Major League Baseball announced earlier this week that Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano has been suspended for 80 games following the discovery of his having used a banned masking agent called diuretic furosemide commonly used to mask the presence of performance-enhancing drugs, something which is apparently unsurprising to former Yankees teammate Mark Teixeira.

During his appearance on 98.7 ESPN’s Michael Kay Show, Teixeira indicated that he’s “just not surprised” by the allegations and suspension against Cano, as well as the second baseman’s admitting to having knowingly taken the substance. Despite this assertion, Teixeira declined to go into further detail about the situation, saying, “I don’t really want to go much further, but I think a lot of people are saying the same thing.”

SLIDESHOW: SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2017

However, Teixeira did indicate that Cano was likely influenced by former teammates Alex Rodriguez and Melky Cabrera, both of whom were busted for taking performance-enhancers over the course of their careers. He said, “Robbie Cano’s assistant was on the list for Biogenesis. Now, of course, [he] had an assistant, you know, buy stuff for him. Alex Rodriguez got popped by Biogenesis, and Melky got popped. They were best friends. When someone gets lumped into that group, it’s because there’s evidence. There’s a paper trail. There’s a smoke trail.”

Teixeira and Cano played together with the Yankees for five seasons from 2009 to 2013, forming one of the best offenses in baseball alongside the likes of Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, culminating in a 2009 World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. After the 2013 season, Cano signed a 10-year deal with the Mariners for $140 million. Teixeira remained with the Yankees until the 2016 season, after which he retired, and now works as a baseball analyst for ESPN.

The loss of Cano for half the season will likely be a huge blow to the Mariners, as he has arguably been the cornerstone of their offense since he arrived in 2014. Between then and the end of 2017, he hit for a .295 average with 97 home runs and 361 RBIs. So far this year, Cano has batted for a .287 average with 4 homers and 23 RBIs. Look for guys like third baseman Kyle Seager, outfielder Mitch Haniger, and outfielder/DH Nelson Cruz to pick up Cano’s traditional third slot in the batting order, with Andrew Romine likely taking his defensive spot at second base.

Lebron James and Kyrie Irving separating? Could this even be possible?

At the beginning of the summer, uttering that statement would be considered blasphemy in Cleveland. Splitting James and Irving up, after three consecutive NBA Finals appearances and a 2016 Championship, seemed incomparable.

But now, you can hardly go more than a day without hearing new rumors or developments regarding the two’s inevitable breakup. After Irving requested to be traded away from the Cavaliers, the NBA world went into a frenzy, shocking analysts, fans, and even James himself.

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It’s easy to understand why Irving would want to leave. A number one draft pick of the Cavaliers in 2011, Irving has been able to develop into an NBA All-Star and household name. Even though the Cavaliers struggled with him during his first three NBA seasons, the next three were aside James, and that drew more attention than anything else, and helped show the world how great Irving really is. From his acrobatic finishes to clutch shooting, why leave a sidekick like Lebron?

That is because Lebron was not the sidekick, rather it was Kyrie. Irving was tired of being ‘Robin’ to James’ ‘Batman,’ as well as the ‘son’ to James to speak. Irving has the ability to turn an NBA franchise around or help a good team become a great team. But James can bring out the best of players like no one else.

It’s truly a shame Irving has come to this realization and suddenly wants out. Cavaliers players, including James and Irving, both complained about the team’s offseason performance. A catastrophe regarding the General Manager position, as well as picking up no star players to help compete with the Golden State Warriors, have hindered the Cavaliers’ championship hopes next season. While other teams such as the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics improved dramatically, the biggest names Cleveland picked up were Jose Calderon and Derrick Rose.

The bent up frustration had to be a factor in Irving’s outbreak. It’s hard to complain when you are on a team that made it to three consecutive NBA championships. Lebron has been ‘the guy’ on both the Cavaliers and Miami Heat almost his entire career, and the astonishing plus-minus numbers with and without James on the court during the 2017 Finals are staggering. The Cavaliers needed Irving to win the 2016 Finals, but they needed James even more the following season, as they ultimately did come up short.

One could have thought there was hope that Irving and James could have created more in Cleveland. With a trade for Irving imminent, it seems that the Cavaliers are in a lot of trouble if they think they can win a championship anytime soon.

Todd Frazier was perhaps the biggest name in a mutli-player deal between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees on July 18. A slugging third baseman, Frazier also played for the Cincinnati Reds, where he won the 2015 Home Run Derby, and returns close to home to a team fighting hard for a playoff spot.

