Team USA's World Baseball Classic hopes take massive hit with Italy upset

Team USA suffered a massive upset at the hands of Italy on Tuesday night at theWorld Baseball Classic, putting their hopes of moving to the quarterfinal round in jeopardy.

Italy's Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci and Jac Caglianone homered as Italy defeated the U.S., 8-6, in the Americans' final game in pool play.

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Italian starter Michael Lorenzen allowed two hits in 4.2 scoreless innings. The U.S. got homers from Pete Crow-Armstrong twice and Gunnar Henderson, but their rally fell short.

Aaron Judgehad a chance to extend the game for the U.S. in the ninth inning, but he struck out.

"It's the toughest thing," he said. "You always like having your destiny in your own hands, and we had it right in front of us and Italy came out swinging."

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The Americans were down 8-1 in the seventh inning before Crow-Armstrong's home run.

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Italy's Dugout Espresso Machine Tradition Fuels Hot Start In World Baseball Classic

The U.S. appeared to be dealt a confusing situation, possibly thinking they had already clinched a spot in the next round. Manager Mark DeRosa seemed to think that when he said in a TV appearance that the team wanted to win the game "even though our ticket's punched to the quarterfinals …"

DeRosa said he "misspoke" and Judge added that he didn't think players had already thought their spot was secured.

"It's out of our control now," he said. "We just need a little luck, and we'll see what happens."

Now, the U.S. will need to hope for anItaly win over Mexico. If Mexico wins, then all three teams will move to 3-1 and 1-1 against each other and send it to a tiebreaker.

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The tiebreaker is the number of runs allowed in games between the tied teams. The U.S. could advance even if Mexico wins and scores at least five runs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Original article source:Team USA's World Baseball Classic hopes take massive hit with Italy upset

byDaniel Coleman

in

March 11, 2026

Team USA's World Baseball Classic hopes take massive hit with Italy upset

Team USA suffered a massive upset at the hands of Italy on Tuesday night at theWorld Baseball Classic, putting their hope...

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NFL free agency tracker: Latest news, rumors, trade buzz on Wednesday

The official start ofNFL free agencyis finally here.

Yes, plenty of movement has already taken place over the first two days of the league's negotiating period, with a bulk of the top unrestricted free agents already spoken for. But contracts and trades cannot become official until the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and the stunningdissolution of the Maxx Crosby swapserved as a reminder of the difference between an agreement and a finalized pact.

USA TODAY Sports will have all the latest news from around the league on Wednesday, so check back often for updates on all the latest deals and moves:

Ravens move on from Maxx Crosby trade, strike deal with Trey Hendrickson

The Baltimore Ravens didn't take long to shift their focus after withdrawing from the Maxx Crosby trade.

Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson agreed to a four-year, $112 million deal with the team on Wednesday, per multiple reports.

The Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles had also been interested in Hendrickson, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

The former NFL sack king had held firm even as his desired market didn't materialize at the beginning of the league's negotiating window, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. His market shifted significantly in the aftermath of the Crosby trade falling through, Russini reported, with the Ravens making a late entrance.

Commanders boost pass rush further with K'Lavon Chaisson

Two days after forking over a massive contract to Odafe Oweh, the Washington Commanders are continuing to upgrade their edge rush.

The team agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal with K'Lavon Chaisson, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported.

Chaisson enjoyed a career year in New England, where he posted personal bests with 7 1/2 sacks and 52 pressures. But the Patriots opted to move in a different direction with their pass rush, agreeing to a three-year deal with Dre'Mont Jones early in the negotiating window.

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Lions restructure QB Jared Goff's contract, free up cap space

The Detroit Lions are getting compliant with the league's salary cap ahead of the 4 p.m. ET deadline.

The team restructured quarterback Jared Goff's contract to create $32 million in cap space,according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY Network confirmed the news.

The Lions lowered Goff's 2026 base salary from $55 million to $15 million by converting the difference to a signing bonus while adding a void year in 2030.

Daniel Jones, Colts could be nearing contract

After keeping Alec Pierce in the fold with a sizable extension, the Colts could be wrapping things up with Daniel Jones next.

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the quarterback and the Colts have made "significant progress" toward a two-year extension.

Jones, who is still recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 14, received the transition tag from Indianapolis to prevent him from becoming a true unrestricted free agent.

All eyes on Kyler Murray starting Wednesday

The start of the new league year means that several players will finally be hitting the open market. Among the most notable names: Kyler Murray.

The Arizona Cardinals quarterback's expected release is already in motion, but it won't become official until Wednesday. At that point, Murray will be free to sign with a new team.

The Minnesota Vikings have been widely reported to be a potential front-runner for Murray's services, though it remains unclear when a deal with the team - or any other franchise - might materialize.

Who are top free agents still remaining?

