BUEHLER TO RETURN FOLLOWING ELBOW SURGERY
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler is expected to make his return to the big leagues on Monday after missing nearly two full years following Tommy John surgery in 2022.
“The plan is Walker’s going to start on Monday,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We’re excited about that. Everything checked out. It’ll be good.”
The two-time all-star hasn’t thrown in a big league game since June 10, 2022, against the Giants. He’s trying to become one of the few pitchers to bounce back from a second Tommy John surgery, which usually keeps pitchers off the mound for 1218 months.
Buehler could make a talented Dodgers team even more formidable. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball during the 2021 season, finishing with a 16-4 record and a 2.47 ERA over 2072/3 innings.
Buehler had an extended rehab assignment in triple-a over the past month as he prepared for his return, going 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 212/3 innings.
Calgary Flames defenceman Oliver Kylington, Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen and Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram are the finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The trophy is handed out annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey” as voted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Iga Swiatek cruised to a straight-set win over Madison Keys to reach the Madrid Open final for the second straight year Thursday.
Top-ranked Swiatek beat 20th-ranked Keys 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinals. The Madrid Open is the only high-profile European clay-court competition that Swiatek has yet to win. It will be the third final of the year for Swiatek after titles in Indian Wells and Doha.
She will face either world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka or No. 4 Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka defeated Swiatek in the Madrid final last year.
Billie Jean King is a 39-time Grand Slam champion and an equal rights champion — and now she’s getting the Breakfast of Champions treatment.
The twice-inducted tennis Hall of Famer will appear on a limited-edition box of Wheaties.
The cereal maker announced Thursday that the orange packages with King on the cover will be available at stores around the U.S. later this month.
“I’ve dedicated my life to equality for all, uplifting those around me and inspiring girls and women, in particular, to dream big,” King said.
“This box feels like a full circle moment as we celebrate the next generation of champions.”
King was a driving force behind the creation of the women’s professional tennis tour, equal prize money for women and men, and the passage of Title IX.