Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.
——————————
UPCOMING
——————————
FBN--BREAKOUT CANDIDATES
DESCRIPTION: Here’s a look at some of the second-year players poised for a breakout campaign in 2026. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 850 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
___
BBO--TRADE DEADLINE ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTION: By the time the trade deadline passed, the Dodgers and Red Sox had made big moves. Other contenders took a more tepid approach.
UPCOMING: By 08/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
___
FBO--NCAA-WOMEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL
DESCRIPTION: The NCAA has women’s flag football on the fast track to becoming a championship sport. There could be a national title game as soon as the spring before the 2028 LA Games, where flag football will make its Olympic debut. More than 120 schools are slated to field a team this academic year. A vote in January by Division I, II, and III officials could cement the sport’s inclusion. Schools are already recruiting and game-planning to build championship rosters. The NFL has thrown its weight behind the sport, sponsoring teams and tournaments, and USA Football is developing players to bring home an Olympic medal. By Pat Graham. 1200 words, photos. With: FBO--NCAA--Women’s Flag Football-Explainer
UPCOMING: By 08/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
___
GLF--ON THE FRINGE-STRANGE YEAR
DESCRIPTION: Billy Horschel was not eligible for the majors at the start of the year and said he was betting on himself. Now he’s in danger of losing his card. Golf has been more unpredictable than ever in what has been a strange year going into the regular season finale. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 950 words, photos. With Golf Notes and Golf Glance.
UPCOMING: By 08/04/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
BBO--ORIOLES-FUTURE
DESCRIPTION: Trading Adley Rutschman doesn’t send the Orioles into a full rebuild, but it does force fans to turn their focus once again to highly touted prospects who may or may not pan out. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. 650 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/04/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
FBN--RAIDERS-CULTURE
DESCRIPTION: Las Vegas Raiders players have talked about the culture that has been instilled by first-year coach Klint Kubiak. But similar comments also were made the prior two preseasons under coaches Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll.
UPCOMING: By 08/04/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
FBN--LIONS-CAMP
DESCRIPTION: The Detroit Lions continue preparations for the season. 500 words.
UPCOMING: By 08/04/2026 7:32 p.m. EDT, Text
___
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
BBO--CARDINALS-BURLESON
Alec Burleson hits 3 homers for Cardinals at Yankee Stadium after trade deadline passes
SUMMARY: Alec Burleson was so relieved to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals that he produced one of the best power displays in team history. After the frenzy of Monday’s trade deadline, Burleson hit a trio of two-run homers off three different pitchers, including a drive into the second deck in right field that capped a seven-run eighth inning as St. Louis outslugged the New York Yankees for a 13-7 victory. Burleson had the first three-homer game by a Cardinals player since catcher Iván Herrera did it April 2, 2025, against the Angels. The 27-year-old became the first Cardinals first baseman with a three-homer game since current Yankees slugger Paul Goldschmidt on May 7, 2023.
WORDS: 529 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 12:40 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:99af597bda8081ef45876934114b369e&mediaType=text
___
BBO--CUBS-TRADES
Cubs restock staff at deadline, acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from Mets
SUMMARY: The Chicago Cubs have acquired pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the last-place New York Mets for touted infield prospect Jefferson Rojas. It’s the latest move by the busy Cubs to replenish an injury-depleted pitching staff as they attempt to chase down first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central or at least hang onto the National League’s top wild-card spot. Earlier in the day, Chicago obtained reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels for two minor leaguers. The Cubs also added left-hander Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins for a pair of minor leaguers. Those deals came one day after the Cubs augmented their rotation by acquiring veteran starter Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
WORDS: 851 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 12:15 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a2a1bae064ae84ea6e7d7f9b085c6053&mediaType=text
___
BBO--YANKEES-TRADE DEADLINE
GM Brian Cashman says Yankees tried for Rutschman and Skubal before acquiring García and Ramos
SUMMARY: General manager Brian Cashman says the New York Yankees had conversations with the Detroit Tigers about Tarik Skubal and the Baltimore Orioles about Adley Rutschman but could not work out a deal before Monday’s trade deadline. Skubal was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Rutschman went to the Boston Red Sox. Instead, the Yankees added outfielder Heliot Ramos from the last-place San Francisco Giants in a three-player swap, a day after acquiring first baseman Luis García Jr. from the Washington Nationals for four pitchers. García homered Monday night against St. Louis after hitting a career-high .283 in his first season as a full-time first baseman with Washington. Ramos batted .264 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 74 games for the Giants.
WORDS: 1029 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 12:14 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1214ed829f4cb315db9125c0e61c87d2&mediaType=text
___
BBO--CARDINALS-YANKEES
Alec Burleson hits 3 homers as Cardinals outslug Yankees 13-7 after losing 6-run lead
SUMMARY: Alec Burleson hit three two-run homers, including a drive into the second deck in right field that capped a seven-run eighth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals outslugged the New York Yankees 13-7 after blowing a six-run lead. Burleson became the first Cardinals player with a three-homer game since catcher Iván Herrera on April 2, 2025. The left-handed-hitter also became the eighth visiting player with a three-homer game at the current Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009. The previous one was Jordan Diaz for the A’s on May 9, 2023.