There are still a few marquee figures among the best remaining players onUSA TODAY Sports' ranking of the top 100 free agents, including:

• 1. Trey Hendrickson, DE/OLB

• 2. Rasheed Walker, OT

• 3. Kyler Murray, QB

• 4. Jauan Jennings, WR

• 5. Aaron Rodgers, QB

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL free agency tracker 2026: News, rumors, trade buzz on Wednesday

byDaniel Coleman

in

March 11, 2026

NFL free agency tracker: Latest news, rumors, trade buzz on Wednesday

The official start ofNFL free agencyis finally here. Yes, plenty of movement has already taken place o...

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How NBA players are turning technical fouls into philanthropy

With four minutes and 35 seconds left in the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' 110-97 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday, Luka Dončić — upset over what he considered a missed call — made a gesture with his hands that indicated the referees were receiving money for slanted officiating.

The NBA didn't take too kindly to the implication, announcing Tuesday that Dončić would be fined $50,000 for the "unprofessional gesture."

Where will that $50,000 go? Thanks in large part to the National Basketball Players' Association, Dončić's check will ultimately be put to good use thanks to the "Fined and Philanthropic" program, a union initiative that turns players' fines into matching grants for charitable causes.

While the program has been in place since 2015, it has kicked into high gear over the last two years because of the arrival of Erika Swilley, executive director of the union's foundation. After nearly two decades working with NBA teams, Swilley has taken it upon herself to help players use the union's matching grant program.

"One thing that I'm trying to do in my role is change how players think about philanthropy and their strategy," Swilley told NBC News. "I want them to realize that they have a unique platform to really give back and help others and that there's ways for them to go deeper than your traditional turkey giveaways or backpack giveaways, which are all great. But how do you take that same money and feed a family for a year? Take that same money and impact a classroom for a school year?"

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When an NBA player is fined, for anything from a technical foul to, in Dončić's case, an inappropriate gesture, the money is split between the league and the union. Because players typically contest fines, the total amount of fine money usually isn't known until the end of the season.

But whatever the final amount is, the NBPA allows players to tap into the fund. Active players can get as much as $25,000 in matching grants for causes of their choice. Some retired players can get up to $15,000.

And with Swilley's involvement, those causes have become more specific.

In December, for example, four Washington Wizards players partnered with the Greater Washington Urban League to provide 12 families with $75,000 in rent-debt relief, with money from the matching program going not only toward the families' rent but also into investment accounts the families could unlock after they completed a financial literacy course.

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"I think players appreciate knowing that their fine money is being used for good, and not only for good, but really on their behalf," Swilley said. "And I had one player tell me it stings a little bit less when they get that fine."

One of the players who has taken advantage of the program is Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton. Sexton, a Georgia native, is involved with multiple charitable organizations based in the Atlanta area: The nsoro Foundation, which aids youths aging out of foster homes, and the Mighty Millie Foundation, which provides resources in the fight against childhood cancer.

Sexton has used matching grants to donate to both foundations after he learned about the program from players association meetings. He told NBC News that players were pleased to learn how exactly their fines were being applied.

Sexton admits the charitable component also makes the paycheck deduction slightly more palatable.

"Especially, like, technical fouls with the referees or little scuffles here and there," Sexton said. "It's like, 'You know what? It's going it's going to a good cause, and it's going to go somewhere that can definitely use it.'"

For a player like Sexton, who came into the league with a goal of giving back, the union's philanthropic effort has been particularly meaningful.

"One thing growing up, if I ever made it, I was like, 'I'm gonna give back to my community,'" Sexton said. "I feel like sometimes we think about 'I want to receive this, I want to receive that,' but you get so much joy out of giving. And once the NBPA was letting me know about the matching, I was like, 'I already want to do this for my community. I already want to give back.' And it was a no-brainer."

He added: "Leadership in the community isn't about being above anyone. It's more about the feeling of being less alone because you're a part of something bigger than yourself. It creates gratitude when you know you're helping others."

So the next time you see Sexton, Dončić or any other NBA player use profanity to a referee or a little extra oomph during a heated scuffle, you may just be witnessing the start of a good deed.

byDaniel Coleman

in

March 11, 2026

How NBA players are turning technical fouls into philanthropy

With four minutes and 35 seconds left in the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' 110-97 victory over the New Yor...

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IEA to propose record release of strategic stocks in response to Iran war oil price surge

By America Hernandez and Alex Lawler

PARIS/LONDON, March 11 (Reuters) - The International Energy Agency is to recommend the release of 400 million barrels of oil, the largest such move in IEA history, to try to restrain soaring crude prices amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

A ‌source said the release would be spaced over at least two months, while Spain's energy minister said countries would have up to 90 days ‌to release that volume.

The Paris-based IEA would publish its recommendation at 1300 GMT on Wednesday, ahead of a 1400 GMT meeting of G7 leaders chaired by France, according to three sources.

