The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly targeting Japanese free‑agent Teruaki Sato, the 2025 Central League MVP and Triple Crown winner, as they look to strengthen their roster for a 2027 World Series push. Though listed as a third baseman in Japan, the Phillies see Sato as an outfielder—a position they need. Sato, 27, helped the Hanshin Tigers win the 2023 Japan Series and led them to the 2025 Japan Series as MVP, making him one of the top free agents on the market.
The Wizards return to Capital One Arena Thursday night, November 12, at 7 p.m. ET to host the Pistons and try to halt a five‑game losing streak. Washington comes off a 114‑101 loss to Indiana and will be without Jamir Watkins, Tristan Vukcevic, Reece Beekman and Justin Champagnie. Detroit’s injury list includes Isaiah Joe and Jalen Duren, with Ugonna Onyenso a game‑time decision. Wizards star Anthony Davis leads the team with 25.7 points and 9.7 rebounds, while Trae Young contributes 18.5 points and 8.7 assists. Freshmen Kyshawn George (17.9 ppg) and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa (16.7 ppg) add offensive firepower.
Charles Barkley erupts on TNT’s "Inside the NBA" after a Detroit Pistons commentator likened Lakers guard Austin Reaves to Larry Bird. Barkley’s profanity‑laden tirade follows his critique of several struggling teams, but he zeroes in on the Pistons‑Lakers game where Reaves poured in 43 points. Barkley demands the comparison never happen again, arguing Reaves deserves respect on his own merits. The segment also features a brief counter from co‑host Kenny Smith, who suggests Luka Dončić as a better Bird analogue, which only fuels Barkley’s frustration.
The Washington Wizards fall 114-101 to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Nov. 11, extending their slump. Despite a strong start and winning the rebounding battle (58-52), the Wizards squandered a 37-31 lead and trailed 55-50 at halftime after seven turnovers. Trae Young was muted (3 points, 2 assists) while bench scorer Tre Johnson added 13. George led Washington with 25 points but six turnovers; Anthony Davis posted a 20‑10 double‑double. The Pacers, without Tyrese Haliburton, drove the win with 29 assists and a decisive 14‑0 fourth‑quarter run. Washington heads into a back‑to‑back against the Detroit Pistons the next night.
The Detroit Lions benched starting guard Christian Mahogany during their 19-9 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, a move coach Dan Campbell says was due to repeated team‑rule violations. Mahogany broke his silence on Wednesday, apologizing and promising to improve, while the team praised his accountability. Rookie Miles Frazier started in his place but struggled. Despite the lineup shake‑up, Detroit improves to 6-2 and heads to Munich for a Week 10 showdown with the New England Patriots, where Mahogany is slated to return to the offensive line.
The Lions HC is not taking the Patriots lightly.
The Sacramento Kings, reeling from a 1-10 start, sign veteran center Mason Plumlee to bolster a thin frontcourt. The 36‑year‑old, now in his 14th NBA season, becomes the 10th team of his career, having played for the Nets, Blazers, Nuggets, Pistons, Hornets, Clippers, Suns, Spurs and a brief stint with the Thunder. Plumlee, a former Duke first‑round pick, averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds last season with Phoenix. The move addresses recent depth concerns after Domantas Sabonis missed games with knee soreness, leaving Dylan Cardwell and Precious Achiuwa to guard the paint. The Kings hope Plumlee’s size and experience help snap the skid ahead of Friday’s home game against Portland.
The Houston Astros have appointed former Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmas as their 21st manager, ending a three‑year stint on Aaron Boone’s staff. Ausmas, a former Astros catcher and ex‑manager of the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels, replaces Joe Espada after the Astros finished 81‑81 and were swept in the 2026 Wild Card. His hiring follows the Yankees’ recent loss of coach Shelley Duncan to the Red Sox, highlighting a trend of rivals poaching New York staff. Astros GM Randy Flores praised Ausmas’s leadership, noting his experience and connection to former teammate Jeff Bagwell. With an aging roster and a thin pitching staff, Ausmas faces immediate pressure to bolster starters and relievers ahead of free agency.
The Detroit Lions rank just 23rd in explosive plays through Week 9, trailing the Packers and Bears despite their winning streak.
The Red Wings could explore a trade for Capitals forward Ivan Miroshnichenko after his agent confirmed efforts to find him a new team.
After a 24‑17 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 9, Dolphins fans dissect the game’s highs and lows. The consensus praises the defense—especially the front seven’s pressure and interior play—as the team’s best showing of the year, with rookie Rodriguez emerging as a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year. In stark contrast, the offense is condemned for a disastrous line performance, excessive penalties (seven total, including five holds), and a pass rush that left Austin Jackson exposed to Aidan Hutchinson. Special teams draw the harshest criticism, with calls for a new kicker and punter after missed field goals and shanked punts. Fans hope the Dolphins can align both units and stop “self‑sabotaging” mistakes to win close games.
The Detroit Lions have earned three consecutive NFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards after Jake Bates received the honor Wednesday.
The Detroit Lions have re‑signed tight end Jackson Meeks to their practice squad, after waiving him to accommodate safety Andre Cisco. The 23‑year‑old, an undrafted Syracuse free agent from the 2025 draft, spent last season on the active roster, appearing in four games with one catch for eight yards. Meeks previously cycled through the practice squad, earned three elevations and a futures contract, and now returns to Detroit’s depth chart.