WORDS: 452 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 11:46 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:53556b45a4742a874d833189937b12d3&mediaType=text
___
BBO--GIANTS-PADRES TRADE
Padres acquire Robbie Ray from Giants, Casey Mize from Tigers for another playoff push
SUMMARY: The San Diego Padres have acquired left-hander Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers. The Padres have given up three of their highest-rated prospects in deadline trades for two proven starting pitchers. San Diego sent right-hander Miguel Mendez and 17-year-old shortstop Joniel Hernandez to San Francisco, which will pay part of Ray’s $25 million salary. The Padres also got infielder Gage Workman from Detroit while giving up left-handers Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf. After stumbling into the All-Star break at .500 following a 15-28 skid, the Padres have won eight of nine. General manager A.J. Preller decided to go for it yet again.
WORDS: 976 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 8:33 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:10b6b9687f326e39ca354077641a440b&mediaType=text
___
BBO--RED SOX-ORIOLES TRADE
Red Sox get All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from AL East rival Orioles
SUMMARY: The Boston Red Sox have acquired All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles for a package that includes three of their top prospects. The 28-year-old Rutschman is hitting .251 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs this season. He earned an All-Star nod for the third time but is currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation. Baltimore also sent catcher Jake Rogers to the Red Sox. In return, the Orioles received minor league right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, minor league outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narváez and a player to be named later. Eyanson, Witherspoon and Azocar were ranked among Boston’s top five prospects by MLB Pipeline.
WORDS: 784 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 8:26 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a6d0f5d540e7fa579c5b8923d86b3dd5&mediaType=text
___
BBO--MLB-TRADE DEADLINE RDP
MLB trade deadline: Red Sox, Phillies, Padres are the biggest buyers at the buzzer
SUMMARY: The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies took big swings Monday ahead of baseball’s trade deadline, with the Red Sox adding three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman a few hours after the Phillies picked up three-time batting champion Luis Arraez. The pair of aggressive moves highlighted a hectic day of swaps, featuring dozens of deals in the hours leading up to Monday’s 6 p.m. EDT deadline. Among Monday’s other fireworks: the Houston Astros added veteran outfielder Daulton Varsho from Toronto in exchange for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, and the Chicago Cubs got pitcher Clay Holmes from the New York Mets.
WORDS: 2086 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 7:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed454aacc349690b72f13a7618bba4b2&mediaType=text
___
BBO--PHILLIES-ARRAEZ
Phillies’ Bryce Harper will move to right field to make room for 3-time batting champ Luis Arraez
SUMMARY: Bryce Harper is now the Philadelphia Phillies right fielder after team president Dave Dombrowski swung a deal for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants. Arraez is the proven bat Philadelphia’s lineup needed in its chase for a fifth straight trip to the playoffs and first World Series championship since 2008. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Arraez will play second base, triggering a defensive shuffle that switched up the corner positions. Bryson Stott will move from second base to third, and third baseman Alec Bohm will shift to first, where Harper has played since returning from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2023.
WORDS: 1007 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 7:18 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c14652b0618c8de58955e9d69b3e82ec&mediaType=text
___
SOC--MLS-COMMISSIONER-BERG
Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber
SUMMARY: Larry Berg, co-owner of Los Angeles FC, will be the next commissioner of the MLS, the league said. Berg will take over for Don Garber, who has served as the league’s commissioner since 1999, on Jan. 1, 2027. The 60-year-old Berg. who will divest his ownership interest in LAFC, will be officially introduced Tuesday at MLS headquarters in New York City.
WORDS: 657 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 6:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:867851cd4d30855a5e1217bdc619cb0e&mediaType=text
___
FBC--NOTRE DAME-USC RIVALRY RENEWED
Notre Dame and USC agree to resume football rivalry with a 4-game series starting in 2030
SUMMARY: Notre Dame and Southern California have announced that their college football rivalry will resume in 2030. The schools agreed to a four-game home-and-home series. Notre Dame will play in Los Angeles on August 31, 2030, and USC will visit South Bend, Indiana, on August 30, 2031. The series is known as the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football. The rivalry began in 1926 and Notre Dame leads the series 53-38-5. Both schools have a rich history. They have combined for 22 national championships and 15 Heisman Trophy winners.
WORDS: 658 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 4:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:40e17604cd916012078d68d52aaf1087&mediaType=text
___
FBN--PANTHERS-YOUNG
Panthers remain mum on Bryce Young’s contractual future as they ponder QB’s ceiling entering Year 4
SUMMARY: The Carolina Panthers remain quiet about quarterback Bryce Young’s long-term contract as he enters his fourth NFL season. Panthers executive Brandt Tilis says Young “ascended” last season, but his ceiling is still “unknown.” Young threw for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading the Panthers to an NFC South championship. Despite his performance, Young is set to play without a long-term deal. He is under contract for more than $12 million this season. The team can pick up a fifth-year option anytime. Discussions about his contract will remain internal, according to Tilis.
WORDS: 683 - MOVED: 08/03/2026 2:41 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5ce5770d70afb604d5fb8ea44154644c&mediaType=text
