Tom Ruminski

The Washington Nationals and right-hander Michael Soroka agreed to a one-year contract, the club announced Thursday.The deal is worth $9 million, a source told Robert Murray of FanSided.Soroka will be used as a starter with the Nationals, according to Murray.The 27-year-old authored a 4.74 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and 84 strikeouts over 79 2/3 innings with the Chicago White Sox last season.Soroka primarily worked out of the bullpen but also made nine starts, which was his highest total since he was a 2019 All-Star with the Atlanta Braves. He missed all of 2021, 2022, and parts of 2023 after recovering from two Achilles tendon tears.

The Toronto Maple Leafs recalled goaltender Matt Murray from the Toronto Marlies and assigned goaltender Dennis Hildeby to the AHL, the club announced.Murray, who's projected to start Friday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, hasn't started in the NHL in 628 days.More to come.

The Houston Astros and first baseman Christian Walker agreed to a contract, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com

The St. Louis Cardinals received trade interest from the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks surrounding All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, a source told MLB's John Denton, Mark Feinsand, and Bryan Hoch.The Blue Jays could use an established closer after non-tendering Jordan Romano, who later signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Meanwhile, the D-Backs let Paul Sewald walk in free agency after the emergence of 23-year-old Justin Martinez as a ninth-inning option.St. Louis reportedly offered Helsley to Toronto in trade talks involving catcher Danny Jansen following the 2022 campaign. However, a deal never materialized.Helsley, the reigning NL Reliever of the Year, authored a 2.04 ERA with a 10.7 K/9 and an MLB-best 49 saves in 2024. The 30-year-old right-hander owns a 2.35 FIP and 5.8 fWAR over a combined 167 2/3 innings since 2022.The Cardinals have also gotten inquires from the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers about starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz, according to Denton, Feinsand, and Hoch.

Oleksandr Usyk's team asked the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission on Friday to make Tyson Fury trim his beard before Saturday's unified

The New York Yankees and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt have agreed to a one-year worth $12.5 million, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN

Baseball Hall of Famer and MLB's all-time stolen bases leader Rickey Henderson died Saturday at age 65. We are devastated to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Matt Murray was between the pipes for Friday's clash against the Buffalo Sabres, marking his first NHL start in 628 days.

The Philadelphia Phillies are acquiring left-hander Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins, a source told Robert Murray of FanSided.The Marlins will receive prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd in return, according to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald.More to come.

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-hander Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins for prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd, a source told Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer