Report: Lakers to hire JJ Redick in 4-year deal as head coach  —  Redick, who does not have previous head coaching experience, has reportedly begun work on building an experienced coaching staff  —  After a month and a half of searching, including a couple of plot twists …

Rickwood festivities celebrate Willie Mays, Negro League greats  —  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As Ajay Stone strolled around historic Rickwood Field and gazed at tributes displayed in honor of Willie Mays and other Negro Leaguers, he clutched a cherished memory under his arm.

2024 MLB mock draft 2.0: Predicting the first two rounds  —  It's the perfect time for a two-round mock draft.  MLB Draft Combine workouts started this week, some college stars are still playing at the Men's College World Series in Omaha, high school seasons are completed and pre-draft workouts …

Houston Rockets draft notebook 2.0: Big board debates, domino effect and more  —  In less than a week, we'll know the fate of 58 draft hopefuls.  —  Teams are in the final stages of preparation, having had several players come to their respective facilities for workouts, interviews and additional research.

ABS challenge system set to fully be used in Triple-A  —  Major League Baseball sent a memo to farm directors Tuesday indicating that beginning on June 25, all Triple-A games will use the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system as opposed to full ABS, which was previously used for half the week.

Recently-Traded Padres Top Prospect Suffers Season-Ending Injury  —  Former San Diego Padres prospect Dillion Head will undergo season-ending hip surgery.  —  Head was the centerpiece of the package dealt to Miami in the Luis Arraez trade, which also saw Jakob Marsee, Nathan Martorella, and Woo-Suk Go become Marlins.

Bobby Miller pitches into 7th inning in return, but Dodgers fall to Rockies  —  DENVER — Bobby Miller gave the Dodgers' injury-depleted starting rotation a boost with an encouraging return from an inflamed right shoulder.  —  Miller, in his first appearance since April 10 …

St. Louis Cardinals Star Nolan Arenado Leaves Game Early With Elbow Injury  —  Nolan Arenado was hit by a pitch during the St. Louis Cardinals' loss to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, knocking him out of the game with a right elbow contusion.  —  Third baseman Nolan Arenado left Wednesday's game between …

Crews reach 95 percent containment of Hesperia fire  —  Containment of the Hesperia fire has jumped to 95 percent with the blaze stalling at about 1,078 acres as of Wednesday, June 19, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.  —  The wind-driven wildfire began shortly before 7 p.m …

Mets rally for 7-6 victory at Texas and extend winning streak to season-best 7 games  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Brandon Nimmo loves the way the New York Mets are playing right now as they just keep winning games.  —  Pete Alonso hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and the Mets …

Gerrit Cole has solid outing in season debut as Yanks fall to O's  —  NEW YORK — New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole's assignment for his season debut Wednesday wasn't cushy: a mid-June clash against the loaded Baltimore Orioles, his club's primary competition for American League East supremacy …

Houston Astros place Justin Verlander on 15-day injured list  —  CHICAGO — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander went on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday to give him more time to resolve his lingering neck discomfort.  —  The 41-year-old Verlander was scratched from Saturday's start against the Detroit Tigers.