to 44% for Stevenson, who challenged British welterweight Conor Benn during his postfight interview.</p><p>Benn, who was in attendance, stepped into the ring and said he would accept the challenge if Stevenson moved up to fight him at welterweight.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SHAKUR WANTS CONOR BENN! 😯 <a href="https://t.co/z93YXbDPT4">pic.twitter.com/z93YXbDPT4</a></p>— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatchroomBoxing/status/2017843142486049244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Meanwhile, Lopez said his future remains to be seen before teasing a potential move to 147 pounds.</p><p> </p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 31: Shakur Stevenson punches Teofimo Lopez in the super lightweight bout for the World Boxing Organization title during The Ring 6 fight at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2026 in New York City.

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Stevenson dominates Lopez to become 4-division champion

Heavyweight boxer Jarrell Miller kept his head, but lost something else during his heavyweight fi...

<p>Heavyweight boxer Jarrell Miller kept his head, but lost something else during his heavyweight fight with Kingsley Obeh on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.</p><p>Miller had his toupee knocked off after taking an early shot to the face. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/juflc6q66U">pic.twitter.com/juflc6q66U</a></p>— FightsCenter (@combat2747) <a href="https://twitter.com/combat2747/status/2017782893167190484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Miller eventually ripped off the toupee in his corner and tossed it into the crowd where it was retrieved by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Found it ! <a href="https://t.co/lKJuApDCbe">pic.twitter.com/lKJuApDCbe</a></p>— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) <a href="https://twitter.com/wbcmoro/status/2017781682620043501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Miller entered the contest with a 26-1-2 record.</p><p>He'd win the fight by a hair, via split decision. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"He slapped that s*** off."<br><br>Jarrell Miller reacts to losing his hair during his win over Kingsley Ibeh 🤣<br><br>The Ring VI | Buy now at <a href="https://t.co/AxmwuHu4GB">https://t.co/AxmwuHu4GB</a> 🥊 <a href="https://t.co/yM7Ix8zOQK">pic.twitter.com/yM7Ix8zOQK</a></p>— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ringmagazine/status/2017789048727670901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p> </p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 31: Jarrell Miller punches Kingsley Ibeh in a heavyweight bout during the Ring 6 fight at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2026 in New York City.

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Miller has toupee knocked off head during fight

The San Francisco Giants agreed to a one-year deal with three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, ...

<p>The San Francisco Giants agreed to a one-year deal with three-time batting champion <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wbc/players/10597" href="https://thescore.com/wbc/players/10597">Luis Arraez</a>, sources told <a href="https://x.com/jorgecastillo/status/2017760135641260342">ESPN's Jorge Castillo</a>.</p><p>Arraez will earn $12 million and play second base for the Giants, according to <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/2017762722067452129">The Athletic's Katie Woo</a>. The 28-year-old turned down multi-year offers so he could return to second base after spending last season at first base for the San Diego Padres.</p><p>He'll join <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5400" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5400">Rafael Devers</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4784" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4784">Willy Adames</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5380" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5380">Matt Chapman</a> in San Francisco's infield. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15480" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15480">Casey Schmitt</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13991" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13991">Tyler Fitzgerald</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13719" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13719">Christian Koss</a> all appeared in games at second for the Giants last season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Giants' projected 2026 lineup</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>ORDER</th>
<th>POS.</th>
<th>PLAYER</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Luis Arraez (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Rafael Devers (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Willy Adames</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Matt Chapman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Jung Hoo Lee (L) </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Heliot Ramos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Harrison Bader</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Bryce Eldridge (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Patrick Bailey (S)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Arraez is a three-time All-Star who owns a .317 career batting average and rarely strikes out. He slashed .292/.327/.392 with 181 hits and a 3.1 K% for the Padres last season. </p><p>The Giants had been on the hunt for a second baseman for much of the offseason. They were linked to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13675" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13675">Brendan Donovan</a> of the St. Louis Cardinals, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10637" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10637">Nico Hoerner</a> of the Chicago Cubs, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12501" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12501">CJ Abrams</a> of the Washington Nationals.</p>

SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 21: Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres plays during a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, August 21, 2024 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

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Report: Giants, Arraez agree to 1-year, $12M deal

