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AP Sports Digest

Posted 8/5/26

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. …

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AP Sports Digest

Posted

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.

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UPCOMING

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FBN--NEW COACHES

DESCRIPTION: A new NFL season means lots of changes, and 2026 features 10 new head coaches now in charge. The Tennessee Titans are in that group, turning to Robert Saleh hoping to end a four-season skid. By Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker.

UPCOMING: By 08/05/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBC--NEW LOOK CAL

DESCRIPTION: There’s plenty of new around the California football program as the Golden Bears get set to open fall camp for the upcoming season in coach Tosh Lupoi’s first season. But the most important piece for Cal is back with QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele ready for a second season. By Josh Dubow. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/05/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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RAC--TRIPLE CROWN-PREAKNESS

DESCRIPTION: The Preakness could be getting a new spot on the calendar following years of speculation about the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown moving further away from the Kentucky Derby. A staple on the third Saturday in May for nearly every year since 1950, the date for the 152nd rendition of the Preakness is set to be unveiled Wednesday by Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club at a news conference in the state capital of Annapolis. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/05/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--FOCUSED FEVER

DESCRIPTION: The Indiana Fever seems to be the focal point of every WNBA controversy from trans-gender athletes to a Congressional push to protect star players such as Caitlin Clark. But Indiana hasn’t been derailed by all the distractions. Instead, the focused Fever is playing some of its best basketball despite the distractions. By Michael Marot. 700 words, with photos by 4 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 08/05/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--LEAGUES-CUP-SAN LUIS-MIAMI

DESCRIPTION: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami take on Atletico San Luis in a Leagues Cup match at Nu Stadium. By Alanis Thames. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/05/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--YANKEES-LOMBARD-RAMOS

Touted prospect George Lombard Jr. homers for the Yankees in a big major league debut

SUMMARY: George Lombard Jr. has homered in the fifth inning of his major league debut after being called up by the New York Yankees from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After grounding out in his first at-bat, Lombard gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead when he drove an 0-2 sweeper from Hunter Dobbins into the left-field seats for a solo shot. That made the 21-year-old Lombard the first Yankees shortstop to homer in his big league debut. He was the 14th player in franchise history to do it and first since Jasson Domínguez connected against Justin Verlander in Houston on Sept. 1, 2023. The group also includes injured captain Aaron Judge and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra.

WORDS: 853 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 12:33 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:89f8f6af81745dc0c0c45195d2b2142b&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-SKUBAL

Tarik Skubal pitches 6 effective innings in Dodgers debut against Cubs

SUMMARY: Tarik Skubal has made his Los Angeles Dodgers debut, pitching six effective innings in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. It was the first start for Skubal since he was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Detroit on Saturday night. The two-time Cy Young Award winner was booed when he was introduced with the starting lineups and once again when he went out to the mound for his first career appearance at Wrigley Field. Skubal surrendered a leadoff homer to Dansby Swanson on his first pitch of the third. He allowed two runs and four hits while throwing 85 pitches, 51 for strikes.

WORDS: 730 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 12:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3887c9c7c4d87c680f6f1de14bf40443&mediaType=text

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BBO--CARDINALS-YANKEES

George Lombard Jr. homers in memorable big league debut as Yankees blank Cardinals 2-0

SUMMARY: George Lombard Jr. homered in a memorable big league debut and the New York Yankees beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0. In the fifth inning, Lombard drove an 0-2 sweeper from starter Hunter Dobbins into the left-field seats for his first career hit. As he completed his first home run trot in the majors, Lombard’s parents hugged in the stands. In addition, the 21-year-old Lombard helped Ryan Weathers pitch six strong innings by starting inning-ending double plays in the second and fifth. Jazz Chisholm Jr. also homered for the Yankees. David Bednar got four outs for his 25th save to complete New York’s AL-best 12th shutout.

WORDS: 419 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 10:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5d7c6b8a8c299ffe54eb2c29d89f088f&mediaType=text

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FBN--BEARS-WRIGHT

Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright lands 4-year, $116 million contract, AP source says

SUMMARY: Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright has agreed to a lucrative contract extension, answering a major question for the team going into the season. The Bears announced the four-year deal on Tuesday. Wright’s $116 million contract includes $93 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the details had not been announced by either side. Wright was the 10th overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Tennessee. He anchored an offensive line that helped the Bears rank third in the NFL in rushing last season.

WORDS: 282 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 8:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ad75b931ec3266be4132e13f06d13d3f&mediaType=text

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TEN--CINCINNATI OPEN-ALCARAZ WITHDRAWS

Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from the Cincinnati Open because of a lingering wrist injury

SUMMARY: Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of a lingering right wrist injury that has sidelined him since April. The No. 2-ranked Spaniard was hoping to return to defend his title in the hard-court tournament, which serves as an important warmup for the U.S. Open. Alcaraz last played at the Barcelona Open, then missed the French Open and Wimbledon. He is entered in the U.S. Open, where he is the defending champion. Recent photos and videos on social media have shown the seven-time Grand Slam winner on the practice courts, so it was thought he would be ready to play in the Cincinnati event that begins Aug. 11.

