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The Cubs signed veteran first baseman Carlos Santana on Sunday, 's Jon Heyman was the first to report. This comes days after the Guardians released Santana in a "joint decision" between the two sides, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

Santana wanted the ability to compete for a playoff contender once he was released from Cleveland. And, well, Chicago is definitely that.

With a 78-58 record, the Cubs hold the top wild-card spot in the National League as of Sunday morning. They have the MLB's best Brewers (85-52) leading the NL Central to deal with. But, unless something catastrophically goes wrong in September for Chicago, the Cubs will be in the postseason for the first time since 2020.

The 39-year-old was in his third stint with the Guardians after signing a one-year deal back in December. Through 116 games this season, Santana is averaging .225/.316/.333 with 89 hits, 49 runs, 52 RBIs and 11 home runs. While it's not his best year by any means, he's put up impressive numbers for his age and for this point of his MLB career.

It's unknown what kind of role the Cubs will put Santana in when he arrives in Chicago. The Cubs have Michael Busch competing at first base right now, who's having his career-best season.

The third-highest all-out score (381) in the domestic competition’s history proved too much for the visitors in Brisbane

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2025Matthew Wade’s powerful best and more Mitchell Owen fireworks have propelled Tasmania past Victoria in a One-Day Cup triumph that threatened the history books.Tasmania were all out for 381 at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field after No. 6 Wade (105) brought up a century off 65 balls and opener Owen made 53 off 21 and Beau Webster 81 off 95.The third-highest all-out score in the domestic competition’s history – only 17 short of South Australia’s benchmark 398 two years ago – proved too much for Victoria despite the late efforts of Sam Harper (88 off 51).Form batter Owen hit four sixes and five fours to post his half century in the fifth over before collecting 4 for 57 with his handy seamers. That included three wickets in one over, with Glenn Maxwell (0) the final scalp as he blazed away unsuccessfully two days after smashing a hundred of his own in a loss to Queensland.Wicketkeeper Harper was the last man out in the 41st over in a chase that never looked likely after Owen’s triple-strike.Earlier, Wade leaned back on anything short of a length to pepper the square boundaries and post a 10th List A hundred. The 37-year-old is retired from international cricket, doesn’t have a state contract and has been working with Australia as a consultant assistant coach over the past 12 months.Wade struck six sixes while Nikhil Chaudhary (67 off 49) provided the late fireworks as Mitch Perry (4-101) avoided conceding the most runs in a one-day cup innings by one run.NSW host South Australia in Sydney on Saturday before the Bulls host Western Australia on Sunday.

Como boss Cesc Fabregas highlighted the extreme intensity of Antonio Conte’s training sessions, saying they often left him close to fainting. The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder played under Conte at Chelsea during the Italian’s spell at Stamford Bridge between 2016 and 2018. Despite the demanding workload, Fabregas described Conte as a great coach.

• When Conte managed Fabregas at Chelsea

  Fabregas joined Chelsea in 2014 when Jose Mourinho brought him back to the Premier League. Two years later, Conte arrived as head coach and began with a 4-2-3-1 system. But after a run of poor results, including the 3-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates, Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation that completely changed Chelsea’s season. In this setup, Fabregas often found himself behind the preferred midfield pairing of Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante, regularly coming on as an impact substitute.

  Even without being a consistent starter, he remained hugely influential, using his exceptional passing and creativity to break down defences at crucial moments. Under Conte, Fabregas made 86 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and delivering 23 assists. His contributions were key in Chelsea’s success, including the 2016–17 Premier League title and an FA Cup win, marking a strong and memorable phase in his Stamford Bridge career.

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  Conte's intense training sessions

  Conte’s training sessions were famously brutal, to the point that Chelsea’s then captain John Terry once approached him to reduce their intensity. Although the Italian coach eventually agreed, he later revealed that his former teammates Alessandro Del Piero and Zinedine Zidane had trained much harder than the Chelsea side that won the 2016–17 Premier League title.

  In an interview to , Fabregas praised Conte as a great coach but recalled just how demanding his methods were, saying: “He's great. I really like him. But his training sessions at Chelsea are exhausting.”

  The intensity of those sessions even left Fabregas close to fainting, as he explained: “At the end of the session, I had to lean on a teammate because I was fainting from exhaustion.”

• Fabregas and Conte's career trajectory

  After departing Chelsea, Fabregas continued his playing career with spells at Monaco and later Como, where he eventually transitioned into management in 2023. Despite being a young coach, he quickly impressed with his clarity of ideas and strong tactical organisation. In his first full season in charge, Fabregas guided Como to a solid 10th-place finish in the 2024-25 Serie A campaign, laying the foundations for a more ambitious project. This season, Como have taken a significant step forward, earning eye-catching results such as a 2-0 victory over Juventus and a hard-fought 0-0 draw against defending champions Napoli. These performances have pushed them to seventh in the table, only four points behind fourth-placed Napoli, keeping their hopes of European qualification very much alive.