Shohei Ohtani won't pitch for Japan during the World Baseball Classic, Los Angeles Dodgers manage...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> won't pitch for Japan during the World Baseball Classic, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Saturday.</p><p>Roberts said it was Ohtani's decision not to pitch and the Dodgers would have allowed him to, according to <a href="https://x.com/ByJackHarris/status/2017709860562030885">the California Post's Jack Harris</a>.</p><p>It's unlikely Ohtani would have received insurance to pitch had he wanted to, a source told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7012509/2026/01/31/wbc-insurance-puerto-rico-francisco-lindor/">The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ohtani will serve as the DH for the defending WBC champions and should be ready to pitch for the Dodgers from the outset of the regular season, Roberts added, according to <a href="https://x.com/FabianArdaya/status/2017692046782574783">Ardaya</a>.</p><p>The four-time MVP struck out Team USA's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1674" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1674">Mike Trout</a> to clinch the 2023 WBC for Japan.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sdeRDZ8UKB8?si=TP7_VaPE6D-DhQJp" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Japan's pitching staff should still be formidable with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10619" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10619">Yusei Kikuchi</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18723" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18723">Tomoyuki Sugano</a>, and others on the roster. Roberts confirmed Yamamoto will pitch at the WBC despite a heavy workload last season.</p><p>"Yoshi feels he wants to take it on and feels good, and we support him," Roberts said, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-wbc-japan-12bf89c11a9c95bedb7d635f069b971a">Beth Harris of The Associated Press</a>.</p>

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan pitches in the top of the 9th inning during World Baseball Classic Championship between United States and Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

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Ohtani won't pitch at World Baseball Classic

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is among a contingent of star players who've been adde...

<p>Atlanta Braves outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8292" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8292">Ronald Acuña Jr.</a> is among a contingent of star players who've been added to Venezuela's roster for the World Baseball Classic, MLB announced Thursday.</p><p>Acuña, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14481" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14481">Jackson Chourio</a>, Kansas City Royals third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13651" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13651">Maikel Garcia</a>, and Boston Red Sox outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13925" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13925">Wilyer Abreu</a> will also represent the nation. </p><p>Manager Omar López will lead what's expected to be a formidable roster that also features big-leaguers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2082" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2082">Salvador Perez</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4975" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4975">Gleyber Torres</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9757" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9757">Pablo López</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>However, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2841" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2841">Jose Altuve</a> won't suit up for the country due to reported insurance issues.</p><p>The 28-year-old Acuña played for Venezuela in the 2023 WBC, slashing .222/.286/.278 with three steals and two RBIs in five games. He posted a .935 OPS with 21 home runs and 42 RBIs in 95 MLB games for the Braves last season.</p><p>Chourio is one of baseball's brightest young stars. The 21-year-old finished his sophomore campaign with 21 homers, 21 steals, and a .770 OPS (112 OPS+) in 131 games.</p><p>Garcia, 25, did not appear in the 2023 WBC. He had a breakout MLB campaign with the Royals in 2025 where he slashed .286/.351/.449 with 16 homers, 74 RBIs, and 23 steals in 160 games.</p><p>Abreu, like Chourio and Garcia, will appear in his first WBC. The 26-year-old hit 22 homers and won a Gold Glove last season after ranking in the 94th percentile in range and 97th percentile in arm strength, according to <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/wilyer-abreu-677800?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb">Baseball Savant</a>.</p><p>Venezuela posted a perfect 4-0 record during 2023 pool play before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by the United States.</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 18: Ronald Acuna Jr. #42 of Venezuela reacts after hitting a double during the eighth inning during a 2023 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal game against the United States at loanDepot park on March 18, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

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Acuña, Chourio among MLB stars added to Venezuela for WBC

Two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world are set to clash Saturday at Madison Square G...