Originally from New Jersey, Frazier appeared on field at Yankee Stadium back in 1998 after the Toms River Little League team won the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Now as a seven-year MLB veteran, Frazier has been able to return to the East Coast, along with former Yankees pitcher David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, who was a member of the Yankees organization before his MLB career.

Frazier had worn no. 21 while with the Reds and White Sox, and was looking to also wear 21 with the Bronx Bombers. But while that number is not retired, it is rarely been worn in the past decade.

That’s because Paul O’Neill had donned no. 21 during his tenure as a Yankee from 1993 to 2001. Following his retirement and impressive career with the Yankees, who won four World Series titles in that time. A fan favorite, 21 will certainly be linked to O’Neill for a long time.

When I heard Frazier was inquiring about 21, I was excited. He idolized O’Neill as a child, and being a ‘hometown’ guy seemed to validate my thoughts. But now wearing No. 29 since becoming a member of the Yankees, sticking with it and not opting for 21 seems right.

Although he did make an attempt to grab No. 21. Frazier wanted to reach out to Paul O’Neill, but ultimately opted not to. A member of the Yankees clubhouse told Frazier to “keep him at 29.”

O’Neill’s No. 21, while not retired, ought to be at this point. Fans obviously adored him and what he contributed to a Yankees club that was unstoppable in the late 90’s. The last player to wear 21 for New York was LaTroy Hawkins in 2011, who was scorned by fans and ultimately changed his number.

O’Neill is an icon, while Frazier is still looking to build on his MLB career. It seemed ambitious and optimistic for Frazier to try and grab 21, but he can began a new legacy while wearing 29. He has had a down season so far, but the change of scenery on a better team may be able to propel him to help the Yankees earn a postseason bid, all in front of his hometown fans.

This article will not mention most of the MLB’s best players. Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Correa and countless others do not come into the discussion of where the best players in the league all reside.

That is because collectively, the most talented pool of players in the MLB live at the hot corner in the National League.

The biggest discussion when talking about the All-Star roster for the National League, which ultimately lost 2-1 to the American League on July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami, was how you could not fit all of the league’s premier third baseman on the roster.

Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies earned the starting spot and rightfully so. He has been arguably the best player at his position so far this season. He’s batting .301/.349/.556 with 18 home runs and 73 runs batted in to go with 111 hits. Arenado has contributed to a Rockies team that, with the Arizona Diamondbacks, have kept the NL West tough despite the Los Angeles Dodgers looking like the best team in baseball. As of now, the Rockies have the second wild card spot by a 5.5 game margin.

Speaking of the Diamondbacks, they lead the NL wild card race, clinging to a 0.5 game lead over Colorado and have turned around their season after a few lackluster years as of late. A catalyst to the success has been third baseman Jake Lamb. While the numbers don’t lead his position, he is still sporting a strong .273 batting average, with 20 home runs, 69 RBI’s, and 90 hits. He earned an All-Star nod for his efforts, being named the reserve third baseman.

The Dodgers’ Justin Turner received a spot on the All-Star team by way of the Final Vote, although many believe he should have had a spot outright. He has missed time this season due to an injury, but his numbers are still outstanding. He leads the league with a .370 batting average, and has added 11 long balls and 90 hits. Turner has certainly helped the Dodgers continue an impressive string of play.

Then, we’re left with the snubs. Experts named several different NL third baseman worthy of an All-Star selection or at least deeper consideration of whom were snubbed, and it just goes to show how deep the position really is.

Anthony Rendon of the Washington Nationals is hitting .320/.424/.597 with 20 home runs and 97 hits in 2017, but lost out on the Final Vote. Also losing out on the Final Vote was Kris Bryant, who was a large part of the Chicago Cubs’ historic championship run last season. He is not having the best season of NL third baseman given the depth at the position, but has still slugged 19 home runs and has a .273 batting average.

The Milwaulkee Brewers are leading the NL Central, and that is partly due to Travis Shaw, who has quietly risen up the ranks among NL third baseman, with a line of .299/.365/.575 to go with 21 home runs and 69 RBI’s. Division foe Jedd Gyroko of the St. Louis Cardinals is having his best season as a pro, with 85 hits and 14 home runs to go with a .292 batting average.

The efforts shown by the hot corner in the National League, especially at the plate, show why no division lead is safe (well, maybe LA’s is) and why all of these players deserve more recognition in a field clogged with talent.

That’s the famous quote from from Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, isn’t it?

Well, it reigns true to NCAA basketball scouts and coaches who are looking for a program’s next big star. Even though the players being recruited will only be rising seniors or even rising juniors, where they play in the month of July can have big implications on their futures.