Two recently‑demoted forwards, John Leonard and Nate Danielson, sparked the Grand Rapids Griffins with a 6‑3 win over the Rockford IceHogs, while rookie Carter Bear kept his six‑game point streak alive, tallying two goals and two assists (3‑10‑13). Leonard posted his second hat trick of the season and praised Bear as a "really special player." With Detroit on a four‑game losing streak and ranked 27th in goals per game, the article questions whether Bear’s prodigious AHL production can fast‑track him into the goal‑starved Red Wings lineup.
Seven New England Patriots missed Wednesday's practice, including former Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III. Three Patriots have already been ruled out for Sunday's Germany matchup.
Halfway through the 2026 NFL season, the MVP race is a five‑way tie among Packers QB Jordan Love, Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker, Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, 49ers QB Brock Purdy, and Bills QB Josh Allen, with Love leading in passing yards and EPA despite a weak offensive line. The Offensive Player of the Year race centers on Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, who tops 1,000 receiving yards and leads in touchdowns, while Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs and Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker trail closely. On defense, Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr. dominates with 9.5 sacks and 44 pressures, making him the clear DPOY frontrunner.
Detroit Lions starting left guard Christian Mahogany didn't play any offensive snaps during his team's 19-9 road win at the Miami Dolphins last Sunday.
Reggie Gilliam, the Patriots’ only traditional fullback, receives his first IR return designation after knee and ankle injuries, making him eligible to rejoin the 53‑man roster as early as Sunday’s Week 10 game in Germany against Detroit. With tight end Tanner Arkin released, New England now has 52 active spots, but interior lineman Greg Van Roten also sits in the 21‑day window, forcing a roster decision. The team can activate only one player without cutting someone, likely shifting a healthy player to an injury list. This marks the Patriots’ sixth of eight possible IR returns this season, leaving three slots for remaining injured players like WR Romeo Doubs and LG Alijah Vera‑Tucker.
The Patriots' injury report ahead of the NFL International Series in Munich shows A.J. Brown finally returning after a knee and ankle setback, but three key players—RB TreVeyon Henderson (illness), G Ben Brown (knee) and CB Carlton Davis III (knee)—are out. Additional absences include RB Rhamondre Stevenson (knee), TE Cameron Latu (back), G Walter Rouse (concussion) and S Brenden Schooler (hamstring). Limited participation is listed for Brown, FB Reggie Gilliam, TE Hunter Henry and others. QB Drake Maye is a full participant despite a shoulder issue. The Lions also miss several starters, including RB Sione Vaki (ankle) and CB D.J. Reed (hip).
The Baltimore Ravens add former Miami kicker K. Riley Patterson after a successful workout, NFLTradeRumors.co reports. The 27‑year‑old, undrafted out of Memphis in 2021, has bounced around the league—stints with the Vikings, Patriots, Lions, Jaguars, Commanders, Jets, Falcons and Browns—most recently appearing in five games for the Dolphins, converting seven of nine field goals and five of six extra points in 2026. His journeyman experience and recent production prompt Baltimore to give him a chance at the kicker spot.
Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is officially ruled out of the Week 10 game in Munich after a mysterious neurological illness forced hospitalization and sidelined him from the Packers win. Rhamondle Stevenson missed Wednesday practice with a knee issue, leaving the New England backfield thin as they face a 6‑2 Detroit Lions at Allianz Arena (9:30 a.m. ET). Additional injuries include guard/center Ben Brown, cornerback Carlton Davis III, and limited AJ Brown, while quarterback Drake Maye plays through a shoulder concern.
After a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Oct. 10, the Detroit Red Wings have dropped four straight games, scoring just five goals and slipping to 27th in the league at 2.58 goals per game. Coach Todd McLellan blames a loss of offensive confidence, noting that key forwards Alex DeBrincat and Viktor Arvidsson have gone without points, and rookie Michael Brandsegg‑Nygard is also silent. The team hopes a return to Florida and the comeback of Marco Kasper will spark a turnaround, while general manager Shawn Horcoff feels pressure to acquire a scorer to support Dylan Larkin.
Thursday, Nov. 12 delivers a jam‑packed sports lineup. The NFL’s Week 10 Thursday Night Football pits the Washington Commanders against the New York Giants at 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video from MetLife Stadium, with playoff implications on the line. College football features Memphis vs. South Florida (5 PM ET, ESPN) and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Louisiana‑Monroe (6 PM ET, ESPN2). The NBA hosts four games, including Raptors‑76ers and Pistons‑Wizards at 7 PM, followed by Mavericks‑Timberwolves (8 PM) and Hornets‑Suns (9 PM) on NBA League Pass. Women’s volleyball showcases Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 matchups from 6 PM onward on B1G+ and ACC Network. The NHL Global Series opens with Carolina vs. Seattle in Helsinki (12 PM ET, NHL Network/ESPN+), followed by a four‑game domestic slate at 7 PM. Golf’s first round of the championships also begins.
The Detroit Lions have reportedly re-signed Jackson Meeks to their practice squad just two days after waiving him ahead of their Germany trip.
Wednesday’s NFL transaction roundup sees the 49ers add DB Jack Jones to their practice squad, while the Bills bring in G Nick Broeker. The Cardinals activate TE Hunter Long from IR, sign QB Josh Johnson and add WR Phillip Dorsett and G Jamaree Salyer. The Chargers release WR Gary Jennings and add DB Zion Childress and Kyu Blu Kelly. Multiple teams—Chiefs, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Falcons, Jaguars, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans, Titans and Vikings—make practice‑squad moves or return players from injured reserve, including notable names like RB Travis Etienne (Saints) and WR Skyy Moore (Packers).