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Longtime relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel is signing with the Astros, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Thursday. He will be signed to their major league team.

Kimbrel started off the 2025 season on the Braves' minor league teams of the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. He was called up to the majors for one game in June and appeared in one inning before being designated for assignment.

Shortly after in June, he signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. He played for the Triple-A Round Rock and was released on Thursday. He posted a 3.86 ERA in 28 innings there.

Kimbrel is a nine-time All-Star reliever, with his most recent nod coming in 2023 with the Phillies. The Astros will mark the ninth MLB team Kimbrel's played for in his 16-year career.

Kimbrel struggled last season with the Orioles, posting a 5.33 ERA across 57 game appearances. He threw 73 strikeouts across 52.1 innings pitched.

For the first time in a long time, there is a lot to be excited about for West Ham United fans.

After a dreadful start to the season, which saw them become one of the early favourites to go down, Nuno Espírito Santo has got them back on track.

The East Londoners picked up just their second Premier League win of the season against Newcastle United, and then got their third on Saturday, against Burnley.

On top of the uptick in form, fans have finally got to see Freddie Potts from the start, and he has been sensational in the middle of the park, although his brilliant form could signal the beginning of the end for another West Ham star.

What makes Potts so special

West Ham have a proud history of producing top-quality players from their academy, such as Declan Rice, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, and there is every chance that Potts could be another.

Now, that is certainly a lot to say about someone who has only just made his second competitive start for the club, but as his last performance made very clear, he is a special midfield talent.

For example, against both Newcastle and Burnley, the Barking-born put in quintessential all-action midfield performances.

One moment, he was fulfilling his defensive duties perfectly, and then the next, he was helping to initiate an attack, either through his exceptional range of passing or by carrying the ball through the centre of the park.

With his recent performances, it’s easy to see why respected analyst Ben Mattinson described the academy gem as someone who is “so smooth on the half-turn and composed under pressure.”

In addition to raw ability and mentality, the West Ham supporter also has considerable experience.

For example, he spent last season on loan with Portsmouth in the Championship, where he made 38 appearances, and the season before that in League One with Wycombe Wanderers, where he made 43 appearances nd was named the Player of the Season.

Season

23/24

24/25

Team

Wycombe

Portsmouth

Appearances

43

38

Goals

2

1

Assists

3

4

In all, it looks like Potts is going to become one of West Ham’s most important players this season, but in doing so, he could force one of the club’s signings of the decade to move on.

The West Ham player who could be replaced by Potts

There are a few West Ham players who could see their places in the team threatened by the emergence of Potts this season, such as Andrew Irving and Guido Rodriguez.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, while they might succeed elsewhere, it would be fair to say both of them have been disappointments in East London, which is not the case for Tomáš Souček.

The Czech international might not be anywhere near his best anymore, but when you take into account the totality of his achievements in Claret and Blue, it would be hard not to describe him as one of the club’s best signings this decade.

He initially joined the Hammers from Salvia Praha just over five years ago, and since then has made 254 appearances, in which he’s scored 44 goals and provided 13 assists.

More importantly, though, he was a crucial part of the side that won the Conference League in 2023, making nine appearances in the competition that season, totalling 507 appearances.

There can be no denying the fact that the 30-year-old has given everything during his time at the club and will undoubtedly go down as an icon for it.

However, with his contract expiring in a year and a half, and Potts emerging as a potential game-changer in the middle of the park, the Brod-born titan’s time in East London might be coming to an end.

Ultimately, Souček has been an incredible signing for West Ham, but Potts may eventually be one of the reasons his time with the club comes to an end.

West Ham star with "KDB-type quality" looks like Nuno's new Gibbs-White

The incredible talent could play a massive role in helping Nuno keep West Ham United in the Premier League this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 11, 2025

