Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn tendon in his left ankle that requires surgery.
The Puerto Rican sustained the freak injury while taking swings in the batting cage before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the veteran infielder confirmed the severity of the issue.
I suffered a complete tear.
A major blow for Houston
He now faces an extensive rehabilitation period, with the recovery process estimated to take between six and eight months.
This prolonged absence guarantees the former Gold Glove winner will play no further part in the current campaign.
His sudden injury removes a crucial piece from the Houston lineup as they navigate a highly competitive American League West division.
Before the frustrating setback, the 29-year-old was batting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBIs this season.
Lengthy road to recovery
Club medical staff will schedule the operation shortly to allow the healing process to begin.
Losing their defensive anchor puts immediate pressure on the Astros to reshuffle their infield for the coming months.
Management must now decide whether to rely on internal options or explore external solutions to fill the significant void.
Liverpool’s decision to sell Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for £67.5m in the summer was driven by the club’s strict financial model, despite the forward’s subsequent treble-chasing success in Germany.
The Colombian international left Anfield after scoring 17 times during his final season on Merseyside.
With two years remaining on his contract and the player desiring a wage increase, the Premier League side chose to cash in rather than risk his transfer value depreciating.
The lucrative fee generated a £27m profit for Fenway Sports Group, aligning perfectly with the ownership’s long-established business strategy.
Thriving in Bavaria
Since arriving in Germany, the 29-year-old has enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career.
He has already netted 26 times across all competitions, including a spectacular individual effort against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League.
The former Porto winger has formed a devastating attacking trio alongside Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
Together, the Bayern Munich frontline has amassed an astonishing 100 goals this season.
Liverpool’s reinvestment struggles
While the Bundesliga giants chase a historic treble, the Anfield outfit has experienced a significant decline over the past 12 months.
Funds from the South American’s departure were reinvested in high-profile recruits including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
However, only French striker Ekitike has impressed during his debut campaign under Arne Slot.
Both Isak and Wirtz cost roughly double the fee received for Diaz, yet neither has managed to justify their hefty price tags so far.
Repaying the trust
Reflecting on his transition to the Allianz Arena, the lightning-fast attacker admitted the language barrier remains a challenge for his family.
Despite off-field adjustments, he never doubted his ability to succeed in his new environment.
“I knew I would be joining an incredibly strong group of footballers and a club with excellent infrastructure and top-class training facilities.”
“I knew I would fit in very well here and that I would contribute my part to the team’s success – just as I did previously in Liverpool.”
“FC Bayern placed their trust in me, and I am trying to repay that trust on the pitch.”
Rory McIlroy says he is “more motivated than ever” as he returns to competitive action at the Truist Championship this week following his successful Masters title defence.
The world number two secured his second successive Green Jacket by holding off Scottie Scheffler at Augusta National last month.
Last year, the Northern Irishman became only the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose.
Validating recent success
He admits the aftermath of this latest Augusta triumph feels distinctly different to that milestone victory.
“I felt like winning the Grand Slam was going to be this life-changing thing and in some ways it was, but in other ways I had to remember like, no, I still have a lot of my career left and I want to keep playing and keep competing.”
The 37-year-old views this ongoing season as validation for the intense work he has put in to return to the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
Avoiding a post-Masters hangover
Following his landmark grand-slam victory last year, the six-time major winner suffered a noticeable slump in form.
He failed to contend at both the USPGA Championship and US Open before finally rebounding with a top-10 finish at the Open Championship in front of a home crowd at Royal Portrush.
However, recent celebrations have been far less frantic, leaving the European Ryder Cup star deeply focused on the upcoming major calendar.
“I’m excited for this week, I’m excited for Aronimink next week, Shinnecock, Birkdale.”
“You know, like I feel like if anything I’m more motivated after what happened at Augusta this year than I’ve ever been.”
A familiar hunting ground
The defending champion begins his bid for a fifth career win at Quail Hollow at 15:05 BST on Thursday.
He possesses a phenomenal record at the North Carolina venue, claiming his maiden PGA Tour title there in 2010 before adding victories in 2015, 2021 and 2024.
Despite his vast success at the course, he remains deeply appreciative of the local backing he continuously receives from the spectators.
“I feel like I’ve gotten more out of this golf tournament than I’ve given back to it in a way, because we do get incredible support every time we come here.”