  Conte, on the other hand, has carved out a distinct managerial journey since leaving Chelsea. He took charge of Inter in 2019, guiding them to a Europa League final in his first season and winning the Scudetto in 2020-21, ending Juventus’ long domestic dominance. In 2024, Conte accepted the challenge at Napoli and immediately delivered their fourth Serie A title, the club’s second in three years. However, this season has been far more complicated. Napoli have struggled for attacking fluency, suffering two defeats in their last five league games and failing to score in three straight matches across all competitions. These issues have placed scrutiny on Conte, who has acknowledged the need for serious discussions with club officials to address the team’s trajectory and avoid repeating the dramatic collapse of the 2023-24 season, when Napoli finished 10th just a year after winning the Scudetto.

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  Can Conte turn around napoli's fortunes ?

  With Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis publicly backing Conte and dismissing rumours about his resignation, Conte’s future at the club appears secure. During the international break, Conte would have taken time to assess the situation at Napoli, especially as he faces the difficult task of turning their season around without Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.

  Meanwhile, Como and Fabregas will use the international break to work on new strategies to maximise the output of key players like Nico Paz, whose praises Fabregas sang this week. With the right adjustments, Como will hope to push for a top four finish.

A century announced the precocious 14-year-old to the world. Now the challenge is to shield the child within the prodigy and build him a strong support system

Greg Chappell02-May-2025In the world of sport, there are few things more thrilling than the arrival of a prodigy – a fresh face bursting onto the scene with a brilliance that seems to defy age, logic, or the rhythms of experience. That is exactly what 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivered in his phenomenal third appearance for Rajasthan Royals recently. A century off just 35 deliveries, replete with audacious sixes and classical drives, set not only a record for youth but a standard of excellence that seasoned professionals might envy.The cricketing world stood stunned. A schoolboy had just torn apart a professional attack, and in doing so, lit up a billion imaginations.And yet, within the rapture, there must be reason. With the rise of a star this young, the question is not just how far he can go but whether he will survive the journey at all.Suryavanshi’s century was a triumph of talent, timing, and temperament. It was no fluke: those who had seen him in age-group cricket, especially the Royals’ high-performance director, Zubin Bharucha, knew the spark was real. But even he could not have scripted such a sensational entry.To see a teenager wield a bat with the authority of a man twice his age, in front of tens of thousands, and millions more watching on television, was to witness the magic of sport. But this magic can come at a cost.Related

• Chopra on Suryavanshi: 'There is some amount of maturity already'

• A star is born (to bat): Echoes of Sachin 1989 in Vaibhav's record-shattering spectacle

• Bishop on Suryavanshi ton: unprecedented, mind-blowing, other-worldly

• Who is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year old IPL sensation?

• Dravid: Don't want to confuse Suryavanshi with 'too many things', he should 'have some fun'

At 14, Suryavanshi is still a child – physiologically, neurologically, emotionally. His brain is still wiring itself, his values still forming, his identity still fragile. In that context, such acclaim, such expectation, such public adulation, can become a double-edged sword.Child prodigies are a double narrative. On one hand, they dazzle and uplift, giving fans hope and a sense of wonder. On the other, they often carry burdens they are not yet equipped to shoulder. History across sports offers numerous lessons.Take the case of Freddy Adu, the American footballer labelled “the next Pele” at just 14. The pressure of that label consumed him, and a once-promising career dissolved under the strain of expectation and premature exposure. Or Michelle Wie, the golf phenom who entered the professional circuit as a teenager, only to battle injuries and mental fatigue for years.We’ve seen this in cricket too. Sachin Tendulkar succeeded as a teenager not simply due to talent but because of a solid support system – a stoic temperament, a wise coach, a family that protected him from the circus. On the other hand, Vinod Kambli, equally talented and perhaps more flamboyant, struggled to balance fame and discipline. His fall was as dramatic as his rise. Prithvi Shaw is another wunderkind who has fallen but may yet find a way back to the pinnacle.