<p>Two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world are set to clash Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York as Teofimo Lopez Jr. defends his WBO junior welterweight title against Shakur Stevenson.</p><p>The 140-pound tilt will be the first at this weight class for Stevenson, who is attempting to become a four-division champion. This is Lopez's fifth fight at junior welterweight and fourth title defense since beating Josh Taylor for the WBO crown in June 2023.</p><p>Saturday's tilt is a big test for the 28-year-old Stevenson. During a DAZN sit-down with Chris Mannix, he explained why he challenged Lopez in a heavier weight class.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"If you look in and around my weight class, I can't get any of the other big fighters to get in the ring, so you gotta go to somebody who is willing to do it, and he was willing to do it," Stevenson said.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IXqB1A1-Q4s?si=5ZoVx5N6AEzk5VFW" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>A 2016 Olympic silver medalist and one of the best defensive fighters of this generation, Stevenson hasn't gotten the kind of big-ticket fights that Lopez has, but he's a seasoned boxer who's proven to be almost unhittable. His most recent victory was over William Zepeda by unanimous decision last July, while the biggest win of his career came in 2021 when he defeated Jamel Herring for the WBO super featherweight title.</p><p>Meanwhile, Lopez has fought the likes of Taylor, George Kambosos Jr., and Vasiliy Lomachenko during a tremendous career that features just one loss in 23 fights. In 2020, he became the first fighter to beat Lomachenko in six years.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EFVoOLSticA?si=kIJ_fRRGrLY4btG0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Lopez understood the significance of defeating Lomachenko, as the victory launched him into superstardom. He said becoming the first person to defeat the 24-0 Stevenson - using a strategy he expects some people will consider "illegal" - will help cement his legacy as one of the best fighters of this era.</p><p>Stevenson doesn't see a win in Lopez's future, however.</p><p>"It won't be the type of fight he had against Vasiliy Lomachenko or Josh Taylor. That was the best he could do," Stevenson said in November, according to <a href="https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/teofimo-lopez-warns-shakur-stevenson-ring-6-january-31">Manouk Akopyan of The Ring</a>. </p><p>"I don't think he can do anything better than that. I am way better than those guys. I didn't see Lomachenko throw punches for six rounds. I would have beaten Lomachenko that night easily too. That's how I feel."</p><p>Bettors seem to agree with Stevenson's assessment. He enters as a -350 favorite over the champion Lopez, who is +260 to win, according to theScore Bet.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>Lopez</th>
<th>Stevenson</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Country</td>
<td>🇺🇸</td>
<td>🇺🇸</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Age</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Height</td>
<td>5-8</td>
<td>5-8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Reach</td>
<td>68.5 in</td>
<td>68 in</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Record</td>
<td>22-1</td>
<td>24-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KOs</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>With both Lopez (No. 10) and Stevenson (No. 7) entering Saturday's bout on ESPN's best pound-for-pound list, this fight should be tightly contested and feature plenty of skill on both sides. </p><p>"(This is) the best fighting the best," Stevenson said.</p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 12: Shakur Stevenson celebrates after defeating William Zepeda in their WBC lightweight title fight at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on July 12, 2025 in New York City.

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Previewing Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez 

The Minnesota Twins traded infielder Edouard Julien and right-hander Pierson Ohl to the Colorado ...

<p>The Minnesota Twins traded infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14500" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14500">Edouard Julien</a> and right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14809" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14809">Pierson Ohl</a> to the Colorado Rockies for minor-league pitcher Jace Kaminska, the teams announced Wednesday.</p><p>The Twins will also receive cash in the deal, according to <a href="https://x.com/DanHayesMLB/status/2016579636767994220">The Athletic's Dan Hayes</a>.</p><p>Julien's numbers have declined the past two seasons after an impressive debut campaign in 2023. He finished seventh in AL Rookie of the Year voting thanks to 16 home runs and an .839 OPS. Last season, the 26-year-old Canadian slashed .220/.309/.324 with 12 RBIs in 64 games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Julien should provide some defensive versatility for the Rockies, as he's capable of playing both first and second base.</p><p>The 26-year-old Ohl was designated for assignment last week to create space on the Twins' 40-man roster after they signed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5345" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5345">Taylor Rogers</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5166" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5166">Victor Caratini</a>. He appeared in 14 games last season, authoring a 5.10 ERA and 4.20 FIP in 30 innings.</p><p>Kaminska, 24, was selected in the 10th round of the 2023 draft. He posted a 2.78 ERA and 10.7 K/9 in 87 1/3 innings at Single-A Fresno in 2024 and then missed the 2025 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery.</p><p> </p>

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 25: Edouard Julien #47 of the Minnesota Twins looks on against the Texas Rangers on May 25, 2024 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Twins trade Julien, Ohl to Rockies for minor leaguer

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been added to the Dominican Republic's ...

<p>Toronto Blue Jays first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> has been added to the Dominican Republic's roster for the World Baseball Classic, the nation announced Wednesday.</p><p>It will be Guerrero's WBC debut after he withdrew prior to the 2023 event because of knee discomfort.</p><p>The 26-year-old is coming off a stellar big-league season where he posted an .848 OPS and received downballot MVP votes.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Dominican Republic failed to advance out of pool play at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, winning just two of its four games. Manager Albert Pujols leads what's expected to be a loaded roster this year.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during the 18th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Blue Jays' Guerrero added to Dominican roster for WBC

Tyson Fury is returning to the ring once again.  He signed a deal to appear in a heavyweight clas...

