Sports briefs
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Edvinsson
still unsigned
DETROIT (AP) -- Simon Edvinsson remained unsigned as a restricted free agent the day before the Detroit Red Wings were to open the season against the New York Rangers. Edvinsson did not skate with the Red Wings on Thursday.
The 23-year-old defenseman was seen training with a team in his native Sweden on Wednesday. The Red Wings say they will continue conversations with Edvinsson and his representatives. He had 25 points last year, his second full season in the NHL.
Detroit drafted him No. 6 overall in 2021 and he has 60 career points.
Padres streak
into October
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Padres are playing their best baseball after sweeping the Chicago Cubs out of the NL Wild Card Series. The Padres have won 20 of their past 23 games as they prepare to face the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers in the division series.
The Padres are hitting, pitching and executing at a level rarely seen in a city that has never celebrated a World Series title, and this streaking group is eager to keep chasing San Diego's impossible dream.
The Padres dominated the Cubs, but it was similar to what they’ve been doing regularly since they turned around their season in the second half.
Cowboys trade
for Porter
FRISCO, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys have acquired disgruntled cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh will receive two draft picks from Dallas, a sixth-rounder in 2027 and a second-rounder in 2028.
Porter has been inactive all three games this season for the Steelers. The fourth-year pro has been dealing with a back issue and had also been in the middle of a contract stalemate with Steelers management over a new deal.
It’s the second major trade between the Steelers and Cowboys in two years. Dallas acquired receiver George Pickens before the 2025 season.
Goodell meets
with Pritzker
(AP) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has met with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the leadership of the state’s General Assembly, adding another wrinkle to the Chicago Bears’ long-running pursuit of a new home. The Bears said in August that the franchise’s “sole focus” for the construction of a new stadium and mixed-use development was on Hammond, Indiana.
But the public confirmation of the conversation between Goodell and Pritzker indicates that Illinois remains in the mix. Pat Ryan, a billionaire minority investor in the Bears and a member of the team’s board of directors, also attended the meeting.
Guardians
name starters
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Parker Messick will be the first Cleveland rookie pitcher to get a start in a postseason game since 2016 when the Guardians left-hander gets the call for Saturday's first game of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. Manager Stephen Vogt also announced on Thursday that Gavin Williams will get the start for Game 2 on Monday.
Messick went 12-9 in 32 regular-season starts. His 2.56 ERA is the lowest by a rookie pitcher in a single season with a minimum of 30 starts since the Mets' Jon Matlack had a 2.32 ERA in 1972 when he won NL Rookie of the Year honors.
The White Sox used a big first inning and a three-run homer from Chase Meidroth to propel them to a 7-3 victory and series win over the Astros Wednesday.
Reese gains
WNBA honor
NEW YORK (AP) -- Atlanta Dream star forward Angel Reese was voted WNBA Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, receiving 46 votes from 72 media members. Golden State’s Gabby Williams finished second with 20 votes and Las Vegas star A’ja Wilson was third.
Wilson won the award in 2022 and 2023 and shared the honor with Minnesota’s Alanna Smith last year. Reese is a three-time All-Star who helped the Dream advance to the WNBA playoff semifinals for the first time since 2018 in her first year with the franchise.
Atlanta will host Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday against New York.
Cubs’ bats
fall silent
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The Chicago team that didn't have the pope on its side is heading meekly into the offseason. Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Chicago Cubs came out to sunny San Diego and were swept out of the National League Wild Card Series by San Diego.
The Cubs lost 4-1 in Game 2 on Wednesday night at Petco Park to exit the postseason in two straight games. They came in with the highest-scoring offense in the majors and headed home having scored only one run on eight hits.