Category: Sports

Transgender women athletes banned from women’s Olympic events by new IOC policy

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – IOC President Kirsty Coventry speaks during the Olympic opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Yves Herman/Pool Photo via AP, File)

GENEVA (AP) — Transgender women athletes are now excluded from women’s events at the Olympics after the IOC agreed to a new eligibility policy on Thursday which aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females,” the International Olympic Committee said, to be determined by a mandatory gene test once in an athlete’s career.

It is unclear how many, if any, transgender women are competing at an Olympic level. No woman who transitioned from being born male competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Games, though weightlifter Laurel Hubbard did at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 without winning a medal.

The eligibility policy that will apply from the LA Olympics in July 2028 “protects fairness, safety and integrity in the female category,” the IOC said.

“It is not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programs,” said the IOC, whose Olympic Charter states that access to play sport is a human right.

After an executive board meeting, the International Olympic Committee published a 10-page policy document which also restricts female athletes such as two-time Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya with medical conditions known as differences in sex development, or DSD.

The IOC and its president, Kirsty Coventry, have wanted a clear policy instead of continuing to advise sports’ governing bodies who previously have drafted their own rules.

“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat,” Coventry, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, said in a statement. “So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”

She set up a review of “protecting the female category” as one of her first big decisions last June as the first woman to lead the Olympic body in its 132-year history.

Female eligibility was a strong theme in a seven-candidate IOC election last year — held after a furor around women’s boxing in Paris — when Coventry’s main rivals pledged a stronger policy to leading on the issue.

Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, three top-tier sports — track and field, swimming and cycling — excluded transgender women who had been through male puberty. Semenya, who was assigned female at birth in South Africa and has high natural testosterone levels, won a European Court of Human Rights judgment in her years-long legal challenge to track and field’s rules which did not overturn them.

The IOC document details its research that being born male gives physical advantages that a working group of experts believes are retained.

“Males experience three significant testosterone peaks: In utero, in mini-puberty of infancy and beginning in adolescent puberty through adulthood,” the document said.

It added this gives males “individual sex-based performance advantages in sports and events that rely on strength, power and/or endurance.”

The IOC said its expert group agreed the current gene test is “the most accurate and least intrusive method currently available.” It screened for “the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome that initiates male sex development in utero and indicates the presence of testes/testicles.”

Still, the mandatory gender screening — already conducted by the governing bodies of track and field, skiing and boxing — is likely to be criticized by human rights experts and activist groups.

One of the two women’s boxing gold medalists at the center of the gender controversy in Paris, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, has passed her gene test and can return to competition, the World Boxing governing body said last week.

In the U.S., President Trump signed the executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” in February last year, and pledged to deny visas to some athletes attempting to compete at the L.A Olympics. The order also threatened to “rescind all funds” from organizations that allowed transgender athletes to take part in women’s sports.

Within months the U.S. Olympic body updated its guidance to national sports bodies citing an obligation to comply with the White House.

Pittsburgh Unveils Comprehensive Regional Transportation Plan for 2026 NFL Draft Presented by Bud Light

(Photos and Headline Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of VisitPittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) As Pittsburgh prepares to host the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light from April 23rd–25th, the Pittsburgh Organizing Committee, alongside Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), and regional partners unveiled a comprehensive, multi-modal transportation plan yesterday that is designed to support both southwestern Pennsylvania residents and visitors while ensuring safe, efficient access to the event. The plan reflects a coordinated, multi-year effort to manage increased demand while maintaining reliable access to and through the city for those who live and work here with hundreds of thousands of fans expected across the three-day celebration. According to a release from VisitPittsburgh, here is some more information:

Officials encourage both residents and visitors to plan ahead, explore available transportation options, and allow extra travel time during peak periods.
Fans should download the NFL OnePass app by clicking here for all real-time event information.
 