Germany's Economy ​Minister Katherina Reiche confirmed the 400 million barrel figure and said her country would participate in the release, details of which were still to be clarified. The U.S. and Japan would be the largest contributors to the IEA release, she added.

Analysts have said the pace of daily IEA stock releases would matter as much as if not more than the overall size. If 100 million barrels were released over the next month, the daily pace will amount to around 3.3 million barrels per day - a ‌fraction of the current disruption of around 20 million ⁠barrels per day, with the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman effectively blocked.

Oil prices rebounded on Wednesday as markets doubted whether the IEA's plan could offset potential supply shocks from the conflict.

The IEA did not immediately respond to a request for ⁠comment.

Three more vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security and risk firms said on Wednesday, bringing the number of ships struck in the region since the conflict began to at least 14 and underlining how dangerous it is for traffic.

DOUBLE THE SIZE OF 2022 RELEASE

Acting ahead of the IEA move, G7 ​member ​Japan announced plans to release 15 days' worth of private-sector oil reserves and one month's ​worth of state oil reserves.

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"Rather than wait for formal IEA approval ‌of a coordinated international reserve release, Japan will act first to ease global energy market supply and demand, releasing reserves as early as the 16th of this month," Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a broadcast statement.

In 2022, IEA member countries released 182.7 million barrels in two stages, which was then the largest in IEA history, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"I would say it is the largest proposal in the history of the International Energy Agency," said Sara Aagesen, Spain's energy minister.

Western economies coordinate their strategic oil stockpiles through the IEA, which was formed after the 1970s oil crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron is due ‌to chair the meeting of G7 leaders later on Wednesday after the bloc said its ​energy ministers supported the use of reserves.

"In principle, we support the implementation of proactive measures to ​address the situation, including the use of strategic reserves," the G7 energy ​ministers said.

One G7 source told Reuters that although no country currently faced a physical shortage of crude, prices were rising ‌sharply, and leaving the situation unattended was not an option.

However, any ​actual release cannot start immediately because decisions ​on aspects such as country allocations and timing require further discussion, the source said.

"The IEA secretariat is expected to propose scenarios, based on expected market impact, and outreach may extend to non-IEA members like China and India," the source said.

IEA member South Korea is participating in the discussion "and ​reviewing its position," a spokesperson for the country's industry ministry ‌said on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Alex Lawler in London, America Hernandez in Paris, Pietro Lombardi in Madrid, Fabiola Arámburo in Mexico City; Jekaterina ​Golubkova, Kantaro Komiya and Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo, Matthias Williams and Ludwig Burger in Berlin; Heejin Kim and Jihoon Lee in Seoul. Writing by ​Keith WeirEditing by Himani Sarkar, Tom Hogue, Clarence Fernandez, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Philippa Fletcher)

byDaniel Coleman

in

March 11, 2026

IEA to propose record release of strategic stocks in response to Iran war oil price surge

By America Hernandez and Alex Lawler PARIS/LONDON, March 11 (Reuters) - The International Energy Agency is to ...

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North Korean leader Kim watches cruise missile tests with his daughter

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and histeenage daughterobserved tests of strategic cruise missiles fired from a warship, state media reported Wednesday, as North Korea threatened responses toU.S.-South Korean military drills.

North Korea Koreas Tensions

Images sent by the Korean Central News Agency showed the two in a conference room looking at a screen showing weapons being fired fromthe Choe Hyon, a year-old naval destroyer.

Kim Jong Un watched the missiles launches via video on Tuesday and underscored the need to maintain "a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent," KCNA reported in a dispatch that did not mention his daughter.

The girl, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and about 13, has accompanied her father at numerous prominent events including military parades and weapons launches since late 2022.South Korea's spy agencyassessed last month Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as his heir.

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KCNA said the missiles hit target islands off North Korea's west coast. It quoted Kim Jong Un as saying the launches were meant to demonstrate the navy's strategic offensive posture and get troops familiarized with weapons firings.

Kim Jong Un observed similar cruise missile launches from the Choe Hyon in person last week, but his daughter was not seen at that appearance.

Tuesday's missile firings came after the start of the springtime U.S.-South Korean military drills that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.

On Tuesday, Kim Jong Un's sister and senior official,Kim Yo Jong,warned the drills reveal again the U.S. and South Korea's "inveterate repugnancy toward" North Korea. She said North Korea will "convince the enemies of our war deterrence."

The 11-day Freedom Shield drill that began Monday is largely a computer-simulated command post exercise and will be accompanied by a field training program. North Korea often reacts to the two sets of training with its own weapons tests.

byDaniel Coleman

in

March 11, 2026

North Korean leader Kim watches cruise missile tests with his daughter

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and histeenage daughterobserved tests of strategic cruise missi...

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