Trio of fifties set the agenda for bottom club in must-win contest

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-Sep-2025Worcestershire 320 for 5 (Roderick 95*, D’Oliveira 84, Edavalath 61) vs DurhamHalf-centuries from Rehaan Edavalath, Brett D’Oliveira and Gareth Roderick helped Division Two bound Worcestershire frustrate relegation candidates Durham on day two of their Rothesay County Championship clash.Durham struck twice in the morning session to leave the visitors 49 for two, but 21-year-old Edavalath and 19-year-old Dan Lategan combined for a partnership worth 84 to steer their side out of a spot of trouble.Durham bounced back with a double-wicket burst, removing the pair in the afternoon, but Roderick and D’Oliveira frustrated Durham, picking up their own half-centuries in a partnership worth 170, the highest fifth wicket partnership for their side in the fixture, to take the Pears to 320 for five at close.After a washout on day one, Durham won the toss and elected to bowl first in their crucial clash with the Pears. Jake Libby got off the mark early on with a tidy shot through the covers from the bowling of Ben Raine. The Worcestershire opening pair of Libby and Edavalath managed to negate some probing bowling from Raine and Matthew Potts without taking many risks during the first half hour.Raine was rewarded for the pressure he built up as Libby was caught behind for 14, after he chased one down the legside. A second soon followed as Kashif Ali edged a Potts delivery straight into the hands of David Bedingham at third slip for 10.Lategan then came to the crease and showed the first signs of aggression from the Pears batting line-up as he picked up three boundaries from a Potts over. Edavalath remained solid after seeing off the new ball and Lategan continued to attack as the youthful pair took their side to 100 before lunch.Edavalath calmly accumulated his way to his maiden First Class fifty just after lunch, reaching it from 96 deliveries. The opener played a glorious straight drive off the bowling of Durham’s Afghan debutant Shafiquallah Ghafari for four to keep the scoreboard ticking over.Lategan followed that up as he cut a Raine ball to the boundary, but Raine struck back as he got him LBW for a well-made 44.Pears skipper D’Oliveira was almost following the youngster back to the pavilion as he edged a Raine delivery to Emilio Gay at second slip but he couldn’t cling on.Just a couple of balls later, chaos ensued in the middle as when going for a quick single, Edavalath was sent back by his skipper and he was run out by Graham Clark for 61. However, D’Oliveira played a beautiful shot through the offside off the bowling of Potts to break the shackles.Roderick and D’Oliveira soaked up the pressure and they continued to accumulate runs, with the Pears captain finding the boundary after Sam Conners offered a bit of width. Roderick then joined in to whip a Ghafari ball off his legs to the boundary.The pair resumed after tea, with Roderick playing a delicate shot through the onside for four to kick things off after the tea break and he passed fifty off 88 balls soon after. D’Oliveira then reached his milestone from 114 balls as he got his side to a first batting point.Durham took the new ball on the 80-over mark and there was a little bit on offer for Raine, but Roderick and D’Oliveira continued to look unflustered.D’Oliveira played a beautiful shot through the offside for four, while Roderick continued to attack as he whipped a Will Rhodes ball through the legside for four.There was a late twist as Conners sent D’Oliveira’s off-stump flying for an excellent 84, but it was Worcestershire’s day as they got to 320 for five at close.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry poked fun at former rivals Tottenham when visiting their new home for the first time. The World Cup-winning Frenchman was among those in attendance for an epic boxing bout between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jnr. He found himself behind enemy lines when taking up a seat at ringside, with personal allegiances being pledged to a heavyweight outfit on the other side of north London.

Gunners great: Henry's goal record for Arsenal

Henry spent eight memorable years in England between 1999 and 2007. He helped Arsenal to restore domestic dominance, claiming two Premier League titles while becoming the Gunners’ all-time leading scorer with 226 goals to his name. He returned for a brief loan spell in January, adding a further two efforts to his historic tally.

The mercurial France international was almost unplayable when performing at the peak of his powers, with Spurs often finding that out to their cost. Henry enjoyed nothing more than taking centre stage on derby day.

AdvertisementHenry returns to north London in Tottenham territory

He was, however, in Tottenham territory when returning to a familiar part of the world for a grudge match between Benn and Eubank. Henry was at Spurs’ impressive home – which opened its doors in 2019 – for the first time.

He never got the chance to grace the turf there – at a venue which also plays host to NFL fixtures and some of the world’s biggest music artists – with it at White Hart Lane that he used to lock horns with Spurs.

Henry enjoyed some memorable outings there, with his derby record making for impressive reading, and told when asked what it felt like to be in enemy territory: “Weird. I never came to the new stadium, I used to come to the old one and win a lot, but it's nice.”

Henry admits that he grew to hate Tottenham

Henry has never tried to hide his disdain for Tottenham, with it impossible for him to break emotional ties with Arsenal. He has previously told L’Equipe: “During my eight years there, something came into me. I have learned the culture of this club… I learned to hate Tottenham.”