Expanded Public Transit Service
PRT will operate expanded service April 23-25, with additional frequency and capacity on some routes, to safely and efficiently move fans between neighborhoods, park-and-ride locations, and the official Draft footprint.
Unless otherwise noted, all bus routes will travel their normal routes.
Draft weekend service includes:
  • Saturday-level service systemwide (April 23–25)
  • Weekday-level service on high-ridership corridors, including:
    • P1-East Busway
    • G2-West Busway
    • 54-North Side – Oakland – South Side
  • Four limited-stop Draft bus routes operating from the north, south, east, and west
  • Increased light rail service to Downtown and the North Shore
  • Additional service on the 28X-Airport Flyer
“Our plan for the Draft is about balancing the needs of the thousands of fans coming to Pittsburgh and meeting this special moment while continuing to deliver for the people who rely on us every day,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “No matter why you’re traveling that week, our goal is to make transit the easiest and most reliable way to get there.”
In addition to regular fares, a special Draft Pass will be offered in the Ready2Ride app beginning April 1. The pass will provide unlimited rides for seven days for $25.
Football Flyer Routes & Regional Access
To reduce congestion and move large volumes of fans directly to the event areas, PRT will operate four special “Football Flyer” bus routes during Draft week. These routes will operate approximately every 15 minutes on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, and every 30 minutes on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day.
 
Football Flyers: 
  • 99N – Will start at the McCandless Park and Ride (9700 McKnight Road), travel to the Ross Park and Ride (5204 Perry Highway) and will use the HOV lanes on I-279.
  • 99E – Will start at the Monroeville Mall and serve every station along the East Busway.
  • 99S – Will start at the Large Park and Ride (219 Peters Creek Road) and serve every station along the South Busway.
  • 99W – Will start at the University Boulevard Park and Ride (9000 University Boulevard), serve every stop on the West Busway, the Lower Station of the Duquesne Incline, and the Lower Station of the Monongahela Incline.
All four Football Flyers will drop off and pick up passengers near Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh and near PNC Park on the North Shore.
 
Light Rail Service
PRT will also increase light rail (T) service between Downtown and the North Shore during peak Draft hours.
The Red Line and Blue Line will operate from South Hills Village to North Side Station and will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. The Silver Line will operate from Library to Washington Junction where riders can transfer to the Red or Blue Lines. Allegheny Station will be closed from April 22–25. Riders should use North Side Station during that period.
Use of park-and-ride lots along the light rail system is highly encouraged. All lots will be open, and most are free:
For more information, riders can visit www.rideprt.org by clicking here.
* Indicates lots that are paid parking
—
Road Closures & Traffic Changes
To support a safe and secure event environment, as well as a highly walkable experience for attendees, select streets in and around Downtown and the North Shore will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic during Draft week.
These closures have been carefully planned in coordination with public safety and transportation partners to balance event operations with the needs of residents, businesses, and commuters.
Phase 1 Closures (March 28 – April 12)
  • Art Rooney Ave, West General Robinson Street (to Tony Dorsett Dr), Scotland Ave
*Phase 2 Closures (April 13 – April 21): 
  • Casino Drive (from Sproat Way), North Shore Drive (to Chuck Noll Way), Reedsdale Street (to Tony Dorsett Dr), Chuck Noll Way, Tony Dorsett Drive, along with the closures in Phase 1
Phase 3 Closures (April 22 – April 25): 
  • Sproat Way, North Shore Drive (from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way), Mazeroski Way, West General Robinson Street, Lacock Street, Federal Street, I-279 Southbound Exit 1B ramp, Rt 65 southbound ramp to Ft. Duquesne Bridge, Rt 65 Northbound ramp from Ft. Duquesne Bridge, T1 ramp from Reedsdale Street, 6th Street Bridge (Roberto Clemente), 7th Street Bridge (Andy Warhol), Sixth Street, Ft Pitt Bridge on ramp from 10th Street Bypass, Commonwealth Place, Liberty Ave Extension, Penn Avenue (from Stanwix Street to 9th Street), Liberty Ave/PPG Paints Arena Exit off Ft. Pitt Bridge, and 279 HOV. Along with closures from Phase 1 and 2
*Phase 4 Closures (April 26 – May 1): 
  • Casino Drive (from Sproat Way), North Shore Drive (to Chuck Noll Way), Reedsdale Street (to Tony Dorsett Dr), Chuck Noll Way, Tony Dorsett Dive, I-279 Southbound Exit 1B, along with the closures in Phase 1
Phase 5 Closures (May 2 – May 6):
  • Reedsdale Street, Chuck Noll Way, Tony Dorsett Drive, along with the closures in Phase 1
Phase 6 Closures (May 7 – May 10): 
  • Art Rooney Drive, West General Robinson Street (to Tony Dorsett Dr), Scotland Ave
Organizers have been meeting for weeks with business owners and residents in the impacted area to inform them of the closures and to answer any questions they may have. Slight modifications will be made to the road closure plan in order to provide access for various businesses and PNC Park events. Road closure reminders will be disseminated in advance of the start of each phase. Updates will also be posted on the NFL OnePass app, nfldraftpittsburgh.com and pittsburghpa.gov.
 
