Sports
Again? Promising pitcher River Ryan suffers injury during Dodgers win over Pirates
The Dodgers had no problem toppling one of the best young pitchers in the sport Saturday night.
When it came to their own promising rookie starter, however, the team suffered yet another potential injury blow.
While the Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates and rookie sensation Paul Skenes 4-1 at Dodger Stadium, they lost one of their own burgeoning arms — River Ryan — to a forearm injury in the fifth inning of his fourth career start.
A former two-way player who had blossomed on the mound in the Dodgers farm system, Ryan entered Saturday with a 1.72 ERA in his first three big-league outings. He had blanked the Pirates for the first four innings of Saturday, as well.
But then, with two outs in the fifth inning, Ryan misfired with a slider and immediately began shaking out his pitching arm. After a visit from a trainer, the right-hander was pulled out of the game. A couple innings later, the team announced he had “right forearm tightness.” The severity of the injury wasn’t immediately clear.
Ryan is scheduled for an MRI on Monday, but manager Dave Roberts said he is expected to go on the injured list. Landon Knack is expected to be called up to pitch out of the bullpen.
River Ryan will get an MRI tomorrow, but Dave Roberts said they’re expecting him to go on the injured list
Landon Knack will be here tomorrow to pitch out of the bullpen
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) August 11, 2024
Still, any ailment to the forearm is a foreboding sign for the modern-day pitcher — especially a hard-throwing prospect such as Ryan, who never pitched past the fifth inning in a pro game until joining the Dodgers’ already banged-up rotation late last month.
The Dodgers still prevailed to clinch a series win over the Pirates, getting three early RBIs from streaking second baseman Gavin Lux and a towering solo home run from Teoscar Hernández in the fifth.
Against every other team in the majors this year, the hard-throwing Skenes has a 1.78 ERA in 13 starts.
In two games against the Dodgers, however, the former No. 1 overall pick has been charged with seven earned runs in just 11 innings (5.73 ERA).
The significance of that triumph, however, was deflated by Ryan’s early exit — turning the intriguing 25-year-old talent, who was beginning to look like a possible postseason weapon, into the latest question mark for an already short-handed, injury-plagued pitching staff.
Buehler returns Wednesday
If Ryan does miss any extended time, the Dodgers at least know who can replace him in the rotation. According to Roberts, Walker Buehler has completed his minor-league rehab assignment, and will likely start on Wednesday in Milwaukee.
“He’s in a good spot,” Roberts said. “I think physically he feels great.”
In his return from a second career Tommy John surgery this year, Buehler struggled in eight starts (1-4 record, 5.84 ERA) before going on the injured list in mid-June with a hip injury.
After spending time at a private facility in Florida, Buehler began a three-outing rehab assignment with triple-A Oklahoma City last month. His most recent start was his best one, a 5 ⅓ inning, one-run effort in which he struck out five batters and threw 85 pitches.
“It still matters to go out there and feel good about your last outing before coming back,” Roberts said. “I honestly think this is as confident, as good as Walker has felt — physically and mentally — this year.”
Short hops
Reliever Ryan Brasier (calf) is expected to rejoin the Dodgers next week in St. Louis, Roberts said … Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) will also travel on this week’s trip to throw a bullpen session in Milwaukee on Tuesday, and a simulated game in St. Louis next weekend … Chris Taylor (groin) has been taking live at-bats in simulated games this weekend, and is scheduled to go to the club’s facility in Arizona next week to continue his rehab.
Sports
Lions star Amon-Ra St Brown explains why he isn’t fan of playing on Christmas: ‘Don’t even like it’
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While football fans may enjoy some NFL football on Christmas Day, not all players share the same thoughts.
Detroit Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown revealed on his “St. Brown Podcast” with his older brother, Equanimeous, that he isn’t a fan of having to work on the holidays.
The Lions, who play yearly on Thanksgiving Day, will play at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) warms up ahead of the Washington Commanders game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., Nov. 9, 2025. (Junfu Han/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“The two biggest holidays I feel like in the United States, we played on both of them.” Amon-Ra told his brother.
“And I don’t even have kids yet. If I had kids, I’d be even more pissed. Like, you can’t be spending it with your family, get to see your kids open gifts. I feel like that’s something that a lot of parents love to see and can’t wait for.
“I don’t even like it, and I’m not even a f—ing father yet.”
EX-NFL COACH RIPS REFS FOR LIONS PENALTY THAT TOOK LATE AMON-RA ST BROWN TD OFF BOARD
Playing for the Lions means Thanksgiving Day will always involve football, and Amon-Ra signed a four-year, $120 million extension last year. So, he understands Thanksgiving means work first before the feast.
But, as he said, both major holidays can be tough, especially for those fathers who want to be around their children and families.
It’s an added nuisance for Amon-Ra that the Lions also have to travel for the game.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Washington Commanders Nov. 9, 2025, in Landover, Md. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
“Us traveling, it’s like, damn,” he told his brother.