One of Henry’s most iconic goals was recorded against Spurs – with there now a statue of his celebration that day outside Emirates Stadium. He recently took his children to see that monument.

His daughter asked: “Why are your eyes like that?” Henry replied with: “Because I was upset that day.” After being quizzed by his son on why he was upset, the Gunners great added: “Because we were playing Tottenham, and I don’t like Tottenham.”

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GettyTitle winners? Henry makes north London derby prediction

Henry secured Premier League title glory at White Hart Lane in 2004, as Arsenal’s fabled ‘Invincibles’ confirmed their coronation at the home of their fiercest rivals. The Gunners have not been crowned champions since.

Mikel Arteta is hoping to change that in 2025-26, with his team currently sat four points clear at the top of the table. They did drop two immediately prior to the November international break when being held to a 2-2 draw by newly-promoted Sunderland.

Another clash with Tottenham is next on the agenda, with the Gunners preparing to play host to old adversaries on Sunday. Henry will be an interested observer of that contest, and is unsurprisingly backing a home win.

He added to DAZN when asked about the next north London derby and the Gunners’ title ambition: “As a fan I'm going to have to go with Arsenal. I do think we look solid, a bit less against Sunderland the other day, but it's time for us so hopefully it can happen.”

Arsenal have gone unbeaten through their last six derby encounters with Spurs, emerging victorious in five of those contests. You have to turn the clock all the way back to November 2010 – some 15 years ago – to find the last time that they suffered a Premier League defeat to Tottenham at the Emirates. That bodes well for Arteta and the Gunners’ class of 2025 as they attempt to give Henry more to cheer about.

Kylian Mbappe is heading to court as his protracted legal dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain continues. Despite severing ties with the Ligue 1 giants in the summer of 2024, the World Cup winner claims to be owed €55 million (£48m/$64m) in unpaid wages. That case is now heading to labour courts in the French capital, with a final ruling being sought.

Day in court: Mbappe to face PSG in legal dispute

Said hearing is set to take place on November 17, 2025, with France international Mbappe heading back to his homeland. The two parties at the centre of a long-running saga are due to meet at 1pm local time.

The dispute has been taken to the Parisian labour court despite that council being unaccustomed to dealing with such high-profile cases. Arguments will be heard “directly in the judgment chamber” as the preliminary “conciliation” stage has been bypassed due to Mbappe “requesting the reclassification of his fixed-term contract as a permanent one”.

AdvertisementGettyWhat happens next? Parisian lawyer explains

Elie Dottelonde, a lawyer at the Paris bar, has told of what happens next: “(Mbappe) is the plaintiff. He will present his arguments, namely the non-execution of his employment contract, more specifically the non-payment of the last three months' salary and unpaid bonuses. The defendant (PSG) will have to explain why, according to them, they do not have to pay these months' salary and unpaid bonuses. This would be a first in the history of the case law of the Industrial Tribunal.”

While Mbappe has got his day in court, it is reported that a decision in the case will not be made for “several months”. Mbappe’s lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, stated in April 2025 that her client is “determined to assert his rights, for himself but also for all the other players” that have been wronged by their respective clubs.

How Mbappe's dispute with PSG started

Mbappe’s battle with PSG has tarnished his reputation somewhat at Parc des Princes, despite being the club’s all-time leading scorer with 235 goals to his name. A falling out in the French capital began during the summer of 2023 when Mbappe made it clear that he would not be signing a contract extension and intended to leave as a free agent when his deal expired.

He was dropped for the start of the 2023-24 campaign, only to be almost immediately reinstated after one round of fixtures. PSG maintain that Mbappe was drafted back into their plans after agreeing to forgo a portion of the funds owed to him. The Mbappe camp has billed such claims as “fantasy”.

His entourage claim that no agreement was made to waive certain payments. PSG have branded that stance a “fanciful tale”, with meetings said to have taken place during the summer of 2023. Mbappe continues to demand payment of the €55m that he believes is rightfully his.

A court order to freeze that amount in PSG’s accounts was overturned on May 26, 2025. Mbappe has withdrawn his criminal complaints of psychological harassment. An investigation there had, however, been opened and was still running in the summer of 2025. Mbappe and PSG engaged in a legal battle before the LFP and FFF sporting authorities, who ultimately declared that they were unable to enforce decisions in favour of the player due to an ongoing preliminary hearing requested by the club before the Paris Judicial Court. That hearing was due to take place last May, but has been postponed indefinitely.