It is incumbent on the cricketing ecosystem – the BCCI, the franchises, mentors, and the media – to protect Suryavanshi. Talent must be guided, not glorified; nurtured, not just marketed

These stories don’t question the ability of youth, but they challenge the wisdom of how that ability is nurtured – or exploited.I’m reminded of a different kind of prodigy from my own playing days – not a teenager but a man who, in his own way, arrived with similar brilliance and left with barely a trace.Bob Massie’s debut at Lord’s in 1972 remains etched in cricketing lore: 16 wickets, moving the ball like it was obeying his will. That match, against a powerful England side, turned him into an overnight sensation. Bob was 25, not 14, but even so, the storm of expectation that followed was overwhelming.I played alongside Bob and watched the aftermath. On the following tour, to the West Indies, he began to struggle. The conditions were harsh, the ball deteriorated quickly, and the swing – his greatest weapon – disappeared. He tried harder, overcompensated, and in the process lost his action, and more critically, his confidence.It’s one of the saddest truths in sport: when your weapon is gone and you don’t yet know who you are without it, the game can feel cruel and unforgiving. Bob played just six Tests. The man who once danced with destiny at Lord’s faded into obscurity, not because he lacked skill but because no one had prepared him for what came after success.He later admitted the pressure became too much, and he made the wise, if painful, decision to move on from cricket. But what if he had been 14 instead of 25?This is the peril facing Vaibhav Suryavanshi.It is incumbent on the cricketing ecosystem – the BCCI, the franchises, mentors, and the media – to protect him. Talent can’t be bubble-wrapped, but it can be provided a buffer. It must be guided, not glorified; nurtured, not just marketed.There are a few things that the game must do to protect rising talent.Bob Massie’s rise and devastating fall is a lesson in how fleeting a promising career can be without support•Fairfax Media/Getty ImagesLicensed child psychologists should be part of every elite youth programme. The emotional volatility of adolescence demands specialised care. Cricket teaches technique, but life teaches resilience. Young players need mentors to discuss everything, from media scrutiny to self-worth. Every innings need not be broadcast, nor every run celebrated. There is merit in anonymity during growth phases.Commercial interests must come second to mental health. Contracts should mandate educational continuation, limit media exposure, and schedule periodic sabbaticals. Family or trusted adults must remain central to decision-making. They are not just cheerleaders but the final line of protection for the child within the athlete.Let us not misunderstand the significance of Suryavanshi’s century – it was a marvel, one of those once-in-a-generation moments that define eras. But we must understand the story is just beginning.The world will now demand repeat performances. Commentators will analyse his technique frame by frame. Advertisers will come calling. Social media will canonise or crucify him with equal vigour.And yet, all he might want is to go home, play a video game, or have an ice cream with friends.We must allow him that. We must allow him to be a teenager.To be young and gifted is a rare blessing. But to remain grounded when you have that gift is a greater achievement. For every Tendulkar who rises, there are many like Bob Massie who fade, not because they were any less worthy, but because the structures around them weren’t strong enough to hold them when their world shifted.Vaibhav Suryavanshi has the tools. He has the temperament. But most importantly, he needs time. Let us celebrate him, yes, but also protect him. Let us not confuse early genius with invincibility. The boy has already played like a man. Now it is time for the men around him to ensure the boy within remains whole.And if we do that – if we cherish his humanity as much as we do his hundred – then perhaps, just perhaps, this will not be a quasar that burns bright and vanishes but a star that lights up cricket’s skies for decades to come.

Leeds United have only scored 11 goals in their 11 Premier League matches so far this season since they won promotion from the Championship last term.

The newly-promoted side have struggled to find the back of the net on a regular basis. That has not been because of a lack of creativity, though, as the Whites have created 14.7 xG in the division, per WhoScored.

As you can see in the table above, too many players have been wasteful with the chances that have been created for them in the Premier League so far this season.

Summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in particular, has not been clinical enough as the starting number nine for the West Yorkshire outfit, underperforming his xG by roughly two goals.

With the team’s struggles in front of goal in mind, supporters may be thinking about what the club could do to solve the issue, whether that is through promoting academy talent, making signings in January, or recalling players from their loans.

One star who is currently shining out on loan away from Elland Road is centre-forward Joe Gelhardt, but he looks set to remain at Hull City until at least the end of the season.

Why Joe Gelhardt will not be returning to Leeds United in January

HullLive recently reported that the English striker is expected to remain with the Championship club until next summer, despite the Whites having the option to recall him in January.

The report claimed that Leeds do not have any plans to recall Gelhardt from his loan because they feel that he is in the best place to develop as a player at Hull, who are interested in a deal to sign him permanently next summer.

This shows that Daniel Farke and his coaching staff do not believe that the 23-year-old marksman is the answer to their current problems in the Premier League, or else they would be planning to bring him back to Thorp Arch to bolster the squad for the second half of the season.

The Leeds loanee has plundered seven goals and two assists in 13 Championship starts for the Tigers so far this season, per FotMob, which is why there may have been some supporters wondering if the club would look to recall him.

As you can see in the table above, Gelhardt has finished his chances at an incredibly efficient rate, outperforming his xG by just over two goals, but Leeds have reportedly decided that he is not the answer for them in the Premier League.

