NFL

Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike out for season with torn ACL

Detroit was one of the most injury-ravaged teams in 2024, potentially costing the Lions a shot at the Super Bowl. The hope obviously was that the luck would balance out this season, but that notion is off to a poor start.

Onwuzurike had a strong year in 2024, gathering 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks. More importantly, the 27-year-old manned the interior of Detroit’s defense, logging nearly 700 snaps. Fortunately, the Lions are well-equipped to handle the loss of Onwuzurike. Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader should start at defensive tackle for the franchise, while first-round rookie Tyleik Williams will factor in, as well.

An underlying trait of nearly every Super Bowl champion is health. Look no further than the 2021 Rams. Los Angeles built a roster full of star power with limited depth. One major injury likely would’ve punted the Rams from contention, but it never came. Thus, Los Angeles raised the Lombardi Trophy. These Lions don’t need that kind of luck, as the team is fairly loaded. But Detroit can’t afford an onslaught of maladies, either. Let’s hope for good health for the team moving forward.

Chiefs sign EDGE George Karlaftis to four-year, $93 million contract

The Chiefs just broke the bank for Trey Smith, but Brett Veach is never scared to make meaningful transactions. Now, Karlaftis gets his big deal, including $62 million guaranteed.

The 24-year-old is a solid but unspectacular edge defender, with the capacity to level up to a high-end starter. For that to happen, Karlaftis will have to improve versus the run, as he tallied just 35 tackles in 2024. Rushing the passer, however, is a strength for the defensive end. With 24.5 career sacks, Karlaftis is Kansas City’s second-best pass rusher, behind the sensational Chris Jones.

Grade: C+

NBA

Grizzlies sign C PJ Hall to two-way contract

Hall, 23, didn’t do much of anything for the Nuggets last season as a rookie, averaging just 3.5 minutes per game. The center secured this deal based on a strong summer league. For Memphis, the best case scenario is Hall replacing some of the lost production from trading Jay Huff to Indiana.

Grade: B

Nuggets sign SG Curtis Jones to two-way contract

Out goes PJ Hall and in comes Curtis Jones. The Iowa State product went undrafted in last month’s draft, but he’s a microwave scorer and can do so coming off the bench. Jones won’t help the contending Nuggets this season, though, which makes his addition somewhat questionable.

Grade: C

MLB

Blue Jays 8, Giants 6

Toronto almost handed this game away in the sixth inning, but some early production from the team’s bats provided enough of a cushion. George Springer was one of those hitters, clubbing a home run and a double. Springer infamously runs hot and cold, so any positive stretch for the 35-year-old is exciting.

Robbie Ray didn’t have it today. The normally excellent starter surrendered five earned runs across just 4 1/3 innings. Ray’s next start will likely come versus the Mets, providing no break for the southpaw.

Orioles 5, Rays 3

The Orioles pushed a few chips in to acquire Trevor Rogers from the Marlins last summer. It didn’t work out; the 27-year-old made just four starts and posted a 7.11 ERA. This season, though, the calculus has changed. For a Baltimore club in need of pitching, Rogers has been more than effective, making seven starts and recording a 1.74 ERA. Rogers will surely regress some to the mean, but this year has been more indicative of the pitcher he is than last year.

The Rays are a teeny bit short on offense, but that doesn’t justify batting Ha-Seong Kim in the two hole. The middle infielder hasn’t played much yet this season, so perhaps Tampa Bay is attempting to jump-start him and his .649 OPS. It’s a faulty exercise. Someone like Jake Mangum would be better suited for the role, assuming the Rays want to keep Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero as the three-four hitters.

Angels 8, Phillies 2

Somehow, the Angels are on the edge of the AL wild-card race. A run of good baseball lately has helped, and so has a hot stretch from Taylor Ward. The left fielder continued his success yesterday, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Ward has driven in 73 runs this year.

Philadelphia’s pitching staff didn’t have a great weekend, allowing 19 runs to a mediocre Angels lineup. Help is on the way, though, in the form of grizzled veteran David Robertson. Dave Dombrowski is never shy, so don’t expect that to be the last July addition for the Phillies.

Phillies sign RP David Robertson to one-year, $6 million contract

Robertson will make a tad over $6 million for the rest of the season, which is a prorated $16 million.

For a 40-year-old reliever coming off simply a pretty good year, that’s a lot. The Phillies, though, need bullpen health, and Robertson is a proven commodity. The seasoned righty could be particularly useful in the postseason, where he boasts significant experience.

Grade: C