First off, the main reason why this period is so important to college coaches is because of the NCAA’s strict regulations when it comes to meeting and watching prospective student-athletes. There is a schedule built to the day of when certified scouts and college coaches are allowed to attend tournaments, camps, and events built to attract premier high school basketball talent. Coaches from around the country flock to wherever the best players are, and ooze over those who have made a name for themselves in high school and can continue to at the Division I level.

According to the NCAA recruiting calendar, the current time period, July 6-31, is considered a ‘dead period,’ where no recruiting is allowed to take place. That is, except for a series of days throughout the month. Those are July 12-16, 19-23, and 26-30, with recruiting beginning at 5 p.m. on the first day and ending at 5 p.m. the final day. July 31 is a ‘dead’ day, and then August 1 until Sept. 8 is a quiet period’ until the academic year officially begins on Sept. 9, meaning that recruitment can start back up in full.

So for now, recruiting is especially important, as players do not have academics to worry about. It’s summer, and it’s basketball all day, every day for young stars to be.

One of the biggest recruiting events takes place through Hoop Group, a basketball company that hosts camps and events for budding high school players. It’s Elite 1, Elite 2 and Summer Jam Fest camps and tournaments in eastern Pennsylvania have attracted over 40 D1 programs and 180 total college coaches. Under Armor and Adidas have hosted events as well across the mid-Atlantic. These programs have seen class of 2018 top prospects such as Jake Forrester, Jahvon Quinerly, Jordan McCabe and Moses Brown, the sixth-highest rated prospect, according to ESPN.

The exposure is perfect for the players, but leaves coaches and programs drooling for more. These opportunities give coaches a taste of what to expect, and then must use this time as well as previous recruiting to go further and hopefully offer high schoolers a chance to play at the college level.

But if you’re not in attendance, you may already count yourself out of the running.

Heading into the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, how should the U.S. Men’s National Team feel about its performance?

Not nearly as satisfied as it should be.

Head Coach Bruce Arena’s roster moves have been unorthodox for casual soccer fans, with many wondering where the star players were in group play. The answer to that question? They weren’t even dressed.

Arena used the most of his six roster moves allowed before the knockout stage of the Gold Cup, adding big names such as Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. These four have been the face of the USMNT for the past several years.

This addition proves how much importance the United States values the Gold Cup. Ranked 35th in the FIFA World Rankings, the third-highest of all CONCACAF teams, the Americans find themselves fighting for a World Cup spot that is not guaranteed, even for the world’s third-largest country and certainly the most prominent when it comes to being watched on an international stage. Interest perks up when the U.S. plays in big matches, as seen in Gold Cup play, held all across the country throughout the month. Most do not expect the Americans to stumble, but the sport is grueling and faces change constantly.

The USMNT is young and looking for stability under Arena. After back-to-back home losses to Mexico and Costa Rica, the top-two CONCACAF teams in November, they have done just that. A draw against Mexico in Mexico City was huge for the Americans, and there success at the Gold Cup will certainly continue to set the tone for the road to come, which will feature several bouts with top CONCACAF teams in the fall.

The United States finished 2-0-1 in the group stage of the Gold Cup, which wrapped up on Saturday. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Panama to open the Cup, the team defeated Martinique and Nicaragua. The USMNT draws El Salvador in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. A win will pair them up against either Costa Rica or Panama, which will certainly challenge the Americans. Mexico still stands on the other end of the bracket, and are still the formidable favorites.

Arena used 22 different players in the three group stage matches, and will continue to utilize more with the addition of the star players added for the knockout stage. The Americans have a solid chance to win against El Salvador, who bring a better team to the table but have only defeated the United states once in 22 all-time meetings. A finish better than fourth – the team’s worst ever – in the 2015 Gold Cup has to be the least the U.S. can hope for.

In order to make an impact to the rest of CONCACAF and FIFA, the United States must perform as expected. A Gold Cup Finals appearance may not exceed expectations, but to win one would. The USMNT, while winning its group in 13 of 14 Gold Cups, have only taken home the title once since 2009, back in 2013.

The New York Yankees have commonly seen young ballplayers rise through the ranks and start their illustrious careers take off in pinstripes. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera all wore a Yankee uniform past their 40th birthdays.

With the old core of the Yankees nearly a full year removed, there isn’t so much of a rebuild coming as a rebrand. Who is next big star in the Bronx?

Nearly halfway through the 2017 season, and there just might be an answer – it’s the young guns.