* Pirates Game Day Access on the North Shore
Transportation and road closure plans have been designed to accommodate Pittsburgh Pirates’ home games at PNC Park.
On game days occurring during the weekends before and after the NFL Draft, select road closures and traffic patterns will be adjusted to support fan access to the ballpark and surrounding areas.
Fans attending Pirates games can expect continued access to the North Shore, with clearly marked routes, available parking options, and public transit service operating to support game day travel.
Additional details, including specific access routes and timing adjustments, will be shared in advance of each game to help fans plan ahead.
—
Getting Between Downtown & the North Shore
Traveling between Downtown and the North Shore will be easy and accessible throughout Draft week, with several convenient options available for both residents and visitors.
  • On Foot: Fans can walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge—closed to vehicle traffic during the event—offering a safe, convenient, scenic and uniquely Pittsburgh way to reach the North Shore. The pedestrian path encourages fans to explore local shops, restaurants and businesses as they walk by and take in Pittsburgh’s skyline, bridges and iconic rivers.
  • Light Rail (T): Free service is available between Downtown and the North Shore via the Gateway, Wood Street, Steel Plaza, First Avenue and North Side stations, providing a quick and reliable connection across the river.
  • By River: The Gateway Clipper Fleet will offer free fan transportation between Point State Park and the North Shore, providing another convenient and memorable way to travel across the full event campus.
“The NFL Draft is going to be an exciting time in Pittsburgh, and I’m thrilled that we have a robust, multi-modal plan to get visitors and locals to Downtown and the North Shore,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “I want to offer a huge thank you to the planning committee that has worked so hard across agencies and departments to construct this plan and especially thank PRT for offering expanded service and park-and-ride locations. However they arrive, we want people to come on down!”
Visitors are encouraged to choose the option that best fits their plans, with all three routes offering efficient access between key Draft locations.
—
Regional Fan Access  
To support fans traveling from across southwestern Pennsylvania and surrounding counties, regional transit agencies will provide expanded and coordinated service to connect communities directly to Pittsburgh throughout Draft week. These services are designed to offer convenient, affordable alternatives to driving Downtown while helping reduce congestion in the city core.
“Football roots run deep in southwestern Pennsylvania, making the NFL Draft a celebration for our entire region. We invite fans from across the area to experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment for our community. Thanks to the collaboration of our regional transit agencies, expanded and coordinated service will give fans convenient, affordable ways to travel downtown and help to connect communities across the region to this unprecedented event.”
Several regional providers will operate enhanced service, including express routes, extended hours, and connections to park-and-ride locations with direct links into Pittsburgh’s transit system.
Key regional service highlights include:
  • Beaver County Transit Authority (BCTA): Additional express trips will operate between Beaver County and Downtown Pittsburgh, including dedicated service timed for Draft activities, alongside regular routes following designated detours.
  • Butler Transit Authority (BTA): Direct service from the Route 528 Park and Ride to the Ross Park and Ride, where riders can seamlessly connect to Pittsburgh Regional Transit service into Draft footprint.
  • New Castle Area Transit Authority (NCATA): Regular commuter service into Downtown Pittsburgh on Thursday and Friday, with adjusted routes to accommodate traffic changes.
  • Freedom Transit (Washington County): Extended service hours and late-night return trips from Downtown Pittsburgh, providing additional flexibility for attendees traveling from the south.
  • Fayette Area Coordinated Transit (FACT): Draft-specific service connecting Uniontown and surrounding communities to regional park-and-ride locations, with additional midday and evening service options.
  • Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority (MMVTA): Regular commuter service will be supplemented by a special “Pittsburgh Express” route with late evening return trips from Downtown.
Together, these regional services create a coordinated network of access points across the region, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to travel to and from Draft events without needing to drive into the city.
Additional details, including schedules, fares, and boarding locations, are available directly through each transit provider. Fans are encouraged to review options in advance and select the route that best fits their travel plans.
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Additional Ways to Get Around
“This is our city and our Draft, so we want everyone to come down, enjoy it and show our visitors and the millions of viewers what makes Pittsburgh so special. This is a big event, but this transportation plan provides ways for our residents to easily navigate getting Downtown and the North Shore to come to the events and tell the story of Pittsburgh.”
 
