American MLB team in Houston, competing in the AL West
Japanese pitcher Imai has been placed on the injured list with arm fatigue after a difficult start to his MLB debut with Houston. He cites adjustment issues, including mound differences and lifestyle changes, as key factors. The Astros face ongoing injury challenges early in the season, impacting their rotation and performance.
Bob Skinner, a 12-season Major League Baseball veteran who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1960 World Series, the 1979 World Series as a coach, and later coached for several teams, has died in San Diego at age 94. He is remembered for his contributions as a player and as a respected coach and scout.
René Cárdenas has died at his Houston home at age 96. A trailblazing broadcaster, he became the first full-time Spanish-language MLB broadcaster with the Dodgers in 1958 and helped launch multiple Spanish-language broadcasts across MLB franchises, including the Astros, Rangers and Dodgers.
President Donald Trump is attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Security around Madison Square Garden is heightened, with a no-bag policy and TSA-style screening. Fans are urged to arrive early as authorities coordinate a large safety perimeter around the venue.
The Detroit Tigers have placed star pitcher Justin Verlander on the injured list with a left hip inflammation, and a subsequent hamstring strain will sidelined him for weeks. Verlander, 43, was preparing for his return when a new hamstring strain forced him to pause rehab and start a full recovery process.
The pontiff has received the baseball from the final out of Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. Pierzynski posted photos from the Vatican, confirming the moment when Leo XIV, then Father Robert Prevost, accepted the ball. The White Sox plan an Aug. 11 tribute with pope-themed hats as fans remember the team’s 2005 title.
Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox has died at 84 after a storied career with the Atlanta Braves, including a 1995 World Series title and 14 straight division titles. In MLB, Rob Thomson and Alex Cora have been dismissed as their teams grapple with underperformance, with interim replacements named as the season unfolds.