Several ‘Baby Bombers’ have only just begun their careers with the Yankees, but have already made an immediate impact into giving a team that has recently lost its most beloved players some hope as it transitions into once again becoming a formidable playoff team. Many players who have made key contributions to the Yankee lineup are under 27 years old.

In total, nine Yankee players have began their major-league journeys in 2017, with two being as recent as this weekend. Clint Frazier hit a home run in first MLB game on Saturday in Houston, just days after Dustin Fowler made his debut in Chicago against the White Sox, only to come to a horrific end with a brutal ruptured patella tendon injury to his right knee.

In his second season as a Yankee, former Chicago Cub Starlin Castro, 27, leads the team in hits as of June 27 with 92. Rookie sensation Aaron Judge, 25, has had as good of a rookie season as any MLB player in recent memory to this point, already blasting 26 home runs and is a legitimate Triple Crown candidate though the end of June. Gary Sanchez, 24, and Aaron Hicks, 27, have also been solid everyday contributors.

While the pitching has had its ups and down, especially in the bullpen and shown by the team’s recent skid, there is no reason for Yankees fans to worry. The poise and discipline that the young players show already vitalize key aspects not seen in last year’s team, when it always seemed like something was missing.

The Yankees have solidified the Bronx as hosts to ‘New York’s team’ after the Mets’ success the past few seasons but injuries and struggles this season have brought the Yankees back to life as of late. But if there’s any reason to think that this team will not recover, then you must not be watching the impressive seasons the young Bombers are having.

First he said he could beat Michael Jordan 1-on-1. Then he claimed his newly-drafted son would take the Los Angeles Lakers to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Finally, he made an appearance on Monday Night RAW this past week.

LaVar Ball, you’re doing too much. The crazy antics and sideshow needs to come to end. It is not necessary to hear how you think your son, Lonzo is already better than Stephen Curry, or how in a 5-on-5 setting he can beat Russell Westbrook and James Harden. LaVar has taken Lonzo as far as he can as a father to this point; their workouts were witnessed by the Lakers, who ultimately selected Lonzo with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft on June 22. It is time for Lonzo to be his own person, his own professional basketball player.

But by no means is this a knock to LaVar. There is nothing wrong with the unconditional love and support he has given to Lonzo, or any of his sons to that matter. He once admitted that all three of his sons, Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo, the latter two UCLA commits, would be one-and-done players with a chance to go pro. However, he did say that LiAngelo would most likely not reach the NBA, saying in a GQ interview, “I told my boys that one of them wasn’t going to make it. Because if you’ve got three, only one, maybe two make it to the NBA.”

LaVar has been talked about constantly within the sports media world since February, and has continued to take up the spotlight – perhaps more than Lonzo at some points – to date, and probably will continue to. He has made a name for himself, and this has allowed him to market his personal brand, Big Baller Brand, which is family-made and features a $495 signature shoe.

The Ball family has made waves in the national spotlight since beginning 2017. Lonzo’s enhanced playmaking skills and versatility earned him a top draft spot to his hometown team. LiAngelo just graduated high school and will follow in Lonzo’s footsteps at UCLA in the fall. LaMelo, just a rising high school junior, dropped 92 points in a game earlier this year and will be the most-watched prospect until he graduates. LaVar, well, has made waves in his own way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQMQtF4yzi8

The spotlight is not necessary for LaVar to continue to market himself, his sons and his brand. He has become a household name through the play of his sons, and Lonzo’s time in the NBA will ultimately boost popularity even more. But please, Lavar, do not continue to make crazy claims at the expense of your sons to market an overpriced shoe.

You’ve helped the Big Baller Brand take off with all of the television appearances and radio interviews, but let’s have the young guns really make a name for themselves on the court.

The 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors will always have a slight doubt cast upon them after winning it all earlier in June.

What if Kevin Durant did not join the team? Could the Warriors have won a ring without him? Was a ‘super team’ necessary?

Those questions will forever be unanswered because Durant was so vital to the Warriors in the five-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His 35 points per game resulted in a Finals MVP Award and the team’s second championship in three years.

Other teams realize the potency of putting multiple all-stars together and forming ‘super teams,’ and it was apparent that even LeBron James and his cast, which boasts three all-stars including himself, was unable to match Golden State and its four.

Are super teams going to begin a new era in the NBA? Where talent and stardom trump money in a quest to become world champions? It might have to be if we want to see more variety in the NBA.

The Cavaliers and the Warriors will remain the two best teams in the NBA for at least the next few seasons, but the Warriors seemingly grab the edge as the league’s best team, shown by their 16-1 playoff run and impressive halt to James and his crew. Other teams in contention have a star player or even two, but it’s clear no one has enough to stop its conference powerhouses.