<p>Tyson Fury is returning to the ring once again.</p><p>He signed a deal to appear in a heavyweight clash against Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 in the United Kingdom, Netflix announced Wednesday.</p><p>Fury hasn't fought since losing his second consecutive bout to heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Gypsy King announced he was retiring from boxing last January before pledging in July that he would come out of retirement in 2026.</p><p>Fury, who's widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of his generation, has held multiple titles throughout a career that includes wins over Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, and Wladimir Klitschko. He enters April's bout against Makhmudov holding a 34-2-1 record, including 24 knockouts.</p><p>Makhmudov is on a two-fight winning streak, with his last victory coming over David Allen by unanimous decision in October. He owns a 21-2 record with 19 knockouts but has never fought anyone the caliber of Fury. He lost by fourth-round TKO to No. 6-ranked heavyweight Agit Kabayel in December 2023.</p><p>The fight, which will be promoted by The Ring magazine, will be Netflix's first live boxing event held in the U.K.</p><p>Saudi chairman of the general entertainment authority and prominent boxing promoter Turki Al-Sheikh <a href="https://x.com/Turki_alalshikh/status/2016513654720508142">said</a> there will be future collaborations between Netflix and The Ring - which he owns - including a "big surprise."</p>

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 25: Tyson Fury during a public workout ahead of the Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou boxing match at Boulevard Hall on October 25, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Fury returning to fight Makhmudov on April 11

Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa won't participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic a...

<p>Houston Astros third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3992" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3992">Carlos Correa</a> won't participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after failing to receive insurance on his major-league contract, he told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7001980/2026/01/27/astros-carlos-correa-missing-world-baseball-classic-insurance/">The Athletic's Chandler Rome</a> on Tuesday.</p><p>Correa was prepared to suit up for Puerto Rico but said he risked forfeiting regular-season salary if he missed any games due to injuries sustained at the event.</p><p>"I'm definitely upset because I've been preparing really hard this offseason to get better this year and be ready early so I can be ready for the WBC," Correa told Rome.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I also understand the business side of things and that's too big of a risk to take, to play with no insurance."</p><p>Correa joins Astros teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2841" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2841">Jose Altuve</a> in missing the event. Altuve won't play for Venezuela due to insurance issues, a source told Rome. <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-altuve-not-participating-2026-world-baseball-classic">MLB.com's Brian McTaggart</a> reported Monday that Altuve was opting out at the Astros' request, citing a source.</p><p>Altuve had expressed interest in joining Venezuela's roster, which is being managed by Astros bench coach Omar López.</p><p>"I signed the paper that I'm willing to go and play like I did for in the last two WBCs," Altuve said Saturday, according to Rome. "It's always an honor to represent my country. I played in the last one and the one before and I'm trying to do it in this one. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but it seems like this year it's not up to me."</p><p>Astros owner Jim Crane is in charge of deciding on WBC participation for multiple players in the organization, sources told Rome. Crane told Correa the club had too many injuries last season and he wanted the three-time All-Star "to focus on the team and spring training" instead of the WBC, the third baseman said.</p><p>Correa and Altuve have a history of injuries, with the latter missing 43 MLB games in 2023 after fracturing his right thumb on a hit-by-pitch at the WBC.</p>

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros and Carlos Correa #1 take the field together in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park on September 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

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Three-time American League MVP Aaron Judge is the cover athlete for MLB The Show 2026.   3X AL MV...

<p>Three-time American League MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4773" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4773">Aaron Judge</a> is the cover athlete for MLB The Show 2026.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">3X AL MVP ✅ ️2X <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBTheShow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLBTheShow</a> cover athlete ✅ <br>Welcome back, Aaron Judge! <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJudge44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJudge44</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Yankees</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees_Beisbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Yankees_Beisbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/2l0kOAt7Nu">pic.twitter.com/2l0kOAt7Nu</a></p>— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBTheShow/status/2016194495998521619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The New York Yankees outfielder and captain will appear on the cover for the second time after doing so in 2018. Hall of Fame catcher Joe Mauer is the only other player to grace the cover twice.</p><p>Judge is widely considered one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball after putting together a historical career during his 10 big-league seasons.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Since debuting in 2016, Judge owns a .294/.413/.615 slash line with 368 homers. The former AL Rookie of the Year has won a batting title and appeared in seven All-Star Games. He also became a Home Run Derby champion during the 2017 event.</p>

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Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts wants to manage Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in L.A. if...

