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Pitching prospect acquired in Alex Verdugo deal already ranks among Red Sox best

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

NASHVILLE — Recently the Red Sox minor league pitching pipeline has slowed to a trickle, and coming into the offseason only two of Boston’s top 15 prospects according to MLB Pipeline were pitchers.New chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has vowed to change that, and late Tuesday night he brought in some pretty significant reinforcements.By shipping Alex Verdugo off to the New York Yankees, Breslow got back three right-handed pitchers in return. Greg Weissert, a 28-year-old reliever who made 17 appearances in the majors last season; Richard Fitts, a former sixth-round pick out of Auburn in 2021 and the Yankees’ No. 12 prospect; and Nicholas Judice, a 6-foot-8 mountain of a man who was an eighth round pick this past summer and has yet to make his professional debut.One in particular could become a real difference maker.Fitts, the most notable return in the deal, is the reigning Eastern League (Double-A) Pitcher of the Year and a guy who should immediately slot in as one o...

With Alex Verdugo gone, opportunity knocks for young Red Sox outfielders

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

NASHVILLE — Alex Verdugo’s days with the Red Sox are done. The talented and at times controversial outfielder was dealt to the New York Yankees late Tuesday night, clearing Boston’s logjam at the position and opening a spot for someone new to step in.Though that may still wind up being an outside acquisition, Alex Cora and Craig Breslow each indicated they believe the answer could already be on the roster.“Obviously we lose a good player, a solid player, but we improve in another area and it opens a window for the guys to step up and be part of this,” Cora said.The guys Cora is referring to are rookies Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela, who made a strong impression during their late-season call-up and are now in line to compete for a starting job. Breslow said between those two and Jarren Duran the Red Sox have an incredibly dynamic and athletic outfield, and they’re comfortable spreading out Verdugo’s at bats across that group.“We saw reall...

Shooting investigation underway in Ramona

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

RAMONA, Calif. -- A homicide investigation was launched in Ramona Wednesday morning, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department confirmed to FOX 5.According to authorities, a call came in around 11:30 p.m. Thursday night reporting multiple gunshots in the area of the intersection of Highway 78 and Haverford Road. Fire erupts in North County hoarder home Responding deputies located a a red Ford F150 and a man with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities confirmed.SDSO said the victim, who has not been identified at this time, was taken to a local hospital by paramedics. He was later pronounced dead around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.There were no other victims in connection to this incident.Homicide investigators remained at the scene for hours. The circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation, and SDSO said there's no suspect information at this time.Evidence markers were seen surrounding the red Ford F150 and shell casings were seen on the road, FOX 5 confirmed at the scene W...

Howard Stern reveals death of close friend, frequent caller: 'Ralph was a trustworthy, dear friend'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

(WJW) – Ralph Cirella, Howard Stern's longtime friend and stylist, has died, Stern revealed on Wednesday's radio show.Cirella had been a close friend of Stern's for decades, and frequently contributed to the show as a caller or in-studio guest. Cirella had also previously hosted a show on one of Stern's SiriusXM stations.Stern told listeners that Cirella's heart "gave out" Tuesday morning during a medical procedure. He added that Cirella was being treated for a "rare lymphoma" that was "curable and treatable." Stern also admitted to being upset that Cirella waited too long to address the issue. "I just have been so sad and so angry." Norman Lear, ‘All in the Family’ producer, dies at 101 Stern said he had been friends with the 58-year-old for about 40 years, and both had shared similar senses of humor."He loved me," Stern said. "Ralph was a trustworthy, dear friend who made me laugh every time I was with him."Stern also credited Cirella with his marriage to Beth Ostrosky Stern. "H...

Maryland attorney general wants new hearing in gun licensing case

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — After a federal appeals court struck down Maryland’s handgun licensing law last month, the state attorney general is requesting a new hearing where more judges would consider the case, which could have significant implications for gun rights across the country.On Nov. 21, a three-judge panel on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond issued a 2-1 ruling that found it was unconstitutionally restrictive for Maryland to require people to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. The process of obtaining a license can take up to 30 days.In the majority opinion, the judges said they considered the case in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that “effected a sea change in Second Amendment law.”The underlying lawsuit was filed in 2016 as a challenge to a Maryland law requiring people to obtain a special license before purchasing a handgun. The law, which was passed in 2013 in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, lai...