From that, there has already been a flurry of trades and rumors heading into free agency, which begins July 1. The biggest move of them all was Jimmy Butler heading to Minnesota from Chicago. The three-time all-star will join the rising young duo of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns and may have the most immediate impact on a Timberwolves team that has risen in the past few seasons but needed more to make a run for the playoffs.

Former All-Star Dwight Howard joins his fifth team in seven seasons, as he was traded by his hometown Altanta Hawks and sent to Charlotte, joining 2017 all-star Kemba Walker. Paired with Nic Batum, the Hornets have a viable chance to make a playoff push come the new season, but may still need a little more help.

First-time all-star Gordon Hayward may be the biggest asset available come Saturday morning, possibly joining his former college coach, Brad Stevens, in Boston. The Celtics may not be labeled as a super team by some, but would have the pieces necessary to challenge Cleveland for the Eastern Conference after taking the conference’s top playoff spot, but losing in five games to the Cavaliers in the conference finals.

Los Angeles Clippers stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin both opted out of their player options to become unrestricted free agents, and may sign with other teams. Paul has drawn substantial interest, including from the Spurs and Rockets. Paul joining either of these teams would form a dynamic duo with the team’s biggest star and become a potent threat to the Warriors. The Clippers never made it to even the Conference Finals since Paul joined the Clippers in 2011, and LA’s roster has boasted all-stars in Paul, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

It’s going to take some magic this offseason to see any formidable foe to Golden State or even Cleveland this upcoming season. But one thing is for certain, and that is that to have a chance, teams will need to be big buyers and possibly even form a super team in doing so.

A simple answer would be a “yes,” or a “no.”

It is going to take a lot of rebuilding for the New York Jets offense to reach what it once was over the past few years. Aside from barely missing the playoffs while finishing 10-6 in 2016 under first-year Head Coach Todd Bowles, the Jets have not won more than eight games since their two consecutive conference championship appearances, when they lost each time under Rex Ryan’s tenure.

The 2017 season will prove to be an uphill battle after the organization severed ties with several key pieces of the offense. No more will the Jets have Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, who was a key asset to the Jets 10-win season two years ago, but struggled mightily last year. He threw 12 touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions, and contract negotiation battles haunted the team until his release, and is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Also out are two key receivers – Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Fitzpatrick’s top two receiving targets were benefactors to the team in 2015, where Decker had his best season as a Jet, and Marshall showed the league that although journeying to several different teams, still held a place as one of the team’s top receivers.

Marshall is now a member of the New York Giants after being released in March. Decker is a free agent after being released on Monday, as are several other veterans as the Jets went on a purge so to speak, cutting several long-tenured players,

Now with Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty as the only quarterbacks on the roster, and with McCown as the projected starter at the moment, fans are rightfully worried about the upcoming season with their possible quarterback.

But who will he throw to?

The top receiving target remaining on the team is Quincy Enunwa, who emerged as a viable option for the Jets last season. He caught 58 passes for 857 yards and four touchdowns. But teams will surely figure him out soon enough.

Next up? Undrafted second-year pro Robby Anderson. As a rookie last year, Anderson saw some exposure to the field, catching 42 passes for 587 yards, good for fourth and third on the team, respectively. He also caught two touchdown passes.

Hungry for a solidified spot, Anderson will be transitioning from a lightly-used backup to a full-time starter, but now under a new offensive coordinator in John Morton. Without the veterans to guide him, Anderson will have to use the advice he learned in just a short amount of time to create a name for himself this season.

He has already done so, off the field however. Last month, Anderson was arrested in Miami for pushing a police officer at a music festival. He faces felony charges include resisting an officer with violence, as well as a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer. The 24-year-old from Temple University pled not guilty.

Anderson will have to clean up his act in order to make the most impact this season, as his trial is set for Sept. 11, the day after the Jets’ season opener against Buffalo.

Can Robby Anderson help save the Jets offense? The answer right now is uncertain, but fans and the organization hope the answer is a positive one.

Bob Stoops shockingly and abruptly announced his retirement from the head coaching position with Oklahoma University Football on Wednesday after 18 seasons with the Sooners.

His replacement? 33-year-old Lincoln Riley, who will become the youngest head coach in Division I following Stoops’ departure. Riley spent two seasons under Stoops as the team’s offensive coordinator, and in 2015 won the Broyles Award, given the the nation’s best assistant coach. Riley was also previously the offensive coordinator at East Carolina University.