Gateway Clipper
Fans can arrive by river through special service from the Gateway Clipper Fleet. During the Draft, four vessels will operate Friday and Saturday, helping move visitors to and from the North Shore and Downtown areas. Two boats will travel from the Gateway Clipper’s dock in Station Square over to PNC Park. The other two boats will go between Point State Park and the landing area of the Acrisure Stadium Quay.
Visitors should check the Gateway Clipper Fleet for schedules, boarding locations and ticket information.
 
Pittsburgh’s Historic Inclines
Visitors looking for a uniquely Pittsburgh experience can also travel via the city’s historic inclines. The Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline connect the Mount Washington neighborhood with the city below, offering sweeping views of the Golden Triangle and North Shore.
 
Rideshare
Designated Uber & Lyft pick-up and drop-off locations will be available near the event footprint. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead; many rideshare companies offer the opportunity to book a ride in advance. Designated areas will be available via the NFL OnePass app.
 
Bike Rental & Access 
Fans looking for flexible ways to explore the city during Draft week can take advantage of POGOH, Pittsburgh’s public bike-share program that offers both traditional pedal bikes and electric-assist bikes at stations across Downtown, the North Shore, and surrounding neighborhoods. Bikes can be unlocked via the POGOH app for short trips throughout the city. For more information on bike access, visit bikepgh.org.
 
Parking
Visitors planning to drive are encouraged to reserve parking in advance as garages and lots are expected to fill quickly, and street parking will be very limited. The NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH do not control parking lot inventory or parking rates.
North Shore parking will be limited, so fans who drive are encouraged to park in Downtown and Station Square lots and garages. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Real-time availability is accessible via the ParkPGH app, with reservations available through platforms such as ParkWhiz—helping visitors compare options and secure the best available rates ahead of time.
As with any major event, parking rates may vary based on demand. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and use trusted platforms to avoid unexpected pricing and ensure a smooth arrival experience.
Parking restrictions will be enforced, and vehicles in restricted areas may be ticketed or towed.
 
PIT to Downtown
Visitors flying into the newly renovated Pittsburgh International Airport can use expanded service on PRT’s 28X-Airport Flyer, providing frequent connections between the airport, Downtown and several East End neighborhoods.
 
Coach Buses and Shuttles
Private charter buses and oversized vehicles can secure parking at PPGpublicparking.com or by calling 412-231-5746. Due to security restrictions, no pick-ups or drop-offs will be permitted near the Draft footprint.
 
Personal Watercraft & Private Boats
Personal watercraft and private boats will not be permitted near the Draft footprint during event operations from April 23-26. The following safety zones will be enforced along adjacent rivers, and boaters should avoid these restricted areas:
  • Allegheny River: From the Roberto Clemente Bridge to the Point
  • Monongahela River: From the Fort Pitt Bridge to the Point
  • Ohio River: From the Point to the Rivers Casino
 
ADA & Mobility Services 
The Draft footprint will be fully accessible. Mobility assistance services will be available onsite, and visitors are encouraged to bring personal mobility devices.  A comprehensive Accessibility Guide will be made available starting April 10, 2026.
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Plan Ahead
With increased activity and temporary traffic changes throughout the city, both residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and explore the full range of available transportation options.
Downtown and the North Shore will remain accessible, but travel patterns will differ from typical conditions due to road closures, increased demand, and event operations. Reviewing transit options, parking availability, and route adjustments in advance will help ensure a smoother experience.
Fans and commuters alike are encouraged to take advantage of expanded public transit service, park-and-ride locations, and designated access points when traveling to or through the area.
The latest transportation updates, service information, and road closure details will be available at ridePRT.org and through the NFL OnePass app, which provides maps, schedules, and real-time event information.

NFL competition committee releases proposed rule changes for 2026 season, one based on incident from Steelers’ DK Metcalf last season that could have got him ejected from a game against the Lions

(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of CBS Sports and the NFL)

(AP) The NFL competition committee released its proposed rule changes for next season on Tuesday. The committee proposed allowing the officiating center in New York to eject players for committing a flagrant or non-football act on the field even it wasn’t called for a penalty. Under the old rules, the replay center could only intervene in those cases when the on-field officials had called a penalty. This proposal comes after Pittsburgh receiver DK Metcalf wasn’t ejected from a game at Detroit last season when he got into an altercation with a heckling fan. Because the on-field officials didn’t see the play when Metcalf swiped at the fan and throw a flag, the replay center was unable to eject Metcalf. The league did suspend him for two games, but he was able to remain in the game at the time. The owners also could vote on two proposals made last week by teams, including one by Pittsburgh to allow teams to have up to five video or phone calls with potential free agents during the negotiating window before the start of the league year. That was allowed on a trial basis this year and the Steelers are proposing for the rule to be permanent.