WORDS: 177 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 7:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e5a5b86877a77e21d3563b605f36783c&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROCKIES-MONIAK

Rockies lock up outfielder Mickey Moniak with a $16.25 million, 2-year contract for 2027 and ’28

SUMMARY: On the surface, Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak appeared to be available at the trade deadline and was drawing attention. Behind the scenes, though, the Rockies were already negotiating a deal to keep him in town. Moniak agreed Tuesday to a $16.25 million, two-year contract that covers 2027 and ’28. He gets $7.25 million next season, which would have been his final year of arbitration eligibility, and $9 million in 2028, when he would have been eligible for free agency under the current labor contract. Moniak has thrived at hitter friendly Coors Field since signing with Colorado on March 27 last year. He’s hitting .277 with 18 homers and 49 RBIs across 75 games this season.

WORDS: 581 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 7:24 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e115487a3f587e4e1572482a0cfe26eb&mediaType=text

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FBN--TEXANS-CLOWNEY

Jadeveon Clowney returns to the Texans, chasing a Super Bowl in his 13th season

SUMMARY: Jadeveon Clowney never imagined he’d play for the Texans again when he was traded to Seattle amid a contract dispute before the 2019 season. But after seven years and six teams the defensive end is back where his career began after re-signing Sunday with the team that picked him first overall in 2014. Clowney has changed a lot since he arrived in Houston as a 21-year-old. I’m a veteran in the locker room, a lot older, a lot smarter than I was before,” he said

WORDS: 616 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 6:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8b2deb6e79a72844db9734b36aa55d5a&mediaType=text

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FBN--PACKERS-PARSONS

Packers’ Micah Parsons unsure when he’ll return from torn ACL in his left knee

SUMMARY: Green Bay’s Micah Parsons doesn’t know exactly when he will be cleared to play in an NFL game this season. But the All-Pro edge rusher is warning opponents to be ready for him to unleash the frustration that continues to build while he’s sidelined with torn anterior cruciate ligament. Parsons is on the physically unable to perform list as he works his way back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that ended his first season with the Packers.

WORDS: 534 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 5:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7182a3a2c52e1db88e78bc6269b89ee7&mediaType=text

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BBO--ORIOLES-FUTURE

Trading Rutschman could help the Orioles, but it’s a sign of how badly their plans went awry

SUMMARY: Trading Adley Rutschman may work out for the Baltimore Orioles in the long run, but it still signaled just how badly the franchise’s plans have gone awry. They acquired three of Boston’s top five prospects, according to MLB.com. Fans generally understand the logic of dealing a player who might become a free agent in the next year or two. But what makes this trade harder to stomach is the year and a half of failure that led up to it. Seven years after drafting Rutschman with the top overall pick, the Orioles have one division title and one wild card to show for it. They’re in danger of finishing under .500 for a second straight season.

WORDS: 927 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 3:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:38c1b4ef074f5ec9ec064c4c8c60c161&mediaType=text

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FBC--COACHES POLL

Ohio State and Oregon are 1-2 in preseason coaches poll, SEC’s 9 ranked teams leads all conferences

SUMMARY: Ohio State and Oregon hold the top two spots in the USA Today preseason coaches football poll. Ohio State received 38 of the 72 first-place votes, while Oregon got six. Georgia is third with seven first-place votes. Texas and Notre Dame round out the top five. Defending national champion Indiana is sixth with 14 first-place votes. The Southeastern Conference has five of the top 10 teams. The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll will be released on August 17.

WORDS: 266 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 3:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d17fb98b675b8bce709dc9bcda6e726e&mediaType=text

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FBN--FALCONS-ROBINSON-CONTRACT

Falcons’ Bijan Robinson agrees to a 3-year extension that makes him the NFL’s top-paid running back

SUMMARY: The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a three-year contract extension with Bijan Robinson through the 2030 season that makes the fourth-year player the NFL’s highest-paid running back. Robinson reposted the NFL’s Instagram post detailing the extension on Tuesday morning, writing “God this is for you! Blessings. Love this team and this city!” The extension is worth up to $75 million with incentives, with $51 million guaranteed. The base value of $66.75 million gives Robinson a $22.25 million average per year that makes him the league’s top-paid running back.

WORDS: 521 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:de4424501114327b923522ed7e5661c5&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAVENS-FLOWERS

Ravens reach contract extension with 2-time Pro Bowl receiver Zay Flowers

SUMMARY: A person with knowledge of the deal says the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension with two-time Pro Bowl receiver Zay Flowers. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms hadn’t been announced. The agreement includes $108 million guaranteed. It’s a sizable commitment to Flowers, who is coming off a season in which he caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. Baltimore drafted him in the first round in 2023, and the shifty 5-foot-9 receiver immediately became a factor with his quickness. He’s now posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

WORDS: 353 - MOVED: 08/04/2026 1:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5d3d9b33cf7e0b5b047b300b388cb888&mediaType=text

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