The announcement from Stoops comes at an unfamiliar time, as the 56-year-old led the Sooners to the 2016 Big 12 title, defeating in-state rival Oklahoma State 38-20 on Dec. 3. They then defeated Auburn in the All-State Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2 35-19 to finish the season at 11-2 and fifth in the AP poll.

Stoops spent all 18 of his coaching years at Oklahoma, and finished with a record of 190-48 over that span to ring up a .798 winning percentage. He was the longest-tenured coach in Division I, and now leaves Oklahoma with the all-time record for most wins in program history.

Only once in Stoops’ 18 seasons did the Sooners win less than eight games, and that was his first season in 1999, followed by a perfect 13-0 season in 2000. Stoops also coached two Heisman Trophy winners, Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008).

When commenting on his departure, Stoops said in a press conference, “Now is simply the ideal time for me and our program to make this transition.” Stoops also said he is “not sad” on the decision, and that Riley will provide a “seamless transition.”

In steps Riley into a favorable position, as returning to Norman is star quarterback Baker Mayfield and 2016 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner Dede Westbrook. The Sooners are once again favored to win the Big 12 Conference.

Riley’s first game at the helm will be on Sept. 2 at home against UTEP.

The MLB is investigating an allegation regarding domestic abuse on Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, looking into the situation as early as Thursday morning.

Russell’s wife, Melisa, hinted at the situation in a series of Instagram posts Wednesday, suggesting a breakup between the two after just one year of marriage. In the posts, there was mention of mental and physical abuse by a commenter who is believed to be a close friend of Melisa’s. The posts have since been deleted.

Cubs officials, as well as the MLB, are now actively looking into the situation. The MLB will look to speak with Melisa and the friend as part of the league’s reconstructed domestic abuse policy before coming to any further conclusions. A Cubs spokesman declined to comment on the issue any further, and there is no active investigation within the Chicago Police Department. The incident is also seldom known within the organization and team clubhouse.

Russell, 23, a 2016 All-Star, has otherwise struggled in 2017, batting .209/.291/.335 in 54 games this season, with three home runs and 19 RBI’s. Russell is now sharing the starting shortstop role with Javy Baez.

Ryan Lochte and his fiancée, Kayla Reid, welcomed a baby boy into their family on Thursday, said the Olympic swimmer via Twitter.

The 12-time Olympic medalist and Reid welcome Caiden Zane Lochte into the world, who was reported to be in healthy condition upon his birth, according to a representative.

https://twitter.com/RyanLochte/status/872826794403143682

Lochte, 32, and Reid, 25, made the announcement about the pregnancy in December, two months after their engagement.

It has been a big week for Lochte, who recently opened up to ESPN in a very emotional about the incident that occurred in Rio during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Lochte, one of the most decorated swimmers ever behind Michael Phelps, was involved in an incident at a gas station with three other teammates after a night of partying. He also downplayed comments from the interview that motioned him contemplating suicide after being involved in a scandal that rocked Rio.

The Golden State Warriors closed off Game Three of the NBA Finals on an 11-0 run to remain undefeated in the playoffs and secure a 118-113 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 56 points, and Curry tied the lead for rebounds with 13. Kevin Durant led the way for the Warriors with 31 points and eight rebounds. Durant also hit a three-pointer with 45.3 seconds remaining to take a 114-113 lead and put the game away for good, as Golden State is just one win away from a sweep in both the Finals and the entire postseason.

The Cavaliers could not close out the game despite tremendous efforts from both Lebron James and Kyrie Irving. Irving finished with 38 points on 16-29 shooting, while James flirted with a triple-double, dropping 39 points to go with 11 assists and nine rebounds. The only other Cavs player who scored in double figures was J.R. Smith with 16, shooting 5-10 from behind the arc.

Tristan Thompson did not score in 23 minutes of action, and Kevin Love scored just nine points on a poor 1-9 from the field. Cleveland had a plus/minus ratio of +7 with James on the court, but -12 with him off it.

Cleveland was clinging to a six-point lead with just three minutes left, but Durant used a 14-point scoring outburst in the game’s final quarter to put the game – and his haters – to rest as he proved that the move to Golden State from Oklahoma City is certainly paying dividends.

The Warriors jumped out in front early, and maintained a six-point lead going into halftime. The Cavaliers then took storm during the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 33-22 in order to take a 94-89 lead after three quarters. Draymond Green also picked up a technical foul during the quarter, and he remained in foul trouble all game, scoring just eight points compared to five fouls.

No moments were greater than the final run by Golden State in the final minutes of play, A Smith 3 put Cleveland up six wth 3:09 remaining. But then, Curry hit a layup and Durant a mid-range jumper before connecting on the trey at the top of the key. Free throws closed out the road victory.