<p>Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts wants to manage Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in L.A. if Major League Baseball allows its players to participate.</p><p>"I want to manage the Olympic team," Roberts told <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/26/sports/dodgers-dave-roberts-wants-to-coach-team-usa-at-2028-olympics/">Dylan Hernandez of the California Post</a>. "That's what I want to do. In L.A., I want to manage that team."</p><p>The 53-year-old manager, whose father spent three decades in the military, believes he's the perfect candidate for multiple reasons.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I went to school here. I manage the Dodgers," he said. "It's a no-brainer."</p><p>The 2028 Games wouldn't be Roberts' first time representing the United States. He was part of the U.S. squad that finished second at the 1999 Pan American Games.</p><p>MLB players typically don't suit up for Olympic competition, but some of them, such as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1688" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1688">Bryce Harper</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a>, have expressed interest in participating in Los Angeles.</p><p>MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has said that he's <a href="https://www.thescore.com/news/3378183/related">increasingly confident</a> big-leaguers will participate in the event.</p>

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 13: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during warm ups prior to Game One of the National League Championship Series presented by Booking.com between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 13, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Dodgers' Roberts wants to manage U.S. at 2028 Olympics

The San Francisco Giants agreed to a two-year contract with outfielder Harrison Bader, a source t...

<p>The San Francisco Giants agreed to a two-year contract with outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5438" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5438">Harrison Bader</a>, a source told <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/2015851279193440586">The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal</a>.</p><p>Bader's deal is worth $20.5 million and can reach $21 million through incentives, according to the <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/2015858503714267466">New York Post's Jon Heyman</a>.</p><p>The outfielder said he's excited to join the Giants, calling them a "perfect fit" for him during an appearance on <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/2015947763276505593">"The Show" with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bader hit .277/.347/.449 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 11 steals in 146 games between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies last season. His .824 OPS in 50 contests with the Phillies marked a career best.</p><p>The 31-year-old is also a terrific defender, accumulating 51 defensive runs saved in center field throughout his career. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Giants plan to utilize Harrison Bader primarily in center field, source says.<br><br>Jung Hoo Lee, the Giants' primary CF last year, has yet to play a regular-season <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLB</a> game in a corner spot. However, Lee was the Kiwoom Heroes' everyday RF in 2020. <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBNetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBKOR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBKOR</a></p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/2015880054870360220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>He should help improve a Giants outfield that ranked near the bottom of the majors in defensive runs saved and outs above average in 2025.</p><p><strong>Giants outfielders in 2025</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>PLAYER</th>
<th>DRS</th>
<th>OAA</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jung Hoo Lee</td>
<td>-18</td>
<td>-5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Heliot Ramos</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>-9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Drew Gilbert</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Giants pivoted to Bader after reportedly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3462805" href="https://thescore.com/news/3462805">failing to land</a> infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12501" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12501">CJ Abrams</a> from the Washington Nationals in a trade.</p>

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 21: Harrison Bader #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks off the field after hitting a li out during the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 21, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies 9-2.

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Giants, Bader agree to reported 2-year, $20.5M deal

Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni strongly rejected the notion th...