Amon-Ra is also dealing with a knee injury following the team’s tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. He was officially listed as questionable for the game, though he’s expected to play barring any pregame setback.
The Lions find themselves in a must-win situation in Week 17 if they want to make the playoffs. While Detroit needs to win their final two games, they also need the Green Bay Packers, their NFC North rivals, to lose their final two games to reach the playoffs.
The situation would’ve been different if the Lions hadn’t had Amon-Ra’s touchdown with 22 seconds left at Ford Field Sunday called back for offensive pass interference.
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A few plays later, Amon-Ra was called for offensive pass interference on the final play of the game, when he was able to pitch it back to quarterback Jared Goff, who flew into the end zone for what Lions fans hoped was the game-winning score. Instead, the flag negated the touchdown and the game ended.
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Sports
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford not concerned about Pro Bowl selections
Matthew Stafford was voted to the Pro Bowl this season, but the Rams veteran quarterback stopped concerning himself about the recognition more than a decade ago.
In 2011, the then third-year pro passed for more than 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns for the Detroit Lions.
Stafford thought he had a chance to make the NFC roster, but Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Cam Newton got more votes.
“Wasn’t even close,” Stafford said, chuckling, on Wednesday. “So at that point, I kind of reserved myself to just go play, have fun and whatever happens, happens.
“But it is cool to be a part of it.”
Stafford, who also was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2023, is a leading contender for perhaps the NFL’s most prestigious award — most valuable player.
Stafford, 37, has passed for a league-leading 4,179 yards and 40 touchdowns, with five interceptions, while leading a Rams team that is 11-4 and currently seeded No. 6 in the NFC going into Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons (6-9) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Rams are averaging 30.5 points and 396.7 yards per game, both tops in the NFL. They rank second in passing (270.5 yards per game) and fifth in rushing (126.3 yards per game).
In last Thursday’s 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Stafford passed for 457 yards and three touchdowns. Yet he was outdueled by fellow Pro Bowl pick Sam Darnold, who led a touchdown drive in overtime and capped it with a game-winning two-point conversion pass.
Stafford is preparing to face a Falcons defense that ranks 14th overall, but eighth against the pass, giving up 195.1 yards per game.
Asked if he was surprised that Stafford has only been voted to the Pro Bowl three times, Rams coach Sean McVay said yes, adding that there were “a lot of layers to the Pro Bowl stuff.”
“You talk to the real football people. … I think he’s seen as a guy that’s one of the best ever to do it,” McVay said. “I think that’s been very well acknowledged this year but I think it’s probably overdue.”
Stafford has “elevated” everybody around him since the Rams traded for him in 2021, McVay said.
“The best part about Matthew is, he’s got this great humility,” McVay said, adding, “What he cares about are the respect of his teammates, his coaches and the people he’s playing against. And I think when you talk to those who know, hes got great respect and admiration for the way that he competes, the way he goes about it and what type of player he is.”
Etc.
Receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (ankle) are making “good progress,” but McVay did not provide a definitive update on their status for the game against the Falcons. … The Rams opened the 21-day window for cornerback Roger McCreary (hip) to return from injured reserve. McVay said “most likely” that the Rams will open the 21-day window for safety Quentin Lake (elbow) next week to return from injured reserve. Lake is expected to be ready for the playoffs, or possibly for the final game against the Arizona Cardinals. … The Rams are off Thursday. They are expected to practice Friday at SoFi Stadium, and Saturday at their Woodland Hills facility.
Sports
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin laments ‘volatile rhetoric’ across sports after DK Metcalf fan altercation
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his support for wide receiver DK Metcalf before the star player’s two-game suspension for throwing a punch at a fan was upheld.
Tomlin didn’t elaborate on his reaction to seeing the clip, which showed Metcalf near the barrier between the Steelers’ sideline and the stands. The CBS broadcast caught the interaction, which showed Metcalf pull on the fan’s shirt and take a swing.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on from the sideline during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)
The longtime head coach acknowledged Tuesday the increasingly “volatile rhetoric” in sports.
“Not only (in) our business, (but) college, youth sport parents,” he said. “I think it’s just a component of sport that’s developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate.”
It’s unclear what the fan, who was identified as Ryan Kennedy, said to Metcalf that sparked the altercation. Kennedy was accused of making a racist comment and saying a derogatory remark about the player’s mother. However, Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations in a statement through a law firm. The statement said no hateful language was used.
Another report said that when Metcalf was playing for the Seattle Seahawks, he reported the fan to team personnel when he was in Detroit previously.
SEVERAL NFL TEAMS HAVE PLAYOFF-CLINCHING SCENARIOS IN WEEK 17
Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf wipes his face on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Tomlin didn’t speculate when asked if there were more teams could do to protect players in that situation.
“Me speaking on it and speaking on it in detail and particularly expressing my opinion regarding things doesn’t help the circumstance in any way,” he said.
The NFL upheld Metcalf’s suspension on Tuesday night.
The league said Metcalf violated league policy, which states players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”
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He will miss the team’s final two games of the season and leave a boatload of money on the table.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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