Overview
- The Guardians open camp with offense still under review after a .226 team average in 2025, a rebuilt relief corps headlined by projected closer Cade Smith, and a deep rotation led by Tanner Bibee that topped the AL in innings last year.
- LeBron James said health has been the Lakers’ biggest issue and acknowledged the team’s thin margin for error, even as Los Angeles sits 33-21 entering the post–All-Star stretch.
- Per ESPN reporting cited by multiple outlets, the Lakers have discussed summer wing options that provide length and shooting, including unrestricted targets Andrew Wiggins and Tari Eason and restricted free agent Peyton Watson.
- Cubs owner Tom Ricketts publicly set the expectation to win the NL Central, intensifying scrutiny on key players such as Alex Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ as spring begins.
- Michigan reaffirmed its No. 1 status with a 91-80 win at No. 7 Purdue, while UCLA coach Mick Cronin drew criticism after an on-court ejection of his own player and a tense postgame exchange following a blowout loss at Michigan State.