<p>Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni strongly rejected the notion that his team is actively trying to move shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12501" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12501">CJ Abrams</a> as part of the team's rebuild.</p><p>The San Francisco Giants apparently made an aggressive push to acquire Washington's All-Star shortstop and then shift him to second base, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6994852/2026/01/23/sf-giants-cj-abrams-trade-talks-josuar-gonzalez/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mlbtw&amp;source=mlbtw">The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly</a>. However, the sides couldn't get a deal done.</p><p>"We'll field calls. I'll give you the cliche response that probably every GM in every sport gives, which is we'd be dumb not to listen, right? But it's not something like we're calling other teams and looking to trade CJ," Toboni told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orc9hSfPWrI">106.7 The Fan's Grant &amp; Danny</a> when asked whether he's had discussions with rival executives about Abrams. "And part of the reason why I say that is because I think maybe more so than anyone on our roster, our staff is excited to get their hands on CJ and really work with him from a developmental standpoint."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Toboni added: "While we'll always listen, we're gonna take it day-by-day and see what comes our way. And if there's something that makes sense, hey, we'll talk about it. But it hasn't even come close at this point in time."</p><p>When asked if he sees Abrams playing shortstop for the Nationals, Toboni replied: "I do, yes."</p><p>Even before the team <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3461908" href="https://thescore.com/news/3461908">dealt</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12506" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12506">MacKenzie Gore</a> to Texas for five prospects, Abrams was seen as a potential trade piece for the rebuilding Nationals. The 25-year-old is one season removed from making the All-Star team and has three years of team control (including 2026) remaining.</p><p>San Francisco was apparently willing to part with its No. 2 prospect, shortstop Josuar Gonzalez, in a deal for Abrams, according to Baggarly. Other Giants prospects reportedly discussed with Washington included left-handers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18888" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18888">Carson Whisenhunt</a> and Jacob Bresnahan, outfielder Bo Davidson, and shortstop Jhonny Level.</p><p>Abrams, who's played 13 games at second in the majors, would've joined a strong Giants infield featuring first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5400" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5400">Rafael Devers</a>, shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4784" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4784">Willy Adames</a>, and third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5380" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5380">Matt Chapman</a>.</p><p>Instead, he'll remain a cornerstone of the Nationals for the foreseeable future. Abrams, who put up a .748 OPS with 19 homers in 144 games last season, will form one half of a rotating double-play combo with both <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9620" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9620">Luis García Jr.</a>, whom Toboni said will split time between first and second, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12677" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12677">Nasim Nuñez</a> in 2026.</p><p>The Giants, meanwhile, must now look for a second baseman elsewhere. They <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3454466" href="https://thescore.com/news/3454466">reportedly</a> held conversations with the St. Louis Cardinals about <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13675" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13675">Brendan Donovan</a> and spoke to the Chicago Cubs about <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10637" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10637">Nico Hoerner</a> earlier this winter. San Francisco was also apparently involved in trade talks with the Miami Marlins about starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9569" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9569">Edward Cabrera</a> before he was dealt to the Cubs, according to Baggarly.</p><p>Despite being linked to multiple top position players, San Francisco has done little this winter to improve its position player group. Potential backup catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15546" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15546">Daniel Susac</a>, a Rule 5 Draft selection in December, is the only bat whom the team has added since the offseason began.</p><p>The Giants' new plan is to try and find a bat in free agency, where they're targeting veteran outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5438" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5438">Harrison Bader</a>, Baggarly reports.</p><p> </p>

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago White Sox at Nationals Park on September 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

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Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin was named the No. 1 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipel...

<p>Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18811" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18811">Konnor Griffin</a> was named the No. 1 prospect in baseball by <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2026/top100/">MLB Pipeline</a> on Friday.</p><p>Griffin topped the list after an impressive 2025 season where he slashed .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 65 steals across three minor-league levels.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hJMphX5CceU?si=3WhyEjVuzQJG1HPz" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>The Mississippi native was selected ninth overall by the Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>MLB Pipeline's top five prospects for 2026 are all shortstops.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>RANK</th>
<th>PLAYER</th>
<th>TEAM</th>
<th>POS.</th>
<th>AGE</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Konnor Griffin</td>
<td>Pirates</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Kevin McGonigle</td>
<td>Tigers</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Jesús Made</td>
<td>Brewers</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td> Leo De Vries</td>
<td>Athletics</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>JJ Wetherholt</td>
<td>Cardinals</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 12: Konnor Griffin #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during batting practice prior to the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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As the market for free agents continues to thin out ahead of spring training, here's an early loo...

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The Washington Nationals traded starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers for five pro...