Here’s Durant hitting the go-ahead basket:

The Warriors will look to sweep Cleveland and finish the postseason a perfect 16-0 as they attempt to win their second title in three years when the two teams meet again at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday at 9 p.m. EST.

A list complied by Forbes of the world’s top 100 highest-paid athletes, and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list once again.

Ronaldo, who also topped the list last year, has earned a total of $93 million, with $58 million coiming in salary/winnings, and the other $35 million by way of endorsement deals. Forbes conducted research from June 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017 in order to find an athlete’s total earnings, using salary and bonus data as well as estimated earnings form endorsements.

The list consists of 32 NBA players, making basketball the sport with the most athletes on the list. This year’s list also features 18 more basketball players than last year’s list. Lebron James was the first basketball player to appear on list, coming in at No. 2. The 32-year-old Cleveland Cavalier earned $31.2 million in salary/winnings, and $55 million from endorsements for a total of $86.2 million.

FC Barcelona icon Lionel Messi, tennis legend Roger Federer and Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant round out the top five, respectively.

Ronaldo was the top earner by way of salary/winnings, but it was Federer who earned the most out of endorsement deals, with an estimated $58 million coming from that. Tiger Woods, No. 17 on the list only earned $107,000 from his salary/winnings due to limited participation but raked in a whopping $37 million in endorsement deals. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zach Grienke earned $24.1 million through his salary/winnings, but just a mere $50,000 in endorsements.

There were 22 MLB players on the list, topped by 28th-ranked Clayton Kershaw, to go with 15 NFL players, led by 6th-ranked Andrew Luck. Serena Williams was one of six tennis players but the only woman to make the list, coming in at No. 51 overall.

Additionally, the list featured four golfers, headlined by Phil Mickelson at No. 12, the oldest athlete on the list, at 46. Fellow golfer Jordan Spieth, ranked 21st on the list, was the youngest at age 23. Six auto racers made the cut, with Lewis Hamilton rounding out to top ten. Zero NHL players appeared on the list.

To view the entire Forbes list, visit their website to view the comprehensive breakdown.

The NFL offseason has not been kind to New York Jets veterans, or its fans for that matter.

On Tuesday, the organization continued its apparent overhaul as highly-favorited linebacker David Harris was cut after ten seasons with the Jets. Harris was the team’s second-round draft pick back in 2007. Also on the Jets’ chopping block is wide receiver Eric Decker, who was told by staff that he will either be traded or released to free agency.

Jets Owner and CEO Woody Johnson had this to say about Harris:

Harris was second all-time in franchise history in tackles, with 1,260. “The Hitman” as he is nicknamed was even discussing a salary reduction, and his quiet, humble approach to New York and the game made him so well-liked by fans.

Decker, 30, joined the Jets prior to the 2014 season and has also been a fan-favorite. He was 19 touchdown receptions over his three seasons with the team, with 12 of those coming in 2015 alone.

Both Decker and Harris participated in team workouts on Tuesday before being notified of the decisions, being told by Head Coach Todd Bowles.

This comes after the team parted ways with another wide receiver in Brandon Marshall. Marshall was highly productive in his time with the Jets, but will still play at MetLife Stadium – the 33-year-old signed a two-year deal with the New York Giants in March. The Jets also lost long-time veterans Nick Mangold, Nick Folk and Darrelle Revis so far this offseason.

This week’s moves will free up about $11 million in cap space, but the decision comes as voluntary player workouts come to a close and just shortly before mandatory minicamp begins. Now, the Jets look like an absolute train wreck and has fans already calling for the team to tank the upcoming season.

The Jets certainly have a long road ahead of them this season, with Josh McCown currently projected as the team’s starting QB, and only Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty as alternate options. Quincy Enunwa will now look to be the top receiving target following Marshall departure and Decker’s departure to-be.

Pitting the Jets in a division that features the defending Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots, and well, good luck.

The second-best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, fell in straight sets to Dominick Thiem in the quarterfinals of the French Open on Wednesday in Paris.

The No. 2 seed Djokovic fell to the No. 6 seed and seventh-best player in the world in Thiem 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-0. The match seemed to be smooth sailing for Thiem, and he will face Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.

The defending French Open champion looked lost on the clay court, and Wednesday marked the first time in 2016 in Rome where he lost a set without winning a single game. This occurrence has only happened to Djokovic nine times in his tour-level career, but with three of them coming in Grand Slams.