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin is out day-to-day with an upper body injury; will not play in tonight’s game against the Avalanche

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin (71) skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that center Evgeni Malkin is out with a day-to-day injury after he suffered one to his upper-body. He will not play in tonight’s game when the Penguins take on the Colorado Avalanche at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins also made another announcement today that even though Malkin is injured, forward Ville Koivunen has been recalled from their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.

State Representative Rob Matzie: Newly released study recommends changes to PIAA policies

PIAA logo

(File Photo of the PIAA Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to the newly released findings of a legislative study requested by State Representative Rob Matzie, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) should update its policies to better protect student athletes participating in competitions. Matzie called on the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct this study based on concerns that the PIAA’s system of classifying schools for competition puts student athletes at risk by forcing them to compete against schools that are wealthier that have larger rosters and bigger budgets. The study was launched after the House adopted Matzie’s resolution in late 2024 that called for a comprehensive study of the PIAA and its decision-making processes and operations.

Matzie stated: “The study’s findings and recommendations demonstrate the need for updated PIAA policies relative to how transfers are monitored and adjudicated, where and how certain private, charter, and co-op schools get their student athletes, and how championship sites are determined. This vindicates the questions I’ve raised over the past several years, especially in regard to the treatment of the Aliquippa School District.” He also expressed that the report recommends that PIAA:

  • establish a statewide body to independently record, monitor and adjudicate student-athlete transfers among member schools.
  • revise its policy for feeder schools, which pipeline student-athletes into a specific senior high schools, by strengthening the feeder school definition for private schools to ensure that member schools across the state are operating under uniform, clearly specified guidelines.
  • document clear requirements for potential championship host venues; clear procedures for its championship site selection process; and the extent to which each championship site proposal meets the requirements listed in its Request for Proposal.

Matzie continued by saying: “With the change in leadership at the PIAA and in light of some of their more recent, positive actions, I am hopeful that these recommendations will be implemented as soon as practicable. As a member of the PA Athletic Oversight Committee, I am prepared to take up the task of putting these changes into place legislatively, if necessary. Moving forward, I stand ready to work with PIAA Executive Director Byers and the board to ensure that all school districts and, most importantly, all of our student athletes are treated with fairness and consistency.”

Penn State women’s basketball hires alumna and former women’s college basketball star Tanisha Wright as its new head coach

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Penn State Athletics, New Penn State women’s basketball coach Tanisha Wright speaks to the media during her introductory press conference at Beaver Stadium on Monday, March 23, 2026 in University Park, Pa.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(State College, PA) Penn State introduced Tanisha Wright its new women’s college basketball head coach yesterday after they hired her last week. Wright most previously had a five-year stint coaching in the WNBA, which included three seasons as a head coach. She is an alumna of Penn State and she led the Lady Lions to back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances from 2001 to 2005 as one of the most decorated players in that program’s history. Wright replaces Carolyn Keiger, who had an 84-123 record over seven seasons with the Lady Lions.

Pitt women’s college basketball hires Robin Harmony as their new head coach

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Pitt Women’s Basketball, Posted on Facebook on March 23rd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pitt Panthers hired a new head coach for their women’s college basketball program. According to Talia Goodman of On3 in a post on social media yesterday, sources told On3 that Pitt hired College of Charleston head coach Robin Harmony. Harmony led the College of Charleston Cougars to their first ever appearance in the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament and a 27-6 record this season. Harmony replaces Tory Verdi, who went 29-66 in three seasons with the Panthers. Harmony is a native of Hershey and has 369 career wins across nineteen seasons as a women’s college basketball head coach.

Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen will open 18th MLB season on Rangers’ roster after 3 weeks with team

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen sits in the dugout before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sept. 6, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed, File)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Andrew McCutchen will be on the opening day roster for the Texas Rangers, who expect the 39-year-old former MVP outfielder to split some time at designated hitter, maybe play a few games in the field and be a mentor to their young, talented outfielders.