Former Atlanta Braves and Hawks owner Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul who founded CNN, has died at his Florida home aged 87.
The American philanthropist passed away near Tallahassee on Wednesday, having publicly revealed a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia in 2018.
He leaves behind a sweeping legacy across international sport, global broadcasting and widespread charitable initiatives.
Building a sporting empire
Turner purchased the Braves in January 1976 to prevent the struggling Major League Baseball franchise from relocating out of Georgia.
The charismatic owner famously managed the baseball club for a single day in May 1977, and eventually oversaw their 1995 World Series triumph.
His sporting portfolio expanded further when he secured a majority stake in the Hawks basketball team in 1977, keeping them firmly anchored in the Atlanta area.
Under his stewardship, the National Basketball Association franchise reached the play-offs 15 times before retiring a jersey in his honour in 2004.
Global competitions and media domination
Beyond terrestrial sports, the accomplished yachtsman successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1977 as skipper of the vessel Courageous.
He also established the Goodwill Games in 1986, an international athletics competition designed to ease Cold War tensions that ran for 14 years.
These sporting ventures were funded by his pioneering television network, which revolutionised global news coverage with the launch of the 24-hour channel CNN in 1980.
Philanthropy and tributes
Time Warner assumed control of his sports teams in 1996, allowing the billionaire to pivot heavily towards philanthropic endeavours.
He famously pledged $1bn to the United Nations in 1997 and committed to dedicating the majority of his wealth to charitable causes via The Giving Pledge.
CNN Worldwide chairman Mark Thompson led the tributes to the broadcasting pioneer, praising his fearless vision.
“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement. He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand.”
Mark Thompson, CNN Worldwide chairman
He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van will defend his title against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 in Newark this Saturday, following an emotional journey to the pinnacle of mixed martial arts.
The 24-year-old enters the weekend’s bout with a formidable 16-2 record, having rapidly cemented his status at the top of the 125-pound division.
His extraordinary rise culminated in a championship victory last December, making him the second-youngest titleholder in UFC history behind Jon Jones.
Overcoming a troubled youth
Just two days after securing the world championship, the Myanmar-born fighter visited his father’s grave in Houston for the first time since late 2022.
“I will go to the cemetery with my mom, but I usually stay in the car,” Van explained.
“I only go in when I accomplish something big. I was nothing but a disappointment when he was alive, you know what I mean?”
The champion’s early life was marred by civil conflict in his homeland, leading to a prolonged period spent waiting in a Malaysian refugee camp.
Upon migrating to Texas at the age of 12, he struggled to adapt to a new culture and frequently engaged in street fights due to severe language barriers.
Channelling anger into the octagon
Escalating street violence eventually forced the teenager to relocate to Iowa for his own safety.
It was there that an aunt challenged her nephew to abandon street brawling and instead represent the pride of his family in competitive combat sports.
This pivotal intervention led the future champion back to Houston, where he dedicated himself entirely to mixed martial arts training.
Tragically, his father passed away when he was 16, missing both his amateur debut in 2020 and his subsequent rapid ascent to the world’s premier fighting promotion.
Representing Myanmar on the global stage
Now holding an impressive 9-1 record within the organisation, the lightning-fast striker is completely focused on his upcoming clash.
Formidable Japanese challenger Taira, boasting an 18-1 career record, stands in the way of a successful title defence in New Jersey.
Carrying the memory of his father and the hopes of his homeland, the flyweight king is determined to prove his championship pedigree on Saturday night.
Sky Sports has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in the United Kingdom and Ireland until 2034 after agreeing a new five-year extension.
The new agreement ensures the broadcaster remains the sole destination for live coverage of every race, qualifying, and practice session.
Live home nation races and highlights from every Grand Prix will continue to be shared on free-to-air television.
The comprehensive deal also includes live coverage of support series such as Formula 2, Formula 3, and the F1 Academy.
Record-breaking audiences drive renewal
The renewal follows a historic 2025 season, which became the most-watched motorsport campaign ever for the network.
Interest soared as British driver Lando Norris claimed his maiden Drivers’ Championship with McLaren.
Viewing figures have surged by 90 per cent since the television network became the sport’s primary home in 2019.
That exponential growth includes a 120 per cent increase among under-35s and a doubling of female viewership.