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GettyMbappe in 2025-26: How many goals has be scored & is the Real star injured?

On the field, Mbappe has been starring for France and Real Madrid again in 2025-26. He has registered 23 goals through 20 appearances for club and country. After netting a brace for France against Ukraine, as they booked their place at the 2026 World Cup, he has moved to within two efforts of Olivier Giroud at the top of Les Bleus’ all-time list.

Mbappe played no part in a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan after being released from Didier Deschamps’ squad. He was said to be nursing ankle inflammation, but RMC report that was a “diplomatic injury” that allowed the 26-year-old to head back to Spain without running the risk of suffering a more serious fitness setback in a game that had nothing riding on it.

Pick between two Tests where teams overcame great odds to snatch victories

ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-2025Update: This poll has ended. The AUS-SA 2008 Perth Test moves into the quarter-finals.South Africa bend Australia to their will – Perth, 2008Australia were in transition ahead of the home summer in 2008-09, but still beat New Zealand 2-0. They found heroes when they needed one, and were doing the usual Australia things, but then the script changed in the first Test against South Africa in Perth. It took its time coming, though.It took a lower-order rescue act to lift them to 375 in the first innings (from 166 for 5) and a macho fast-bowling show from Mitchell Johnson, who bagged a career-best 8 for 61, kept South Africa to 281 after that. Almost a 100-run lead there, which Brad Haddin’s 94 and 30s from Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds and Jason Krejza extended to 413, setting South Africa what looked like far too many runs to win.Enter Graeme Smith, who lost opening partner Neil McKenzie early, but then took the total to 172 in collaboration with Hashim Amla before both fell in quick succession – Smith for 108 and Amla for 53. But there was more in the tank. Jacques Kallis (57) and AB de Villiers took them to 303 before Kallis fell with the target still over 100 away, and de Villiers, who remained not out on 106, finished the job with JP Duminy – apart from McKenzie, all the batters who walked out, walked back with at least 50 against their name.That was Australia’s second successive loss at the WACA after India beat them there in 2007-08. And who knew at the time that it would lay the foundation for the first of three back-to-back Test series wins by South Africa in the country?Australia stun England – Birmingham 2023″Boring, boring, Aussies” was the chant from the Hollies Stand at Edgbaston on the fourth afternoon when Usman Khawaja was digging in and slowly building for Australia in their pursuit of 281. By the fifth evening, the crowd had fallen into stunned silence as Australia aced the old-school long game to beat England’s new-age fast play.When Khawaja fell for 65, with Ben Stokes ending his near-five-and-a-half-hour vigil, Australia had slipped to 209 for 7. Then, when Alex Carey’s wicket left Australia at 227 for 8, it certainly felt like England’s Bazballers were on their way to another famous win. Australia captain Pat Cummins, though, flipped the mood and result with an unbeaten 44 off 73 balls, with No. 10 Nathan Lyon hanging on in an unbroken 55-run partnership for the ninth wicket.After having come under fire with his defensive fields on the opening day, Cummins played the decisive hand on the final day, absorbing good balls from Stokes and Ollie Robinson and lining up Joe Root’s part-time offspin for a brace of sixes. After sealing the deal, Cummins let out a big roar, threw his bat and punched his fist in a rare show of emotion that summed up how much this win meant to him and Australia.

Team USA is adding another member to its star-studded lineup for the 2026 World Baseball Classic—Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.

Raleigh announced on All-Star media day that he will be officially joining the roster for the World Baseball Classic next year. Raleigh will join Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who will serve as Team USA's captain, in competing for the championship.

"It's like every kid's dream, right?" Raleigh said. "You grow up watching , and the whole thing, and you get 'USA' across your chest. It's like a dream, getting to play for your country. … What a special chance."

Team USA will be looking to win the World Baseball Classic for just the second time, after previously taking home the gold in 2017. They came close to repeating as champions in 2023, but lost to Japan in the first place game.

For Raleigh, joining the Team USA roster is just the latest moment in his breakout season. Raleigh has unequivocally become a star this season, recording a league-leading 38 home runs and 82 RBIs before the All-Star break. He has broken onto the national scene, and is set to play in his first Home Run Derby and All-Star Game this week. Next year, he'll add competing in the World Baseball Classic to his rapidly growing résumé.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place next March.