Yankees get Gerrit Cole back; Cameron Brink suffers torn ACL; NBA’s top 75 trade targets

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Good morning everyone, but especially…

GERRIT COLE

No, the Yankees did not win the AL East matchup against Oriole last night. However, there was reason to celebrate because ace Gerrit Cole was back on the mound and had a rock solid start.

After missing the first 75 games of the season due to elbow inflammation, Cole made his debut in 2024 and got off to a shaky start. Cole allowed a pair of well-hit doubles and an earned run in the first inning, but he really settled in from there.

Ultimately, Cole went four innings, striking out five batters, allowing three hits and two earned runs. (Cole lobbied for one more starter but was persuaded to call it a night by the manager Aaron Boone.)

Those aren’t the most surprising statistics, but given the circumstances it was a very encouraging step forward for the reigning AL Cy Young winner. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Cole’s first start was his speed.

In his analysis of Cole’s departureour own Dayn Perry highlighted that heat.

• Perry: “The encouraging thing for Cole and the Yankees is that his fastball peaked at 97.5 mph. Overall, the 28 fastballs he threw averaged 95.1 mph. That’s slightly below his normal levels , but it’s nothing to worry about since he’s still stretching.”

The Yankees ended up losing the game, 7-6, in 10 innings. This put a damper on Cole’s return to the mound at Yankee Stadium, but it was still a positive night overall. New York still holds first place in the AL East, and now their top arm is back in the rotation.

Honorable mentions

And it’s not a good day to…

CAMERON BRINK

Sparks noob Cameron Brink is out for the rest of the 2024 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Tuesday’s game against the Connecticut Sun.

Brink, the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, fell awkwardly while driving in the lane against Sun forward Briona Jones. The injury appeared serious at the time, and those initial fears were confirmed on Wednesday when she underwent further evaluation.

As soon as his season-ending injury was confirmed, Brink posted a message to his fans on Instagram.

• Border: “You never think this will happen to you. And despite all the hard work, sometimes it does. This is hard to understand, but I know it will only make me stronger. I will not get derailed and I will continue to love this life- I’m not defined by basketball, but it’s something I love deeply and I will work every day to get back to it. It’s not goodbye to basketball, it’s just see you later.

Before the injury, Brink’s WNBA career was off to a strong start. Not only was she averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, but she was also on track to become the first rookie since Brittney Griner average of at least two blocks per game.

Due in part to his defensive acumen and high work ethic Brink has already won praise WNBA MVPs Diana Taurasi It is A’ja Wilson.

What makes Brink’s injury even more disappointing is that fans won’t be able to see her at the 2024 Paris Olympics. set to represent Team USA as part of the 3×3 women’s basketball roster later this summer.

Not-so-honorable mentions

NBA Offseason Primer

The 2023-24 NBA season is officially in the books and now it’s time to look ahead to what should be a busy summer. Our team of CBS Sports experts covers the upcoming offseason from every angle.

For starters, there is an impressive list of potential free agents with just a few weeks to go before the trade window opens. On his list of the top 30 free agentsour own Brad Botkin has some questions about where LeBron James It is Paulo Jorge to finish.

• Botkin: “Will LeBron leave the Lakers? Probably not, but it’s not out of the question. George, on the other hand, is a serious threat to leave Los Angeles with the Philadelphia 76ers armed with cap space and highly motivated to add George alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the latter is also a (restricted) free agent.”

A player who will not reach free agency is Pacemakers star Pascal Siakam. He signed a maximum contract worth US$189.5 million remain with the Pacers on Wednesday.

Of course, the NBA trade market always offers plenty of drama, and this summer will be no exception. The biggest name in trade rumors right now is Warm Super star Jimmy Butler.

If the Heat decide Butler’s asking price is a little too high for their blood, there will be more than a few suitors in line to add him. Our own Sam Quinn already chosen some possible landing sites.

Butler isn’t the only name mentioned in trade talks currently, and there will certainly be plenty of moves in the coming months. Quinn compiled his list of top 75 commercial targetsIt is Falcons stand out Trae Young is among the famous names near the top.

1. Jimmy ButlerWarm
two. Trae YoungFalcons
3. Dario GarlandGentlemen
4. Brandon IngramPelicans
5. Dejounte MurrayFalcons

Finally, the 2024 NBA Draft begins in less than a week, and CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone provided detailed scouting reports on each of the top 10 prospects. Boone’s No. 1 prospect, Alex SarrIt is distinguished by its elite versatility.

• Boone: “In an open 2024 NBA Draft class, Sarr – literally and figuratively – stands above the competition with his big frame, movement skills and long-term potential. post up and go out to the perimeter.”

Travelers Championship Preview

The final event of the PGA Tour season will take place this weekend, with a field of 71 golfers heading to TPC River Highlands for the Travelers Championship.

One of the golfers who will not be present at the Travelers championship is Rory McIlroywho is coming off a heartbreaking loss at the US Open.

Scottie Scheffleron the other hand, will tee off at TPC River Highlands this weekend as he tries to bounce back from a terrible showing at the US Open. In our Travelers Championship previewPatrick McDonald says he still has a lot of trust in Scheffler.

• McDonalds: “The world No. 1 experienced a string of professional firsts at Pinehurst. He shot four consecutive rounds over par for the first time in 120 professional matches and averaged just one birdie per round in addition. The level of concern is still a zero when Scheffler hit the ball like he normally does but was fooled on the putting surfaces.

Despite his struggles at the US Open, Scheffler is the favorite to win at TPC River Highlands. Here are the top five candidates, according to oddsmakers:

• Scottie Scheffler (7/2)
• Xander Schauffele (01/07)
• Ludvig Åberg (12/1)
• Collin Morikawa (12/1)
• Viktor Hovland (18/1)

Check out our the entire list of expert predictionsincluding winner, contender and sleeper picks.

What will we watch on Thursday

Euro 2024 – Slovenia x Serbia9am on Fox
Euro 2024 – Denmark against England12pm on Fox
Travelers Championship – Round 13pm on Golf Channel
Euro 2024 – Spain x Italy3pm on Fox
Sparks in Freedom7pm on Prime Video
Giants at Cardinals7:15 pm on Fox
Copa América – Argentina x Canada8pm on FS1