Italian rights secured amid Antonelli surge
Alongside the UK and Ireland agreement, Sky Italia has also penned a five-year extension to retain rights until 2032.
Excitement in Italy has reached fever pitch following the meteoric rise of national prospect Kimi Antonelli.
The 19-year-old sensation has won three successive races to take an early lead in the 2026 championship standings.
Leadership praise long-term partnership
Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali praised the broadcaster for its role in expanding the sport’s global footprint.
“Their world-leading approach to live broadcasting and content creation has made the difference in continuing to grow our sport in the UK, Ireland and Italy.”
Sky group chief executive Dana Strong highlighted the company’s commitment to storytelling and long-term investment.
“This new agreement secures Sky as the home of Formula 1 for years to come, as the sport enters an exciting era with more British talent on the grid.”
Strong concluded by thanking the motorsport hierarchy for a relationship they are eager to build upon into the next decade.
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has urged the FIA to suspend Max Verstappen following the four-time world champion’s persistent public criticism of the sport’s 2026 regulations.
The Dutch driver has been highly vocal regarding the new rules introduced at the start of the current campaign.
These technical changes were designed to improve sustainability but have drawn widespread complaints regarding their impact on the racing spectacle.
The Red Bull talisman recently likened driving the updated cars to playing Mario Kart rather than using a high-tech simulator.
Struggles under new regulations
Frustrations for the defending champion have been exacerbated by an uncharacteristically poor start to the season.
He currently sits seventh in the drivers’ standings after just four races.
The seasoned driver finds himself a massive 74 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Montoya demands strict punishment
Speaking on the BBC Chequered Flag Podcast, Montoya insisted that competitors must show respect for the series that provides their livelihood.
The seven-time Grand Prix winner stated that persistent negativity needs to be met with severe sporting sanctions.
“For me, what the drivers are doing, I’m okay with you not liking the regulations, but the way you were speaking about what you’re living off and your own sport, there should be consequences for that,” said Montoya.
The Colombian veteran explicitly called for motorsport’s governing body to make an example of the vocal critic.
“Park him,” declared Montoya.
“Add seven points to the license, eight points to the license.”
“Whatever you do after, you’re going to be parked. I guarantee you all the messaging would be different!”
Threat of a race ban
Under current FIA sporting regulations, accumulating 12 penalty points over a 12-month period triggers an automatic one-race ban.
The reigning world champion currently has three penalty points on his superlicence.
Issuing a severe points penalty for bringing the sport into disrepute would leave the Milton Keynes-based outfit without their star driver for a Grand Prix weekend.
However, such a drastic intervention from the stewards over media comments remains unprecedented in modern racing.
Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest in a crucial Europa League semi-final second leg on Thursday that pundit Paul Merson believes feels like the tournament’s true final.
Nottingham Forest hold a narrow 1-0 advantage following the initial encounter at the City Ground.
A second-half penalty from Chris Wood gave Vitor Pereira’s side the edge in this tightly contested tie.
The East Midlands club are now just 90 minutes away from reaching their first European final in 46 years.
Champions League qualification at stake
The ultimate victor will travel to Istanbul on May 20 to face either Braga, who hold a 2-1 aggregate lead, or Freiburg.
With both potential opponents viewed as beatable, securing the trophy and a subsequent Champions League spot is a massive incentive.
“This game feels like the cup final for me. It has the feeling of winner takes all with either Braga or Freiburg to come.”
The former Arsenal midfielder noted that lifting the trophy provides an essential alternative route into Europe’s elite competition.
Worrying form for the hosts
Villa enter the crucial fixture having suffered three consecutive defeats across all competitions.
Despite resting key players during their recent domestic loss to Tottenham Hotspur, they missed a vital opportunity to consolidate their top-four league status.
The Claret and Blue outfit still face daunting Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City before the season concludes.
“They still have a chance to wrap things up with the game against Burnley, but mess that game up and then it might get a bit tricky for Villa.”
A monumental opportunity for Forest
While the hosts have alternative domestic avenues to Champions League qualification, the visitors rely entirely on European success.
Merson originally expected Villa to dominate the two-legged affair after witnessing their comprehensive league victory over the same opposition weeks prior.
However, a resilient defensive display in the first leg has completely shifted the momentum toward the two-time European Cup winners.