Chris Young, the team’s president of baseball operations, said Monday that McCutchen, who joined the team on a minor league contract less than three weeks ago, will be part of the 26-man squad when the Rangers begin the season Thursday at Philadelphia. The 2013 National League MVP and five-time All-Star more than a decade ago with Pittsburgh won a roster spot over Mark Canha, another veteran outfielder also in camp on a minor league deal.

“I was wrote off in a lot of places, honestly told to retire. But I knew deep down there was something in me that told me that there was still more in the tank and that I could continue to keep playing,” McCutchen said. “For them giving me the opportunity … I’m going to make sure that it’s worth it from both of our ends.”

The right-handed-hitting McCutchen, who will make $1.5 million playing in the majors this season, batted .444 (8 for 18) in seven spring training games, with three doubles, a home run and seven RBIs.

“There were a number of factors that went into it, but ultimately we felt like Cutch earned it just with his performance,” Young said.

McCutchen is a .271 career hitter with 332 homers and 1,152 RBIs in 2,262 games over 17 big league seasons, all but five of those with the Pirates. He spent the past three seasons back in Pittsburgh, batting .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs last year when 120 of his 135 games were as the DH.

“This is the beginning of for me to continue to keep doing what I’ve been doing since I got here. And understanding that just because I’m here doesn’t mean that I’m here to stay,” McCutchen said. “I have to remind myself of that every single day that I’m out here and that I am on the field. Even the days that I’m not starting, always knowing that there’s a way to improve, and for my peers and teammates, there’s something that I can do to be able to help them.”

The Rangers have rising standouts Wyatt Langford in left field and Evan Carter in center, with veteran newcomer Brandon Nimmo in right after they acquired him from the Mets in a trade that sent second baseman Marcus Semien to New York.

Carter was limited to 63 games last season because of injuries. Left-handed-hitting DH Joc Pederson missed about two months because of a broken hand after getting hit by a pitch.

Pittsburgh drafted McCutchen in the first round in 2005 and promoted him in 2009 for his major league debut. McCutchen played his first nine years with the Pirates, making five straight All-Star teams from 2011-15. He played for San Francisco, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia and Milwaukee from 2018-22 before reuniting with the Pirates.

“He came in and performed well right away. He fit right in in the clubhouse, can still play the outfield at times,” new Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I don’t think you’ll see him all the time out there, but if we need him, he’ll play out there. But just a really valuable piece to either come off the bench in a high-leverage spot or also potentially start against left-handed pitching.”

CJ2K basketball league holding its second annual CJ2K Vs. the World charity games in Beaver County

(File Photo of the Basketball Broadcast Schedule Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) The CJ2K, a summer basketball league based out of Brady’s Run Park, is holding its second annual CJ2K Vs The World charity games, with junior high contests beginning at 6 p.m. this Friday at Beaver County Christian School and high school games this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Aliquippa. The money raised will be for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Coaches Vs Cancer and the league will split the proceeds between the two entities. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here.

Pirates send veteran pitcher Mike Clevinger to the minors after a so-so spring training

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mike Clevinger (52) delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 2, 2026, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Mike Clevinger’s career reset with the Pittsburgh Pirates is going to start in the minors.

The club reassigned the veteran right-handed pitcher to minor league camp on Monday. The 35-year-old, who agreed to a minor league deal with Pittsburgh in early February, went 1-0 with a 5.02 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings of work during spring training, starting in two games and serving as a reliever in two others.

Clevinger is 60-44 with a 3.55 ERA across nine seasons with Cleveland, San Diego and the Chicago White Sox. He has dealt with injuries in recent seasons and struggled with the White Sox last spring after being moved to the bullpen. He bounced back after returning to the rotation with Triple-A Charlotte. Clevinger went 7-3 with a 4.20 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 22 starts in the minors last summer.

The Pirates have a young rotation led by reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, veteran Mitch Keller and rookie Bubba Chandler, who went 4-1 during a stint in the majors at the end of last season.

Clevinger was eyeing a spot either at the back end of the rotation or as a long reliever. Pittsburgh instead went with Carmen Mlodzinski as their fifth starter and Jose Urquidy and Hunter Barco in middle-inning relief roles.

Clevinger’s best days came with Cleveland from 2017-19, when he was 38-18 with a 2.91 ERA.