This means that Farke will have to look elsewhere to solve his team’s goalscoring woes, and he should forget about Gelhardt to unleash a young star from the academy.

Leeds' Gelhardt replacement

17-year-old centre-forward Harry Gray made his first-team debut for the Whites against Stoke City in the Championship last season, but he has yet to make an appearance in the Premier League in the current campaign.

Derby County, Swansea City, Charlton Athletic, and Hull City are four Championship sides reportedly chasing a deal to sign the teenage marksman on loan for the second half of the season when the January transfer window opens for business.

Leeds, though, should reject their advances and, instead, look to unleash Gray in the first-team with the hope that he can provide the goalscoring touch that has eluded their current options up front.

The England youth international, who was hailed as a “powerful” player by Como scout Ben Mattinson, has been in fantastic form for the club’s academy in the 2025/26 campaign, with his most notable moment being his hat-trick against Scunthorpe in the National League Cup in September.

On top of that hat-trick, Gray has also scored five goals in six Premier League 2 games and two goals in two EFL Trophy matches, per Transfermarkt, which means that the teenage forward has racked up ten goals in all competitions this season.

The 17-year-old talent had the chance to play against a League Two first-team, Accrington Stanley, in the EFL Trophy before the international break, and showed that he can make an impact against senior opposition.

As you can see in the table above, Gray did struggle with the aerial duels in the game, understandably as a 17-year-old against first-team centre-backs, but he did hold his own in physical contests on the deck and scored two goals in the game.

This suggests that he is ready to compete against experienced defenders, even if battling for aerial balls is not his strength, which is why Farke should look to reward him with a chance to impress in the Premier League this season.

The impressive teenager has done all that he can do to impress the head coach with his performances this season. He has scored goals at an exceptional rate in every competition for the U21s, showing that he can be ruthless in front of goal and find the back of the net on a regular basis.

As aforementioned, Leeds have not taken enough of their chances in the Premier League so far this season, which is why they need a lethal marksman who can make the most of the opportunities that are being created.

Bamford 2.0: Leeds chase ST with 15 goals in 25/26, he'd save Farke's job

Leeds United are interested in signing a striker who could save Daniel Farke’s job at Elland Road.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 15, 2025

With this in mind, Farke must unleash Gray in the first-team to see if he can make the step up, whilst Gelhardt is left to see out the rest of the season with Hull.

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers is on the other side of the country from his old team, the Boston Red Sox—and yet New England's view of Devers continues to follow him around.

On Monday, Red Sox announcer Will Flemming suggested on WEEI-FM in Lawerence, Mass., that Devers had blown off Giants great Will Clark three times when Clark came to work with him on first-base reps. Clark confirmed in an interview with the No Filter Network YouTube channel that Devers had indeed blown him off, but noted that it was likely an issue of timing.

Whatever happened between Devers and Clark, the former was filmed taking reps at first base before San Francisco's game against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday.

This was a noteworthy occurrence for multiple reasons. Devers has yet to play first base in the major leagues, and his reluctance to play the position is thought to have been the main impetus for his Boston exit. It also seems to imply Clark finally was able to impart some of his wisdom.

Devers would do well to listen: Clark, a six-time All-Star, was a Gold Glover at the position in 1991.

The India of 2023-25 have enjoyed one of the most dominant periods for any men’s team at ICC tournaments. Here’s a closer look at the numbers

Sampath Bandarupalli11-Mar-20251:36

‘No future plan’ – Rohit isn’t going anywhere just yet

Twenty three wins in 24 completed matches. That’s India’s record in the last three ICC men’s limited-overs tournaments. The only loss was the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, which ended their ten-match winning streak in that tournament.Since then India completed unbeaten campaigns at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Had they beaten Australia in that 2023, they would have held all three ICC limited-overs trophies together – a feat no team has accomplished. Australia in 2010 and India in 2014 came close but lost T20 World Cup finals.

India join West Indies and Australia in dominating ICC tournaments

The India of 2023-25 have enjoyed one of the most dominant periods for any men’s team at ICC tournaments.West Indies reached the finals of all three ODI World Cups between 1975 and 1983, winning 15 of the 17 matches they played during that time. They won the title in 1975 and 1979 without losing a game but were defeated by India twice in 1983, including in the final.Australia surpassed West Indies by winning three consecutive ODI World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007. During this time, Australia also won the Champions Trophy in 2006, and their World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007 came without losing a match. Over those eight years, Australia won 37 out of 44 matches at ICC tournaments, suffering only six losses.Ricky Ponting, who captained Australia in five ICC competitions during those eight years, achieved a remarkable win-loss record of 30-3, while winning two World Cups and a Champions Trophy.