MLB to have Atlantic League experiment with moving back mound, ‘double-hook’ DH  —  Major League Baseball has once again teamed with the independent Atlantic League to test rule changes, with the current set aimed at keeping starting pitchers in the game longer and creating more balls in play.

All US states ranked from best to worst, according to Americans  —  There are endless rankings of the US states: whether they are the best places to live, the best places to do business, how much fun they are.  Such judgements are made by economists, companies, and journalists - but what do Americans themselves think?

Daily News Boys Athlete of the Week: Kanan Kadjar, Chatsworth  —  Chatsworth's Kanan Kadjar is the Daily News boys athlete of the week after rushing for 218 yards and two TDs  —  Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.  Subscribe now.  —  Daily News Boys Athlete of the Week

Astros put five players on injured list due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols  —  The Houston Astros placed five players, including former All-Star infielders Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve, on the injured list Wednesday due to health and safety protocols, general manager James Click announced.

Penguins players, coaches vaccinated during event at PPG Paints Arena  —  On Monday, the Penguins partnered with UPMC to vaccinate more than a thousand local residents against COVID-19.  —  The Penguins also offered the shot to players and coaches on a voluntary basis during the event at PPG Paints Arena.

Umpire Joe West is awarded $500,000 in defamation lawsuit against former player Paul Lo Duca  —  You can scream at him, curse at him, and call him names, but if you attempt to discredit veteran umpire Joe West's credibility, well, be ready to pay a lot bigger price than simply being thrown out of a game.

Struggling Washington Nationals get back Kyle Schwarber, Josh Bell, Josh Harrison  —  WASHINGTON — Kyle Schwarber, Josh Bell and Josh Harrison were reinstated from the injured list Monday by the Washington Nationals, making the team's roster nearly whole again after a coronavirus outbreak …

Los Angeles Angels' Dexter Fowler out for season with torn ACL  —  Los Angeles Angels starting right fielder Dexter Fowler has a torn left ACL that will require season-ending surgery, the team announced Sunday.  —  Fowler, 35, injured himself while sprinting into second base on an attempted forceout …

Villa Park's Sydney Somerndike voted Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week  —  Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week  —  Athlete: Sydney Somerndike School: Villa Park Sport: Softball  —  Noteworthy: The Arizona commit fired her first perfect game in an 8- victory against JSerra …