Michael Urie keeps the laughter going as he stars in a revival of Broadway ‘Spamalot’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Urie has a very hard job this winter: Not cracking up when he’s not supposed to on Broadway.The former “Ugly Betty” and current “Shrinking” star is in a revival of the madcap medieval musical “Spamalot” and that means regular silliness from his co-stars.“At some point, somebody will do something totally stupid and we’ll all crack up laughing,” he said. “I have to bite the inside of my cheek or turn upstage or just really think about my intention.” You can sympathize with Urie since “Spamalot” is built on shenanigans that includes a group of knights fond of shrubbery, a singing and dancing plague victim, flatulent Frenchmen and killer rabbits.“The wordplay is so clever and then you’ll get a fart joke or then a rabbit will bite someone’s head off,” said Urie. “I don’t know any other material that is highbrow and lowbrow at the same time or within seconds of each other, but they seem to pull it off.”He’s joined by a cast that includes theater stars C...

S&P/TSX composite down in late-morning trading, oil drops below US$70 a barrel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was down in late-morning trading as losses in the energy sector helped offset strength in the base metal, telecommunication and utility stocks   as the price of oil fell below US$70 a barrel.The S&P/TSX composite index was down 8.57 points at 20,367.36.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 3.08 points at 36,127.64. The S&P 500 index was down 3.05 points at 4,564.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 13.93 points at 14,215.99.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.65 cents US compared with 73.64 cents US on Tuesday.The January crude oil contract was down US$2.59 at US$69.73 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was down nine cents at US$2.62 per mmBTU.The February gold contract was up US$12.00 at US$2,048.30 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$3.78 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Ca...

Bills GM says edge rusher Von Miller to practice and play while facing domestic violence charge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Though disappointed in the allegations of domestic violence made against Von Miller, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane stressed on Wednesday that he wants the legal process to play out and not rush to making any judgements.Otherwise, Beane said, Miller will participate in practice and is expected to play on Sunday when the Bills (6-6) travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs (8-4). Beane spoke for the team as the Bills returned from their bye week off, and a week after Miller turned himself in to police in a Dallas suburb after being charged in a warrant with domestic violence against the mother of his children, who is pregnant.Miller faces a charge of third-degree felony assault of a pregnant woman, which is punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He is free after posting a $5,000 bond.“No one wants their name associated with any accusation like that, so that’s a natural disappointment. I’m sure he’s disappointed,” Beane said. “But...

US expects to announce new weapons aid for Ukraine as Congress is stalled on more funding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is expected to announce a $175 million package of military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, including guided missiles for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-armor systems and high-speed anti-radiation missiles, according to U.S. officials.The latest aid comes as Congress remains stalled on legislation that would provide new funding for Ukraine as it battles to push back Russian forces, as well as money for Israel’s war with Hamas and other security needs. The Biden administration has said funding to aid Ukraine is running out, and the Pentagon packages of weapons and other equipment for the war have become much smaller in recent months.The White House is seeking nearly $106 billion, but the bill has gotten bogged down in negotiations over border security and because of increasing reluctance from Republican lawmakers to approve significant spending on the Ukraine war. GOP lawmakers are insisting on policy changes to halt the flow of...

Republican prosecutor will appeal judge’s ruling invalidating Wisconsin’s 174-year-old abortion ban

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:24 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Republican prosecutor said Tuesday that he plans to appeal a court ruling that Wisconsin law permits consensual medical abortions, the first step toward a potential showdown in the state Supreme Court over abortion rights.Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski issued a statement through his attorneys saying that he disagrees with Dane County Circuit Judge Diane Schlipper’s July finding and state law clearly bans abortions, including consensual medical abortions.The case appears destined to end up at the state Supreme Court. Liberal justices currently hold a 4-3 majority on the court, making it unlikely that conservatives would prevail at that level. Urmanski could string out the process beyond the 2025 spring elections, however, in the hopes that liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley loses re-election and conservatives regain control of the court.In question is an 1849 Wisconsin law that conservatives have interpreted as banning abortion. The U.S. ...