Djokovic was also trying to become the first player in the Open Era and just the third player ever to win every Grand Slam twice. He had finally won every tournament when he defeated Englishmen Andy Murray to win the French Open last year, but repeating is never an easy task, especially in tennis.

The Serbian came into the match 5-0 all-time against Thiem, but fall handily in just two hours and 15 minutes. Thiem posted 38 winners to Djokovic’s 18, and Thiem had 28 unforced errors as opposed to 35 for Djokovic. The third and final set of course, put the game to rest as Thiem improves to 22-4 on clay this season. He will have to face arguably the best clay court player on the planet in Nadal, a nine-time French Open champion, on Friday.

Djokovic said in a press conference that, “Obviously nothing was going my way and everything his way. All in all, it was decided I think in the first set. He deserved to win. He was definitely the better player on the court today.”

Playing professional baseball is a dream that many young men have, but only few achieve. Even less of those men go on to play in the MLB.

Many say that if the talent is there and a player is ready, to go pro as soon as possible, and that’s for several reasons. Financial stability, no chance of injury in college, and a more often direct path to the majors helps the raw, but talent high schooler find his way into the MLB Draft and hopefully one day in the MLB.

Others believe that a college degree will set you up for life, as a steady career in baseball is often difficult to achieve. This also gives players the opportunity to hone in on their skills and improve over three or four years until being ready to declare for the draft.

But in all honesty, if a high schooler is ready for the draft after graduation, then just do it. Waste no time, take the short-term risk, and just go pro.

Take for instance 17-year-old two-way extraordinaire Hunter Greene. The right-handed flamethrower and shortstop from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, has all the tools necessary to become a lethal player at a very young age. He has been clocked throwing over 100 miles per hour, and can hit balls upwards of 450 feet. Greene has loads of potential on both ends of the diamond, but is listed on draft boards as a pitcher, while also topping Big Board charts. He is consistently ranked in the top-three of the best MLB Draft prospects, including Bleacher Report, Baseball America, and Sports Illustrated.

Watch as Greene shows off his power and velocity in footage shot by The Los Angeles Times.

Why should Greene not seize the opportunity of a lifetime? He has MLB-ready stuff, and is highly regarded as one of the sport’s next big stars. Greene is currently committed to attend and play at UCLA, but why bother?

Rather than having to worry about all the challenges a student-athlete faces balancing school and sports in college, Greene can find the balance between the position player and pitcher sides to his game, and can have the potential to appear in the majors before he turns 21.

Another big reason to go pro now is the eligibility rules that the NCAA has. Once opting to play in college instead of signing a professional contract, the NCAA does not allow players to go back on that decision for at least three years. There is no one-and-done option like in college basketball – players can only declare for the draft after their junior or senior seasons.

College is certainly not a waste of time by any means, but Greene, as well as all high school players, have the unique opportunity to improve and advance at the professional level at an extremely young age if deciding to turn pro. Three of the top-five and five of the top-ten prospects on Bleacher Report’s Big Board are high schoolers.

Risk of career-altering or career-ending injuries can change a career forever, but a player can always go back to school and earn a degree in more ways than one. You only get one chance at the opportunity of a lifetime. For players like Greene, the risk of skipping college may be high, but the reward is even higher.

The MLB Draft begins on Monday, June 12 at 7 p.m. EST.

The Houston Astros continue Major League Baseball’s most impressive run of the season with a 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday, giving the team its league-leading 11th consecutive victory.

Now sitting at an MLB-best 42-16, Houston seems to be firing on all cylinders. They have won its last seven of the 11 games on the road and its last 11 games on the road overall. After being swept by Cleveland, the Astros won three of four against Detroit, and swept Baltimore, Minnesota and Texas.

Monday’s victory came in part of strong pitching by Mike Fiers. The right-hander has not lost on the road in his last ten starts, dating back to Aug. 20, 2016. Fiers tossed five-plus innings and allowing just two earned runs while striking out four.

Offense has been the main contributor to Houston’s recent success, racking up seven runs or more in nine of the past 11 wins. Carlos Correa has emerged as one of the league’s top players and was awarded the American League Player of the Month award for his efforts. He is currently batting .310 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI’s, and had a ten-game hitting streak before it was snapped in Monday’s win.

Jose Altuve and George Springer have also been a bolt for the team, as Altuve leads Houston with a .326 batting average, and Springer has a team-best 16 home runs. Also a budding player for the Astros is Marwin Gonzalez, who is batting .314 with 12 home runs and 34 RBI’s.

Houston will look to continue its impressive streak on Tuesday night against Kansas City when the two teams return to Kauffman Stadium.