<p>The Washington Nationals traded starting pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12506" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12506">MacKenzie Gore</a> to the Texas Rangers for five prospects, the team announced Thursday.</p><p>The Nationals received shortstop Gavin Fien, right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18623" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18623">Alejandro Rosario</a>, first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17285" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17285">Abimelec Ortiz</a>, infielder Devin Fitz-Gerald, and outfielder Yeremy Cabrera.</p><p>"If you asked me a week ago, was this going to happen? I probably would have said no," Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said, according to <a href="https://x.com/andrewcgolden/status/2014479042372673560">The Washington Post's Andrew Golden</a>. "But over the course of the last week, just momentum built and finally got to a spot where it made sense for us."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Gore posted a 4.17 ERA, 3.74 FIP and 185 strikeouts over 159 2/3 innings last year en route to earning his first All-Star selection. The southpaw, who turns 27 in February, has two years of club control left.</p><p>"We were going to hold a really high bar because we think the world of MacKenzie as a player," Toboni added, according to <a href="https://x.com/Bobby_Blanco/status/2014479296924905539">MASN's Bobby Blanco</a>. </p><p>Gore provides first-year Rangers manager Skip Schumaker with rotation depth behind ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4311" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4311">Jacob deGrom</a> and veteran right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2345" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2345">Nathan Eovaldi</a>.</p><p><strong>Rangers' 2026 projected rotation</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>PITCHER</th>
<th>THROWS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jacob deGrom</td>
<td>Right</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nathan Eovaldi</td>
<td>Right</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MacKenzie Gore</td>
<td>Left</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jack Leiter</td>
<td>Right</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jacob Latz</td>
<td>Left</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Fien and Rosario are the two biggest names joining the Nationals. Fien was the Rangers' No. 2 prospect behind <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17566" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17566">Sebastian Walcott</a>, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/rangers/">MLB Pipeline</a>. Rosario was Texas' sixth-ranked prospect and the team's No. 4 pitcher.</p><p>Fitz-Gerald (12th), Cabrera (16th), and Ortiz (18th) were all ranked among the Rangers' top 30 prospects.</p><p>"We do our best to know our players. but every single guy we gave up, we believe in," Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6993006/2026/01/22/mackenzie-gore-rangers-nationals-max-scherzer/">The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon</a>. </p><p>"We gave up good players, I can tell you that. But we gave them up because they were farther from the big leagues. They were just not going to help us this year."</p>

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 22: MacKenzie Gore #1 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Former Blue Jays player Whit Merrifield didn't expect ex-teammate Bo Bichette to return to Toront...

<p>Former Blue Jays player Whit Merrifield didn't expect ex-teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> to return to Toronto this offseason because he believes the two sides had a strained relationship.</p><p>"I know for a fact Bo loves Toronto, loves the Jays, loves the city, loves the fans there. I also know that there was some stuff along the way that happened with Bo and the coaching staff," Merrifield said on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXdAxhE5QcU">6ix inning stretch</a> podcast. </p><p>"There was some stuff that went on with Bo and the Jays as far as the front office and coaching staff that maybe tainted that relationship a little bit. I don't know how negotiations went, don't know how involved Toronto was in bringing Bo back. I know they probably tried a little bit for the city's sake, but I think it was probably inevitable a little bit that they ended up parting ways."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bichette signed a three-year, $126-million deal with the New York Mets last week after spending all seven of his big-league seasons in Toronto. </p><p>The infielder expressed a desire to remain in Toronto, but said at his introductory press conference with the Mets on Wednesday that signing with New York was a decision he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3461119" href="https://thescore.com/news/3461119">needed to make</a>.</p><p>"I wasn't really surprised he didn't go back to Toronto. I really would have been more surprised if he would have been back in Toronto just from some of the stuff that happened along the way" said Merrifield, who competed alongside Bichette on the Blue Jays in 2022 and 2023.</p><p>"It's not that I think that they ended on bad terms, but I just think it was probably best for both parties that he ended up somewhere else."</p><p> </p>

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 12: (L-R) Matt Chapman #26, Whit Merrifield #1 and Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays look on during a break in play against the Cleveland Guardians in the eighth inning of their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on August 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Merrifield: Blue Jays, Bichette had 'tainted' relationship

Pacific Life Insurance Company on Thursday asked a federal court to dismiss the $8.5-million laws...

<p>Pacific Life Insurance Company on Thursday asked a federal court to dismiss the $8.5-million lawsuit filed by NASCAR champion Kyle Busch and his wife over policies the Buschs claim were sold to them under false and negligent representations as tax-free income for retirement.</p><p>The filing in the Western District of North Carolina — the same court that just heard the Michael Jordan-led antitrust suit against NASCAR — alleges the Buschs purchased five separate Indexed Universal Life policies between 2018 and 2022 to provide more than $90 million in insurance protection for the two-time NASCAR champion.</p><p>The IUL policies were intended to provide immediate death benefit protection and "the opportunity to accumulate cash values when the policies are held for the long term."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Pacific Life claims Busch failed to fully fund the policies, let some lapse and surrendered the others. Busch has claimed he is out $10.4 million and filed suit in October alleging Pacific Life failed to reveal the true risks of the policies.</p><p>Pacific Life countered in its request to have the suit dismissed that both Buschs signed multiple documents acknowledging they understood the policies, including one that indicated the couple would pay planned premiums and hold the policies over 30 years through age 70 and beyond.</p><p>"Instead of keeping the policies long enough to capitalize on their growth potential, Plaintiffs failed to timely pay planned premiums, failed to monitor allocation of their policy values between indexed and fixed accounts and surrendered the policies or allowed them to lapse," Pacific Life wrote in the filing. "Rather than accept responsibility for their own decisions, Plaintiffs now attempt to blame their negative outcome on the IUL product."</p><p>An IUL is a combination life insurance policy that provides a death benefit with a cash value component. The cash value growth is tied to a stock market index, supposedly with built-in protections against market downturns.</p><p>When he filed the suit last year, Busch said he was told that if he paid $1 million for five years, he would be able to take out $800,000 a year once he turned 52. Busch claims when he received a sixth premium notice he began asking questions and discovered almost all of his money was gone.</p><p>Pacific Life has countered that the Buschs acknowledged understanding the policies, but also that his claims for breach of fiduciary and negligent misrepresentation come seven years after he began purchasing the policies and are therefore outside the three-year statute of limitations.</p><p>"A plaintiff cannot avoid the statute of limitations by remaining 'willfully blind': A man should not be allowed to close his eyes to the facts readily observable by ordinary attention, and maintain for his own advantage the position of ignorance," Pacific Life wrote. "Such a principle would enable a careless man, and by reason of his carelessness, to extend his right to recover for an indefinite length of time."</p><p>Pacific Life also maintains that all of the Buschs claims on misrepresentation are false due to the "express, repeated disclosures" they signed. Additionally, all five policies come with a cover letter that in bold capitalized letters says “READ YOUR POLICY CAREFULLY” and offered a 20-day cancelation window in which premiums would be refunded.</p><p>Both Buschs signed a form that certified they had received the policies and understood they must carefully review them, Pacific Life said.</p><p>The Buschs also named agent Rodney A. Smith in their lawsuit for steering the Buschs into an unsustainable, high-risk product, along with charging an up-front 35% commission they were unaware of.</p><p>___</p><p>AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a></p>

AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 01: Kyle Busch (#8 Richard Childress Racing Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet) looks on before qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship on November 1, 2025 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

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Pacific Life seeks to dismiss Kyle Busch's $8.5M lawsuit

Bo Bichette was introduced as the newest member of the New York Mets on Wednesday, but there was ...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> was introduced as the newest member of the New York Mets on Wednesday, but there was a chance he could have re-signed with the Toronto Blue Jays had things gone differently.</p><p>"Me and the Blue Jays were in touch all offseason," Bichette told <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/2014049560134316420">Shi Davidi of Sportsnet</a>. "They showed interest, but at the end of the day, it just became clear for me that this was the decision that I needed to make."</p><p>Bichette signed a three-year, $126-million deal to play third base for the Mets after publicly expressing a desire to remain with the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old, who spent the first seven years of his big-league career in Toronto, said negotiations with the Jays ultimately "didn't pan out."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The infielder was reportedly seeking a $300-million deal in free agency and turned down a seven-year, $200-million offer from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays weren't reported to have made Bichette an offer in that range this offseason. Instead, they spent $353 million to improve their rotation, bullpen, and lineup depth by adding <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8145" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8145">Dylan Cease</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8204" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8204">Cody Ponce</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5041" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5041">Tyler Rogers</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20140" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20140">Kazuma Okamoto</a> and re-signing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9542" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9542">Shane Bieber</a>.</p><p>Bichette had previously said his "ultimate goal" was to play his entire career with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr</a>. and win a championship with the Jays. They came through Toronto's minor-league system together and both made their MLB debuts in 2019.</p><p>"Vladdy is my brother for life. A friend for life. Will always love him. Value our friendship," Bichette said.</p><p>Bichette also thanked Blue Jays fans for their support throughout his career, specifically mentioning his first at-bat in the World Series when he was returning from a knee injury.</p><p>"Thank you for all of the support. You guys mean a lot to me. Toronto will always be my heart, and I guess I'll see you guys in June," he said.</p><p> </p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: Bo Bichette #19 and Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets pose for a photo during an introductory press conference after signing a contract with the New York Mets at Citi Field on January 21, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City.

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Bichette: Blue Jays were in touch all offseason, but deal didn't pan out

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Bryan Mcwilliam

News Editor

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Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb

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